Downtown Manhattan Beach was filled with the biggest crowds in nearly two years on Wednesday night, as the community gathered for the Holiday Open House and Pier Lighting event.

Following musical performances by the Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School choirs, Mayor Hildy Stern flipped the official switch to turn on the lights, bringing the Manhattan Beach Pier into its full holiday glory.

Crowds filled the streets as merchants and businesses gave away holiday food and drinks. Some of the biggest lines of the night were seen outside Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions (featuring Larry's Tacos), at the coffee bar inside Skechers, and waiting for churros and geode-cracking at Right Tribe. 

Music could be heard on almost every corner, with roving holiday carolers and performers stationed throughout the downtown area. The iconic Hyperion Outfall Serenaders took up their traditional spot at the corner of Manhattan Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd. 

Kids also had a chance to enjoy some snow-like fun, with pillowy piles of foam outside Trilogy Spa, and with Bubblemania (giant bubbles) on Manhattan Ave. outside Nando Trattoria. A pair of reindeer outside {pages} a bookstore also drew crowd of kids and families alike.

Many local merchants, as well as the Neptunian Woman's Club, decked out their store windows and dining decks for a contest to be held by the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professionals Association.

The holiday window decoration finalists will be announced shortly, after which a public voting period will begin.