A Swiss Christmas Market is Landing on the Santa Monica Pier this Winter! 🎄
Picture wooden chalets glowing with fairy lights, the smell of melted raclette drifting past, and the Pacific Wheel spinning right behind it all. That is the plan for this holiday season, when the Santa Monica Pier trades its parking deck for a full-blown Swiss Christmas market.
Swiss Winter Village opens on the Event Deck at the Santa Monica Pier for a run from November 2026 through January 2027. Organizers promise more than 100 chalets of crafts and Swiss treats, plus kids' activities and Santa visits, with ticketed entry and all ages welcome. Here is everything LA families need to know before tickets go on sale.
Swiss Winter Village Santa Monica Pier: Key Takeaways
What: A Swiss-style Christmas market with craft and food chalets, kids' activities and Santa portraits
When: November 2026 to January 2027; exact opening date TBA by organizers
Where: Event Deck at the Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Hours: Mon–Wed 11 AM–9 PM; Thu–Sun 11 AM–10 PM (special hours Dec. 24 and Dec. 31)
Ages: All ages; stroller and wheelchair accessible
Parking: No parking on the Pier deck during the event; use nearby city lots or the Metro E Line
What Is Swiss Winter Village?
Swiss Winter Village is a brand-new holiday market making its California debut this year, with one location at the Santa Monica Pier and a second in San Diego. It comes from the team behind some of Switzerland's best-known Christmas markets, including Wienachtsdorf in Zürich and Christmas at Geneva Quay, plus Noël La Villette in Paris.
The Santa Monica City Council approved the event in June, licensing the Pier's parking deck to the producer, Swiss Xmas Inc., for the season. The city expects it to be one of the biggest holiday draws on the Westside, with the Santa Monica Daily Press reporting projected attendance of 250,000 to 400,000 visitors.
For families, the big appeal is the setting. You get a cozy European Christmas market feel, but with ocean views, palm trees and the Pier's classic rides just steps away.
What Families Can Do at the Village
The village is built for wandering. According to the official Swiss Winter Village activities page, the program includes a children's corner, storytelling, face painting, creative workshops, a nostalgic merry-go-round, stilt walkers, concerts and DJ sets that keep the place lively from afternoon into the evening.
Holiday Portraits with Santa
Santa is setting up in an alpine-style chalet on the Pier, where kids can share wish lists and families can book a professional photo. Reservations will be required, and the organizers say photo packages and booking details are coming soon.
Parent Tip: Santa slots at popular LA holiday events often fill fast on December weekends. Join the waitlist now so you hear the moment reservations open.
Skating by the Sea
City planning documents describe a faux-ice skating rink as part of the activation. The organizers have not yet posted rink details, so check the official site for skating times and whether it costs extra before you promise the kids a spin.
For Little Ones
Youngest guests can step into a world of festive imagination in the children’s village, with charming little huts including a Christmas post office, cozy reading corner, haberdashery and more. Perfect for playing, crafting and discovering. Throughout the Christmas village, children will also find plenty of delightful activities and surprises.
Raclette, Hot Chocolate and Swiss Treats
Food is a highlight at any Swiss Christmas market, and this one plans about thirty food chalets serving lunch and dinner. Expect melted raclette scraped over potatoes, Swiss sweets, mulled wine for the grown-ups and street food from around the world.
The Swiss Raclette Chalet is one of only two indoor spaces at the market, along with Santa's headquarters, so it doubles as a warm-up spot on chilly nights. The organizers say vegan and gluten-free options will be available, and the market is cashless.
Parent Tip: Food and drinks are sold separately from admission. Set a snack budget before you go so the hot chocolate and pretzel stops do not add up faster than expected.
Shopping the Christmas Market Chalets
The craft chalets mix experienced artisans with newer designers, selling handmade gifts, jewelry, holiday decorations, home goods and specialty foods. Santa Monica approved the event with a promise to give local businesses priority in vendor selection, including a rotating booth for first-time Santa Monica makers.
It is a fun place to let kids pick out a special ornament for the tree. A small budget and a "one treasure each" rule can keep the shopping cheerful instead of overwhelming.
Swiss Winter Village Hours and Dates
The official Santa Monica page lists the run as November 2026 through January 2027.
