June 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Holiday Festivities

By Sam Skopp

 

For the first time ever, the Pico Improvement Organization, Buy Local Santa Monica, Virginia Avenue Park and Santa Monica’s Farmers Markets co-hosted a festive Trio Holiday Celebration Saturday, Dec. 9, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The event was located in the area of the park just adjacent to the simultaneous farmers market, allowing access to the adjacent outdoor stage as well as integration with the farmers market.

The event included a full day’s worth of activities, including a performance by the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra, scenes from “A Winter’s Tale” by the Morgan Wixson Theater, Christmas Carolers from Santa Monica High, door prize drawings, a performance by a dance group, and even a visit from the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments’ annual Holiday Candy Cane Drive. Kids could also get their pictures taken with Santa Claus just outside the Pico Library.

“Doing it here, we wanted to overlap with the farmers market and keep people here, while also bringing people to the market,” said Event Coordinator Donna Gentry.

While this event was the first of its kind, last year, the Venice Family Clinic hosted a smaller Christmas celebration, to which this was a bigger and more comprehensive spiritual successor.

“This is the first time we’ve celebrated all three holidays,” said Gentry.

The day’s schedule was kicked off by a greeting from Santa Monica mayor Ted Winterer, who left the stage to hand out candy canes to children in the audience. Story time at the library that day included books inspired by all three holidays celebrated at the event, as well as a book titled “Too Many Tamales,” about a Mexican-American Christmas dinner.

Immediately after the Holiday Celebration, the Pico Improvement Organization hosted a Pico Boulevard Holiday Walk, with free parking at the Venice Family Clinic, and shuttles taking participants down Pico Boulevard to local businesses holding sidewalk sales and special activities as part of the day’s event.

For more information about the Pico Improvement Organization, visit picopassport.com.

<>Related Posts

Lane Closures Return to PCH in Malibu for Fire Recovery and Emergency Repairs

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Traffic Will Be Impacted as Caltrans and the USACE Conduct Cleanup  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced updated...

Palisades Council Demands Accounting of FireAid Concert Funds

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

The FireAid concert, held on January 30, at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, raised an estimated $100 million, with...

Historic Venice Building Envisioned by Abbot Kinney Hits Market for $2.29M

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Kinney envisioned the building as part of an institutional foundation to rival Renaissance Italy, focusing on education and culture A...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Malibu Moves to Ease Business Burden After Wildfire and Pacific Coast Highway Closure

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

City Pauses Minimum Wage Hike, to Review Event Rules to Aid Local Businesses To alleviate economic strain on local businesses...

Criterion Mobile Closet Arrives in L.A. for Two-Day Stop at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

More Than 1,000 Classic Titles June 6–7 During American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week  Following its successful appearances at SXSW and Vidiots...

Waymo Faces Escalating Tensions in Santa Monica Over Noise Complaints: REPORT

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Some residents have resorted to blocking Waymo vehicles from entering the lots using cones, cars, and even themselves—a tactic locals...

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

Westside Ballet to Present Spring Showcase and Gala Featuring NYCB Stars This Weekend

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Community Service Award will go to first responders from Los Angeles and Santa Monica in...

Salt & Straw Unveils Summer Pie Series with Five Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Five New Flavors Inspired by Classic Summer Pies Will Be Introduced Salt & Straw is giving summer a scoopable twist with...

Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination...

(Video) Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Are in Need of Caregiving

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

To Find Out More, Go To Safelyhomeagain.com To Find Out More, Go To https://t.co/ZcOduvaP03 pic.twitter.com/9E2uPzzZO6 — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror)...

(Video) Last Thursday Concert Series Kicks off at Venice Boardwalk

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

The shows happen at Dudley Ave. at the pergolas on the north end of the boardwalk The shows happen at...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Summer Reading Program to Promote Literacy

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Running from June 14 through August 16, the program encourages participants of all ages to track their reading progress and...

Film Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

FILM REVIEWJANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFERated R98 MinutesReleased May 30th Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a refreshingly simple and...