Food festivals in Santa Monica worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Santa Monica worth planning a trip around, by month.
Summer SOULstice closes Santa Monica's Main Street each June for a free festival of local food, beer gardens and two live-music stages by the beach.
Focus: Local restaurants and beer gardens
Tip: The 2026 edition ran June 20 with Santa Monica Brew Works pouring; arrive before noon to park anywhere useful.
Pier 360 fills the Santa Monica Pier each June with beach-sports finals, a beer garden and food vendors from Hot Dog on a Stick to local stands.
Focus: Beer garden and food vendors
Tip: Admission is free; the Saturday session runs to 19:00 and the beer garden needs ID even for the queue.
The Main Street Block Party shuts Santa Monica's Main Street each October for hundreds of vendors, a beer and wine garden and the Day of the Dog.
Focus: Street vendors, beer and wine garden
Tip: It pairs with Day of the Dog, so expect half the crowd on four legs; the beer garden wristband line moves fastest early.
Winterlit lights the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica through December, a free weekend holiday market ringed by the district's outdoor dining.
Focus: Holiday market amid downtown dining
Tip: Markets run Friday afternoons and full weekend days on three December weekends; pair it with the seasonal ice rink on Arizona Avenue.
Dine LA Restaurant Week brings set menus from 15 to 65 dollars to Santa Monica each August, with rooms like Water Grill and The Lobster taking part.
Focus: Prix fixe menus at Santa Monica restaurants
Tip: The Aug 14 to 28, 2026 edition includes Santa Monica seafood houses; book the 65 dollar dinner tiers early on OpenTable.