The concept of Christmas in July has been around for decades, in the form of store sales and dining specials and quirky parades and kooky camp skits and birthday swimming themes.
Why the staying power? Perhaps the notion of pairing Noël with diving boards and tropical drinks continues to charm those who like mismatched pairings and adorable opposites.
Eat|See|Hear continues this tradition by hanging the holly each summer on one special, tinsel-twinkly night. That less-than-silent night fa-la-las for 2015 on Saturday, July 25 when "Love Actually" unspools at Santa Monica High School.
The Richard Curtis-penned tale of connecting/disconnecting lives around London, around the holidays, stars Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson, and a host of British and American headliners.
Should you wear a red-and-green sweater? You should, if the weather isn't too sweat-inducing. Might you wear a Santa cap? People attending the Christmas in July screening have, in the past. Will Santa actually be in attendance? The word on the wind says that the famous North Pole denizen isn't especially frantic with the toy-making at the moment, so he just might make a Claus-y cameo.
Making the merriment all a little more heartwarming is the festive fact that the Christmas in July night doubles as a donation drive for Best Friends Animal Society LA, which supports No Kill LA. Have a blanket you're no longer using, or some towels? Throw 'em in the back seat and give them away to shelter dogs.
The Neighbors will provide the live tunes, there shall be food trucks for you to nosh at, and your own pup is welcome. If you know where her wearable reindeer antlers are, you might pack them, too, because a pooch in antlers has a way of delighting every biped within a 50-foot radius.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
We mean, though, honestly: She doesn't have to wear the antlers for the whole film. Just for the necessary selfies.
General admission is twelve bucks. Cash needed for the food trucks is up to your appetite.
And as for dressing cozy, in the Christmas in July theme? Well, we have been experiencing some June Gloom-like days recently, and you will be very close to the ocean, after dark. You don't need to wear your thickest snowman sweater, but maybe taping an ornament or two, to your T-shirt, is the summer-meets-winter compromise.
