There is no shortage of fun things to do this weekend! Read on….
Taking place for over 40 years, the Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza (also known as Candy Cane Lane) in Torrance is one of the largest holiday decoration displays in the country. You can walk or drive through the neighborhood reveling in the sights, sounds and scents of the season. It’s a wonderful way to spend the evening and one the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come. The wildly extravagant decorations are on display from December 1 through January 1 from about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information and directions, visit the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sleepy-Hollow-Christmas-Lights-Extravaganza/214158315880.
Torrance Memorial presents the annual Holiday Festival from December 3 through December 8. The Holiday Festival is a one-of-a-kind holiday event that includes beautifully decorated trees, holiday gifts, entertainment, children’s activities, a food court, Santa photos, opportunity drawing, live and online auctions and special events featuring a fashion show, dinner gala and lunch with Santa. Tickets for the public exhibit can be purchased at the door. General Admission is $5 and children 2 and under will be admitted free. Seniors will receive free admission on Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5. The exhibit will be closed to the public on Friday, December 6. Reservations and ticket purchase are required for the special events. The event takes place in the parking lot at Medical Center Drive and Skypark Drive in Torrance. For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.torrancememorial.org/Holiday_Festival.aspx.
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Head to Redondo Beach tonight, Thursday, December 5 for one of the most popular holiday shopping events in the South Bay – the Riviera Village Holiday Stroll! The annual Holiday Stroll kicks off at 5 p.m. A parade featuring marching bands from local schools and Santa Claus, gets underway at 6 p.m. at the corner of Catalina Avenue and Avenue I. The Village takes on a cheerful holiday atmosphere with lights, decorations and festive music for your enjoyment as you stroll along the avenues admiring the festooned store fronts. Once the shopping is done, take a relaxing ride in a horse-drawn carriage and treat yourself to dinner at one of the many fine dining establishments. As always, reservations are highly recommended! Catalina Avenue will be closed to traffic from Avenue I to Elena Avenue from 5 to 9 p.m. to facilitate the happy shoppers. This is a very popular event so plan to arrive early! For more information, visit the website at http://rivieravillage.org/content/view/32/69/.
The City of El Segundo Recreation & Parks Department and Mattel, Inc. proudly present the annual Holiday Tree Lighting tonight, Thursday, December 5. El Segundo City Hall Plaza at Main Street will be revelry central from 3 to 7 pm featuring traditional holiday entertainment with carolers, a craft boutique and farmers’ market. The main stage will be located at Main Street and Holly Avenue and will feature musical performances by various school and community groups. Check out the Candy Cane Lane Kid Zone for free games, crafts and train rides. Go to Santa’s Village for a visit with the jolly, fat guy in the red suit and a special appearance by Barbie. Kids will receive a free gift from Mattel. Prior to the Tree Lighting, guests will enjoy the sounds of the season by the Christmas Belles Carolers, an a cappella trio, as they stroll through City Hall Plaza. Join the mayor and city council for the official Tree Lighting countdown at 5:30. Once the tree is lit, enjoy a special concert on the main stage featuring the Swing Time Carolers. For more information, visit the website at http://www.elsegundo.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1180&TargetID=1.
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The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. at the Hermosa Beach Pier. The event will feature the official lighting of the Hermosa Beach Holiday Tree to kick off the holiday season. In addition, local shops and restaurants will be hosting holiday open houses throughout downtown for holiday shoppers and diners. This year, the Holiday Window Decorating Contest will also take place during the Open House. The festivities will include holiday carolers, bands from Hermosa View and Hermosa Valley Schools, hot cocoa sales from the Hermosa Beach Woman’s Club and an appearance by Santa. Event goers are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the tree which will be donated to the charities supported by the Annual Beach Cities Toy Drive. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.hbchamber.net/wcevents/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=273.
Everyone is invited to attend a special Blues Shabbat Service at Temple Menorah on Friday, December 6, featuring blues musician, Saul Kaye. Saul Kaye, an amazing, Jewish Blues musician, will perform his original compositions accompanied by his mesmerizing blues guitar playing. This special service starts at 6:30 p.m. and features Saul, Cantor Jessica and the Temple Menorah Youth Choir. If you like the blues, this is a variety not to be missed, and all are welcome to this evening of prayer and blues. For more info on Saul, check out his website at www.saulkaye.com. For additional information, call 310-316-8444 or visit the website at www.templemenorah.org. Temple Menorah is located at 1101 Camino Real in Redondo Beach.
