There’s so much to do, see, eat, shop, and experience in the South Bay of Los Angeles during the holidays! Check out our list of all the South Bay Holiday events – from magical light displays to enjoying hot cocoa with Santa.

Looking for more family-friendly events this holiday season? Sign up for our newsletter and get it all delivered to your inbox, or check out our events calendar.

Help Us Sponsor 100 Families This Holiday Season

Join us for our Local Anchor 4th Annual Project Holiday Helpers and adopt local families in need this holiday season!

This post is sponsored by South Bay Credit Union. South Bay Credit Union is for all who live, work, or worship in the South Bay.

Before we get started, check out these additional holiday guides for the Holiday Season in and around the South Bay.

2025 Holiday Events In Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Village Holidays 2025

November 13 – December 24, 2025

From photos with Santa to live music performances and a tree-lighting ceremony, there’s something for everyone in your family to enjoy, even the dog! Join in the festivities as they kick off the holiday season with Santa’s arrival on Friday, November 28, from 3 – 6 pm. The celebration includes live performances and a tree-lighting ceremony. Reserve your spot to see Santa and get the perfect family photos. Kids can deliver their wishlists to a special mailbox to be sent straight to the North Pole, and the first 100 letters will receive a response.

2025 Pier Lighting and Annual Holiday Open House

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Downtown Manhattan Beach and Manhattan Beach Pier

The holiday season kicks off in true South Bay style at the annual Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 6 to 9 PM in Downtown Manhattan Beach. This cherished community celebration features live entertainment, festive lights, and extended shopping and dining hours. Local boutiques and restaurants will be open late with special offers, tastings, and holiday cheer, creating the perfect night to shop local and enjoy the sparkle of the season.

In partnership with the City of Hermosa Beach, the Beach Cities Toy Drive will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need. Donations can be made during the event at the Police and Fire Station lobby, at Manhattan Beach City Hall, or at local fire stations. Celebrate the season, support small businesses, and enjoy a magical evening by the sea. Think Local First and experience the joy of the holidays in Downtown Manhattan Beach.Download the Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House Map/Schedule (PDF)

Roundhouse Aquarium Holiday Open House

Wednesday, November 19
Aquarium Hours: 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM

During the Pier Lighting, the Roundhouse will be open late so you can enjoy the lights and animals after dark. Stop in for holiday shopping, visit your favorite animals, and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies from 3:30 to 8:30 pm!

33rd Annual Holiday Homes Tour in the South Bay

Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7, 2025

Embrace the holiday spirit at the 33rd Annual Holiday Homes Tour presented by Sandpipers, a cherished South Bay tradition running from Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7, 2025. This year’s tour is set to be more dazzling than ever, showcasing unique South Bay homes beautifully transformed for the season. Local artisans and florists have crafted stunning winter wonderlands, making this a festive experience not to be missed.

Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks Festival

December 14, 2025

Watch the sky light up with fireworks over the Manhattan Beach Pier. In addition to the fireworks show, you can enjoy live bands, a snow park, and more! Be sure to bring a new toy for the toy drive.

2025 Holiday Events In Redondo Beach

2025 Riviera Village Holiday Stroll

Thursday December 4, 2025 5pm- 9pm

Celebrate the season at Riviera Village, where they will hold their annual Holiday Stroll. The best holiday songs play in the background while Christmas light displays illuminate the streets! In addition to the open shops, you’ll enjoy a visit from Santa, the Grinch, and other holiday characters, as well as plenty of fun photo ops.

Let It Snow Redondo

December 6, 2025 12 PM to 4 PM

The Redondo Beach Department presents, “Let it Snow Redondo!” December 7th from 12 PM to 4 PM at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach. Enjoy an afternoon of real snow, cocoa, cookies, crafts, photos with Santa Claus and more! Support the Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program and donate a new unwrapped toy, coat or gift card for children and families in need.

Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

December 4-14, 2025

The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is an international sensation that gives the ballet classic a fresh, new context with lively characters, new music by industry legends, diverse choreography, spectacular aerial arts, and state-of-the-art projection to create an immersive, vibrant, and memorable theater experience for all ages. Ticketed performances take place at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

2025 King Harbor King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade

December 13, 2025

Indulge in the holiday spirit and delight in the sight of festive boats gracefully gliding through the harbor. This year’s parade theme is “A Tropical Holiday.” The parade runs from 5:30 – 8pm and the best spots for viewing are the Portofino Hotel, Moonstone Park, and Mole B.

2025 Redondo Beach Pier Annual Holiday Concert

December 13, 2025

Join in the Christmas cheer with live performances from 2 – 4 pm. There will be a holiday activity book giveaway, a holiday selfie station, and more! Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the toy drive for a chance to win prizes.

2025 Holiday Events In Hermosa Beach

Hermosa for the Holidays

November 21-23, 2025

This 3-day holiday event hosted by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau features music, shopping, dining, family-friendly activities, and a tree lighting ceremony.

Celebrate the Season with Hermosa for the Holidays

The California Great Santa Stroll

Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

The California Great Santa Stroll is a fundraiser for Mychal’s Learning Place and easily one of the most unique South Bay holiday events. This fun run/ walk is a 5K open to people of all ages and abilities. Thousands of participants dressed like Santas will trek from the Hermosa Beach Pier to Manhattan Beach this year.

