Skate by the Pacific, Then Warm Up With Swiss Raclette at Santa Monica Pier
A first Swiss winter market fills the pier Nov 18 to Jan 3, with an ice rink by the sea and melted raclette for after.
🏔️ Nov 18 Through Jan 3
🧀 What Opens on the Event Deck
The Swiss Winter Village sets up on the Event Deck at 200 Santa Monica Pier from Wednesday, November 18 through Sunday, January 3, its first edition in Santa Monica. The team behind Wienachtsdorf Zürich and Christmas at Geneva Quay brings more than 60 wooden chalets selling crafts, design pieces and gifts, with around thirty food chalets serving lunch and dinner. Expect raclette, Swiss sweets, mulled wine, and vegan and gluten free options.
⛸️ Skate First, Then Eat
A regular entry ticket covers the village only, not the ice skating rink. To skate, book the Silver Skate and Go bundle, from $20.90 on the official site, which adds rink access and skate rental. Do your laps by the sea first, then walk to the Raclette Chalet, one of the two indoor spaces in the village, where melted cheese is poured over potatoes and sides. On the Fever date picker as of October 23, a grab and go plate is a $14.90 add on, and patio seating with ocean views is $24.90 per person for two or more.
🧣 Hours and What to Bring
The village opens at 11 AM daily and closes at 9 PM Monday through Wednesday and 10 PM Thursday through Sunday, per the official site. It closes at 6 PM on Christmas Eve and stays open until 1 AM on New Year's Eve. Entry is by timed slot, you can arrive up to 30 minutes after the time on your ticket, and a visit runs about 90 minutes. Children under 3 enter free, and the venue is wheelchair accessible and cashless. It runs rain or shine and the air cools by the water after sunset, so bring a warm layer for the rink. It suits families and couples who can slip away on a weekday afternoon.
