Christmas carnivals in Manhattan Beach.

How a Christmas carnival lays out in Manhattan Beach.

A red-and-white balloon arch with candy canes, peppermint balloons and gingerbread figures marks the entrance. Behind it, striped booths stand in a short row or a loop, each with a carnival game, candy-cane skins and a prize shelf. String lights are strung above, so an event that begins in the afternoon still glows when the sky turns dark. A smaller park lawn takes a tight loop, and a longer field takes a row. A group that prefers an indoor start can hold a short program in a community center and move the midway outside afterward, with the host managing the hall and the program.

Carnival Fun Experts staffs seven concession stations: churros, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, snow cones and caramel apples. The walk-in snow globe inflatable stands near the arch as a photo prop, and snow-flocked trim gives props a white finish without any wetness. The Santa photo-op station gets its own corner so the photo line stays clear of the game lines. Parents can watch the games from the queue, and a child who finishes a game can rejoin the family in line. Families can shoot on phones, or the host can add the photographer Carnival Fun Experts offers.