December 16-24
Las Posadas, the annual procession down Olvera Street that reenacts the pilgrimage to Bethlehem and the search for a inn (posada), through Christmas Eve, with a piñata smashing for kids, music, and refreshments for all, 6 p.m., procession begins at 7:30 p.m., free, Olvera Street, Los Angeles, http://olvera-street.com/html/las_posadas.html.
December 17
Debby Boone and John Davidson: Christmas Memories, 8 p.m., $10 to $55, Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, 310.506.4522.
December 18
Holiday Sale, prints, books, cards, 12 to 5 p.m., free, SPARC, 685 Venice Boulevard, Venice, 310.822.9560.
Winter Solstice, the Church in Ocean Park’s celebration on the beach with Fred Whitlock, 5 to 8 p.m., free, beach at end of Ocean Park Boulevard, http://churchop.org
December 19
Jazz Forum Holiday Special presents Suzy Williams and her band, live jazz and holiday music, sing-a-longs, raffle, 3 p.m., $15 ,$12 seniors, Santa Monica Lodge, 1600 Ocean Park Boulevard, 310.831.6774.
Neighborhood Holiday Concert with the Los Angeles Clarinet Institute, featuring the works of John Phillip Sousa, the Beatles, and Christmas carols, 2 p.m., free, 3725 May Street, Mar Vista, www.LAclarinet.com.
December 21
Family Sing-A-Long, 7:30 p.m., free, Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, 310.858.7272 x131.
ONGOING
Toy Collection: The American Red Cross of Santa Monica, KABC Channel 7, Santa Monica Firefighters, and the Rotary Club of Santa Monica will collect toys through Friday, Dec. 24. As in previous years, a new unwrapped toy or sports equipment can be dropped off at the Santa Monica Red Cross during regular business hours at 1450 11th Street or at or any Santa Monica Fire Department station. 310.394.3773.
Fillmore and Western Railway Holiday Train Rides, Christmas Tree Holiday Train, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19, North Pole Express, weekends through Dec. 27, Dinner with Santa, Dec. 10 and 17th, prices range from $14 to $47, children under two are free, 805.524.2546.
ICE at Santa Monica, ice skating through Feb. 15, 12 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 12 to midnight Fridays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, $10 (includes skates), ICE at Santa Monica Outdoor Ice Rink, 1324 Fifth Street, 310.393.8355.
Mrs. Scrooge, an interactive retelling of the classic, written and directed by Diane Namm, through Dec. 19, 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Wednesdays, 12 and 3 p.m. Saturdays through Sundays, The Other Space, Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth Street, www.westofbroadway.org.
Pictures with Santa Claus, through Dec. 24, 11 a.m to 5 p.m., Center Court, 1300 Block of Third Street Promenade, http://thirdstreetpromenade.org.
Santa Monica area families in need can sign up for the “Spark of Love Toy Drive” to receive toys for their children. Persons needing toys can stop by the Santa Monica Red Cross between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays between now and Saturday, Dec. 18 to sign up which includes providing the number of children in the family and their ages. Families can download the registration form from our website at www.redcrossofsantamonica.org.
Santa Claus Riding the Roller Coaster, have your picture taken riding with Santa, snow flurries fall for each coaster ride, through Dec. 25, rides $5, 12 p.m. to close, Pacific Park, Santa Monica Pier, 310.260.8744.
Santa Monica Nativity Scenes 14 life-sized figures will remain on display until the end of the year, Ocean Avenue near Wilshire Boulevard, 310.577.2586.
Santa Monica Place Gift-Wrapping, through the holiday season, during mall hours, Guest Services, Level 2, Santa Monica Place, http://thirdstreetpromenade.org.
Surfin’ Santa, through Dec. 22, a surfing Santa on a beach cruiser will be visiting various community events, farmer’s markets, and local pubs; residents and visitors that spot Surfing Santa and show him that the Santa Monica mobile app has been downloaded on their iPhone, iPod Touch or Android will instantly win a Santa Monica beach ball, http://www.santamonica.com/visitors/multimedia/app/
