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Here is the message from event producer George Francisco.

It was a California Christmas with sunshine and warm temps all the way until the big moment at the 13th Annual Holiday Lighting of The Venice Sign.  Snow was falling, kids were snowboarding and Venice Santa was being his usual grumpy self ….all of that and more took place on Windward Ave – the historic heart of Venice!
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This year we welcomed some amazing music to the Main Stage with good time rockers Triple Bueno, guitar virtuoso Michael Lemmo, our annual cast of Venice All-Stars led by musical director and 2X Grammy winner Rob Christie….and topped it all of by having Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Steven Adler from Guns N’ Roses join them for a rockin’ encore.  And then our very own homegrown global icon Harry Perry lit the Venice Sign with his usual good cheer, positive energy and infectious grin.

Harry Perry, Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Steven Adler from Guns N’ Rose, and Councilwomen Traci Park light up the Venice Sign!

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Our CD11 Councilmember Traci Park was on hand to oversee the big moment and ring in the holiday season!  Nearly 20 Venice restaurants handled out free bites and gave everyone the chance to pick up some holiday merch to wear proudly at our “Holiday Taste of Venice” presented by Hampton Legal.  And what is more “Venice” to our coastal community that honoring Capt Matthew Pennington, a County Lifeguard as our “Local Hero.”
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We hope all the photo memories last a lifetime …or a year at least…and that the “Windward Wonderland” complete with free classic arcade games, chances to win prizes at the carnival games, photo booths by Venice Paparazzi,  and a snowboard ride was enjoyed by kids of all ages.  So thank you all for a few hours of smiles and good cheer to send us into the holiday season.

View 2024 event coverage by Team Venice Paparazzi.

We hosted three or our world famous, super fun photo booths, one green screen, one Santa Booth, and one Boomerang Selfie  Booth. And, we were the official photographers as well.  So if you made it out to the Venice Sign Lighting event, chances are you are in our photo gallery.  Check out the links below and find yourself.  Merry Christmas! BAM!

Thank you to this year’s Santa photo booth sponsor was the one and only LA Car Guy

Emcee Michael Newhouse

Venice Sign event producer George Francisco

Councilwomen Traci park honoros Capt Matthew Pennington, a County Lifeguard as our “Local Hero.”

Councilwoman Traci Park and Harry Perry

Councilwoman Traci Park and Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Steven Adler from Guns N’ Roses


Venice Chamber of Commerce’s Sunny Bak, Antonio, Chantel, Mario and Toni

A HUGE thank you to our incredible Taste of Venice sponsors for making the 13th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting an unforgettable celebration.

Presented by Hampton Legal, this year’s Taste of Venice at the Holiday Sign Lighting wouldn’t have been possible without the delicious contributions from our amazing restaurant sponsors:
The Butcher’s Daughter
Belles Beach House
Venice Ale House
Market
Hinano Cafe
Venice Beach Wines
Menotti’s Coffee Stop
The Penmar Venice
The Sidewalk Cafe
Owa
Si! Mon
Pizza Girl
Lavender and Truffles
Cerveteca
Venice Whaler
Taco ‘Bout It Venice
High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin
Gran Blanco

Your incredible flavors and support truly brought the community together to celebrate the magic of the season. Here’s to the sponsors who keep our Venice spirit shining bright!

“My Venice Holiday” Poster Contest

A message from Venice Sign Show Producer George Francisco!  10 years ago, we started the “My Venice Holiday” Poster contest as a way to inspire our young public school children to express themselves through art and to celebrate the unique joy the holidays bring to each person.  The focus of our Venice Art Crawl was missing a valuable component – involving children – the contest was a vehicle to put art and artistic expression in at a granular level with these kids and incubate a spirit of creativity at an early age that will be invaluable as they grow and mature.  It’s very personal to me, as a 8 year old, I won a poster contest and was featured with other winners in the local newspaper.  It was the first feeling of pride in accomplishment that I had ever experienced and while I never became an artist, it helped shape my entire personality and who I am as a person.   We’re nearing our 10 year anniversary and I hope we’ve made a small impact in our Venice kids’ development and done a service to our community’s reputation as a home for creativity and art.  Plus, let’s face it, it’s just a joy to see those little kids get cheered by thousands and be honored by our civic officials.

Los Angeles Unified School District’s Nick Melvoin, Venice Art Crawl’s Sunny Bak and this year’s Venice Holiday Sign Lighting’ Poster Contest winners.

Did you step in front of the Venice Paparazzi green screen photo booth. Thanks to Venice Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the booth.

Theresa Ireland and Marcus Gladney

Venice Paparazzi’s Alex and Edizen with Hama Sushi’s Hama Mama Esther Chaing

Hinano’s and Tavern on Main’s Mark and Addie Van Gessel and friends

Looking for your Santa Photo?    Photo booth sponsored by LA Car Guy.

A message from Matt Unger from LA Car Guy! 

“We are always thrilled to support such an amazing event.  Our family of dealerships sells the most EV/hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles in LA and it’s a joy to give the community in Venice, who share our values, a reason to celebrate! Have a blessed holidays everyone!”

LA Car Guy’s Matt Unger

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A special thank you to Santa, aka Ivan!

Councilwoman Traci Park, Santa, Sima and Venice Paparazzi’s Edizen

Venice Paparazzi also hosted a boomerang selfie photo booth backstage.

Thanks to Market, Skyduster and Bandero for sponsoring the “Venice Sign Backstage” photo booth.

Venice Chamber’s Michael and Karin Wallerstein

 

To Venice All-Stars, Venice Chamber and George Francisco!   Thank you for bringing joy to the Venice community!

And THANK YOU to our incredible community sponsors for making the 13th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting a glowing success! Your support brings our community together in celebration and keeps this cherished tradition alive.

Here’s to the amazing individuals, businesses, and organizations who contributed:

Abbot Kinney Blvd. Wallflower, Andrew Mika, Artist & Fleas, Brandview Asset Management, Burn Fitness, CD11 Foundation, CTI Housing, David Paris, Daffodil Tyminski, DU Architects, Eve Capitol, Frame, Fran Inman, General Real Estate Management, Gerez Real Estate Team, Google, Gjusta Grocer, Hacker Fund, Hume, Kin Gordon Designs, Klink Campaigns, McCabe & Company, Michael Jensen, Michael Salem, Mike Ryan, m_PA, Newhouse Law Group, Pacific Urbanism, Paloma Realty Partners, Pardee Properties, Port of Long Beach, Public Storage, Rand – Paster – Nelson, Roosterfish, Share!, The Venice Place Project, The Windward, Townhouse, Valero, Venice Homeowners Alliance, Venice on the Beach Hotel, Venice Skills Center, Venice Suites, Vicki Halliday, WSPA, and Yolanda Gonzalez.

Your generosity and commitment to Venice make this event possible, and we’re so grateful for your continued support. Here’s to spreading joy and holiday cheer together!

If you were at a Venice Sign event, we may have taken a photo of you.   Find you Venice Sign photos here!

Did you know that Venice Paparazzi has covered Venice Sign events since 2007?

Venice Paparazzi has covered Venice Sign events since the inaugural event of the lighting of the restored Venice Sign in 2007.  If you were at a Venice Sign event, we may have taken a photo of you.  Re-live the best of  2007-present Venice Sign photos by Venice Paparazzi.

Need a photo booth or photography for your event?  Hire Venice Paparazzi

For more Venice Sign info, visit venicechamber.net and follow @venicesign

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