Santa Monica Sleighs the Streets: Santa Cruise Rolls Through Santa Monica and Venice

Hundreds of skaters, bikers, and rollerbladers took to the streets of Santa Monica on Saturday, December 7, 2024, for the 4th Annual "Santa Cruise: A Rolling Holiday Party," hosted by Beyond the Board and Skate Hunnies. The highly anticipated event brought together a diverse community of wheel enthusiasts for a festive six-mile group ride and an evening of holiday-themed fun. Participants gathered at Santa Monica City Hall at 3 PM, decked out in Santa suits, elf costumes, and reindeer antlers, ready to turn the streets into a rolling winter wonderland. At 4 PM, the group embarked on a beginner-friendly route through Santa Monica and Venice, complete with surprise stops featuring games, live entertainment, and seasonal treats. Open to skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, scooters, and more, the Santa Cruise welcomed all who were confident with basic road skills to join in the holiday cheer. The festivities didn’t end with the ride. The celebration continued at Waterfront Venice, where the ticketed Holiday Party Extravaganza ran from 7 PM to 11 PM. The after-party featured live DJs, spectacular performances, an inflatable mini ramp jam, and a costume showcase that highlighted the creativity and holiday spirit of attendees. Guests enjoyed festive food and drink specials, interactive holiday installations, and photo opportunities that captured the magic of the evening. More than just a festive gathering, the Santa Cruise aimed to promote micro-mobility and advocate for safer, more vibrant streets. The event brought the community together to celebrate sustainable transportation and the joy of movement, creating a sense of unity and purpose for participants. Organized by Beyond the Board, an LA-based non-profit that empowers individuals through skateboarding, and Skate Hunnies, a female-founded roller skate community, the Santa Cruise once again demonstrated the power of inclusive, community-driven events to inspire connection and creativity. As the night drew to a close, the 4th Annual Santa Cruise left attendees with lasting memories and a renewed holiday spirit, cementing its place as one of Los Angeles’ most beloved holiday traditions.