Annual ‘Window Shopping’ Event Starts The Season In LA’s South Bay
I’m not normally much of one for window shopping, but when drinks are involved, well it’s a different story.
It is those drinks that brings out myself, as well as a couple hundred other single people in the Los Angeles South Bay Beach Cities (along with a few more hundred people who are actually interested in shopping) for the annual Holiday Open House in Manhattan Beach, CA.
This annual event, always held the Wednesday the week prior to Thanksgiving (which puts it on Nov. 14 in 2018) is a walk through the stores and shops of this beachy and somewhat upscale town just south of the Los Angeles airport. Some of the stores have specials on their jewelry and clothing but the quest among us single people is to find the places serving refreshments.
Some businesses put out cheese and crackers, others have punch (I always ask if it’s spiked!) while others have wine or even kegs of craft beer.
It’s all free, and the trick is to wander in and out of the stores in order to find the best party.
Well, it’s not really a huge party but put together it’s a really fun and spirited evening. Carolers walk the streets, a band plays on a blocked off-street and I’ve even heard rumors of ballerinas this year. The stores have contests among themselves, led by the Downtown Manhattan Beach Association, for the best window display. That, of course, adds to the festive atmosphere.
As an added bonus, November is “Navy Grog Month” at the restaurant Rock ‘n Fish. That’s the month the restaurant opened several years ago and it celebrates the heritage of the previous place in that location by offering this drink at half price, which is $7. That makes it a highly popular place to start the evening.
What the Holiday Open House really does is set the tone for the rest of the season here, which is full of these fun events, including a boat parade, a holiday stroll in Redondo Beach and spectacular fireworks in Manhattan Beach.
Holiday cheers!
Leave a Reply