Culver City Newsletter - December 2025

Published on December 04, 2025

Check Out This Month's Culver City Newsletter

The Culver City monthly newsletter has the latest news and upcoming events. The holiday season is here and we have a number of upcoming opportunities for the community to get involved. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

This Month

2025 Annual Downtown Culver City Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular

Downtown Culver City is pleased to welcome residents, neighbors, and guests to the 2025 Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular on Thursday, December 4th at 5 PM. It's a beloved tradition that has been enjoyed by thousands of friends and families for over 20 years.

This year’s holiday season will once again be magically ushered in with a winter wonderland festival including 50 tons of fresh snow, along with sledding, snowmen, and carnival games. Plus, visit with Santa in his first appearance of the season in Culver City with singing and music by 250 of the talented students from each of Culver City’s public schools. The fun goes until 8:30 PM.

Visit the Downtown Culver City webpage to pre-register for free sledding wristbands. Registration will be available on site.

2025 Culver City Love Local Holiday Makers Market

Celebrate the season and explore Downtown Culver City at our Holiday Love Local event on Saturday, December 13th from 11 AM to 4 PM. Find original handcrafted gifts from vendors, create holiday items, experience festive performances from local bands, and enjoy a beautiful Saturday in December around the City holiday tree.

Event Highlights

• Artisan Vendors: Unique, handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list.
• Craft Station: Create festive holidays ornaments and holiday "party hats" with Ms. Violet. 
• Live Printing: Bring a cotton garment to get it printed by PrintGonzalez. Also, pick up his latest freshly printed "El Cometa" 2026 calendar.
• Family-Friendly Entertainment: Watch Franklin Haynes Marionettes perform “Frosty's Magic Hat." 
• Local Performers: Enjoy festive entertainment throughout the day from local band Lizzie B & The Hive.

View the full list of vendors set to attend the Makers Market. Let’s make this a memorable event and show our community the best of Downtown Culver City.

Team CCPD is Bringing Santa to Town

The Culver City Police Officers Association is proud to help escort Santa around Culver City throughout the holiday season. Please note that the times below are approximate, and the schedule is subject to change. Please refer to Culver City PD website or the Culver City Police Department's Facebook, Instagram, or X accounts for updates on the sleigh routes.

• Thursday, December 4th
  Santa makes his first stop at the Downtown Culver City Tree Lighting Ceremony from 6:00-8:00 PM
• Friday, December 5th
  West End Park 6:30-7:30 PM
• Saturday, December 6th
  Carlson Park 5:30-7:30 PM
• Sunday, December 7th
  Veteran's Memorial Park 5:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday, December 10th
  Cocoa with Cole and Santa
  Culver City Police Department 5:00-7:30 PM
  Street parking is available near the Police Department located at 4040 Duquesne Avenue, as well as in the parking structure beneath City Hall, accessible from Duquesne Avenue (visitor spaces are on the first level near the elevators).

Visit the Santa event webpage for more dates and times.

Culver City Youth Basketball is Back

Youth Basketball Clinic

PRCS is excited to bring back the popular basketball clinics over winter break. The two-day clinic on December 22nd and 23rd will take place in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 9 AM to 12 PM. Join us to learn basketball skills, sportsmanship, and make new friends. Registration is required. Fee is $42 per week (Culver City residents receive $11 discount).

Winter Basketball Clinic Registration

2026 Youth Basketball League

PRCS will also be returning our Youth Basketball Leagues for the 2026 Winter Season for youth ages 5 to 12. Games will be held every Saturday starting January 19th. Practices will be once a week during weekday afternoons/early evenings. Fee is $121 for the season (Culver City residents receive $11 discount).

2026 Winter Youth Basketball League Registration

The Plunge Set for Annual Winter Maintenance

Thank you to everyone who visited The Plunge pool this year. In 2025, we recorded over 84,000 visits. Starting Sunday, December 14th, The Plunge will undergo annual maintenance to ensure it is ready to go for the community in 2026. It will reopen on Sunday, January 4th. 

Be sure to stay up to date with The Plunge by following the Culver City Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department on Facebook.

Spark of Love Toy Drive 2025

Join Culver City Firefighters, ABC7, Toys for Tots, and Southern California firefighters, along with presenting sponsor Subaru, in celebrating the 33rd year of the Spark of Love Toy Drive – the largest community toy drive in the nation.

This special community campaign collects new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for children and teens in need. The Spark of Love Toy Drive will run through December 24, 2025.

How to Donate

• Drop off new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment at your local fire station. 
  • Culver City Fire Station #1 – 9600 Culver Boulevard
  • Culver City Fire Station #2 – 11252 Washington Boulevard
  • Culver City Fire Station #3 – 6030 Bristol Parkway
• Text to Give: Text "SPARK" to 24365
• Donate online via the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation website. Select the “Spark of Love” campaign when you donate.

Suggested Toy Donation Items

While we receive many toys for younger children, we are always short on infant and teen items. For teens, we suggest: cameras, watches, sunglasses, earphones, skateboards, scooters, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, hair tools (e.g., blow dryers, flat irons, etc.), jewelry, make-up brushes, and crossbody bags/handbags.

