SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica is about to get a taste of the Swiss Alps, although the snow-capped mountains will be replaced by palm trees and the Pacific Ocean when a European-style Christmas market opens on the Santa Monica Pier later this month.
Swiss Winter Village, a new holiday attraction inspired by Switzerland's traditional Christmas markets, will open Wednesday, Nov. 18, and continue through Jan. 3, 2027, transforming the Pier's Event Deck into a festive village of wooden chalets, seasonal food, artisan shops and an outdoor ice rink.
The attraction's opening date is also confirmed by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, which lists the village among the city's upcoming holiday events.
Created by organizers behind established Christmas markets in Switzerland, the village will feature more than 60 chalets offering handcrafted gifts, jewelry, holiday decorations and other artisan goods.
Food will be a major part of the experience, with approximately 30 chalets serving everything from Swiss raclette — a traditional dish featuring melted cheese — to international street food, seasonal sweets and mulled wine.
Beyond the shopping and dining, visitors can enjoy an outdoor ice rink overlooking the ocean, along with storytelling, face painting, creative workshops, live music and other entertainment. Organizers are also planning a children's area and seasonal activities throughout the village.
Santa Claus will make appearances at an Alpine-style chalet, where visitors can have professional holiday portraits taken Thursdays through Sundays, from 1 to 7 p.m., between Nov. 27 and Dec. 20.
Opening-night festivities are scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. Nov. 18.
Regular operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. The village will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remain open until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
General admission costs $12.90 for adults ages 13 and older and $8.90 for children ages 4 to 12. Discounted $10.90 tickets are available for seniors 65 and older, students, military personnel, Metro riders and Santa Monica residents, as well as groups of eight or more. Children ages 3 and younger enter free.
Ice skating is available through separate ticket packages, with standard entrance-and-skating bundles starting at $20.90 per person and discounted family packages starting at $18.90. Higher-priced packages include additional experiences, such as rides at Pacific Park.
The village will be open to visitors of all ages and is wheelchair accessible. Organizers say the largely outdoor attraction will operate rain or shine, although severe weather could affect some activities.
Tickets are available through the official Swiss Winter Village website, with visitors selecting a date and entry time when booking. The village will be located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, bringing a distinctly Alpine holiday tradition to one of Southern California's best-known oceanfront landmarks.
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