The New Hollywood String Quartet joins bassoonist Judith Farmer for Masters in the Chapel. SEE SUNDAY, DEC. 16.

Thursday, Dec. 13
Boy Scout Christmas Tree Lot, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 21.The Santa Monica Boy Scouts run this Christmas tree lot with the supervision of parent volunteers. This annual event helps support Troop 2 throughout the year. Come out and find the perfect Christmas tree. Boy Scout Christmas Tree Lot, 2923 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (707) 677-8733; troop2bsa.org

Bob Baker Marionette, 6 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater has been an institution since 1963 and for the first time ever it has a home at the Pier. The iconic puppet show features classic songs of the season and Bob Baker favorites. Santa Monica Pier, Merry-go-round building, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. Free. santamonicapier.org

Movie Screening with Artist-in-Residence, 6 to 8 p.m. Artist-in-residence Neno Belchev screens his film “My heart is an octopus or my father on the shore of the Black Sea.” The movie is based on Bezmer Bagryanov’s novel “My last abstract painting.” ESMoA, 208 Main St., El Segundo. (424) 277-1020; esmoa.org

Venice Tech Holiday Happy Hour, 6 to 9 p.m. Dust off your ugly holiday sweater and enjoy a festive tech happy hour with refreshments from event partners. Codesmith, 1600 Main St., Venice. $10 to $30. eventbrite.com

L.A. Real Estate Investors Club Vendors Expo, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mingle with 30+ real estate vendors, including private lenders, title companies, escrow companies, building suppliers, title insurance reps, home inspectors, hard money lenders, insurance agents, credit repair consultants and more. Olympic Collection, third floor ballroom,
11301 W. Olympic Blvd., West L.A. Free. (310) 792-6404

Friday, Dec. 14
Santa Monica College Holiday Art Sale, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Featuring ceramics and blown-glass items, jewelry, prints and more, this is a once-a-year opportunity to buy unique works of art to satisfy your gift needs. Proceeds from the sale help support the SMC Art Department. Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. (310) 434-4230

Holiday Mermaids Story Time & Photos, 3 to 7 p.m. Sea scenes come to life with holiday mermaids. Story time begins at 4 p.m. Santa Monica Pier, Merry-go-round building, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. Free. santamonicapier.org

“A Christmas Carol” Screening,
6:30 p.m. Mind Over Movies screens this 1951 holiday film version of the Dickens classic. A discussion and Q&A follow the film. The Christian Institute, 1308 Second St., Santa Monica. Free. facebook.com/MindOverMoviesLA

All-Female Comedy Show, 7:30 p.m. Westside-based standup comedians Julia Austin and Solange Castro produce this all-female comedy show with proceeds benefitting the Promises Foundation, which provides shelter and services for mothers in substance abuse recovery and their children. The Fanatic Salon, 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., Mar Vista. $20 or free with big item donation; $10 with donated toiletry item. fanaticsalon.com

Holiday Dinner Cruise, 8 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Sunday. With breathtaking views, deejay entertainment, dancing under the stars and a four-course dinner, this two and a half-hour cruise makes for a quick romantic getaway. Boarding begins a half hour before launch. Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. $95; reservations required. (310) 301-9900; hornblower.com

Saturday, Dec. 15
Make Art Open Studio, Saturday Dec. 15 and Sunday Dec. 16. Artist Asia Sztencel turns Burton Chace Park into an outdoor open studio. Stop by to observe, converse, create or make. Call (424) 526-7903 at least one day beforehand for times and to make sure a session is still confirmed. asiasztencel.com

Shop Local with Unique L.A., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Meet and shop directly from hundreds of hand-selected designers and artists at this Santa Monica holiday pop-up surrounded by ocean breezes and palm trees. Enjoy free drinks, fun DIY projects, deejays and more. Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. $7.50. santamonicapier.org

YMCA Open House Anniversary, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Collins & Katz Family YMCA hosts a community open house to celebrate its first anniversary with community booths, family activities, youth sports clinics, fitness classes and guided tours. Collins & Katz YMCA, 1466 S. Westgate Ave., West L.A. (310) 477-1511; ymcaLA.org/CollinsKatz

Toy Drive & Holiday Block Party, noon to 4 p.m. Stop by The Point for in-store activities, carolers, balloon twisting, face painting, holiday airbrush tattoos and special shopping discounts for those who donate to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. The Point, 850 S. Sepulveda Blvd.,
El Segundo. facebook.com/thepointsouthbay

Media Ecology Soul Salon, 1 p.m. Gerry Fialka interviews film director Jeri Rice about her first film “Embargo,” which questions why the U.S. has an embargo against Cuba. Pacific Resident Theatre, 705 Venice Blvd., Venice. Free. (310) 822-8392; laughtears.com

