We might be facing down another heat advisory in mid-October, but that doesn't mean we can't get excited for the holidays. This year, Los Angeles is getting a taste of a European Christmas in the most SoCal of settings: the Santa Monica Pier.
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The Swiss Winter Village is coming to the west side starting November 18, transforming the beach into an alpine-inspired holiday market complete with festive food, artisan shopping and an ice rink.
Created by Swiss Xmas Village in collaboration with Fever, the experience promises a mix of traditional Swiss holiday charm and waterfront scenery. Expect hundreds of vendors selling gifts and handcrafted goods from European makers and local artisans, alongside seasonal food and drinks.
Actually, food is a major part of the festivities, with traditional alpine fare, Swiss specialties and cozy raclette chalets where visitors can warm up with melted cheese and live entertainment. The vendor lineup rotates weekly, so you'll find something new with each visit, whether you're hunting for holiday gifts or looking for an excuse to eat your weight in cheese.
Beyond the shopping and snacking, the Swiss Winter Village will offer plenty of seasonal activities for families and festive Angelenos. Guests can go ice skating, meet Santa Claus or participate in hands-on crafting workshops. The schedule will include curated cheese tastings, seasonal cocktail hours and Hanukkah festivities.
The market is the latest attempt to bring a little old-world holiday atmosphere to Southern California, where December temperatures don't always cooperate with the traditional Christmas fantasy. Here, the alpine setting comes with ocean views instead of snow-capped peaks, which is a distinctly L.A. compromise but one we're OK with.
The team behind the market has experience creating European holiday destinations, including Zurich's Illuminarium and Wienachtsdorf and Geneva's Noël au Quai. Now, it's bringing that festive sensibility to the West Coast, where visitors can enjoy a European-style Christmas market but at the beach.
The Swiss Winter Village at Santa Monica Pier runs November 18 through January 3. Presale begins October 20, and general ticket sales begin October 21. For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
