Santa Back In Santa Monica For Christmas: Where To See Him

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Santa Monica this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Santa Monica, kids have several chances:

The annual Multicultural Santa Playdate and Holiday celebration will take place at the South Beach Park Playground on Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make reservations visit the event listing.

On Christmas Eve Santa will stop by The Culver Hotel in the grand lobby. Share hot cocoa and make holiday memories with Father Christmas on Dec. 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more info check out the event listing here.

The Holiday Ho Ho Ho is back this year at the Pacific Palisades Simon Meadow Christmas Tree lot. On Dec. 17 take photos and enjoy festivities with the whole family. For more information visit the celebration's Instagram page here.

Locals can also visit Santa at various malls in the area including:

• Century City Mall, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Dec. 1-24, times vary. Visit this website to schedule a visit.
• Westfield Culver City, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Dec. 1-24, center court near Macy's.
• Santa Monica Place’s Center Plaza, 395 Santa Monica Place, Nov. 19-Dec. 24, check website for times.

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Culver City, Lakewood, Torrance and Carson, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.