By Lookout Staff

December 12, 2024 -- This holiday season put a macabre twist on Christmas with a monstrous exhibit at the Santa Monica Art Museum (SMAM) on the Promenade.

“Monsters: Exhibit of Horrors” blends "holiday cheer with hair-raising thrills to create an unforgettable journey into the macabre," organizers said.

On view through January 5 at SMAM, 1219 3rd Street Promenade, the iteration of "Monsters" offers three new holiday-inspired creatures.

They are Jacob Marley from A Christmas Carol, The Ghost of Christmas Future and Krampus, the legendary “anti-Santa,” brought to life as an 11-foot-tall, menacing figure.

“Monsters have always been a reflection of our deepest fears and cultural anxieties,” said Ricardo Puentes, the museum's general manager, who curated the exhibit.

“This holiday, we’ve reimagined the exhibit to combine the magic of the season with the macabre, creating an immersive experience that’s both festive and fearsome. It’s a holiday celebration unlike anything else.”

The exhibit's highlights include eight immersive chambers that uncover "the origins, myths and psychological depths of the monsters that have haunted humanity across centuries."

It also features artworks from celebrated artists that showcase how "fears and imagination collide to create art that lingers in (the) mind."

In addition, "unexpected—hidden scares and spine-tingling thrills are embedded throughout the exhibit" and photo ops offer a chance to "strike a pose alongside iconic and festive fiends in creative setups."

Through the end of December, the museum is hosting a holiday food drive promotion. In exchange for donating food, guests will receive $5 off general admissions tickets to the museum.

Museum hours are Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

For more information about Monsters and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.santamonicaartmuseum.com/