City of Santa Monica, CA

12/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/05/2025 09:59

Grand finale to Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary brings three blocks of music, dance and family activities to Downtown Santa Monica

December 5, 2025 7:40 AM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2025) - Santa Monica's 150th Anniversaryculminates on Saturday, Dec. 13, with the 150th Celebration Grand Finale,a free community celebration on Third Street Promenade hosted in partnership with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.The event features live performances and Promenade-wide activities for all ages from noon to 5 p.m.
A vibrant lineup of performers and activities, including an ice cream giveaway, will enliven all three blocks of the Promenade, with each block featuring its own unique experience centered around PLAY, ARTS & CULTURE, and MUSIC.
Attendees can enjoy the Entertainment Zone, a designation for Third Street Promenade approved by the City Council in May, where adults 21+ can purchase alcoholic beverages from participating, licensed Promenade businesses and enjoy them outdoors on the Promenade between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway.
Visitors to the downtown district may also notice the area's "glow up," where capital improvements have been underway over the past several weeks, including planting 39 trees, regularly powerwashing downtown's five parking structures and pruning the district's historic Ficus trees along six city blocks near the Promenade.
The improvements are all part of the two-year Realignment Plan renewal effort approved by the Santa Monica City Council in October. The plan lays out $60 million in street improvements, safety investments and business support to re-establish the iconic coastal community as a safe, clean and vibrant place to live, work and play.
150th Celebration Grand Finale program details:
Opening procession at noon with Bloco Obini, an all-women drum ensemble that utilizes drumming to heal, educate and uplift the community. The procession begins on the 1200 block at Wilshire and continues to the Broadway main stage.
PLAY on the 1200 block
Activations between Wilshire Boulevard and Arizona Avenue center around the theme of play, adding joy to life, relieving stress and creating connections.
  • Play Mega Mahjong and giant games with Santa Monica Recreation and Arts. Life-sized mahjong tiles encourage play and togetherness in this viral sensation sweeping across Asia, facilitated by East Never Loses, revitalizing the game of Mahjong for a new generation.
  • Moore On Thatcosplay entertainment studio brings joy, imagination and community unity through character-led storytelling. Attendees can snap a photo with their favorite heroes while participating in their holiday toy drive, in partnership with Toys for Tots, supporting families in need. All are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for kids this holiday season.
  • The Santa Monica Fire Departmentshowcases its beloved, restored 1952 Mack fire engine, acquired and maintained by firefighter Dominic "Dom" Bei.
  • Enjoy book giveaways from Santa Monica Public Library.
  • The city's Resource Recovery and Recycling Divisionhosts coloring books, games and a visit from interactive robot/mascot Curby, who teaches children about recycling.
  • Thirst Trap Pop Up Bars and Snacks serves their delicious premium crafted canned cocktails for every taste with natural flavors, along with hot dogs, nachos and more.
  • Santa Monica Farmers' Markethosts a potato gift wrap-making station and market vendors offer fresh produce and prepared food for purchase until 1 p.m.
  • Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.hosts giveaways, treats, and information about the downtown district.
  • The Big Blue Bus'booth offers visitors information on programs and services, plus a prize wheel with free giveaways.
ARTS & CULTURE on the 1300 block
Community partners and artists bring self-expression and diversity between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.
  • Santa Monica History Museumpresents an installation of historical photographs featuring business/downtown, industry, beach life, recreation clubs and government.
  • Meztli Projectshosts LOVE NOTES TO KURUVUNGNA, a hands-on linocut printmaking workshop inspired by Tongva basketry patterns, plants and animals.
  • Camera Obscura Art Lab artist-in-residence Faith-Ann Younghosts Sumi-e Free Expression, an art workshop inspired by Japanese ink painting.
  • Mobina Nouriof Studios 3026presents Masks & Character Creation, a collage workshop for all ages to create imaginative masks and greeting cards.
  • Care Cafe by 150th anniversary microgrant awardee Sanyu Estelleprovides free, culturally authentic healing services such as readings, sessions and consultations with practitioners of diverse traditions and modalities.
  • Busker performances from Third Street Promenade artists celebrate the Promenade as one of the most sought after street performance locations in the region.
MUSIC on the 1400 block on the Main Stage
Live performances, global beats and an ice cream social near Broadway celebrate the community and diversity of Santa Monica. A special program recognizing the recent mayoral tenure of councilmember Lana Negrete honors Santa Monica's Hispanic heritage and community.
  • Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. hosts an Ice Cream Social in front of one of the Promenade's most beloved businesses, McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, giving away hundreds of pints of its limited-edition Whiskey & Pecan Pralines ice cream.

