Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting and Open House 2026

Downtown Manhattan Beach officially starts the holiday season on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, and it does it with the whole town out on the street. The annual Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House mixes school choirs, a countdown to the pier lights, Santa photos and shops that stay open late. If you're keeping a list of things to do with kids LA families can enjoy before Thanksgiving crowds hit, this one belongs on it.

When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, evening (see the schedule below) Where: Manhattan Beach Pier and downtown Manhattan Beach Price: Free

What to expect

The pier lighting is organized by the Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department. According to the published schedule, the Manhattan Beach Middle School choir sings at 6:00 PM, the Mira Costa High School choir follows at 6:30 PM, and the pier lights come on at 7:00 PM. Schedules can shift, so treat those times as a plan, not a promise.

Meanwhile, the Downtown Business and Professional Association runs the open house. At Metlox Fountain Plaza (13th Street and Morningside Drive), kids can find Santa and his sleigh, family pictures, treats, face painting, a ukulele player and a balloon artist from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Strolling Dickens-style carolers and a guitarist join in from 6:30 PM.

Along Manhattan Avenue and Highland Avenue, expect live reindeer outside a local bookstore, bands on street corners, bubble machines and food stands. Downtown merchants stay open until 9:00 PM with gift ideas and special offers, and restaurants serve their regular menus with some samples. The city also strings snowflake lights and a lighted banner over the streets.

Planning your night

It's a short, easy outing for younger kids: pick a spot for the choirs, catch the countdown at 7:00 PM, then wander the shops. For a wider look at kids activities LA offers this season, browse our family events page.

Parking downtown fills up fast on a night like this. Arrive early, plan on a walk from a side street or a nearby lot, and bring a light jacket, because the beach air cools off after sunset. Strollers work fine on the sidewalks, though the pier itself will be crowded around the lighting.

The Manhattan Beach community has run this tradition for years, and it stays free and low-key. Check the event page at Local Anchor for any last-minute changes to the entertainment lineup before you head out. If this is your first time, give yourself a couple of hours to see both the pier and the downtown blocks, since the open house stretches well beyond the beach end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard.

Families who like a bigger list of seasonal plans can also check our upcoming events in Los Angeles for more holiday lights and festivals as December gets closer.