Sandpipers present the 2013 South Bay Holiday Homes Tour beginning Friday, December 6 and running through Sunday, December 8. The Holiday Homes Tour is one of Sandpipers largest fundraising events of the year and offers a delightful way to kick off the holiday season. Guests will have the opportunity to tour four distinctive South Bay homes exquisitely decorated for the holidays. The homes will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Afterward, visit the Holiday Boutique and Café for delicious food and some shopping. They offer unique jewelry, children’s wear and hostess gifts along with other great items. The Holiday Boutique is located at the Neptunian Woman’s Club at 920 Highland Avenue in Manhattan Beach. Presale tickets are $25 and are available at several retail locations throughout the South Bay. Tickets at the door are $30. Presale tickets are available at www.sandpipers.org.
Celebrate the season at the sparkling holiday musical, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas December 6 through December 15 at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts. Based on the beloved 1954 film, this lavish Broadway romantic comedy is an all-singing, all-dancing evening of theatre that includes some of the greatest songs ever written, and even a live snowfall on stage and visits with Santa at matinee performances. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for children. Group discounts are available. To purchase tickets, call 310-544-0403 or visit www.norriscenter.com. The Norris Theatre is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at 27570 Norris Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates.
Ruby’s Diner presents the 6 Annual Cruise at the Beach Christmas Car Show on Saturday, December 7. The Christmas edition of Cruise at the Beach is a South Bay tradition that keeps automobile aficionados returning year after year. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ruby’s parking lot. Take a stroll among some of the finest examples of the Southern California car culture and marvel at this amazing collection of classic automobiles. Enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their hot rods, street rods and muscle cars and strut their stuff. Judging begins at 9 a.m. with the trophy presentation at 2 p.m. In keeping with the spirit of the season, please bring an unwrapped toy to benefit the Cheer for Children Christmas Toy Drive. THIS JUST IN! The first 300 folks to bring an unwrapped gift for the kids can pick out a product of their choice, while each supply lasts, from SLIME or FIX-A-FLAT!!!! (Tire repair kits, tire inflators, tire gauges, etc.) If you wish to display a car or require more information, contact Larry Neville at 310-962-7438. Registration is $20. Ruby’s Diner is located at 245 North Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach.
The City of Rolling Hills Estates is proud to present the annual Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 7, beginning at 6 p.m. Join the community as the Parade of Lights illuminates the night along Silver Spur Road and Deep Valley Drive, through the Promenade on the Peninsula to Norris Center Drive. Enjoy the fanfare as magical floats, marching bands, costumed characters, equestrian units, classic cars, drill teams, community and civic groups make their way along the route. Of course, there will be a special appearance Santa Claus! At the conclusion of the parade, awards will be distributed to the various parade unit categories. The Promenade on the Peninsula is located at 550 Deep Valley Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. The mall will be open for shopping until 9 p.m. For more information, visit the website at http://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/index.aspx?page=332 or call 310-541-0688.
The true meaning of the holiday season is often forgotten amid the shuffle of busy holiday schedules. South Bay Galleria presents the annual 1,000 Points of Light on Saturday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m. This event gives families and local community members the opportunity to come together to sing holiday songs and participate in a candlelit ceremony that celebrates the peace and joy of the holiday season. The event is sponsored by the Journey of Faith church. South Bay Galleria has partnered with two local non-profits to launch its annual “Galleria Guests Give Back” campaign. The Galleria Guests Give Back campaign, which will directly benefit Walk with Sally and Cheer for Children, will officially kick-off on December 7. Guests may RSVP for the event by visiting the website at http://www.southbaygalleria.com/event/1000-points-of-light/2145414286. The first 1,000 people to register on-site will receive a special flameless candle to hold during the event and a t-shirt. Registration starts at 3 p.m. near Guest Services on Level 1 in the Nordstrom Wing. South Bay Galleria is located at 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at or call 310- 371-7546.
