Whether you’re a Los Angeles resident home for the holidays or visiting the City of Angels, treat yourself to seaside ice skating, holiday activities and cosmopolitan shopping.

Santa Monica holiday shopping/festivities

Slather on sunscreen, wear a scarf and smell the ocean air as you shop for gifts on Main Street, situated just a block from the beach. At nearby Santa Monica Place, scoop up trendy and luxury items. While there, drop by for cookie-making and storytelling with Mrs. Claus on Dec. 17.

Downtown Santa Monica celebrates the Chanukah season with traditional menorah lighting every evening Dec. 20 – 27 at Third Street Promenade Center Court.

Many trendy shops along Montana Avenueare reaching out with holiday discounts throughout December. For example, Readers Fine Jewelers is offering 20 percent off everything in stock.

Urban ice skating

Swap your flips flops for ice skates at ICE Santa Monica, an 8,000-square-foot outdoor rink near the beach at Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue through Jan. 16, 2012. $12 admission and skate rentals.

Downtown on Ice celebrates its 14th season of skating under the sun and stars at picturesque Pershing Square in Los Angeles. It’s L.A.’s biggest outdoor rink, located in the heart of the city at 532 South Olive, Los Angeles. Open daily (including holidays) through Jan. 16, 2012. $6 admission, $2 skate rentals.

Los Angeles holiday scenes

Soak up a local tradition at Palisades Park on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Since 1953, Nativity Scenes has has been a Santa Monica staple featuring fourteen booths with life-size scenes depicting Jesus’ birth. For more information, visit http://www.santamonica.com/holiday-events/.

It’s Grinchmas time at Universal Studios Hollywood. The lively Who-liday season stars the Grinch, his faithful dog Max, tons of fresh snow, and nightly celebrity readings of the Dr. Seuss classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" through Jan. 1, 2012. The Grinchmas celebration includes a whimsical, curving “Grinchmas” tree towering 60 feet above the center of a snow-covered winter wonderland, and nightly caroling. Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 818-777-1000, http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

Los Angeles Yuletide Events

Raise your voices with holiday classics during the Holiday Sing-Along from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Music Center Plaza in downtown L.A. Free admission, donations welcome. Tickets are distributed beginning 30 minutes prior to the event, while supplies last. One ticket per person to those waiting in line. First come, first served.

The 52nd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration is Los Angeles’ biggest seasonal celebration. Themed “Celebrating Your LA.,” the event features 24 groups and nearly 800 performers, representing the diverse cultures and holiday traditions of LA County. Join the fun from 3 – 6 p.m. Dec. 24 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.