Santa Claus Is Coming To Manhattan Beach. Here’s When And Where

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — As part of a decades-old tradition, Santa will again make his way through Manhattan Beach.

Santa’s sleigh will spend 15 nights making rounds in the city as part of the volunteer-run event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach.

“This volunteer-driven event features a mobile sleigh pulled by a truck, carrying Santa Claus and ‘elves’ through neighborhoods, where children (and adults) can board for photos, share wishes, and receive candy canes,” according to the Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach. “It’s free, family-friendly, and has become a highlight of the December holiday season.”

The tradition began in the 1950s and was “inspired by a similar promotional float in Anaheim,” the organization said.

At the time, the event “aimed to attract new residents and boost community spirit during the post-World War II housing boom,” according to the organization.

“Manhattan Beach, a growing beachside suburb, adopted the idea to foster local pride and holiday cheer," the organization said.

And, decades later, Santa's sleigh continues to spread holiday cheer.

For a map of Santa’s float route, see here. You can also track Santa’s whereabouts in real-time, using the Santa Tracker.

See below for Santa’s schedule (all routes start at 4:45 p.m., unless noted otherwise).

• Monday, Dec 1 | Area 1
  • With help from the Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach, Santa will be visiting 12th Street to 19th Street between Ardmore Avenue and Laurel Avenue.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1 | Area 2
  • Santa will make his way with the Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Watch to 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th streets between Harkness Street and Johnson Street.
• Wednesday, Dec. 3 | Area 3
  • Volunteers with the North End Business District will help Santa on his route along Ocean Drive to 45th Street, then to Highland Avenue and down Alma Avenue.
• Thursday, Dec. 4 | Area 4
  • Santa and the Hometown Fair Board will cover the area between 12th Street and 23rd Street, including Lynngrove Drive, Manzanita Lane, Harkness Street, Faymont Avenue and Wendy Way.
• Friday, Dec. 5 | Area 5
  • Between Marine Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, the Manhattan Beach Community Emergency Response Team will help Santa visit John Street, Palm Avenue, Poinsettia Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Pine Avenue, 12th Street and 14th Street.
• Monday, Dec. 8 | Area 6
  • With help from the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, Santa will visit Matthews Avenue, Nelson Avenue, Ruhland Avenue, Voorhees Avenue, Curtis Avenue, Gates Avenue and 1st Street between Peck Avenue and Redondo Avenue.
• Tuesday, Dec. 9 | Area 7
  • Aviation High School Alumni will help Santa on his route between Peck Avenue and Ardmore Street to include the streets of Voorhees Avenue, Curtis Avenue, Gates Avenue, Meadows Avenue, Keats Street, Prospect Street over to Poinsettia Avenue, Duncan Avenue, Dianthus Street and 1st Street.
• Wednesday, Dec. 10 | Area 8
  • Santa, along with volunteers from the Manhattan Beach Fire Department, will make his way to to streets between Sepulveda Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue, including Dianthus Street, 11th Street, 10th Street, 9th Street, Highview Avenue, 8th Street, Larsson Street, Poinsettia Avenue, 6th Street and John Street.
• Thursday, Dec. 11 | Area 9 (starting at 5:30 p.m.)
  • The Manhattan Beach Police Department will help Santa on his route on the streets between Bell and Laurel avenues, including 29th Street, 31st Street, 33rd Street, 35th Street and 36th Street.
• Friday, Dec 12 | Area 10
  • Along with Manhattan Beach Rotary volunteers, Santa will head to the area between Johnson and Harkness streets, including 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th streets.
• Monday, Dec. 15 | Area 11
  • Santa will be accompanied by volunteers from the Congregation Tikvat Jacob at Manhattan Village from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., then he will make his way out to the area between Redondo and Meadows avenues, including 17th Street, Rowell Avenue, 12th Street, then to 18th Street, Herrin Street, 21st Street, 23rd Street and Peck Avenue.
• Tuesday, Dec. 16 | Area 12
  • Members of the Neptunian Woman's Club will help Santa around his route between Elm and Meadows avenues, including Walnut Avenue, 27th Street, Pine Avenue, Oak Avenue, Elm Avenue, then to Magnolia Avenue, Chestnut Avenue, 18th Street and Cedar Avenue.
• Wednesday, Dec. 17 | Area 13
  • Santa and Manhattan Beach City Council officials will head to the area between Sepulveda Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, visiting Maple Avenue, Valley Drive, Palm Avenue, Poinsettia Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Pine Avenue and Elm Avenue.
• Thursday, Dec. 18 | Area 14
  • Accompanied by volunteers from the Manhattan Beach Fireworks Association, the man in red will head to Ingleside Drive, 6th Place, Crest Drive and 9th Place, then head over to 1st Street and Ocean Drive.
• Friday, Dec. 19 | Area 15
  • Santa will head out on his final night with Leadership Manhattan Beach to the area between Pacific Avenue and Grandview Avenue, visiting 27th Street, 26th Street, 25th Street, Valley Drive, Blanche Road, 23rd Street and 24th Street.