After the January 2025 fire, Palisades Village is set to reopen in August 2026 — and with its return, Pacific Palisades looks forward to the homecoming of its cherished holiday tree lighting: snowfall, Santa, and a towering plaza tree, a free family evening and a symbol of the community’s resilience.
Palisades Village has long been one of the Westside’s most cherished holiday gathering places — a free, open-air plaza where families came each December for a towering tree lighting, gentle evening snowfall, visits with Santa, and live seasonal music.
The January 2025 Palisades Fire deeply affected the Pacific Palisades community. In the words of the Village’s own team: “Palisades Village will return as the vibrant, welcoming destination you remember — a reflection of our community’s strength, resilience, and shared vision for the future.” The Village is set to reopen in August 2026.
With that return, the community looks forward to welcoming back its beloved holiday traditions — the plaza tree, the snowfall, Santa, school choirs and community singers, and the warm, free family evenings that have always brought neighbors together.
For Pacific Palisades, the season ahead carries special meaning: a homecoming, and a hopeful step forward, together. “We look forward to welcoming you back!”
Yes — the tree lighting and the season-long village decorations are free to enjoy. Validated parking in the village garage costs little with a small village purchase.
Palisades Village is set to reopen in August 2026 after the January 2025 fire, and its December tree-lighting tradition is expected to return for the holiday season. Check palisadesvillageca.com for the confirmed date and time.
Once the Village reopens, the plaza is open to all — the tree, lights, and decorated storefronts are typically up from late November through early January, so a quiet weeknight visit is a lovely lower-key option.
Use the Palisades Village underground garage at 15225 Palisades Village Lane — parking is validated with a small village purchase. Street parking is also available in the surrounding Palisades streets.
Very — the village layout is flat and stroller-accessible, the tree and snowfall delight little ones, and many families pair the visit with a meal or dessert at a village restaurant.
Palisades Village is an open-air retail and dining center in Pacific Palisades, developed by Caruso and opened in September 2018 along Sunset Boulevard. Designed around a tree-lined main street with shops, restaurants, a small park, and a five-screen Bay Theatre, it has served as a gathering place for the surrounding community. The center survived the January 2025 Palisades Fire that devastated much of the neighborhood and is undergoing repairs and renovations as part of the area’s broader rebuilding.
A 76-year community afternoon at Simon Meadow — more than two dozen local organizations running free craft tables, performances, and family activities at the corner of Sunset and Temescal Canyon.
Brian J. Cook
An open-air 8,000-square-foot downtown ice rink at 5th and Arizona — running mid-November through mid-January as Santa Monica’s signature winter tradition, two blocks from Third Street Promenade.
Brian J. Cook
The official City of Santa Monica tree-lighting ceremony — performances by local ballet, choirs, and middle-school groups along Third Street Promenade, with Santa lighting the official city holiday tree.
Brian J. Cook
The iconic Santa Monica Pier glows with a 55-foot Christmas tree atop the Ferris wheel, free Holiday Cheer on the Pier nights with marionettes and Santa visits, and a snowman-lit Pacific sky.
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.
Check Availability
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.
