Santa Monica Pier Concerts 2018: 
A Fall Event

Santa Monica Pier concerts begin at sunset.

The Twilight Concert Series - a Santa Monica summer tradition for more than 30 years - featured live music under the stars at the Santa Monica Pier  beginning at sunset (around 7 p.m.) Thursdays and concluding around 10 p.m.. 

But starting in 2018, the Twilight Concert Series will be a fall event, in an effort to reduce the ever-growing crowds that the event draws.

Santa Monica City Council Votes to Move Santa Monica Pier Concerts to Fall

The 34the annual installment of the wildly popular Santa Monica Pier Concerts feature a re-imagined, cultural-oriented series of no more than six events - a reduction from 2017's eight shows

Controlling crowds has been a challenge for event organizers. The Santa Monica Pier has a capacity of less than 4,500 people, but many times that amount showed up for the concerts, and when the Pier reached capacity, the overflow spilled over to the beach below.

As a result, the Santa Monica City Council agreed that the series attracted large audiences that compromised public safety, impacted residents and businesses adjacent to the pier, and strained city resources, costing in excess of $1 million. Check back here in the months ahead for a full listing of th 2018 Fall Concert Series lineup and details.

Getting to Santa Monica Pier Concerts

The City of Santa Monica provides free bike valets on the sand just south of the Santa Monica Pier. You can also rent Breeze Bike Share Bikes.

The Expo Line connects downtown L.A. to the Pier every 6 minutes until 7 p.m. Roundtrip fare is $3.50. 

Big Blue Bus routes 1, 2, 3, 7, Rapid 7, 9 and 18 all stop near the Pier. Route 8 stops right in from of the Pier. Roundtrip is $2.50

To keep Colorado/Ocean Ave. clear, the primary rideshare (Uber and Lyft) pickup location is at the intersection of Olympic Drive and Main Street.

If driving, expect gridlock of up to an hour. Parking rates vary from $5 to $25; get a parking app here.

Pier Concerts Details

• Tickets No tickets necessary. This is pure, free fun (remember that?) all thanks to the Santa Monica Pier's partners and sponsors.

• Time 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., but those in the know stake out a good spot early.

• Weather & Attire It never gets too cold, but sometimes it gets a little chilly once the sun goes down. Bring something to cover up with or wrap around you, or head up to the Pier Tent on the deck to grab one of 2016's limited edition sweatshirts or t-shirts.

• Concert Garden There is a 21-and-over Concert Garden featuring Michelob Ultra, Barefoot wines, and an assortment of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. You won't want to miss the view from here!

• Food & Drink There are plenty of great food and beverage options on the deck and at various restaurants on the Santa Monica Pier. Most even offer to-go options perfect for munching during the show. Alcohol consumption is not permitted in public spaces, but there are several full-service bars in the area. 

• Bike & Skateboard Valet Park your wheels free at the bike and skateboard valet, located next to the beach big path just south of the Pier. 

• Seating Seating is not provided, so feel free to bring your own chairs, blankets, etc.

Santa Monica Pier concerts don't stop with the Twilight Concert series. Check out the summer 2017 HUSHconcerts at the Santa Monica Pier.

Get more information on Santa Monica Events here.