By Lila Gallagher
Staff Writer
Manhattan Beach held its annual pier lighting and holiday open house on Nov. 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with Christmas activities, shopping and dining.
The event, which took place in Downtown Manhattan Beach, included local caroling groups, performances from the MBMS and Costa choirs, shopping and dining opportunities and a holiday lighting ceremony. This year marked the 32nd-annual pier lighting as well as the 27th-annual holiday open house.
“Our family loves Christmas, and the pier lighting has been special for us since my girls were little,” Manhattan Beach resident Naomi Mack said. “I also loved bringing my extended family downtown to watch it this year.”
The event offered family-friendly events such as performances from town carolers, live reindeer, face painting, balloon art and family photoshoots.
“Manhattan Beach prides itself on being a city whose residents care about their neighbors and has great community spirit,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern said. “That spirit is exemplified when we gather for our cherished events like the holiday open house and pier lighting.”
Downtown shops and restaurants also took part in the evening and kept their doors open until 9 p.m. Many store owners and workers decorated their businesses in honor of the pier lighting and holiday tradition in Manhattan Beach.
“At Katwalk, we all begin decorating for the holidays around this time, and being able to watch the pier lighting from the store really put us in the holiday spirit,” Katwalk employee Cate Rogoff said. “I was happy to be back to the town traditions, especially after these past years.”
In addition to carolers and other attractions, the MBMS and Costa choirs put on a concert at the pier lighting at 6 p.m. The choirs performed Christmas carols such as“Christmas is Here” by Kaskade and “Winter Wonderland” by Johnny Mathis.
“This was one of our first performances back together since our online year,” senior and choir member Gigi Panzarella said. “I loved that the choir was able to aid in bringing people some holiday spirit and cheer for the night.”
Stern, who gave a speech before the holiday lighting ceremony, said that 2021 has had the biggest turnout ever for all fall events, including the Hometown and Parish Fair.
“Our community seems thrilled to have these events return,” Stern said. “We have seen record attendance at our events […] as we join together as a community to celebrate our small-town jewel, Manhattan Beach.”
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