5 Things to Know About Twilight 2019

August 6, 2019 1:15 PM
by Miranda Iglesias

Photo courtesy of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation.

Know before you go. The quintessential Santa Monica beach concert series is back ... with a few changes of course! Twilight on the Pier returns to its roots, offering up a selection of multi-faceted musicians and a new "Global Meets Local" theme. Concert-goers will enjoy food specials and multiple stages to jam out to musical genres from around the world.

The series runs every Wednesday from 7 – 10 p.m. from August 21 to September 25. But before making your way to the Pier, here are five things you should know:

#1 This is a Pier-Focused Event

Unlike previous years where Twilight activity has focused on the beach, this year is all about music, art and food on the Pier. Don't miss the fun, head up to the Pier deck and check out the lineup at santamonicapier.org/twilight. 

#2 There Will Be Bag Check

Public safety is always a huge concern, especially on concert nights. With the series moving exclusively onto the Pier, security personnel will be better suited to address public safety. This will include bag checks. For your planning convenience, see what's allowed and what's not:

What to bring:

• Sweatshirt for those *chilly* Santa Monica nights.
• Friends & family because the more the merrier.
• Chairs and blankets if you want to rest the legs and get comfortable.
• Good vibes and an open mind: we’re bringing the world to the front porch of Southern California.
• Note: you can bring your water bottle

What NOT to bring:

• Alcohol of your own
• Cigarettes
• Weapons of any kind

Note: Furry friends are welcomed on the Santa Monica Pier, but must remain on their leash!

#3 Travel Around the World With Nightly Themes

Each night has a theme and there's more than one stage! Make your way onto the Pier via one of three entrances:

1. Enter on the Pier ramp from Ocean Avenue and Colorado;
2. enter using the Grand Entrance on Ocean Front Walk;
3. or, use the steps by Bubba Gump.

Before you set up shop and hop into your dancing shoes, know that there will be two stages for double the fun! One stage will be located at Pacific Park, and the second at the west end of the Pier.

August 21 – Twilight On the Pier Kick-Off

August 28 – Latin Wave

September 4 – Middle East Beats

September 11 – Island Tides

September 18 – Aussie Splash

September 25 – Japanese Vibes

For a more detailed line up, visit santamonicapier.org/twilight.

#4 Take Transit to Twilight!

Warning: Driving to and from the Pier on concert nights can seriously impair your ability to relax and enjoy the vibes.

Seriously, driving home once the music stops can take over an hour due to gridlock, so better to jump on one of the many transit options listed here:

• Metro Expo Line: The Expo connects DTLA to the Pier. On Twilight nights, trains will operate on rush service schedule, leaving every 6 minutes heading Westbound towards Santa Monica.
• Bike: The City of Santa Monica will provide a free bike valet so you can check your bike in safely. They are are on the sand just north of the Pier, near Bubba Gump.
  • Breeze Bike Share: The City also offers BREEZE bike share at 5 locations near the Pier. Note: bike valet will not accept Breeze Bikes.
• Big Blue Bus: Big Blue Bus routes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, Rapid 7, 9 and 18 all stop near the Pier!
• Rideshare: To get you in/out quickly and safely, catch your favorite rideshare at the designated location on Ocean Avenue between Colorado and Broadway. Yes, yes, taking rideshare is still considered driving, but hey, at least you won't be behind the wheel fighting for that parking spot!
• E-Scooters: Planning to scoot to the concert? Please be safe, wear a helmet and follow the rules if you do. No scooters are allowed on either the Pier or Ocean Front Walk, but there will be an e-scooter drop zone at the top of the Pier.
• Parking: Should you need to drive, Santa Monica's Parking Operations team has you covered. They developed special event parking rates within certain key parking facilities to direct vehicles to underutilized parking facilities within the City’s parking network. The parking operations team will work to ensure availability at Lot 1 North, right next to the Pier. 

  Event rates begin at the South Beach Lots starting at 6 a.m. and at Lot 1 North at 5 p.m.

  • Lot 4 South - All Day Section: $5 pay upon entry from 6 a.m.  to one hour after concert begins
  • Lot 4 South-Short Term Section: $5 pay upon entry from 5 p.m.to one hour after concert begins
  • Lot 5 South- All Day Section: $5 pay upon entry from 6 a.m. to one hour after concert begins
  • Lot 5 South-Short Term Section: $5 pay upon entry from 5 p.m. to one hour after the concert begins
  • Lot 1 North: Normal rates prior to 5 p.m. and at 4 p.m. the rates will change to $25 pay upon entry

   

  More info on your transportation options to the Pier.

#5 Sponsored Food + Drink Specials Means Leave Your Bubbly at Home

With Twilight-only specials at Pier restaurants and a 21+ concert garden, visitors will have plenty of choices for dining and imbibing. No more BYOB on the beach (which was never allowed to begin with)! A fine selection of non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.

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More information for Twilight on the Pier can be found online.

Follow the #SantaMonicaPier on Insta @SantaMonicaPier, Twitter @SantaMonicaPier, and Facebook @SantaMonicaPier for the latest Pier news, updates, and events. 

Though not anticipated, in the event of an emergency, stay up to date on the latest alerts with SM Alerts. Sign up today! And remember, if you see something, say something!

Authored By

Miranda Iglesias
Public Information Coordinator