Santa Monica is about to get loud.
The Pier 360 Beach Festival rolls back onto the shoreline this weekend, turning the Santa Monica Pier and beach into a two-day mix of ocean sports, strength battles, skate culture, and beach-party energy—all for free.
The festival traces its roots to when Santa Monica became the birthplace of paddleboard racing. And it’s not just nostalgia: there are multiple race formats for every skill level, plus open-water swim competitions with distances and divisions for everyone from kids to veterans.
There won’t be much time or space for lounging around. Beach volleyball tournaments (4-on-4, partnered with Volo Sports) bring in top athletes, while the Santa Monica Strongman Classic draws elite male and female competitors from all over the region. Meanwhile, the lifeguard competitions—surfboat races, Junior Guard events, ocean safety challenges—honor the city’s ocean safety legacy while proving these guys can still out-swim and out-pull anyone.
Then there’s the skate and roll: The Ghost Jam Skate showcases free skate, demos, clinics, cash-prize competitions, and regional skaters. Right above it, the POP SK8 Roller Rink returns to the Pier deck with all-day sessions and views of the Pacific.
“Pier 360 captures everything that makes Santa Monica special—our connection to the ocean, our active beach lifestyle, and the incredible energy of the Pier,” says Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian of the Santa Monica Pier. “From paddleboard racing traditions that began here nearly a century ago to skateboarding, volleyball, and strongman competitions, this festival celebrates the spirit of Southern California beach culture in one unforgettable weekend.”
Music runs through the whole thing. The Main Stage has live performances, while the Museum of Beach Life covers surf culture, Muscle Beach, and paddleboard history. Families get their own zone with kids activities and beach games. And if you’re 21+, the Beer & Spirits Garden offers cold drinks and ocean views.
Main Stage Lineup
| Saturday | Sunday |
| Sitting On Saturn | Moonfuzz |
| Fake Dad | Harbor Party |
| Barefoot In The Bathroom | Santa Monica Dance Company |
| Beat Junkies Institute of Sound | Academy of Polynesian Arts |
| Te Aho Nui |
Know Before You Go
General admission is free. For $25, you can grab a Festival Pass with an official T-shirt, swag bag, one ride at Pacific Park, and a complimentary beverage ticket.
Some competitions require advance registration and entry fees.
Beach activities kick off Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m., the Pier deck opens at 10 a.m., and the main festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Never miss a single story!
- Santa Monica’s ‘Pier 360’ Beach Festival brings the heat this weekend - June 19, 2026
- ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ heading to Las Vegas Sphere - June 18, 2026
- Affordable housing? Santa Monica’s priciest home drops to just $69M - June 17, 2026