The Manhattan Beach Fireworks Holiday Show Sparkles with Mingling and Memories

Every December, as the chill of winter begins to settle in and the holiday spirit permeates the air, neighbors come together to watch a breathtaking fireworks display light up the night sky above the Manhattan Beach Pier. The evening is charged with a magical atmosphere, the community wrapped up in scarves and blankets while drinking hot cider, spirits or hot chocolate. 

It is safe to say the December fireworks show serves as a catalyst for seasonal community bonding. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, there’s something undeniably enchanting about standing beneath the vibrant bursts of color, ushering in the most wonderful time of the year. 

We can thank the late Pete Moffett for this spectacular tradition he began in 1989. Five years prior, Pete moved to Manhattan Beach from Houston, Texas, with his twin sons. He owned a hot spot called Manhattan Coolers in Downtown Manhattan Beach and met his wife, Gwen, a local who had attended Mira Costa.

“My dad wanted to bring the community together for a fun holiday event to give back to the community for all the support he received as a downtown business owner. The fireworks were actually my stepmom’s idea though,” shares Tom Moffett, Pete’s son. Tom took over the fireworks after his father passed away from brain cancer in 2023. 

The key was to keep the event a community one. It is held on a Sunday to foster a family atmosphere. At 2 p.m. the streets shut down. The fireworks start promptly at 7 p.m. and are finished by half past. 

The Hill on Manhattan Beach Boulevard becomes a sea of people wrapped in blankets, anxiously awaiting the festivities to begin. Bob Beverly, owner of Shellback Tavern, shares, “It is always fun to gather each year at the bar with our regular group of friends, customers and family for holiday cheer!” 

“I feel like the wind is always in my sail because whenever I call a sponsor to tell them I need something, their response is always ‘Done!’”

Parties are hosted all over the city, including at many houses along The Strand with favorable views. “My parents were very festive,” says Lisa Gallien, a lifelong Manhattan Beach resident and former owner of Growing Wild, who has attended an annual party since its inception. “It was always great to be with my parents when they were entertaining, and now we enjoy bringing our kids to the fireworks parties. It’s really come full circle.”

Many residents host a party at their home and then walk with their guests to The Strand just before the fireworks begin. “In our 30s, we started an annual chili party with our closest family friends,” says resident Lisa Taylor. “We would load the kids up with hot chocolate and walk them down to The Strand. They thought it was like going to Disneyland.” 

So even if you aren’t at ground zero, community events and parties stretch out anywhere within walking distance of the action. “Now 25 years later, those kids have graduated from college and come back home to enjoy the fireworks. The only difference now is that the hot chocolate is spiked,” laughs Lisa. 

In recent years, the cost of hosting the fireworks has increased due to the general cost of living. The biggest challenge for the event has been new regulations by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, which regulates fireworks shows over bodies of water. Cameras have been installed to follow debris originating from the fireworks. 

Thanks to the sponsors, an environmental group monitors debris and quickly spreads out to pick it all up. It’s then weighed and reported to the agencies. Tom has an environmental background, which has helped the team navigate these new rules. 

“I feel like the wind is always in my sail because whenever I call a sponsor to tell them I need something, their response is always ‘Done!’” adds Tom. “The Manhattan Beach City Council and all the sponsors contribute so much because they love the city of Manhattan Beach so much.”  

Tom is adamant, just like his father, about keeping the show a homegrown, locally organized and supported community event. Pete gave the South Bay an annual tradition that will always be celebrated, because the fireworks are more than just a dazzling display in the sky. They also symbolize hope, joy and the spirit of the season.