Enjoy Holiday “Cheer on the Pier” in Santa Monica

Published on December 2, 2024

Enjoy Holiday “Cheer on the Pier” in Santa Monica. With magical month-long festivities, you can get your thrills and enjoy the festive spirit. Plus, at Pacific Park we’re giving you a $25 wristband holiday special! Events kick off November 21 with Locals’ Night, and continue through December with fun holiday attractions. 

What is “Cheer on the Pier”?

Think: a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree.  A 90-foot-tall Snowman. Plus, the much-anticipated arrival of Surfing Santa! “Cheer On The Pier” is a series of festive events and programs on the Santa Monica Pier, running from November 21 through December 31.

The celebration kicked off with Locals’ Night on November 21 and continues every Thursday: December 5, 12, and 19. Expect holiday-themed fun, winter wonders, and a grand prize raffle on December 19.

Pacific Park is also spreading holiday cheer with a month-long special: $25 wristbands available starting December 6. Purchase these wristbands either in person at the ticket booth or online at www.pacpark.com.

Adding to the festive spectacle is our iconic 40-foot-tall, multi-colored Christmas tree that stands 50 feet above the beach. Moreover, Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel dazzles visitors with seasonal light displays, including a cheerful 90-foot-tall snowman waving over the Pacific Ocean. Plus, you can also expect reindeer with blinking red noses, animated snowflakes and holiday emojis.

When to Enjoy Cheer on the Pier in Santa Monica

The Pacific Park amusement park is open daily, so once you’ve finished your holiday shopping, take a break at the Park. Here, our holiday decorations create a magical celebration. Enjoy a few rides, play a few games and treat the family. Or, show out-of-towners the best ocean views in Southern California atop our solar-powered Ferris wheel. For those unable to visit in person, the Pacific Wheel’s holiday lights can be enjoyed via Pacific Park’s live webcams at www.pacpark.com/live.

“This is a family-favorite holiday tradition that brings the magic of the season to the iconic Santa Monica Pier,” says Nathan Smithson, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Pacific Park.  “With a lighted Christmas tree, a fully decorated amusement park and Southern California’s unique holiday vibe, we’re excited to offer guests a festive and memorable experience.

Please note: Prices and operating hours are subject to change; park hours on December 5 and 12 are from 12-5 p.m., followed daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To confirm operating hours, please call 310-260-8744 or visit pacpark.com, our Facebook page, Instagram or X.

Seasonal Cheer on the Pacific Wheel

Holiday happiness on the Pier in Santa Monica must include a ride on the world-famous Pacific Wheel. The Ferris wheel’s state-of-the-art lighting show is the perfect way to spread holiday cheer.

Pacific Park regularly programs the Ferris wheel to display seasonal programing and themed light designs for holidays and special occasions. We installed the Pacific Wheel’s state-of-the-art lighting package in 2016. Solar arrays power  174,000 energy-efficient LEDs on the face of the Ferris wheel. As a result, it can display over 1.6 million different colors and animate patterns and icons in 24 frames per second.

The Ferris wheel soars nine stories high and lifts riders more than 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean to offer extraordinary views of the Southern California coastline from its location on the internationally popular Santa Monica Pier.

About Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is LA’s only admission-free amusement park. It offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, Snackville with five fun food offerings and seaside retail shopping. In addition to the Pacific Wheel solar-powered Ferris wheel, Pacific Park’s signature rides includes The West Coaster, a steel roller coaster that races 55 feet above the Santa Monica Bay.

 

Image courtesy of @beaudarkens