Something big is coming to the coast. For weeks, this coastal city next to Los Angeles has been quietly building up to a single day, and it’s finally almost here. All the buildup, the watch parties, the pop-up celebrations, the city-wide energy, has been leading to one final event.
That event is COAST 2026, the closing celebration of Santa Monica’s six-week World Cup activation series. Taking place Sunday, July 19, the same day as the World Cup Final, COAST transforms the city into a massive, car-free pedestrian festival. The open-street takeover spans from the Third Street Promenade and Metro E Line station all the way to Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue, Arizona Avenue, and the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Organizers expect the event to draw as many as 75,000 attendees.
🎉 What to expect
COAST 2026 will be a full-scale, citywide production, built around different key experiences:
- 🚧 A complete open-street takeover spanning the heart of Santa Monica
- 🎊 The grand conclusion to six weeks of international World Cup celebration
- 🎨 Live art installations and immersive visual performances throughout the streets
- 👨👩👧 Family-friendly activities and interactive zones across multiple city blocks
- 🌮 A massive fleet of food trucks offering flavors from around the world
- 🍺 Expansive beer gardens and social zones for all-day gathering
Organizers are also planning country-specific cultural celebrations, giving international communities a chance to share their food, music, and traditions with the crowd.
🚇 How to get there
Santa Monica officials strongly encourage attendees to skip driving altogether. The Metro E Line runs directly to the Downtown Santa Monica and Fourth Street terminus stations, both within walking distance of the festival footprint. Since the event is entirely car-free, parking near the festival zone will be extremely limited, making transit or biking the easiest way in.
📍 Key details
📅 Date: Sunday, July 19
📍 Location: Stretching from the Third Street Promenade to Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue, Arizona Avenue, and the Santa Monica Pier
⏱️Time: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
💵 Cost: Free and open to all ages
🚗 Access: Car-free and pedestrian-focused