The City of Hermosa Beach invites children of all ages to compete in the annual Sand Snowman Contest on Saturday, December 7. Arrive early and claim your building site. Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. north of the Hermosa Pier at shoreline and building commences at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the Most Unique, Most Traditional, Best Dressed, Hermosa Beach Favorite and Funniest. Judging begins at 11:15 a.m. with awards being presented at 11:30 a.m. It’s time to assemble the construction crew, haul out the heavy equipment (pails, shovels, coal, corn cob pipe, etc.) and get into a winter state of mind. Awards and prizes are nice but bragging rights are better. For more information, contact the Community Resources Department at 310-318-0280.
Spyder Surf presents Snow Fest 3 on Saturday, December 7. Over 60 tons of the fluffy, white stuff will fall on Pier Avenue this year creating a monster snow park for sledding and snowplay. The festivities get underway at 12:30 p.m. when kids under 15 will be treated to a one-of-a-kind sledding experience supported by Peace Tea. From 4 to 6:30 p.m., Mountain High pro snowboarders will show off their skills in snowboarding demos and exhibitions on “Mount Hermosa,” the stretch between Manhattan Avenue and Hermosa Avenue. Using a new steeper and bigger snow-covered scaffolding that reaches over 27 feet and an assortment of snowboard rails and fun boxes from Mountain High, the snow will be shaped and sculpted into a snowboard terrain park for pro and amateur riders to compete for the Best Trick award. Celebrity judges will emcee the event. Mountain High pro snowboarders Cory Cronk, Trever Haas and Kyle Lopiccolo will be among the pros who will take center stage in the snowboard demo and exhibitions. The event also features live music, games and giveaways. Snow industry companies and sponsors, including Mountain High, Monster Energy Drink and Spyder will have tents set up in the Vendor Village to showcase the newest and hottest equipment.
The El Segundo Chamber of Commerce and Chevron present the 50 Annual Holiday Parade celebrating the theme A Golden Holiday on Sunday, December 8. The parade gets underway at 1 p.m. and is expected to end about 3 p.m. The route begins on Main Street at Imperial Avenue and proceeds south to El Segundo Boulevard. The grand stand will be located at Main Street and Holly Avenue on the west side of the street where parade entrant performances will take place. Floats will be theme decorated and Santa Claus will make his appearance at the end of the procession. For more information, visit the website at https://www.facebook.com/elsegundochamber.
Head to the Manhattan Beach Pier for the 25 Annual Holiday Fireworks on Sunday, December 8! The festivities get underway at 3:30 with a concert by the Hyperion Outfall Serenades. Skechers Snow Park will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. with five 50′ sled runs, two snow play areas and snowmen available for family photos. A donation of canned goods, cash or a new, unwrapped toy is requested for admission to the Snow Park. The always popular Bounce Park will have two huge slides and the Fire Dog bouncie for smaller children. Enjoy the sounds of the season starting at 6 p.m. with the David Prather sing-a-long which will run until 7 p.m. The Holiday Fireworks starts at 7 p.m. and will be synchronized to holiday music with an extended grand finale sponsored by Belkin. This is a hugely popular event so be sure to arrive early to enjoy all the fun! For more information, visit the website at www.mbfireworks.com.
The King Harbor Yacht Club has scheduled the annual Holiday Boat Parade for Saturday, December 14. Everyone is invited to participate in this fabulous holiday tradition and boat owners are encouraged to take part and register their vessels at http://khbf.org/. Several sponsorship packages are also available. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.khyc.org/.
We’re going to remind you every week! The South Bay Show will be airing a live, two hour simulcast of the Holiday Boat Parade from KHYC beginning at 5 p.m. at http://BoatParadeRadio.TheSouthBayShow.com. We will also be hosting a live video feed via Google Hangout at http://BoatParadeTV.TheSouthBayShow.com.
As always, check the calendar links and ‘Things to Do’ page on my website, www.southbaybyjackie.com, for details on these and other events throughout the South Bay.
On The South Bay Show this morning, we chatted with Marsha Hansen, Director of the El Segundo Chamber of Commerce. Marsha told us all about the 50th Annual Holiday Parade taking place tonight in El Segundo. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/december-5-2013-marsha-hansen-el-segundo-chamber/.
Have a fabulous South Bay weekend!
Jackie
