One of the most highly attended and anticipated events of the entire year in Los Angeles is the 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl and Toy Drive in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Annually held on the second Friday of December this iconic tradition bounces along the Hermosa Beach bars on Pier Ave., and Hermosa Ave. Some 1,000 people typically attend the event, many dressed in holiday costumes, roaming from bar to bar for fun, mingling and some pretty festive moments. There are angels and this year, even a “bad Santa.”
Here are the complete details on this year’s event from the man himself, organizer Sean Angus, provided in great detail to PubClub.com.
“With a full lineup of festive events, community spirit, and incredible prizes, this year’s 12 Bars of Christmas promises to be the best one yet,” Angus said. “This is more than just a holiday event. It’s about coming together as a community to celebrate the season and give back to the area. Don’t just hear about it, be part of it!
“It’s Hermosa Beach at its best. The 12 Bars of Christmas combines the holiday spirit with the power of giving back to the community. Each toy donation makes a direct impact on children in need, brightening their holidays in ways they’ll never forget. With the creation of the 12 Bars Hermosa Beach Charity Foundation, we’re on a mission to collect 750 toys this year for the Hermosa Beach Police Department Toy Drive, helping children and families in need.
“While the pub crawl is free, all we ask participants is to bring an unwrapped toy when they pick up their official hangtag and lanyard. We have 3 drop off bars: Tower 12, Sharkeez and American Junkie.”
This year’s event also has some great prizes for participants. Keep reading for all the details, as well as information on a pre-party event the previous evening and some important 12 Bars tips.
12 Bars Of Christmas Hermosa Beach Date & Meeting Place
When: 6 PM, Friday, Dec. 13th, 2024. This is the 28th annual 12 Bars of Christmas in Hermosa Beach.
Where: The meeting place is Tower 12, which is also the first bar on the “naughty list” of bars. Other bars, along with drink specials – which are not revealed until you check in and receive a participation lanyard – are along Pier Ave., and Hermosa Ave. There is also the traditional group photo at the Christmas tree on the Hermosa Beach Pier which is 9:30 sharp.
Cost: Free with toy to be donated to the needy children in the South Bay.
Why Attend: Exclusive drink specials and incredible prizes, including a beach cruiser, a golf bag, an SUP and LA Clippers tickets.
RSVP here to stay updated: Event Link
For those who feel one night is not enough, there is a preview party on Thursday called the Social Cocktail Party & Toy Drive. Here are those details:
12 Bars Of Christmas Hermosa Beach Social Cocktail Party & Toy Drive
When: 7 PM, Thursday, December 12th (the night before the pub crawl!)
Where: Tower 12
Cost: Free with toy to be donated to the needy children in the South Bay (one toy covers both events but feel free to bring another one, of course)
Why Attend: Dress to impress in your best formal cocktail attire, enjoy a champagne toast and free appetizers and witness the crowning of the 12 Bars King and Queen. Plus, drop off your unwrapped toy to receive your official 12 Bars hangtag and lanyard.
RSVP here: Event Link
For Angus, and those who have preceded him, organizing the 12 Bars of Christmas is a labor of love. It takes months to prepare and involves working with the bars to arrange the schedule and drink specials, the charity, sponsors and prizes. It is an unpaid position but one that comes with at least two big rewards.
“Seeing the mountain of toys we collect each year and knowing it will brighten the holidays for so many kids makes it all worth it,” he said. Plus, he added with a chuckle. “that one night, I get to be King of Hermosa Beach! And it’s good to be king for a night.”
And oh, what a night! PubClub.com has a sidebar story on the likely list of bars and schedule for the 12 Bars Of Christmas, as well as some important tips to know, one that veterans already know but it’s nice to be reminded before pub crawling.
And while putting together the Christmas pub crawl is a handful, it’s possible Angus will organize a second Hermosa Beach pub crawl in the summer. But for now, the King is quite happy to be on the throne for this one.
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