This month, rather than provide you with a top pick service for your home, I decided to tell you about my top pick holiday event. It’s the Annual Venice Canal Holiday Lights and Boat Parade. It’s coming up on Sunday, December 10^th, at 4 pm, so be sure to mark your calendars.

About the Canals

The Venice Canals were truly inspired by Venice Italy. Developer Abbot Kinney decided to create Venice of America to the marshland area of Southern California. He transformed the coastal marshes of the area now known as Venice, California into two miles of scenic canal systems, complete with gondolas for local transportation. The attraction also included casinos, an aquarium, amusement parks, and more.

Eventually, however, the attraction was incorporated into Los Angeles, and many of the canals were filled in. Thankfully, the remaining canals have been saved and returned to their original condition due to a massive restoration effort.

What Venice Is Like Today

Venice, though not quite like its namesake, is a beautiful setting for a nice walk or a holiday boat parade. The canal area contains 14 pedestrian bridges, walkways, rowboats, and even families of ducks. Whether you want to hike, admire the lovely cottages, or simply enjoy Linnie Canal Park, Venice is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

The Parade

The boat parade is now in its 36^th year and has a large following. Each year sports a different theme, with the 2017 theme of Peace on Earth.  I have been a fan for many years and have enjoyed taking my family to see the boats. We also enjoy seeing the houses lit up along the canal as well.

If you’d like to be in the parade, there is still time. Participants are simply asked to register on Saturday, December 9^th, between 10 and 2 pm at 2429 Eastern Canal. For further information about registering a boat, contact Sandy Berens at (310) 463-3323. The parade, on the following day, will start at 4 pm, no matter what the weather at the corner of Eastern and Sherman Canals and wind its way through the historic canals of Venice.

The Lights

Beginning on December 9^th and lasting through the holidays, homes and bridges along the canal are decked with lights. The judging begins at 6 pm on December 9^th with prizes announced at the start of the parade the following day. However, holiday-goers are welcome to stroll through the Venice community to admire the decorations throughout the season.

Whether you live in Venice or simply want to enjoy the Venice Canals, the holiday season is a wonderful time to do so. If you have any questions about other fun things to do on the Westside during the month of December, give me a call. I’d love to share all my favorites.

Categorised in: Blog, Brett's Top Picks, Westside Living