From caroling to ice skating, there’s plenty of holiday festivities going on in Malibu this December.
By Andrea Park / Special to The Malibu Times
It probably won’t be a white Christmas this year, but Malibu gives the North Pole a run for its money with plenty of holiday events and festive cheer.
‘Tis the Season for Song
Music aficionados and holiday enthusiasts alike will love the symphonic sounds of the Emeritus College Concert Band at their holiday concert. The free event is on Friday at Malibu City Hall and will include opening performances by local youth groups, Malibu String Academy and Zuma Ensemble. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and reservations are not necessary.
For a vocal performance, don’t miss the Los Robles Children’s Choir at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The young singers will perform alongside the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, singing classic Christmas carols and Chanukah songs. The concert will be held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center (2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks) and tickets cost $20 (call 805.480.9416 or email tickets@singingchildren.com).
Family Fun
Get your ice skates on and glide on the area’s outdoor ice rinks. The Holiday Ice Rink in Thousand Oaks (2200 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks) is open through Jan. 16; admission is $9 and skate rentals are $4. Skaters can also head to ICE at Santa Monica (1324 Fifth St., Santa Monica); admission is $12, including skate rentals.
Head over to Malibu Country Mart to shop for gifts and take photos with Santa. Kids can meet up with the big guy and find out if they’re on the naughty or nice list between noon and 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and listen to strolling carolers singing favorite holiday tunes between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Saturday, the Country Mart will host a stocking and dreidel decorating-party from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for craft-lovers of all ages.
Don’t miss out on meeting Santa’s little helpers. On Dec. 17, real, live reindeer will pay a visit to the Malibu Country Mart between noon and 4 p.m. Kids will get to pet and feed Dasher, Prancer and Vixen, and take photos with Santa’s reindeer friends. Â
Kids who want a little extra face time with Kris Kringle can have breakfast with him the morning of Dec. 17 in the auditorium of Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School (6944 Fernhill Dr.). Children and their families can enjoy pancakes and make holiday arts and crafts with their very special guest. Tickets are $5 or $15 for a family of four; seatings are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Celebrate the hard work of Malibu’s volunteers with dessert and gifts on Dec. 15 at the City of Malibu’s holiday party. Festivities will go from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Malibu City Hall; donate a wrapped toy for the county fire department’s toy drive and receive a free raffle ticket in exchange. Please RSVP; more information is available at malibucity.org.
Kick off Chanukah this year at the family Chanukah party at Chabad of Malibu on Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m. Nosh on latkes, spin dreidels and light the menorah with friends and family at this free event.
The Chabad will be lighting a large Menora at the Malibu Colony Plaza every night at 5 p.m., as well as placing a Menorah near Emily Shane Way.
Get in the Chanukah spirit at the Colony Center on Dec. 22 for delicious hot latkes from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; there couldn’t be a better mid-shopping snack.
Shop ’til you drop
For unique gifts, shop at the Malibu Art Association All Members Show at the Malibu Holiday pop-up boutique at Colony Center. Browse distinctive gift items from local manufacturers, artists and retailers. Part of the proceeds will go toward Malibu schools. Shoppers can enjoy refreshments during the opening reception on Dec. 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The pop-up store is open until Dec. 26.
As you shop this holiday season, also remember the gift of giving. You can donate toys to the Spark of Love Toy Drive sponsored by the Malibu Fire Department. Drop off toys at any of Malibu’s local fire stations or Town Hall.
Bright Lights
For a lot of holiday sparkle, head to the area’s light parades. Oxnard continues one of its most popular holiday traditions on Dec. 10 at the 46th Annual Parade of Lights (3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard) on the Harbor; pre-parade festivities for kids take place all day. The Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights takes place on Dec. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m.