It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, especially with the upcoming Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House. If you're planning a visit to The Sea View Inn, mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 19, when the community comes together to celebrate the start of the holiday season with one of the area's most beloved traditions.
At the heart of this magical evening is the lighting of the historic Manhattan Beach Pier, a landmark that has stood as a beacon on the California coast for over a century. This isn't just any pier; it's the oldest concrete pier on the West Coast, stretching 928 feet into the Pacific Ocean and housing both a cafe and the charming Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab & Aquarium.
What to Expect at the Pier
Live Choir Performances: Starting at 6:00 PM, talented local choirs will fill the evening air with traditional carols and holiday favorites. The acoustics near the ocean create a memorable backdrop for these performances, and the community spirit is palpable as neighbors and visitors gather together.
The Grand Lighting: At 7:00 PM sharp, the pier transforms into a glowing spectacle as thousands of holiday lights illuminate this iconic structure. It's a moment that never fails to delight both first-time visitors and locals who return year after year. The reflection of the lights on the Pacific Ocean creates a stunning visual that's perfect for holiday photos and lasting memories.
Event Details
Downtown Holiday Open House at Metlox Fountain Plaza
While the pier lighting is the evening's centerpiece, the festivities extend throughout downtown Manhattan Beach, with the central hub at Metlox Fountain Plaza from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Family-Friendly Activities Include:
Visit with Santa: Children (and adults!) can meet Santa Claus himself, complete with his sleigh. It's a perfect photo opportunity and a chance for little ones to share their holiday wishes.
Complimentary Treats: Enjoy festive refreshments as you stroll through the plaza and downtown area.
Face Painting: Professional face painters will transform kids into their favorite characters, adding an extra touch of magic to the evening.
Live Music: Beyond the choir performances, musicians will be stationed throughout downtown, creating a festive soundtrack for your evening.
Balloon Artist: Watch in amazement as talented balloon artists create intricate designs and figures for delighted children.
Additional Downtown Attractions
Victorian Carolers: Stroll through downtown and you'll encounter beautifully costumed Victorian carolers, adding a touch of old-world charm to the modern beach town atmosphere.
Bubblemania: A favorite among younger visitors, this interactive bubble experience creates a whimsical wonderland that children can't resist.
Live Reindeer: Meet real reindeer up close—a rare opportunity that brings the North Pole to Southern California!
Perfect for Sea View Inn Guests
If you're staying at the Sea View Inn at the Beach (located at 3400 Highland Avenue), you're ideally positioned for this event. The Manhattan Beach Pier is approximately 1.2 miles from the Sea View Inn, making it an easy and pleasant journey to the festivities.
Walking: The walk to the pier takes about 27 minutes, making for a lovely beach-town stroll as you pass through the charming neighborhood. You'll pass local restaurants, shops, and beautiful homes along the way. The walk is relatively flat once you're down at beach level, making it manageable for most visitors.
Biking: Here's where staying at Sea View Inn really pays off: we offer complimentary beach cruiser bikes to all guests. The bike ride to the pier takes just nine minutes, and you'll enjoy the sea breeze as you pedal down The Strand, Manhattan Beach's famous beachfront path. This is highly recommended—it's both fun and efficient, and you can easily explore more of the area before or after the event.
Rideshare: Given the festive nature of the evening and the likelihood of street closures, using Uber or Lyft is an excellent option. The ride takes just a few minutes, and you won't have to worry about parking or walking back uphill after a long evening of festivities.
Arrive Early
The event draws large crowds from throughout the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area. Arriving early (around 5:00 PM or even earlier) ensures you'll:
Street Closures
Be aware that portions of downtown Manhattan Beach will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. This is why alternative transportation is strongly encouraged. The closures create a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment but can make parking challenging.
Parking Considerations
If you do choose to drive separately from your hotel:
Many visitors find that walking or biking from Sea View Inn is actually easier and more enjoyable than dealing with parking—plus it's free and adds to the holiday spirit!
What to Bring
Making a Full Evening of It
The beauty of this event is that it's ideally situated among Manhattan Beach's excellent dining scene. Consider making reservations at one of the many restaurants downtown either before or after the festivities. Many establishments offer outdoor seating where you can enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Before heading to the event, you might want to grab an early dinner at one of the restaurants near Sea View Inn on Highland Avenue, or venture into downtown for a pre-event meal. After the 7:00 PM pier lighting, many families continue celebrating with hot chocolate or dessert at one of the local cafes.
Why This Event Is Special
The Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House represents everything excellent about small-town community celebrations. Despite being part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, Manhattan Beach maintains a close-knit community feel, and this event showcases that beautifully.
Unlike commercialized holiday events at shopping malls or theme parks, this celebration is authentic, free, and genuinely welcoming to all visitors. The combination of the oceanfront setting, the historic pier, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities creates an experience that feels both special and accessible.
For tourists and visitors, it's an opportunity to see a different side of Southern California—one that values tradition, community, and simple pleasures. The event has been a Manhattan Beach tradition for years, with many local families attending annually as part of their holiday ritual. You'll feel that warmth and tradition as you join the celebration.
Beyond the Event: Exploring Manhattan Beach
If you're visiting Manhattan Beach for this event, consider extending your stay to explore more of what this beautiful beach town offers:
Final Thoughts
The Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House is more than just a tree lighting or holiday event—it's an experience that captures the essence of California coastal living with a festive twist. For visitors staying at Sea View Inn at the Beach, you couldn't ask for a better location to enjoy this special evening.
Whether you walk, bike, or catch a quick rideshare, you'll be part of a cherished community tradition that kicks off the holiday season in memorable style. The combination of ocean views, twinkling lights, holiday music, and family-friendly fun creates the perfect evening for visitors of all ages.
So bundle up in your favorite sweater, grab those free bikes from Sea View Inn, and head to the pier on November 19. The magic of a Manhattan Beach holiday is waiting for you.
For more information, visit:
https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/79595/35?backlist=%2f
Sea View Inn at the Beach: 3400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 | (310) 545-1504