Strikers Band, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Listen to live music, nibble on light refreshments and dance the afternoon away. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Culver City Senior Citizens Center, 4095 Overland Ave., Culver City. $5. (310) 253-6700

Music by the Sea, 1 to 4 p.m. A scenic harbor view is the backdrop for a Latin jazz concert by Bob DeSena. Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. (310) 301-9900; visitmarinadelrey.com

Cherry Willow Jazz Band Concert, 2 p.m. This Dixieland band plays traditional standards and early jazz tunes that embodied the Roaring ’20s roar and the Dirty ’30s. El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728; eslib.org

Marci Vogel and Janet Fitch, 4 to 7 p.m. A reading in celebration of the launch of Marci Vogel’s new book “Death and Other Holidays.” Vogel is joined by Janet Fitch author of “White Oleander,” “Paint it Black” and “The Revolution of Marina M,” the coming of age story of a young poet during the Russian Revolution. Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. $10. (310) 822-3006; beyondbaroque.org

Marina Holiday Lights and Movies, 4 to 8 p.m. Victorian carolers The Voices of Christmas sing a capella holiday music under beautiful Christmas lights followed by a screening of the holiday classic “The Santa Clause.” Bring a low-back chair or picnic blanket. Dress warmly. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. visitmarinadelrey.com

A Call2Peace Concert Series, 7 to 9 p.m. Featuring the AC2P Ensemble and Landmark Strings Quartet, this evening of world music benefits Kids City Hope Place. Church at Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., Santa Monica. $20 suggested donation. acall2peace.org

David Broza & Friends, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Singer-guitarist David Broza returns to The Broad with Trio Havana to perform his blend of Israeli- and Spanish-infused songs and spread the universal language of peace, love and understanding. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. $64 to $109. thebroadstage.org

“The Last Five Years”: Fundraiser Show, 8 p.m. to midnight. A night of music and comedy to support the production of “The Last Five Years,” a musical that follows two struggling artists through five years of their relationship. Enjoy drink specials and a raffle. Surfside Venice, 23 Windward Ave., Venice. $10. facebook.com/KristinWalkerActress

Sunday, Dec. 16
Snowy Plover Beach Walk, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Explore the habitat and life cycle of the snowy plovers that make this stretch of beach their winter home. Binoculars provided. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica. Free; reservations requested. annenbergbeachhouse.com

Music by the Sea, 1 to 4 p.m. A scenic harbor view is the backdrop for an R&B and dance concert by Floyd & The Flyboys. Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. (310) 301-9900; visitmarinadelrey.com

Masters in the Chapel Concert, 4 to 5 p.m. Grammy Award-nominated bassoonist Judith Farmer joins the New Hollywood String Quartet to perform music from the Classical period as well as contemporary work. First Lutheran Church of Venice, 815 Venice Blvd., Venice. Free. (310) 821-2740; flvenice.org

PRT’s Sunday Concert Series: Alley Mills and Orson Bean, 7:30 p.m. Orson Bean’s grandchildren join PRT actors to read Bean’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Afterward sing along to classic Christmas carols. Pacific Resident Theatre, 705 Venice Blvd., Venice. $20. (310) 822-8392; pacificresidenttheatre.com

Monday, Dec. 17
ICE at Santa Monica, 2 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 2 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 21. Celebrate the holiday season with ice-skating in Downtown Santa Monica. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica. $15 skate rental and all-day admission. (310) 260-1199; downtownsm.com

Tuesday, Dec. 18
Holiday Lunch Cruise, noon. With salty breezes, sunshine, live entertainment and a holiday lunch, this two-hour cruise makes for a quick afternoon getaway. Boarding begins a half hour before launch. Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. $59.95; reservations required. (310) 301-9900; hornblower.com

Wednesday, Dec. 19
Plaza Film Nights, 6 p.m. Start the evening with family-friendly holiday classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” followed by Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch Drunk Love,” a quirky Los Angeles love story. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica. Free. downtownsm.com

Mix and Mingle Holiday Party, 6 to 8 p.m. The LAX Coastal Chamber hosts their end-of-year party to celebrate the season, spread holiday cheer and help people make new connections. California Yacht Club, 4469 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey. $20 to $30. (310) 645-5151; laxcoastal.com

Holiday Caroling, Dreidel and Ornament Making Evening, 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments as you sing festive tunes and make holiday ornaments. El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728; eslib.org