2025 Holiday Events In El Segundo

61st Annual El Segundo Holiday Parade

Sunday, December 14, 2025 1 – 3pm

Join the community on December 14, 2025, for the 61st Annual El Segundo Holiday Parade, themed “Candy Cane Lane on Main”! This beloved holiday tradition brings together local schools, organizations, joyful marching bands, vintage cars, businesses, and creative floats for a dazzling display of festive cheer. The parade lineup begins at 11:00 am on Imperial Ave & Main Street, with lineup numbers distributed during the week of December 2.

The parade route starts on Main Street at Imperial Avenue and proceeds south to El Segundo Blvd. Don’t miss the excitement from 1:00 to 3:00 pm as we celebrate this cherished annual event.

2025 Holiday Events In Palos Verdes Peninsula

Astra Lumina Returns to South Coast Botanic Garden for a Magical Night Walk

November 6 – December 31, 2025

Astra Lumina returns with one of the best holiday events in the South Bay: enchanting night walks at the South Coast Botanic Garden. This immersive experience features the magic of projections, lighting, and music to transform the garden into a celestial pathway.

South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Peninsula Parade of Lights

Saturday, December 6, 2025

The City of Rolling Hills Estates is excited to once again light up the season with holiday cheer with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights. This unique annual event is perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. The parade features community and civic groups, school and youth organizations, marching bands, drill teams, equestrian units, local businesses, and of course, Santa!

2025 Holiday Events In Torrance

Torrance Turkey Trot Fun Run

Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 8 a.m.

One of the most unique South Bay holiday events, the Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run is the perfect way to start your day before the Thanksgiving feast! On Thanksgiving Day, the three-mile fun run will begin at 8:00 am. Stay after the race for a chance drawing with mountain bikes and other amazing prizes. An official Turkey Trot shirt will be given to each registered participant. Please be aware that the Turkey Trot will continue regardless of the weather.

2025 Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival

December 3 – 7, 2025 (Closed to the Public on Friday)

Beautifully decorated trees, concerts, seasonal gifts, kid-friendly activities, a food court, and unique ticketed events like a fashion show and dinner gala are all included in the Holiday Festival, a one-of-a-kind holiday celebration. Located at the Torrance Memorial Medical Center in a white tent at the intersection of Medical Center Drive and Skypark Drive.

Downtown Torrance Holiday Stroll

TBA

Enjoy holiday carolers singing Christmas songs and check out the photo ops and cookies! Stores will be open late with special sales and treats. Santa will be there with a snowfall and more festive fun from 4 – 8 pm.

Southern California Steamers Holiday Lights Train Rides

Friday, December 19 & Saturday, December 20, 2025 5:00pm to 8:30pm

All aboard for a Holiday-themed train ride through a half mile of lights and displays. In Wilson Park. Riders must be at least 32″ to ride; no infants are allowed to ride the trains.

2025 Holiday Events In San Pedro

San Pedro Spirit of the Holidays Parade

Sunday, December 17, 2025 1pm-3pm
Downtown San Pedro

Don’t miss the special holiday fun with the 45th Annual San Pedro Spirit of the Holidays Parade. This wonderful tradition will feature bands, equestrian units, dancers, and Santa Claus! The parade starts at 1 pm at 13th and Pacific Avenue, makes a right at 6th Street, and heads west to the water.

Outdoor Holiday Market Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

November 30, 2025

Shop local for the holidays this year at the Outdoor Holiday Market. Several accomplished local artists and artisans will showcase and sell their wares, including pottery, knitting, glass jewelry, recycled and upcycled sea debris, children’s wear, and more. You can also support a great cause by shopping at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Gift Shop. Shop and enjoy food and live entertainment from 10 am to 3 pm.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Address 3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731

2025 Holiday Events In Lomita

Santa at the Lomita Railroad Museum

TBA

Santa is coming to the Lomita Railroad Museum! In addition to visits and photo ops with Santa, you can explore the Lomita Railroad Museum and check out holiday activities like cookie decorating, holiday crafts and games, and tasty holiday treats.

2025 Holiday Events In Lawndale

Coming Soon

Don’t Miss Santa’s Sleigh! (COMING SOON)

Santa is making his way across the South Bay. Check out our guides to all of his stops and what dates and times he will be visiting your neighborhood:

2025 Redondo Beach Santa Float Schedule

2025 Manhattan Beach Santa Float Schedule

2025 Lomita Santa, Palos Verdes Estate Santa, & Rolling Hills Santa Float Schedule

2025 Torrance Santa Float Schedule

About South Bay Credit Union

South Bay Credit Union is for all who live, work, or worship in the South Bay.

Banking with South Bay Credit Union offers numerous advantages. Their exceptional features include a local presence in the South Bay, personalized attention to detail, tailored banking and lending solutions, access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs, specialized Youth Accounts, and private insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000 per account.

For small businesses, banking with South Bay Credit Union offers a range of advantages. These include online banking, bill payment services, debit and credit business cards, and low fees. You can enjoy all these benefits while receiving the same level of care and attention as a personal account.

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More holiday fun:

Catered Thanksgiving Dinners in the South Bay

Celebrate Holiday Events in Los Angeles and Orange County

12 Ways To Volunteer as a Family During the Holidays

20+ Thoughtful Thanksgiving Activities for Kids