Santa Claus paid an early visit to Santa Monica, riding in his sleigh-on-wheels from Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel to Santa Monica Place, and then down the Third Street Promenade to “the Ice” at Arizona Avenue and 5th Street. At the much heralded November 29 event, Santa’s sleigh was followed along the route by a gaggle of children from the Police Activities League (PAL), a lucky few of whom rode with him in the horse-drawn carriage.
At the Ice, Fox 11 broadcast journalist Jeff Michael emceed a brief ceremony with Santa, Mayor Richard Bloom, and Police Chief Tim Jackman, which ended with all the PAL kids getting free admission to the ice skating rink that has been installed for the season by the Bayside District Corporation and Starbucks.
Also toasting the holidays this week, Main Street merchants staged a party at the California Heritage Museum on Saturday, December 1, followed by a “Candlelight Walk” to the lighting of the Shopping Cart Tree at Edgemar. And on Sunday, December 2, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel held its annual “Meet Me Under the Fig Tree” community gathering under the Moreton Bay Fig Tree in the porte-cochere area outside the lobby.
The Ice remains open through January 6, including holidays.
