December 10
Malaysia Kitchen for the World, night food market, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free, Third Street Promenade between Arizona and Santa Monica Boulevards, www.malaysiakitchenla.com/news-events/index.html.
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, noon to close, Pacific Park, Santa Monica Pier, 310.260.8744.
December 10 through 12
Clayhouse Annual Holiday Pottery Sale, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, free, Clayhouse, 2909 Santa Monica Boulevard, 310.828.7071.
December 11
The Night That Changed the World, readings about Christmas by actor Joe Praml, 2 p.m., free, Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library, 11820 San Vicente Boulevards, Brentwood, 310.575.8273.
December 11-12
The Nutcracker, presented by Westside Ballet of Santa Monica, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays, $30, Wadsworth Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, LA, www.ticketmaster.com or call 800.982.2787.
December 12
Santa Monica Nativity Scenes opens with procession of carolers down Ocean Avenue, 2 p.m., opening ceremony with narration of the Nativity story and music, 3 p.m., free, 14 life-sized figures will remain on display until the end of the year, Ocean Avenue near Wilshire Boulevard, 310.577.2586.
December 13
Happy Holidays Workshop, learn how to identify your pleasures, leave things behind, and make the most of your choices, with Carlan Robinson, PhD., 3 to 4:30 p.m., free, DeWind Room, Santa Monica Family YMCA, 1332 Sixth Street, 310.393.2721.
December 14-15
SMC Student Holiday Art Sale, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Pete and Susan Barrett Gallery, SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th Street, 310.434.4230.
December 15
Advent Organ Vespers, 7 p.m., free, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Boulevard, 310.452.1116.
December 16
Santa Monica High School Winter Choral Concert: Motus Perpetuus VI, performed by choirs placed strategically throughout the concert hall, 7 p.m., $5 to $10, Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, 601 Pico Boulevard, www.samohichoir.org.
ONGOING
Toy Drive. 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.
Chanukah Menorah Lighting, with congregation Kehillat Ma’arav, through Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., free, 1300 block (center court-north) Third Street Promenade, http://thirdstreetpromenade.org.
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 17 , prices range from $14 to $47, children under two are free, 805.524.2546.
ICE at Santa Monica, ice skating through February 15, noon to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to midnight Fridays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, $10 (includes skates), ICE at Santa Monica Outdoor Ice Rink, 1324 Fifth St., 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, noon and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, The Other Space, Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th 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.
Toy Drive. 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 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, www.santamonica.com/visitors/multimedia/app
