Festive Lights and Coastal Cheer: The Top 12 Events in Palos Verdes and the South Bay This December 2025
As the sun sets over the Pacific in Southern California's Palos Verdes Peninsula and its vibrant South Bay neighbors, December 2025 promises a whirlwind of holiday magic. From twinkling parades and snowy festivals to car shows under the stars and botanical light spectacles, this coastal stretch—encompassing Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach—transforms into a wonderland of tradition and innovation.
Whether you're chasing family-friendly fun, romantic strolls, or community spirit, these 12 standout events capture the essence of the season. We've curated them chronologically for easy planning, drawing on local gems that blend beachy vibes with yuletide joy. Grab your ugliest sweater and let's dive in.
1. Downtown Torrance Holiday Stroll (December 3, Torrance)
Kick off the month with a dose of small-town sparkle in Torrance's bustling downtown. This free evening event turns Sartori Avenue into a pedestrian paradise from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., featuring live entertainment, twinkling lights, seasonal shopping, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Local vendors hawk handmade ornaments and hot cider, while kids delight in carolers and photo ops with festive characters. It's the perfect low-key opener to get your holiday engine revving.
2. Riviera Village Holiday Stroll (December 4, Redondo Beach)
Head south to Redondo Beach's charming Riviera Village for an evening of seaside sophistication on December 4, starting at 5:00 p.m. Stroll South Catalina Avenue amid glowing storefronts, where boutiques offer exclusive holiday deals, pop-up markets sell artisanal gifts, and live music fills the air. Don't miss the tree-lighting ceremony or sips of mulled wine at outdoor lounges—it's a sophisticated nod to the season with ocean breezes as your backdrop.
3. Holiday Carolers at The Portofino Hotel (December 5–19, Redondo Beach)
For a touch of Victorian elegance, catch the roving carolers at Redondo Beach's iconic Portofino Hotel every evening from December 5 through 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. These costumed performers serenade guests with classics like "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" in the hotel's grand lobby and oceanfront terraces. Pair it with a fireside cocktail; it's free, intimate, and evokes the golden age of Hollywood holidays right by the waves.
4. Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights (December 6, Rolling Hills Estates)
Nothing says "South Bay holidays" like this dazzling parade on December 6, starting at 5:00 p.m. along Silver Spur Road and Drybank Drive. Floats bedecked in LED lights, marching bands, and a grand arrival by Santa Claus wind through the peninsula's winding streets, drawing thousands for free parking at Town & Country Center. It's a mobile light show that's equal parts nostalgic and neon-futuristic, celebrating community with fireworks to cap the night.
5. Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster's (December 7, Torrance)
Fuel up for festive adventures with a gamified holiday brunch on December 7 at 9:00 a.m. in Torrance. This ticketed event ($25–$35 per person) at Dave & Buster's combines unlimited arcade play, a buffet breakfast, and prime Santa photo time. Kids craft ornaments while parents sneak in some air hockey—think "Elf" meets esports, all under one roof for a high-energy morning of joy.
6. Let It Snow Redondo! (December 7, Redondo Beach)
Double down on December 7 with Redondo's snowy spectacle from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Seaside Lagoon. Free entry brings real snowfalls, sledding hills, hot cocoa stations, cookie decorating, and Santa's grotto for pics. Hosted by the city, it's a splashy (literally, with the lagoon views) family bash that turns the beach into a winter playground, complete with live DJs spinning holiday hits.
7. Let It Snow Holiday Festival & Memorial Tree Lighting (December 7, Rancho Palos Verdes)
Later that afternoon (2:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.), hop over to Green Hills LA in RPV for this heartfelt free festival at 27501 S Western Ave. Snow sledding, sleigh rides, arts and crafts, and a poignant tree-lighting honor local memories, all with photos alongside Santa. It's a community hug in event form, blending whimsy with warmth against the peninsula's rolling hills.
8. A Very Tiki Holiday Party (December 7, Hermosa Beach)
For a tropical twist on tinsel, join the Hermosa Beach Museum's bash on December 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ($20–$25 tickets). Sip mai tais amid tiki torches, craft leis, and groove to Hawaiian holiday tunes while learning about mid-century beach culture. It's a quirky, sun-kissed antidote to sweater weather, proving South Bay holidays can be lei'd-back and lively.
9. Tree Lighting Ceremony (December 12, Rancho Palos Verdes)
Illuminate your evening at RPV's Ken Dyda Civic Center on December 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This free extravaganza delivers truckloads of real snow for play and sledding, plus cocoa, crafts, festive tunes, and the big tree switch-on. Gloves recommended—it's a frosty family frolic that feels like a Hallmark movie scripted by Mother Nature herself.
10. Hermosa Holiday Movie Night (December 12, Hermosa Beach)
Wind down December 12 with cinematic cheer at 5:00 p.m. on the beach (exact spot TBA via city alerts). Free screenings of a holiday classic come with pre-movie crafts, photo booths, and popcorn under the stars. Bundle up for this open-air tradition—nothing beats "It's a Wonderful Life" with sand between your toes and the Pacific as your screen neighbor.
11. 7th Annual Santa Stroll (December 13, Hermosa Beach)
Lace up for a jolly jog on December 13 at 9:00 a.m. along Hermosa Beach Pier ($25–$35 registration). This 5K (or walk) fun run ends with post-race festivities, Santa selfies, and swag bags. It's the ultimate active advent—burn calories before cookie season, all while supporting local causes in a sea of red-and-green runners.
12. Breakfast with Santa at Terranea Resort (December 20, Rancho Palos Verdes)
Close out with luxury on December 20 at Terranea Resort (times TBA, reservations required ~$50/adult). Over ocean views, savor a gourmet brunch with Santa's workshop antics, elf meet-and-greets, and live caroling. Perched on the cliffs, it's a five-star sendoff to the season, where holiday cheer meets cliffside elegance.
December 2025 in Palos Verdes and the South Bay isn't just about events—it's a tapestry of coastal resilience, diverse traditions, and that unbeatable SoCal glow. From parades that light up the night to snowy escapades by the sea, these gatherings remind us why this corner of LA feels like home. Check local sites for updates, as ocean winds can shift schedules. Happy holidays—may your season be merry, bright, and beachy!