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Hit All the Stops at the Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting/Holiday Open House

Nov 16, 2021 09:55PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Wednesday night is a big night in Manhattan Beach, with the famous Manhattan Beach Pier lighting and the Downtown Manhattan Beach merchants' holiday open house. Here's our guide to hitting all the stops.

General Schedule

First, here's the basic schedule:

5:00 p.m.: Santa arrives at Metlox Plaza
6:00-9:00 p.m.: Holiday open house with businesses in Downtown Manhattan Beach
7:00 p.m.: The lighting of the Manhattan Beach Pier

Schedule Highlights


Now, here are the specific highlights you're going to want to hit:

Santa Photos
Pictures with Santa will be provided by Ralf's photography at Metlox Plaza beginning after Santa's arrival at 5:00 p.m.

Reindeer
Live reindeer will be located outside of {pages}: a bookstore.

Living Trees

The living holiday trees will be up on the Manhattan Beach Pier for one week for photo opportunities, courtesy of The Living Christmas Company and Palm Realty Boutique.


Music
5:00 p.m. Jack Tracy will be at Metlox Plaza on ukulele
6:00 p.m. The Manhattan Beach Middle School choir will perform at the Manhattan Beach Pier 
6:30 p.m. The Mira Costa High School choirs will perform at the Manhattan Beach Pier

6:00 p.m. onwards:
  • Hyperion Outfall Serenaders in front of Chase Bank
  • Matt Jazz, saxophone at 12th and Manhattan Ave.
  • Michael Holmes, guitar in Metlox Plaza
  • Dietz Bros. Band at 10th and Manhattan Ave.
  • Strolling carolers from A Holiday Affair and Harmony Carolers

Other Entertainment
  • Holiday store window decoration contest - Downtown merchants' windows and the Neptunian Woman's Club will have their windows decorated for the holidays.
  • Face painting and a balloon artist at Metlox Plaza
  • The Monopoly Man at the Roundhouse Aquarium from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Bubblemania on Manhattan Ave. at Center Place
  • Holiday Scavenger Hunt (November 17-December 15): Look for a rustic reindeer hidden in each of the businesses listed at right (and get a playing card). When you find the reindeer, ask the business to stamp your card. Once it’s filled, turn your card in at any business to be entered to win one of the reindeer plus a $25 gift certificate to one of these businesses. 

Food Highlights
  • Hot chocolate at Birdwell Beach Britches (starting at 4:00 p.m.)
  • Becker's Bakery cookies at {pages} a Bookstore
  • Hot chocolate and desserts at the Roundhouse Aquarium
  • Donut samples at The Strand House
  • Sips and snacks at Waterleaf Home and Gift Store as they continue to celebrate their 15th anniversary
  • Danger Dogs (bacon wrapped street-style hot dogs) at Manhattan Beach Watch Repair (13th St. at Highland)
  • Larry's Tacos at Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions (1213 Manhattan Ave.)
  • Hot cocoa, cookies, Champagne, and popcorn at DOMO Group (1214 Highland Ave.) - Bring a toy to contribute to the toy drive and you can be entered into a drawing for two L.A. Kings tickets
  • Churros at Right Tribe (and geode cracking!). Everyone who comes in will be entered into a raffle for a surprise giveaway
  • Grilled cheese and tomato soup and hot chocolate at Shade Hotel (and a chance to win prizes including tickets to Shade's New Year's Eve party)
  • Chowder samples (from Rock'n Fish) offered at Skechers
  • Pretzel samples at Brewco
  • $7 pints of Cranberrry Hazy IPA, Pumpkin Pie Brown Ale, or Sweet Potato Cream Ale at Culture Brewing

Shopping Highlights
  • Tabula Rasa is offering 20% off the entire store from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Certain items, such as the Manhattan Beach Monopoly game, are excluded.
  • Bo Bridges Gallery has free framing and shipping on all artwork
  • Gum Tree will be giving away a free tote with every purchase

Note the following street closures from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.:
Manhattan Ave. between 9th and 12th Sts.
Manhattan Beach Blvd. between Highland Ave. and the Pier
Ocean Dr. between 11th and 12th Sts.




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