Last week, Manhattan Beach hosted their 21st Holiday Open House and 26th Annual Pier Lighting. It was a relatively warm night, so I threw on a sweatshirt, put the boys in the car and drove down to join in the festivities.
Local streets were closed in downtown Manhattan Beach, and as we parked and started walking, we saw many other people headed downtown as well.
Most of the stores were open until 9:00pm and were decorated for the holidays. Many had snacks, treats and drinks inside, but since the dogs were with me, we were only able to window-shop.
It was a festive atmosphere as the streets were filled with adults and children of all ages enjoying the shops, carolers, and music playing outside.
York Town on Manhattan Avenue. I liked their wood houses and white light display.
The window display for the Rolling Hills Flower Mart featured a ‘living’ flower dress, but all these children cared about was the snow that was falling outside.
It’s snowing!
Snow dance.
Carolers wandered the streets singing holiday songs. Here is a group in front of Manhattan Beach Creamery.
I reached the intersection of Manhattan Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard and saw the traditional “Season’s Greetings” sign across Manhattan Beach Blvd., but the tree and the pier was yet to be lit.
Looking west toward the pier – waiting for the tree lighting.
And then, promptly at 7:00 pm the lighting began – it took less than a few minutes, but you can see there was a large crowd to watch.
Looking west and there are no lights yet…
Then the trees lining the pier and the ‘pier tree’ were lit.
And then everything!
I continued walking around to see more of the holiday windows.
A snowy window-scape at Dacha.
Lush and festive floral displays at Growing Wild.
The windows at Udderly Perfect featured an old-school TV.
In the Metlox complex, Waterleaf had pretty stars hanging in their windows.
I love Fringe, the new store on Manhattan Avenue. They also have a location in south Redondo. How cute is this oven display with cookie ornaments?
Bo Bridges Gallery seemed to be having quite a party inside the studio. This striking photograph of the Eiffel Tower was touching in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.
Manhattan Denim decorated their windows with disco dancers. They kept moving so it was hard to take their picture. I want a wig like that!
At Katwalk there was a large elf blowing kisses to all who passed by (and obliging selfie-takers).
Prizes were awarded to the best window designs, detailed here in The Beach Reporter. Rolling Hills Flower Mart won “Best Overall.”
There is a beautiful photo gallery, also by The Beach Reporter, with more images from the tree lighting.
It was a fun night to be out enjoying downtown after dark, although I wish the holiday season started after Thanksgiving!
Kiera Reilly 