Santa Monica’s Block Fest returns and brings Pride with it
Drag brunches, live music and a night market take over Third Street Promenade Saturday
Third Street Promenade closes to vehicle traffic Saturday for a full day of Pride Month programming and live entertainment. Organizers expect thousands of visitors throughout the day, with events running from morning straight through to midnight.
Pride on the Promenade opens the day
The day starts with Pride on the Promenade, a series of drag brunches at 1212 Santa Monica. Local drag artists will perform throughout the morning alongside live entertainment and community programming. Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis and representatives from Downtown Santa Monica Inc. are expected to attend.
Block Fest takes over the evening
The evening brings the fourth edition of Santa Monica Block Fest, an open-streets festival spanning all three blocks of the Promenade. The free event runs from 5 PM until midnight and is expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees.
This year’s Block Fest also overlaps with World Cup viewing programming, giving attendees a chance to catch matches at a dedicated viewing hub while moving between stages and vendors.
Music lineup and food vendors
Multiple live music stages will run throughout the festival, featuring electronic artists and DJs including BIJOU, AUTOGRAF, Surf Mesa, Haylee Wood, Justin Irsby and Sirens. A new night market on Arizona Avenue will host more than 20 local vendors, including Villa’s Tacos, Sevan Kebab House and Shake Ramen.
What to know before you go
The festival takes place along Third Street Promenade between Wilshire Boulevard and Colorado Avenue, with the address listed as 1351 3rd Street Promenade. Admission is free, and the event runs from 5 PM to midnight on Saturday, June 13.
Given the scale of road closures and expected crowds, attendees should plan for limited street parking and consider arriving early, especially for the daytime Pride programming.
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