FEATURE STORY

Holiday Cheer on the Pier

Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Santa Monica

By Kamala Kirk

The Santa Monica Pier recently hosted the first annual Locals’ Night: Holiday Cheer on the Pier Edition on Dec. 15. Art, music, dance, cars, Marionettes, and Santa Claus were all featured at the special event. Activities and festivities include musical performances by McCabe’s Hootenanny; children’s crafts, story time and face painting followed by evening performances by the Bob Baker Marionettes; dance performances by Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico; interactive art and a performance by Sea Change Lab, the Westside dream car show, live music by The Strands, roaming carolers from Santa Monica High School choral department, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa Monica Pier’s Locals Nights take place on the third Thursday of every month from September through May with all entertainment and activity programming provided by Santa Monica organizations and Pier businesses offering specials specifically to Santa Monicans, all upon the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. While the event is not exclusive to Santa Monica residents, this is the Pier’s way of giving back to the community that has supported the Pier for over 113 years. For a complete detailed schedule, visit santamonicapier. org/localsnight.com.

Santa and Mrs. Claus pose next to the Pacific Park entrance. Santa and Mrs. Claus say hello to Jimmy Li.

Kashish Kaushik spins for her chance to win a prize.

Chudney Ross from Books and Cookies tells stories inside the merry-go-round.

Armando and Irma Aguirre stand next to their '59 Mercury. Members of McCabe’s Hootenanny Collective perform for guests during Santa Monica Pier Locals' Night.

Attendees enjoyed live music from McCabe’s Hootenanny Collective.