Santa Monica Winterlit 2012 Guide: ICE Skating Rink Open

As part of the city's Winterlit 2012 celebration, Santa Monica will be transformed into a winter wonderland with events like a tree lighting ceremony, holiday kid's crafts and the ICE skating rink, which includes L.A. Kings hockey clinics and skate lessons.

The ICE skating rink—located at the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue—opened on Friday and will remain so through Jan. 21, 2013. The grand opening of the rink, and the official start of Wonderlit 2012, will be Thursday at 6 p.m.

Santa Claus will once again grace the Third Street Promenade with his majestic, present-wielding presence during his grand arrival at 5 p.m. on Nov. 17. A tree lighting ceremony will follow at 6 p.m. at the Santa Monica Place mall. Good little girls and boys will be able to have their pictures taken with Santa between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24.

Here's a list of other Winterlit 2012 activities, according to the Downtown Santa Monica website:

Santa's Little Savers & Holiday Kid's Craft - Nov. 23
Downtown Santa Monica, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place

Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremonies 
- Dec. 8-16, Sundown
Third Street Promenade, between Santa Monica Boulevard & Arizona Avenue

Breakfast with Santa - 
Dec. 8, 9:30-11 a.m. 

Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza 
 

Paws and Claus Photos with Santa - 
Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 6-8 p.m.  

Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza

Cookie Making & Story Time with Mrs. Claus 
- Dec. 15th, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza  

Holiday Kids Craft and Gift-Wrapping  - Dec. 22, 12-3 p.m. 

Third Street Promenade, between Wilshire Boulevard and Arizona Avenue. 

 


PAL 7th Annual Best Gift Ever Drive! - Nov. 8-Dec. 14
PAL Gift Drop Location: 
Santa Monica PAL, 1401 Olympic Boulevard 
ICE at Santa Monica, Corner of 5th & Arizona Ave.

PAL Best Gift Ever Wrap Party - Dec. 18, 5 p.m. 

Santa Monica Place, Community Room

This ongoing partnership between the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL), Downtown Santa Monica and Santa Monica Place provides gifts to those in need during the holiday season!

Donate a new unwrapped gift, a gift card or make a cash donation and help Santa Monica youth ages 6 to 17 to experience the joy of the holiday season, starting on Nov. 2 through Dec. 14.