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Deets: Third Street Promenade will glow all season long under tens of thousands of lights illuminating art installations, the official City of Santa Monica holiday tree, and a festive augmented reality experience beginning Friday, November 27.
Winterlit returns to Downtown Santa Monica to brighten up the holiday season as Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) transforms the world-class Third Street Promenade into an immersive one stop holiday experience.
Tens of thousands of lights will illuminate the Promenade's festive outdoor retail and dining, storefronts will shine as reimagined art installations, and a new interactive holiday-themed augmented reality mobile app will allow guests to experience the open-air entertainment district in a whole new light beginning Friday, November 27 through Sunday, January 3.
Holiday-inspired art installations will come to life at eleven stops throughout Third Street Promenade featuring window displays in storefronts and murals created by local artists who were asked to interpret what the holiday season means to them during an unprecedented year that has been anything but normal.
Guests will enjoy a self-guided art tour throughout the Promenade, and in other areas of Downtown Santa Monica, at their leisure and from a safe distance. DTSM's holiday art installation is in partnership with the City of Santa Monica's Cultural Affairs Art of Recovery initiative, a program dedicated to funding projects by local artists and highlighting the important role arts and culture play in recovery efforts as they strengthen and connect Santa Monica. This installation is free and open to the public.
Tens of thousands of colorful, festive lights and decor, the official City of Santa Monica 24-foot-tall holiday tree, and festive garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences. Nightly menorah lightings will celebrate the Festival of Lights this Hanukkah season from Thursday, December 10 to Friday, December 18. The lightings will begin at Sundown and take place on the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade (located between Santa Monica Blvd and Arizona Ave).
Santa's helpers have also placed a special mailbox on the Promenade for children to drop off their letters and have them delivered to the North Pole. If the letters include a return address and deposited by December 13, Santa will write back.
DTSM has developed a new holiday augmented reality experience that will allow guests to transform physical structures, spaces, and trees along the Promenade into holiday elements and decor. When visiting the Promenade, download the free experience by scanning a QR code from a mobile device and share the fun virtually through magical photo moments with friends and family. The AR experience was designed by EyeJack, an Augmented Reality App and platform that specializes in the curation and distribution of augmented art.
DTSM remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of the community, visitors, and staff. Face coverings are required when visiting the Third Street Promenade and all guests are encouraged to practice physical distancing. For more information on Winterlit, the new health and safety guidelines, and details on what to expect when visiting the Third Street Promenade, please visit downtownsm.com/covid19 or follow along on social media on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Support Police Activities League's Best Gift Ever Drive
For many children in Santa Monica, this exceptionally joyful time of year will be a challenge as many families are struggling with financial hardships due to COVID 19. In an effort to brighten the holidays, the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) is continuing with its Best Gift Ever Drive to provide gifts to our community's most vulnerable youth.
The Best Gift Ever Drive has gone virtual this year. Instead of donating a new, unwrapped gift, PAL is asking for gift cards of $30. Those interested can adopt a youth online here, or donate directly via their website at www.smpal.org.
You may also drop off a gift card or mail a check at the address below.
Donations: Please make checks payable to: Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL)
1401 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404 (specify Virtual Best Gift Drive on check).
If you have questions about PAL or the Virtual Best Gift Ever Drive, please contact eula.fritz@smgov.net or call 310.458.8988.
Hint For The Average Socialite: Open to the public!
Can’t make it in person? Check out some virtual events from the safety of your home!
What’s Trending: @DTSantaMonica #WinterLit @CityofSantaMonica @EyeJackApp