Christmas carnivals in South El Monte.
A Christmas carnival is a carnival midway with December as its theme: striped booths in red and white and in green and white, warm string lights, candy-cane signage on the games, a holiday balloon arch and Santa and Mrs. Claus at a photo station. Christmas carnivals in South El Monte can serve a school in the El Monte City School District or the El Monte Union High School District, a church, a neighborhood association or a company that wants the holiday event to be a carnival.
South El Monte hosts have named places to ask about: the South El Monte Community Center, the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Legg Lake, the Whittier Narrows Nature Center and the American Military Museum. Which of them can take a carnival, and on what date, is the city's or the operator's answer to give.
Carnival Fun Experts builds Christmas carnivals across Los Angeles County and prices each South El Monte event from its site and guest list.
Walking a Christmas midway in South El Monte.
Guests enter under the balloon arch, built with candy canes, peppermint balloons and gingerbread figures against a red-and-white field. The midway beyond it is a run of striped booths in two color pairings, red and white next to green and white. A ring-toss marquee lights up, each game has candy-cane skins and prizes, and the string lights keep the row warm-looking once the daylight is gone.
Along the route sit the concession booths, serving snow cones, churros, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, pretzels and caramel apples. The walk-in snow globe inflatable is a photo prop, and nothing falls inside it. Snow-flocked décor is a static finish on trim and props. Santa and Mrs. Claus sit at the photo-op station, which can go at the entrance or at the end of the route. Families can use their own phones, or the host can add the photographer Carnival Fun Experts offers. Setting out tables, chairs and drinks is the host's side of the day.
What's typically included.
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Booths in two color pairings.
Red-and-white and green-and-white striped 10x10 booths, with warm string lights above.
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Games and prizes.
Ring toss, milk can toss and other traditional games with candy-cane skins and prizes.
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Entrance arch.
Candy canes, peppermint and gingerbread on a balloon arch at the gate or the photo station.
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Food booths.
Seven concessions, served from one-, two- and three-machine booths.
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Santa and Mrs. Claus.
A photo-op station, and the snow globe inflatable as a second prop.
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Paperwork.
Carnival Fun Experts provides the certificate of insurance or the paperwork a permit asks for, and strikes the equipment after the event.
Typical timeline for Christmas carnivals in South El Monte.
- 1
Find the site
Ask the city, a venue operator or a school office whether the space and the date are open.
- 2
Plan the midway
Pick booths, concessions and the Santa station with Carnival Fun Experts. The 50% deposit holds the date.
- 3
Send the paperwork
The certificate goes to the site's owner, and generators run Carnival Fun Experts equipment if the site's power falls short.
- 4
Open the carnival
Booths go up, the lights come on, and the host sets out its own tables, tents and drinks.
Specifics for South El Monte.
- Community center: The South El Monte Community Center can be asked about for an event, and the host confirms with the city whether booths go indoors, outdoors or both.
- Whittier Narrows: The Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Whittier Narrows Nature Center and Legg Lake are named sites. A host asks the operator which of them can take a carnival.
- Two school districts: School groups work with the El Monte City School District or the El Monte Union High School District, depending on the campus.
- Price ranges: A neighborhood or HOA carnival costs $4,000 to $10,000. A company event costs $10,000 to $25,000, and a multi-department event costs $25,000 to $40,000 or more. Churches start from about $2,000, and the smallest custom event starts around $1,500.
- Early dark: December sunset comes early, so after-school carnivals lean on the string lights and whatever lighting the site provides.
- Host's side: Meals, drinks, tables, chairs, extra tents, heating, Christmas trees and other vendors are the host's or the site's.
South El Monte, CA.
ZIPs: 91733
Carnival Fun Experts delivers Christmas carnivals throughout South El Monte and the surrounding Los Angeles County area. Pin shows the city center; we cover every ZIP listed above.
Common questions.
Can a Christmas carnival run at a school?
A school group can ask the El Monte City School District or the El Monte Union High School District about a campus date. Carnival Fun Experts provides the certificate of insurance a campus asks for.
Is a park needed?
No. A church lot, a company yard or a campus works too, as long as the owner agrees to the space and the date.
How much does the smallest event cost?
The smallest custom event starts around $1,500, and church events start from about $2,000.
Can Santa come on his own?
No. Santa and Mrs. Claus are booked as part of an event, with a photo-op station.
What about a tree lighting?
The host runs the lighting and supplies the Christmas tree, and Carnival Fun Experts builds the midway beside it.
Who arranges extra tents?
The host. Carnival Fun Experts brings its booths, and tents beyond them are the host's or the venue's to arrange.
About this guide.
This local guide to Christmas carnivals in South El Monte was compiled by Carnival Fun Experts, a division of My Little Carnival, producers of winter festivals, school carnivals, backyard birthdays and community events across Los Angeles County.
Helpful local references: City of South El Monte · El Monte City School District
Christmas Carnivals in nearby cities.
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