Looking for events and things to do in Santa Monica? A beachside LA destination, Santa Monica pairs its iconic pier with a walkable calendar of festivals, markets, and free events. This local guide covers Santa Monica’s biggest annual festivals, recurring markets and events, seasonal highlights, and how to find out what’s happening this weekend — straight from the people who live here.
Santa Monica’s biggest annual events & festivals
Santa Monica’s signature events include the free Twilight on the Pier concert series, the Santa Monica Festival, the GLOW and COAST open-streets events, holiday ice skating at ICE, and the constant programming along the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade.
Farmers markets & recurring things to do in Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Farmers Markets are among the most celebrated in the country (the Wednesday downtown market is legendary among chefs), and the Pier, Promenade, and beach host year-round concerts, festivals, and community events.
Santa Monica through the seasons
The mild coastal climate keeps events going year-round — summer brings Twilight concerts, beach festivals, and markets; fall offers open-streets events; winter features pier holiday events and ICE skating; and spring fills the calendar.
What to know about Santa Monica events
Downtown, the Promenade, and the Pier are very walkable, and the Expo Line connects to DTLA; beach parking is pricey. The chef-famous farmers markets and free pier concerts are signature draws.
What’s happening in Santa Monica this weekend
Printed event calendars go stale fast, and the best local happenings — pop-ups, block parties, last-minute shows — often never make the official listings. The most current, honest answer to “what’s going on this weekend?” comes from neighbors. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Santa Monica community, real Santa Monica residents post and discuss what’s happening right now. For more ideas any time, see our guide to the best things to do in Santa Monica. Join your Santa Monica neighbors free and never miss what’s happening →
Fitting it into a day in Santa Monica
The best events here are seasonal and neighborhood-driven, so timing is everything. What sets Santa Monica apart is how close everything sits together. Start near the Santa Monica Pier, work in one of the spots from this guide, and you are minutes from Palisades Park if you want to keep going. Locals often round out the local calendar with a detour to the beach bike path or a quieter stop at Tongva Park. Because the distances are short, you can improvise as you go rather than lock the whole day down in advance.
More Santa Monica guides
Santa Monica rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Things to do in Santa Monica, Free things to do in Santa Monica, Things to do with kids in Santa Monica — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Get a local’s take
Guides are a starting point; the current, on-the-ground details come from people who live in Santa Monica. Hours shift, favorites change, and residents always know what is genuinely worth it now. Ask Santa Monica neighbors directly or join your town community free to hear from real locals.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest events in Santa Monica?
The free Twilight on the Pier concert series, the Santa Monica Festival, GLOW, holiday ice skating at ICE, and constant Pier and Promenade programming.
Does Santa Monica have farmers markets?
Yes — the Santa Monica Farmers Markets are among the most celebrated in the country, with the Wednesday downtown market legendary among chefs.
What’s happening in Santa Monica this weekend?
Santa Monica neighbors share the most current local events — from pier concerts to beach happenings — in our community.