Main Stage schedule:
  • Co-founder of Ecstatic Dance Los Angeles, Atasiea emcees with DJ sets by Captain Planet, whose trademark blend of eclectic global music styles seamlessly jump between house, global bass, Latin, Afrobeat, Reggae, Funk and Disco.
  • 1 p.m. The Gumbo Brothersbring their New Orleans-style funk and jazz from all over Los Angeles and Santa Monica's Americana in the Park to the Main Stage.
  • 1:45 p.m. Remarks from incoming mayor Caroline Torosis (to be sworn in Dec. 9), and proclamations presented by Congressman Ted Lieu and Assemblymember Zbur.

Outgoing mayor Lana Negrete hosts Main Stage music and dance celebrating Hispanic heritage:

  • 3 p.m. LA-based Cuban choreographer, professional dancer, and instructor Laroye Añaleads a salsa dancing workshop, followed by open dancing.
  • 3:30 p.m. Sets by DJ Tosstones, a GRAMMY-nominated musician, composer and producer from Puerto Rico, known for his Afro-Caribbean sounds that build bridges through music, dance and culture. His band, La Freetanga, brings salsa, hip hop, reggaeton, Caribbean music, afrobeats, jazz and more to close out the event in a high energy, musical extravaganza.
"There is no better way to spend a Saturday than coming together as a community to celebrate our city, its history and the remarkable people who make it what it is," Mayor Lana Negrete said. "The past six months of honoring our 150th anniversary, filled with meaningful gatherings and conversations, have been among the greatest highlights of my mayoral service. Championing cultural events has always been a priority for me, and I'm proud that the newly adopted Realignment Plan builds on that commitment by including expanded activations and events. With that spirit, I know there is a bright future ahead for Santa Monica."
The 150th Anniversary marks 150 years since July 14, 1875, when the town of Santa Monica was first mapped and the initial plots of land were sold.
To mark the anniversary, Santa Monica residents, partners and community members gathered between July and December with 80 community events held by over 50 community partners (full list provided below) that honored achievements, shared stories and acknowledged injustices that shaped the city's past.
Many of these community events were supported through the city's 150th Anniversary microgrant program, which awarded 30 microgrants totaling $59,000.
150th Anniversary Celebration Partners include:
Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library; Friends of Sunset Park; Main Street Santa Monica; Montana Avenue Merchants Association; North of Montana Association; Ocean Park Association; Perry's Beach Café and Rentals; Pico Improvement Organization; Pico Neighborhood Association; Santa Monica Arts Commission; Santa Monica Black Lives Association dba Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association (SMBEA); Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce; Santa Monica Conservancy; Santa Monica Heritage Museum; Santa Monica History Museum; Santa Monica Landmarks Commission; Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors; Santa Monica Northeast Neighbors; Santa Monica Pier Corporation; Santa Monica Playhouse; Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission; Santa Monica Sister Cities Association; Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee; Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Committee; Wilmont Neighborhood Association; Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition; 18th Street Arts Center; All One Thing; Art & Echoes: Voices of Service; Chez Jay Restaurant; Crow Comedy, Inc; Deb Burgin; Del Vaz Projects; Dorado 806 Projects; Eye Q Creative Technologies; George Traill; IndieCade/Creative Media Collaborative; Lena Ford; Maria Garcia; Martin Makaryan; Monica Godfrey; Mosaiq Creative Productions; Onlychild Design + Sacred Alquimia; Richard's History Newsletter; Sage Bava; Sanyu Nagenda; SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center); Spirit of Santa Monica; Steve Galindo; The Veterans Art Venue; and Wise & Healthy Aging.
For more information about the grand finale event, visit celebrating150.com.
And event participants can make it a day in Santa Monica. Other city-supported events on Dec. 13 include the Mini Winter Festival & SMC Glass Sale, Indiecade: Santa Monica 150 Game Jam Playtesting, Bergamot Station Arts Center Winter Open House, and Metro Open House at Division 14.

Media Contact

Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
[email protected]

Categories

Arts, Culture & Fun, Community Events, The Arts

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Recreation and Arts

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City of Santa Monica, CA published this content on December 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 05, 2025 at 15:59 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]