April 22, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Celebrates the Holiday Season at Meet Me Under the Fig Tree

The holiday season in Santa Monica officially started this past Sunday,
December 10th at Meet Me Under the Fig Tree, a free annual community event hosted by Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and MSD Capital.
Over one thousand Santa Monicans gathered under the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree to celebrate the holiday season with live performances by Grammy award winning pianist Bill Cunliffe and the Santa Monica High School Orchestra, and vocalist Savi. The event was hosted by KTLA personalities Wendy Burch and Eric Spillman, while guests enjoyed playing in the snow, holiday cookie decorating, hair braiding by Glam & Go, a bounce house, a petting zoo, arts and crafts and a
whimsical ginger bread house display, as well as meet and greets with members of Santa Monica Police Department Mounted Police, Heal the Bay and the American Red Cross.

Once again, pictures with Santa Claus proved to be extremely popular, which parents can access on the Friends of the Miramar Facebook Page in the coming week. Guests were also treated to a complimentary raffle, which featured prizes donated by community partners including Arclight Theater, Fritto Misto, Healthy Spot, Exhale, Helen’s Bikes, King’s Seafood/Water Grill, FIG Restaurant and a one-night stay at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Guests delighted in culinary offerings such as grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken shawarma and
three types of hot chocolate from FIG Restaurant, and food from Santa Monica partners including Lunetta All Day, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Vanilla Bake Shop, Panini Kabob Grill and Crityk.

Attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food to be donated to The People Concern. In total, over 11,000 pounds of food was collected, all of which will be distributed to those families in the community most in need.

In addition to the food drive for The People Concern, Meet Me Under the Fig Tree was proud to be partnering with Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) to raise funds for their programs that benefits youth aged 6-17 in Santa Monica. Over $5,000 was raised for Santa Monica PAL from a silent auction of hotel room stays throughout California.

“I personally look forward each year to Meet Me Under the Fig Tree, which has turned into our largest community event of the year”, said Matthew Lehman, General Manager of the Fairmont Hotel & Bungalows. “This year we welcomed over 1,000 Santa Monicans.”

Ellis O’Connor of MSD Capital’s Hospitality Group added, “We are always impressed by the generosity of our community, with significant donations that benefit such worthwhile local charities.”

“We are humbled to once again to be part of this event that benefits our most vulnerable neighbors and gives the community in its entirety a reason to come together and celebrate,” said John Maceri, Executive Director of The People Concern. “Thousands of individuals and families will be directly helped by those who generously decided to give. Thank you to the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and
MSD Capital for hosting this annual Santa Monica holiday tradition.”

“We love being a part of Meet Me Under the Fig Tree and I could not be more impressed with the event this year,” said Eula Fritz, Director of Santa Monica PAL. “The Fairmont Miramar is such a big part of our community and they once again put on an amazing community event supporting important charitable organizations. We look forward to coming back next year.”

Santa Monica residents are invited for a staycation at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows during the month of December with discounted rates. To make a reservation, Santa Monica residents can dial 1-800-441-1414 and mention “The Fig Tree” for a discount. In addition, a portion of the room rates made under the program will be donated to Santa Monica PAL.

<>Related Posts

Building Permit Fees to be Waived for Palisades Fire Victims, Mayor Announces

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

The waived fees and new initiatives build on emergency orders designed to unlock innovation and prioritize getting residents back home...

Revote Planned for Malibu School District Split

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Committee’s Initial Rejection of Malibu’s Petition Faces Procedural Challenge A Los Angeles County committee narrowly voted to reject a proposal...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

City of Malibu Considers Sewer Upgrades in Fire-Prone Beach Zones

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Findings from the Feasibility Study to Be Revealed at Public Meeting The City of Malibu is evaluating more resilient wastewater...

Free Blood Testing For Lead Available for Westside Residents After Wildfires

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

LA County Public Health Urges Residents Near Burn Areas to Get Tested The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health...

(Video) Palisades Residents Reunite Months After Wildfires at ‘Rooted in Resilience’ Event

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Three Months After the Devastating Wildfires, Palisadians Reconnected at Clover Park for a Day of Music, Games, Food and More...

Siblings Stabbed on Santa Monica Beach

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

The stabbing comes amid heightened concerns over nighttime safety at Santa Monica State Beach A brother and sister were hospitalized...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...

Venice Community Housing and Community Corp. of Santa Monica Partner on 20th Street Apartments

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Construction Begins on Eco-Friendly Housing Development in Santa Monica Construction is officially underway on the 20th Street Apartments, a new...

Rents Stay Stable, but Economic Shifts Threaten the Balance

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Tariffs and Tight Supply Could End Flat Rent Streak After more than a year of minimal fluctuation, asking rents, or...

Pali High Students to Resume In-Person Classes at New Downtown Santa Monica Campus

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica Welcomes Students With Transportation Help, Safety Measures Santa Monica is preparing to welcome Palisades Charter High School students...