Thursday, December 18, 2025
There are 14 days left in the year
☀️ Good Morning, Santa Monica!
Today is National Twins Day! If you feel like you’re seeing double while grabbing your coffee on Montana Ave this morning, don’t worry—you aren’t imagining things. We are now just one week away from Christmas, which means the “out of office” replies are starting to pop up and finding that perfect last minute gift is becoming its own competitive sport. Here’s what you need to know to navigate the city this week.
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New parking rates in downtown
Santa Monica will implement new parking fees downtown designed to keep people in the area longer. “Ultimately, most visitors who park for three hours or more will pay less than they do currently for the same period of time,” the city said in a statement.
Plan ahead for holiday trash pickup
The City’s Resource Recovery division is reminding residents to prepare for adjusted collection schedules during the next two weeks. If you are planning a big cleanup or have extra cardboard from deliveries, double-check your pickup day so you aren’t left with a full bin.
City Hall goes quiet
If you have business to attend to with the City Council, you will likely need to wait until 2026. The Council traditionally enters a legislative recess during the second half of December, meaning no regular meetings are on the docket for the next two weeks.
It’s Hanukkah in Santa Monica
Catch the lighting of the Menorah at sundown on the Promenade. It is a lovely, low-key community gathering that happens nightly, rain or shine, through December 22.
Plus…
▶︎ Holy Basil opens first westside location in Santa Monica
Owners Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat and Tongkamal “Joy” Yuon operate locations Atwater Village and DTLA Westside Current
▶︎ Polar Bear plunge set for January 10
Hundreds of participants will jump in the ocean near Annenberg Beach House. Lookout
Thursday, December 18 |
Sneakers and…syrup?
This unlikely combination has become an unlikely viral sensation for Denny’s. This week the chain diner began offering new limited edition high top “Sticky Kicks” — which sold out in just one minute! Yahoo
The Oscars are moving to YouTube THR
First panels announced for PaleyFest 2026 PaleyCenter.org
1787 New Jersey becomes the third state admitted to the United States
1984 “Like A Virgin” becomes Madonna‘s first #1 song
2019 Donald Trump becomes the third US president to be impeached by the House of Representatives
12/18 Brad Pitt, actor (62); Steven Spielberg, movie producer (79); Christina Aguilera, pop singer (45)
12/19 Alyssa Milano, actress (53); Criss Angel, magician (58); Jake Gyllenhaal, actor (45)
12/20 Jonah Hill, actor (42); Dick Wolf, TV producer (79)
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🌛THINGS TO DO AFTER DARK Ice at Santa Monica: The rink at 5th & Arizona is open daily from noon to 10:00 PM. 1324 5th St. Jeopardy Alumni Trivia: Test your knowledge alongside former contestants every Wednesday at O’Brien’s Pub. 2226 Wilshire Blvd. Neighborhood Game Night: Meet and challenge other members of the community Thursday nights at Weary Livers. 2819 Pico Blvd. Magic By The Sea: Be dazzled by top magicians every Friday and Saturday night at Illusions Magic Lounge. 1418 4th St. 🌆 AROUND LOS ANGELES The Nutcracker: Los Angeles Ballet’s SoCal-centric take on a holiday tradition heads to Hollywood A Charlie Brown Christmas: The live stage adaptation of the holiday classic that has charmed generations of television audiences since 1965. Two performances, at 3pm and 6pm. Stereophonic: The most Tony nominated musical in Broadway history
🏈 LOCAL & PRO SPORTS LA Clippers v. LA Lakers 🎥 MOVIES The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and is about to save your weekend? The gang from Bikini Bottom is back for another big-screen adventure. In Theaters Friday Avatar: Fire and Ash: James Cameron does not do things halfway, and the third installment of the Avatar saga introduces us to a new, fiercer side of the Na’vi. Expect visuals that will melt your brain and a runtime that requires a strategic bathroom break. In Theaters Friday Is This Thing On? Will Arnett and Laura Dern headline a killer cast with a premise that feels refreshingly relatable. It’s the kind of cringe-comedy that hurts so good. In Theaters Friday The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Just a quick hop over the border into West LA, the NuArt Theatre continues its legendary tradition. “Sins O’ The Flesh” shadow cast performs live every Saturday night at 11:30 PM. NuArt Theatre | 1272 Santa Monica Blvd.
📺 WHAT TO WATCH Emily In Paris: Grab a croissant and your beret—Emily Cooper is back! The new season drops today, promising more questionable fashion choices, chaotic love triangles, and stunning Parisian scenery. Is she Team Gabriel or Team Alfie? We’re clearing our schedules to find out. Thursday, December 18 | Netflix Saturday Night Live: This is the duo we didn’t know we needed until right now. Pop princess Ariana Grande takes the hosting reins, while the legendary Cher serves as the musical guest. Expect high ponytails, high notes, and hopefully a sketch where they play mother and daughter. Saturday, December 20 | NBC The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball: Looking for something lighthearted to start the holiday week? Dive into the colorful, mixed-media chaos of Gumball. It’s smart enough for adults but silly enough for kids—perfect for easy viewing while you wrap presents. Monday, December 22 | Hulu Kennedy Center Honors: Class up your Tuesday evening with one of the most prestigious nights in the arts. It’s always a tear-jerker to see legends get their flowers, and this year’s tributes promise to be spectacular. Tuesday, December 23 | CBS |
DogPPL is Santa Monica’s Canine Country Club
3400 Ocean Park Boulevard
310-451-2241
It’s L.A.’s first and only canine social club. DogPPL — often described as a “Soho House for dogs” — is a members-only sanctuary that has reimagined the pooch park experience by prioritizing safety, hygiene, and human comfort. “We wanted to create a space where people felt completely at ease,” co-creator Alex Esguerra says. “It’s about safety first, but also about building a real community where you know every dog has been vetted.”
Santa Monica public schools will begin winter recess at the conclusion of classes on Friday, December 19. Elementary schools return to instruction on Monday, January 5. Middle and high schools reopen on Tuesday, January 6.
Enjoy the warm weather, Santa Monica. See you next week!
- R.I.P.:Unleashed By Petco set to close - February 18, 2026
- Hotsheet 2/19/26: Will SMMUSD eliminate teachers? - February 17, 2026
- Hotsheet 2/5/26:SMC in ‘financial crisis’; Cat cafe opens - February 5, 2026