Monday–Wednesday: 11 AM–9 PM
Thursday–Sunday: 11 AM–10 PM
Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): 11 AM–6 PM
New Year's Eve (Dec. 31): 11 AM–1 AM
Most visitors spend about 90 minutes in the village. The market is mostly outdoors, with some covered seating if the weather turns; in severe weather, parts of the event may be modified or postponed.
Tickets, Prices and Ways to Save
Tickets are not on sale yet. The organizers have opened a waitlist on the official Swiss Winter Village Santa Monica website, and tickets will be sold through Fever. Ticket prices are TBA; a city report estimated general admission at around $15 per person, but that figure has not been confirmed by the organizers.
Here is what is already confirmed:
Kids under 3: Free
Box office: There will be one on site, but popular times may sell out, so booking ahead is safest
Changes: Date changes are allowed up to 48 hours in advance; no refunds
Caregivers: Guests who need assistance can request one free companion pass
Santa Monica also negotiated community perks as part of the city approval: 1,000 free tickets for nonprofit groups (with priority for under-resourced youth and foster families), a free Candlelight concert, discounted or free admission windows for residents in Santa Monica ZIP codes, and an early "senior golden hour." Details on how to claim these have not been announced.
Parking and Getting to the Santa Monica Pier
The biggest planning tip: the Pier's parking deck is the event space, so you cannot park on the Pier during the market. The organizers recommend skipping the car if you can.
By Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica Station at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, then walk about 10 minutes to the Pier.
By rideshare: Use 1550 Appian Way as your drop-off point to avoid the jam on Ocean Avenue and the Pier bridge.
By car: Try the Civic Center Garage at 333 Civic Center Dr. or Beach Lot 1N at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway.
Accessible parking: Available at Beach Lot 1 North and at Lot 1-S on Appian Way, with ramps up to the Pier.
The Pier bridge is under construction, so it is worth checking the Santa Monica Pier directions and parking page before you leave home.
Parent Tips for Visiting with Kids
Go early on a weekday. Weekday afternoons should be calmer than Friday and Saturday nights in December.
Bring layers. Ocean air gets chilly after sunset, and there is no coat check.
Strollers are welcome. The venue is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, but crowds can be thick near the food chalets.
Leave the dog home. Pets are not allowed; service animals are welcome.
Make it a Pier day. Pair the market with the Pier's historic carousel, the Pacific Park rides, or a sunset walk on the sand.
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Takeaway
Swiss Winter Village could become one of the most memorable new holiday traditions in Los Angeles. A real Swiss-style Christmas market with raclette, Santa, kids' activities and the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop is hard to beat for a December family outing.
Tickets and exact dates are still TBA. We will keep this guide updated as the organizers share more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does Swiss Winter Village open at the Santa Monica Pier?
Swiss Winter Village runs from November 2026 through January 2027 on the Event Deck at the Santa Monica Pier. The organizers have not announced the exact opening and closing dates yet, so join the official waitlist to be notified when dates and tickets are released.
2. How much are Swiss Winter Village tickets?
Ticket prices are TBA. Admission will be sold through Fever, and children under 3 get in free. A Santa Monica city report estimated general admission at around $15 per person, but the organizers have not confirmed pricing, so check the official site before you budget.
3. What are the Swiss Winter Village hours?
The posted hours are 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Wednesday and 11 AM to 10 PM Thursday through Sunday. Christmas Eve runs 11 AM to 6 PM, and New Year's Eve runs 11 AM to 1 AM. Hours can change, so confirm before your visit.
4. Where do you park for Swiss Winter Village?
The Pier parking deck is closed because it hosts the market. Nearby options include the Civic Center Garage at 333 Civic Center Dr. and Beach Lot 1N at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway. The Metro E Line's Downtown Santa Monica station is about a 10-minute walk away.
5. Is Swiss Winter Village good for kids?
Yes. All ages are welcome, and the program includes a children's corner, storytelling, face painting, workshops, a merry-go-round, stilt walkers and Santa portraits by reservation. The market is stroller-friendly, and most families spend about 90 minutes exploring before heading out to enjoy the rest of the Pier.
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