'Tis the Season to Shop Small in Culver City

Small businesses make up 96% of all Culver City businesses and play a vital role in strengthening our local economy, creating jobs, and supporting the City services we all rely on.

We remain committed to fostering a business-friendly environment and uplifting our local entrepreneurs through programs, partnerships, and resources that help them thrive.

This holiday season, we’re highlighting small businesses of all kinds. Join us in celebrating #ChooseCulver, #LoveLocal, and #BuyLocal Shop Local by supporting Culver City’s small businesses throughout the holiday season and every day of the year. Check out our first spotlight of the season on Maeving on the City's Instagram page.

In Case You Missed It

City Council Selects Odis Jones as Next City Manager

Mayor Dan O’Brien announced that the City Council has unanimously selected Odis Jones as Culver City’s next City Manager, marking an important leadership transition for the organization. Jones, a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of experience in local and state government, was chosen following a comprehensive nationwide search that included robust community and stakeholder input.

Jones brings a strong track record in economic development, public finance, organizational leadership, and major infrastructure initiatives across several states. He will step into the role as the City prepares for the planned retirement of City Manager John Nachbar, who has served Culver City with distinction for 15 years and dedicated 46 years to public service.

The City is pleased to welcome Odis Jones and looks forward to his leadership in advancing Culver City’s mission, vision, and priorities. His employment agreement is scheduled for Council consideration on December 8, and he will assume the role on December 15, 2025. Read more about Jones' appointment.

Culver City Honored for Work on General Plan 2045

The Culver City Planning & Development Department had a truly standout year, earning five major awards at the regional, state, and national levels for work on the General Plan 2045 and new Zoning Code.

Awards include:

• Daniel Burnham Award for Comprehensive Planning (Award of Merit) – American Planning Association (APA) APA California Chapter
• Daniel Burnham Award for Comprehensive Planning (Award of Merit) – APA Los Angeles Section
• Housing Innovation Award – APA Housing and Community Development Division
• Honorable Mention, Plan, Policy & Programs – SCAG Sustainability
• Honor Award, Multi-Unit Housing – Westside Urban Forum

These achievements reflect the City’s thoughtful, forward-looking approach to planning our community’s future. The General Plan and Zoning Code rezoned 82% of Culver City to permit residential units by right (up from 57%) and streamlined the review for all housing projects. The Planning Commission has also approved thousands of new residential units this year, including hundreds of new affordable housing units.

The Planning & Development Department also provides increased transparency with monthly updates on both residential and commercial development projects currently under City review available on the City's website.

Homeless Reporting Dashboard Updated 

Culver City has updated the visuals and data of the Homeless Reporting Dashboard for the community to track the City's efforts in helping our unhoused neighbors. 

This dashboard offers a clear and transparent view of Culver City’s commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness. You’ll find key performance indicators across outreach, shelter and housing programs, encampment resolution, and crisis response. Data is updated quarterly.

The desktop version provides the full interactive experience of the Homeless Services Reporting Dashboard, including all visual pages, charts, and detailed performance indicators.

The mobile version is designed for easy access on smartphones and highlights the most important information across the Homeless Services Reporting Dashboard.

Culver City Reopens Cannabis Business Permit Application Process 

The City of Culver City is reopening the application process for all commercial cannabis business permits, which includes permits for Storefront Retail, Non-Storefront Delivery Only Retail, Distribution, and Testing Laboratory operations. A new round of applications is now being accepted, with a submission deadline of December 31, 2025.

The City remains committed to supporting a safe, equitable, and well-regulated cannabis industry, and invites qualified applicants to participate in this opportunity. Interested parties are encouraged to review the updated application guidelines and submit their materials during the open application window. Businesses are able to apply for and receive permits in multiple business categories as long as they meet all the requirements of each category and are located in the appropriate zone.

Whether you're an experienced operator or an entrepreneur entering the market for the first time, Culver City offers a regulated, business-friendly environment with opportunities across the entire supply chain. Don’t miss your chance to establish your presence in one of Southern California’s most dynamic and forward-thinking communities.

Please refer to the website periodically for updates or reach out via telephone at (310) 253-5897 or email at cannabis.permit@culvercity.org.

Culver City Police Department's Vacation Check Program

Do you have a vacation coming up and want to ensure the security of your home or business while you're away? You can sign up for our Vacation Check Program. 

This service is provided on an as-available basis. It is not intended for vacant homes, residences for sale, or long-term absences. 

Vacation Checks are periodic security checks conducted while you are away.

The check will include a patrol visit of the location's exterior to check for: 

• Security of windows and doors
• Safety concerns
• Property damage
• Evidence of vandalism or intruders

If any issues are found, the owner and/or emergency contact will be notified, and an appropriate response will be determined. You can learn more and fill out a vacation check request form on the Culver City PD website.

City to Launch Small Business Assistance Programs in Spring 2026

The City will be launching two small business assistance programs that will provide tools for Culver City's small businesses to ensure their long term success. Both programs will launch in Spring 2026. 

Visit the City's Economic Development webpage for more information. The City will send out more information in 2026, stay tuned!