The unofficial start to the South Bay holiday season happens this Wednesday, November 18th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Manhattan Beach as the 21st Holiday Open House & 26th Pier Lighting event shines a light on local retailers, holiday cheer, some Christmas caroling, and live music. Retailers and restaurants will be handing out tasty treats and non-alcoholic beverages as way of saying thank you to the community at large for supporting Downtown Manhattan Beaches’ businesses. There will be live reindeer in the street and Santa Claus will be fielding gift requests starting at 5:00 p.m. in Metlox Plaza. At 7:00 p.m., the pier lighting ceremony will begin with live entertainment.
Manhattan Beach Pier from the handlebars of a beach cruiser (Photo by South Bay Events).
A note to the wise, this event routinely attracts a large crowd so parking can be a tricky jingle bell dance, so definitely try and cut of work early, use the strand to alleviate any unwanted parking stress, or just take a cab.
Event Schedule provided by City of Manhattan Beach (subject to change)
6:00 PM – Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) Choir
6:30 PM – Mira Costa High School (MCHS) Choir
7:00 PM – Pier Lighting Entertainment – Charlotte Sabina
7:15 PM – Lighting of the Pier & Pier Lighting Entertainment – Charlotte Sabina
7:30 PM – Pier Lighting Raffle
7:40 PM – Pier Lighting Entertainment – Rewind