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Manhattan Beach Santa Float Is Making Its Rounds

Dec 01, 2025 10:03PM ● By Jeanne Fratello

(Santa shares a laugh with three young friends on his sleigh route.)

Mark your calendars and get your wish lists ready: The Manhattan Beach Santa Float has begun its rounds of local neighborhoods. 

The Manhattan Beach Santa Float, a local tradition dating back to 1955, rolls up and down the streets of Manhattan Beach for three weeks every December, bringing treats, good cheer, and photo ops with Santa. Santa and his elves wait patiently on each block as children and adults (and their dogs!) line up to get their (free) picture taken, share their holiday wishes, and get a candy cane.

Moms deserve a moment with Santa too (Can you even find Santa?)

 

It's a massive operation that relies on teams of volunteers and coordinators. And it's such a beloved tradition that many neighborhoods have since turned "Santa float night" into the biggest block party of the year. Here's the map, with schedule below.


Nightly Schedule & Live Santa Tracker

The schedule will run as follows (all areas start at 4:45 p.m.).

During the nightly schedule, if at any time you want to find Santa, you can check the live Santa Tracker.

Area 1 - Monday, Dec 1 - Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach

Area 2 - Tuesday, Dec 2 - Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Watch

Area 3 - Wednesday, Dec 3 - North End Business District

Area 4 - Thursday, Dec 4 - Hometown Fair Board

Area 5 - Friday, Dec 5 - Manhattan Beach Community Emergency Response Team

Area 6 - Monday, Dec 8 - Manhattan Beach Unified School District

Area 7 - Tuesday, Dec 9 - Aviation High School Alumni

Area 8 - Wednesday, Dec 10 - Manhattan Beach Fire Department

Area 9 - Thursday, Dec 11 - Manhattan Beach Police Department

Start time for Area 9 will be at 5:30pm

Area 10 - Friday, Dec 12 - Manhattan Beach Rotary

Area 11 - Monday, Dec 15 - Congregation Tikvat Jacob

Manhattan Village from 4:45pm - 5:30pm. Begin Area 11 at 5:30pm

Area 12 - Tuesday, Dec 16 - Neptunian Woman's Organization

Area 13 - Wednesday, Dec 17 - Manhattan Beach City Council

Area 14 - Thursday, Dec 18 - Manhattan Beach Fireworks Association

Area 15 - Friday, Dec 19 - Leadership Manhattan Beach

 

NON-ROUTE Santa Sleigh Appearances

Sunday, Dec 7 @ 5pm - North End Business District Walkabout

Saturday, Dec 13 @ 10am - The Great California Santa Stroll

Sunday, Dec 14 @ 5pm - Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks

Tuesday, Dec 16 @ 11am - Downtown Manhattan Beach Farmers Market

The Santa Float is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach, and coordinated along with community and city volunteers.  Donations to support the float operations are welcome.



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