Annual Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting
by Cassidy Krauch
Assistant News Editor
On the evening of Nov. 19, residents and visitors of Manhattan Beach gathered Downtown to watch the 35th Annual Pier Lighting, a beloved tradition to kick-off the holiday season. This event, held at the Manhattan Beach Pier and downtown Manhattan Beach, filled the sea-side streets with twinkling lights, carolers, and festive music.
Families got to walk past live reindeer, laughing children, and shops offering holiday treats and gifts. The Tree Lighting experience is truly special. Local shops stayed open late, selling holiday items, and nearby restaurants and stores participated in the event by inviting the community to dine, shop, and celebrate together.
The Manhattan Beach Middle School Choir opened with holiday carols at 6:00 p.m., followed by Mira Costa High Schools Choir at 6:30. The evening’s highlight came at 7:00 p.m. when the lights lit the pier.
“It felt like the whole town came alive,” said Costa sophomore Bella Rendes. “When the pier lights flicked on and the music played I knew the holidays had officially begun.”
“I love seeing all the families down here,” added Costa sophomore Grace Barry. “The lights on the pier look like stars dancing over the ocean. It’s magical, especially with the school choirs, singing.”
Beyond the lighting, the event offered plenty of family-friendly activities at the Metlox Plaza. Children lined up to visit Santa, get their faces painted, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Victorian-style carolers strolled the streets, balloon artists delighted little ones, and local musicians filled the air with cheerful tunes. The pier itself was decorated with numerous fresh Christmas trees with red and green lights strung around them. As the lights took hold across the pier and downtown, and as the events were beginning, the spirit of the season started to feel alive in Manhattan Beach.
North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll
by Zoe Mellinger
Arts Editor
The North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll returned on December 7. There was a North Pole inspired area featuring Santa, live entertainment, carolers, a Holiday Market, free food from local restaurants, and festive goods sold by shops. This year’s event more people than any previous year, with more than 2,500 attendees.
For the first time, Highland Avenue was closed between 33rd street and Rosecrans Avenue so vendors could utilize the road and sidewalk space. Over 30 special holiday vendors set up merchandise to start up holiday shopping for items like jewelry, candy, needlework, pottery, upcycled bags and clothing, aromatherapy, holiday items, artwork and more all being sold.
“This event was so much fun,” said junior Layla Mazry. “It was a great way for local shops to get business from the community.”
The event also featured two stages for entertainment: one for kids and one geared towards adults. There were also other kid oriented attractions like Santa on a float, stilt walkers, balloon twisters, and magicians. The event was a big success and showed how much the community values the holiday season. Some local stores that participated included Denton & Denton Group, El Porto Surf Shop, Player’s Liquor, Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals, MB Skin Spa, Nick & Sons: Keg, Round Willow Yoga, and Style Cleaners. These stores hosted live music and had giveaways, special sales, seasonal snacks and fun drinks. This ultimately made for the perfect family event.
“I loved seeing all of the community together for the holiday season, it’s also so fun to see all the festive decorations. All of this makes me excited for the winter and excited for more upcoming events. I can’t wait for the North Manhattan Holiday Stroll next year,” said freshman Tessa Holmes.
Local Stores Celebrate
by Scarlet Hanna
Staff Writer
As the holiday season begins, businesses across the South Bay are introducing festive specials, decorations, and community events to make locals feel more connected. Many shops and restaurants have been selling seasonal item to continue local traditions and to encourage residents to support small local businesses.
In Downtown Manhattan Beach, several stores are going all in on the holiday shopping season. Tabula Rasa Essentials is offering complimentary gift wrapping and a table of locally made holiday gifts. Creamy Boys, in Hermosa Beach and El Segundo, has released new seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie and coffee. At Pages: A Bookstore, staff prepared a Holiday Staff Picks Wall and Holiday Rep Nights that run through December. Restaurants are joining in as well, Love & Salt added take home dishes, pasta kits, and their signature Limoncello, while Blue Star Donuts released limited run winter flavors.
Hermosa Beach businesses along Pier Avenue are also starting up their own seasonal traditions. Gum Tree displays a tree outside their store with make-shift notecard ornaments so shoppers can write their holiday wishes. Java Man set up a Holiday Drink Board featuring peppermint cold brew, gingerbread chai, and other winter drinks only available this month. South Bay Boardriders is running a toy drive drop off for underprivileged youth in the area. Local restaurants like Martha’s decorated their storefronts and introduced holiday breakfast items to bring more families into the area on weekend mornings.
Both Manhattan and Hermosa Beach are also putting an emphasis on community giving. Skechers is collecting children’s shoes through its BOBS charity program to donate and many shops are participating in the Manhattan Beach Holiday Window Walk, a decorating competition that invites residents to come together by walking around the Downtown shops and voting for their favorite display.
Other Ways to Celebrate
by Landen Braunstein
Executive News Editor
While Christmas culture sweeps across the United States on Dec. 1, and Manhattan Beach is no exception. A different vibe is in the air as the city prepares to celebrate the holiday season. There are Christmas carols, holiday lights, and ugly sweaters around every corner. But,these aren’t the only ways to celebrate winter holidays.
The Hanukkah festivities begin on Sunday, Dec. 14 and last through Dec. 22. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which people typically associate with menorahs, dreidels, and latkes. However, it is also a celebration of the recovery of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Empire.
“Celerating Hanukkah in a place where most people celebrate Christmas can feel a little different, but in a nice way,” said senior Aviva Flechner.
Students and community members have the opportunity to learn more about Hanukkah by attending the menorah lighting at Metlox on Dec. 18, and at the Manhattan Village Mall on Dec. 21. Students began celebrating at the Jewish Cultural Club this week, where the Jewish Community Center’s Rabbi Mendel led a Hanukkah club at lunch on Tuesday.
“Staying aware helps students understand each other better and creates a more welcoming school environment,” Flechner said. “When people know even a little bit about someone else’s traditions, it reduces misunderstandings and builds stronger connections.”
Hanukkah and Christmas are not the only holidays being celebrated this month. The day after Christmas, Kwanzaa, an annual celebration of African-American culture, includes gifts, feasts, and familial gatherings, and Boxing Day for big post-Christmas sales.
“I don’t think holidays from various religions are equally acknowledged and celebrated at Costa because the majority of students celebrate Christmas, so it naturally gets the most attention,” said Flechner.
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