Santa Monica’s biggest free music festival is coming back for one more round. Since launching last fall, Santa Monica Block Fest has turned into one of the most anticipated monthly gatherings in Downtown Santa Monica, drawing crowds of over 20,000 people to shut down the Third Street Promenade for a night of music, food, and community. Now, the series is closing out its summer run with its sixth and final edition of the season.
🎶 What is Santa Monica Block Fest?
Santa Monica Block Fest Vol. VI takes over all three blocks of the Third Street Promenade on Saturday, August 8, running from 5 p.m. to midnight. The event is presented by the City of Santa Monica and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., with stages curated by YAPPY STUDIOS, Beat Repeat, and Among Friends. What began as a handful of pop-up events has grown into a full-scale open-air festival, transforming the pedestrian-only Promenade into a multi-stage celebration of live DJs, local food, and small businesses.
🎉 What to expect at Vol. VI
This edition follows the same format that’s made the series so popular all summer:
- 🎧 Two dedicated stages, with the 1400 block curated by YAPPY STUDIOS and the 1300 block curated by Beat Repeat, each featuring a diverse lineup of live DJs
- 🌮 A 20+ vendor food night market, spotlighting local L.A. restaurants throughout the Promenade
- 🛍️ A full vendor village, showcasing local makers and small businesses
- 🍹 Pop-up bars and VIP lounges, plus an open-container Entertainment Zone (EZSM) for guests 21 and older
The festival remains free and open to all ages, with the 21+ open-container zone giving adults the option to grab a drink while exploring the rest of the event. As with previous editions, full custom production is expected throughout the Promenade, from lighting to stage design.
🎯 Key details
- 📍 Location: 1400 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- 📅 Date: Saturday, August 8
- 🕔 Time: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- 💵 Cost: Free
- 🔞 Note: Open-container zone available for guests 21+
