2020 Ho! Ho! Ho! Kicks Off With ‘We Choose Happy’ Theme

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced planning for this year’s Holiday Ho! Ho! Ho! to be put on hold, event organizer Lou Kamer explained, the question became whether it would happen at all in 2020.

“When the organizers next met, we decided that this year, Ho! Ho! Ho! was needed more than ever,” Kamer said to the Palisadian-Post. “Throughout all the chaos, something had to be normal and joyful for our kids.”

Kamer said the team came up with the theme “We Choose Happy” for this year’s HoHoHo! (To Go), which is an almost month-long celebration with events planned in both a virtual format and in person—if Public Health guidelines permit.

Virtual festivities, not dependent on Public Health orders, include the Greatest Pet Photo Contest, which is accepting entries now through December 23. Participants are asked to post a photo of their pet on Nextdoor or Instagram, and the top three winners will have the opportunity to choose a prize from a local business.

On Saturday, December 12, at 6 p.m., Santa will appear live on HoHoHo’s YouTube channel. For those who miss the livestream or are just looking for one-on-one time, Santa will be available for chats by appointment only December 12 through 20—all he asks for in return is a tax-deductible donation to HoHoHo’s selected charity.

Among the tentative festivities is Santa’s Palisades Drive-In, scheduled for Friday, December 18, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. at Temescal Canyon Park.

“Yep, we’re gonna do it (and safely!) because how can a kid not see Santa this year?” according to the event’s website. “Cool decorations … and speak with Santa from inside your car.”

Kamer shared that the history of Ho! Ho! Ho!, which was originally put on each year by the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, stems back over 60 years. After learning that the tradition was not slated to return in 2018, a group of passionate locals quickly organized a replacement event: the Holiday Hullabaloo, spearheaded by Lisa Glantz.

After just a few weeks of planning, Holiday Hullabaloo came together as a free festival for the community at Palisades Recreation Center, co-presented by Los Angeles Parks and Recreation.

“It was a garden that we grew, it was really fun,” Glantz said to the Palisadian-Post. “Everybody helped, there was nothing commercial about it. People just wanted to give back to the community and create this nonprofit event.”

In 2019, the event relocated to the Palisades-Malibu YMCA Christmas Tree Lot at Simon Meadow, which allowed for more entertainment, activities and fundraising opportunities for the Painted Turtle. It also returned to its original name: Holiday Ho! Ho! Ho!

Kamer said ahead of planning for this year’s event, the organizers wanted to find a local nonprofit organization that could host and support the event moving forward.

“The YMCA was a natural fit,” he said.

This year HoHoHo! (To Go) is being presented by the Palisades-Malibu YMCA Community Committee.

“Last year we paired with them and they liked us and we liked them, it was such a clear harmony in the ideas of what they do and what Ho! Ho! Ho! is about,” Glantz said. “It’s a wonderful alliance and a real testament to a sense of community.”

For more information and updates about HoHoHo! (To Go), visit palitown.com.