Meditations on Media, 6 to 9 p.m. Gerry Fialka’s stimulating soiree inventories the psychic effects of media on individuals and society, and muses on why they are ignored. RSVP to (310) 306-7330 for location; laughtears.com

Ugly Sweater Party, 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy complimentary appetizers from 6 to 7 p.m., special deals on holiday cocktails and prizes for the ugliest sweater. Bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Del Frisco’s Grille, 1551 Ocean Ave., Ste 105, Santa Monica. Free. eventbrite.com

Soundwaves Series: Tofighi, Denney and Fink, 7:30 p.m. These three composers and performers Alan S. Tofighi, Maxwell Denney and Michael Jon Fink explore the multifaceted history and sonic potential of the electric guitar. Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. Free. (310) 458-8600; smpl.org

“Sailing to the Edge of Time: The Promise, the Challenge and the Freedom of Ocean Voyaging,” 7:30 p.m. Deep ocean sailor and author John Kretschmer gives a presentation based on his new book “Sailing to the Edge of Time,” which looks at the core reasons people go to sea. California Yacht Club, 4469 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey. Free; reservations requested. (310) 823-4567; reservations@calyachtclub.net

Ho Ho Ho Improv Diary Show, 7:45 to 9 p.m. Two brave people read from their teen diaries while improvisers do scenes inspired by the readings. M.i.’s Westside Comedy Theater, 1323-A (“A” stands for alley) 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica. $5. (310) 451-0850; westsidecomedy.com

Thursday, Dec. 20
“Thirdsdays,” 8 p.m. Singer Anna Homler joins bassist Jeff Schwartz and multi-instrumentalist Charles Sharp for two sets of improvisational jazz. Industry Café & Jazz, 6039 Washington Blvd., Culver City. No cover; donations encouraged. (310) 202-6633; industrycafela.com

Venice Gets DEEP, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Keep the holiday spirit going with L.A.’s most beloved house deejays. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card to donate for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Townhouse & Del Monte Speakeasy, 52 Windward Ave., Venice. $20 to $30. (310) 392-4040; townhousevenice.com

Museums and Galleries
Bergamot Station Winter Open House, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Enjoy this holiday celebration of arts and culture with a variety of fine art gallery exhibits, festive food, live jazz, carolers, dance performances and more. Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. visitbergamot.com

“Cuts, Paints,” through Dec. 16. Trudy Benson’s complex canvases speak to both illusion and labor. Benson is a master of pictorial effects creating the appearance of collage with dense, seemingly chaotic paintings layered on top of bands of irregular, spray-painted squares. team (bungalow), 306 Windward Ave., Venice. (310) 339-1945; teamgal.com

“The Lost Warhols Show,” Exhibit runs through Dec. 22. Photographer and mixed media artist Karen Bystedt boldly asked Andy Warhol to sit for a photography session when she was a student in 1982. Now, 36 years later, the photographs are the subjects of collaborations with contemporary artists in a dynamic art show. Street Art House at Runway Playa Vista, 12775 Millennium Dr., Unit 115, Playa Vista. streetarthouse.com

“Narrative Works from the 1960s,” through Dec. 29. Artist Ray Brown takes a retrospective look at his seminal work from the early ’60s with multi-layered pieces that continue to impact his artistic output today. FIG, Bergamot Station D2, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 829-0345; figgallery.com

Wende Exhibitions, through Jan. 2019. “War of Nerves: Psychological Landscapes of the Cold War” addresses the various layers of mutual suspicion and mistrust between the Soviet Bloc and the Western World. “Red Shoes: Love, Politics, and Dance” uses ballet as an example of the high drama of the culture wars between the U.S. and the USSR during the Cold War. Artist Semra Sevin’s exhibit “Someone to Watch Over Me” features a series of migrant children portraits, which change depending on the viewer’s position. The Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City. (310) 216-1600; wendemuseum.org

“Life in this Ocean,” through Jan. 6. This exhibit showcases the work of four female artists Kathy Taslitz, Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman, Donna Bates and Lena Rushing expressing their experience as women and their exploration of narratives that speak to the collective human condition. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica. annenbergbeachhouse.com

“It’s a Celebration,” through Jan. 12. Celebrations are some of human’s earliest rituals. Celebrate the holidays through art, whether one drives a Bentley or rides the No. 7 Big Blue Bus. Blue 7 Gallery, 3129 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 449-1444; blue7gallery.com.

Experience 37: Matriarchs, through Jan 26. Featuring multiple works by 12 contemporary indigenous womxn artists representing 14 communities, this exhibit includes fashion, metalwork, photography, painting, basketry and video. ESMoA, 208 Main St., El Segundo. (424) 277-1020; esmoa.org

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