This Weekend: Venice Winter Fest Blends Ski Lodge Chic with Coastal Soul

CAMPBELL WELLMAN VENICE WINTER FEST 2025

While Los Angeles may lack the traditional blanket of snow, it more than makes up for it with creative community spirit. This Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, the celebrated Venice Fest returns with its holiday incarnation: the Venice Winter Fest, transforming a stretch of Venice Boulevard into a massive showcase for the Westside's dynamic local scene.

Blending retro ski lodge aesthetics with the area's iconic surfside atmosphere, this free, all-ages event is a vibrant reflection of the community's evolution—and it all started with two business owners looking to bring people back together during the pandemic.

From Block Party to Westside Staple

Co-founders Sarah Fisk and Kristopher Herbert launched the first Venice Fest in Mar Vista in November 2021 with just 50 vendors. What was once an intimate block party has since exploded into a phenomenon, now regularly drawing over 20,000 people three times a year.

This Saturday’s event, which stretches along Venice Boulevard (between Centinela and Inglewood Avenues), is a milestone celebration. Organizers have announced that starting next year, the festival will move to the most symbolic location in the area: the iconic VENICE sign that spans Windward Avenue—a permanent landmark originally erected by Venice founder Abbot Kinney in 1905. This move cements the festival as a genuine, central "love-fest for the entire community."

Shop, Sip, and Jam: A Curated Creative Showcase

The Winter Fest is your one-stop shop for unique, locally sourced holiday treasures, hosting over 300 local creators and makers. The vendors are heavily curated, with a focus on items that tell a story:

  • Nostalgic Art: Check out Vintage Menu Art, which turns old menus from classic restaurants into unique, nostalgic prints perfect for design and food history lovers.

  • Acoustic Finds: Find the musical gift of the season at Orangewood Guitars, known for crafting instruments that are as beautiful to look at as they are to hear.

  • Fashion & Décor: Explore handcrafted pieces from local brands like Ceremonia and elegant jewelry from L.A.-based De Céa.

Eat Like a Local Legend

With fifty food vendors, the culinary offerings mirror LA's diverse scene, featuring local favorites and innovative food trucks like The Original Tamale, Sending Noods, and plant-based street food innovators MANEATINGPLANT. Don't miss the free culinary skill demos from Impastiamo!

The Après Surf Social Club: A 21+ Oasis

For the adults, the heart of the festival's unique vibe is the Après Surf Social Club. This 21+ area blends the laid-back surf culture with retro ski lodge coziness, featuring:

  • Premium Pours: Sip on craft ales from Kona Brewing and unique offerings like Donna’s Pickle Beer.

  • Michelin-Quality Bites: Enjoy fresh sushi from MOF Sushi, helmed by Chef Takanori “Kuma” Shishido, who has a background with Michelin-starred Mori Sushi.

  • Giving Back: A portion of every open bar ticket goes directly to Nourish LA, supporting local families facing food insecurity.

CAMPBELL WELLMAN VENICE WINTER FEST 2025

Whether you're finishing your holiday shopping, jamming to up-and-coming artists from Breaking Sound, or enjoying the enlarged Playtime Paradise for the kids (complete with free photos with Santa!), the Venice Winter Fest is the perfect way to kick off the season with true Westside soul.