The community kickoff to Culver City’s holiday season — a 25-foot tree lit by the mayor, 50 tons of trucked-in snow for sledding on Main Street, and Santa’s first appearance of the season in front of the Culver Studios mansion.
Downtown Culver City closes Main Street and Town Plaza on the first Thursday in December for the Sled-tacular — a 20-plus-year community tradition that doubles as the city’s official tree lighting. Trucked-in snow turns the street into a sledding hill and snow play area, with the 25-foot Holiday Tree at Town Plaza as the centerpiece of the evening.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is a 30-minute program featuring 250 local students, a boisterous mayor-led countdown, and a backdrop framed by the historic Culver Studios mansion. Santa Claus makes his first official Culver City appearance of the season right after the lighting, meeting children in front of the same Studios facade visible in countless film and TV credits.
The surrounding restaurants and shops stay open through the evening, with The Culver Hotel, Culver Theater, and Culver Steps all participating. The event is organized by the Culver City Downtown Business Association in partnership with the City and major studio neighbors — a reminder that the city’s entertainment-industry character runs through its community traditions too.
At Town Plaza and along Main Street in Downtown Culver City — anchored at 9400 Culver Boulevard. Main Street closes to cars for the event.
Yes — fifty tons of fresh snow is trucked in each year for the sledding hill and snow play area along Main Street. Wristbands are required for sledding and are free with online pre-registration.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony starts in the evening, run as a 30-minute program with 250 local students and a mayor-led countdown. Santa visits begin afterward in front of the Culver Studios mansion.
The Culver City Town Plaza garage at 9400 Culver Boulevard is the closest. Surrounding side streets and the lots near the Culver Steps and the Culver Hotel also work; expect to walk in a few blocks since Main Street is closed.
Yes — Metro’s E Line (Expo) stops at Culver City Station, a short walk south of downtown. From there it’s about a 10-minute walk north along Robertson and Venice to Main Street. With Main Street closed to cars, transit is easily the simplest way in on event night.
Downtown Culver City centers on Town Plaza at Culver Boulevard and Main Street — the historic heart of a city built around the studios that gave it its name. The Culver Hotel (1924), the Kirk Douglas Theatre, and the Culver Studios mansion frame the plaza, with the Culver Steps and Hayden Tract adding modern counterpoints. The Metro E Line stops a short walk away at Downtown Santa Monica/Culver City stations, making it one of the most transit-accessible downtowns in LA’s Westside.
A free December night market at Ivy Station — local makers, photos with Santa, food trucks, DJ, hot cocoa, and a kid-and-pet-friendly courtyard a block from the Culver City Metro station.
Brian J. Cook
Rodeo Drive lights up each November — an evening of carolers, costumed performers, themed décor, fireworks, and Santa kicks off Beverly Hills’s grand holiday season, completely free for families.
Brian J. Cook
Beverly Hills’ free nightly walk-through holiday light installation at Beverly Cañon Gardens — a larger-than-life lit tree and oversized ornament, lit each evening through the season.
Beverly Cañon Gardens’ free holiday light walk has run in recent years under the name “Glowing Gardens.”
Brian J. Cook
Beverly Hills’s iconic City Hall — with its gold-tile-domed tower — glows with elegant holiday decorations through December, a free evening photo stop in the heart of the Civic Center.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
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Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.
