Why shiver your way through December when you can enjoy a classic Southern California holiday at the beach? Manhattan Beach is alive with festive holiday activities starting as soon as the day after Thanksgiving.

We don't want you to miss a thing, so we've put it all together here. (Note: Remember that you can always visit our Community Calendar to check out the latest.)

November 29 - Santa's Grand Entrance: Start the holidays with Santa's Grand Entrance in the plaza at Manhattan Village mall, on November 29 at 3:00 p.m. Ring in the holidays and help Santa light the 41-foot holiday tree.

November 30 - Small Business Saturday: Get your holiday shopping started in Manhattan Beach on Small Business Saturday and support local merchants. Manhattan Beach merchants will have all kinds of fun treats in store. (Check out Culture Brewing, which will have pop-ups from Fat Boy Surf Club, Kim Cybulski Art, and West Coast Pretzels - and some snow!).

December 1, 8, 15 - Pie Sunday: Before the pandemic, Right Tribe had a fun tradition of serving free apple raspberry pie on Sunday mornings. (We called it one of Manhattan Beach's "best kept secrets" back in 2018.) That tradition is back for three Sundays at Right Tribe this month (and it's really, really good pie).

December 2-20 - Manhattan Beach Santa Float: Get ready for the Manhattan Beach Santa Float, a beloved tradition since 1955, to come to your neighborhood. Many neighborhoods have since turned "Santa float night" into the biggest block party of the year. See more details and the schedule in our story here.

December 5 - "Elf" Movie Night: Enjoy a free holiday movie ("Elf"), with free popcorn to boot, in the plaza at Manhattan Village. Bring your chairs and blankets; there will be heaters to keep you extra cozy.

December 6-8 - Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour: Now in its 32nd year, the Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour is a quintessential South Bay holiday activity. Tour splendidly decorated homes and enjoy a holiday pop-up market.

December 7-8 - Family Crafts and Picture with Santa: For this annual event, you have a choice of a crafts night (on December 7) or a crafts morning (on December 8). Bring the whole family to make ornaments and take a photo with Santa.

December 8 - Holiday Fireworks: The granddaddy of all Manhattan Beach holiday events, the Holiday Fireworks are the must-see event of the season. The event features music, Santa, and more festivities, culminating in a fireworks show over the Manhattan Beach Pier at 7:00 p.m.

December 11 and 13 - Giant Menorah Lightings: There will be not one but two giant menorah lighting events in Manhattan Beach. The first one will take place on December 11 at Metlox Plaza and the second one will take place on December 13 at Manhattan Village. Brought to you by the Jewish Community Center, the event will feature music, dancing, donuts, and hot latkes.

December 14 - Santa Stroll: Haven't you always wanted to walk down the beach with hundreds of other Santas? The 6th Annual Santa Stroll walkers will go from the Hermosa Beach Pier to the Manhattan Beach Pier and back, raising funds for Mychal's Learning Place.

December 15 - Holiday Golf Cart Parade and Scavenger Hunt: Join the Golf Cart Crew for a holiday golf cart parade in Downtown Manhattan Beach, followed by a scavenger hunt (and prizes!). The parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. starting at Pacific Elementary.

December 21 - Beach Cities Toy Drive Wrapping Party: Join the cities of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach for a giant wrapping party to wrap the toys donated during the Beach Cities Toy Drive. The wrapping party will be held starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Hermosa Beach Community Center.

December 22 - Christmas Choir Concert and Community Carol Sing: Join the Manhattan Beach Community Church for a choir concert and community carol sing featuring your favorite Christmas music.

December 24 - Christmas Eve on the Pier: Join Oceanside Christian Fellowship for a Christmas Eve service at the Manhattan Beach Pier at 7:00 p.m.

December 24-25 - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Feast: Join Zinc@Shade Hotel for a Christmas Eve feast or Christmas Day feast.

December 31 - New Year's Eve Dinner and Dancing: Join special New Year's Eve parties in Manhattan Beach with a Chef's Tasting Menu and party at the Strand House, or with a  Moonlit Memories dinner and party at Shade Hotel.