Thai Fest by the Beach 2026

The Santa Monica Pier trades its usual carnival energy for something more fragrant this weekend. Thai Fest by the Beach takes over one of LA's most recognizable landmarks on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, transforming the boardwalk into a two-day celebration of Thai culture with no cover charge.

Food is the obvious draw. Expect a lineup of vendors serving pad thai, mango sticky rice, som tum, and grilled skewers alongside dishes you'd have to book a flight to find on a Tuesday. LA food festivals have their share of fusion detours, but this one leans into traditional preparation, the kind you find at a market in Chiang Mai or a side street in Bangkok, not a food-hall spin-off.

Beyond the eating, the festival folds in art and crafts vendors selling handmade goods, live stage performances with traditional Thai dance and music, and wellness activations rooted in Thai healing practices. Think herbal treatments and traditional massage demonstrations alongside the louder stage programming. It's a genuine cross-section of the culture rather than a single-note street fair.

The location adds its own dimension. The Santa Monica Pier sits right where the city meets the Pacific, and a September weekend on the coast usually means warm afternoons with a breeze that cuts the heat just enough to make standing in a vendor line feel pleasant rather than punishing. Parking near the pier fills up fast on weekends; the Metro E Line (Expo) stops at Downtown Santa Monica, a short walk from the pier entrance, and saves the headache entirely.

Admission is free both days. Vendors handle their own pricing, so bring cash if you want to cover every stall. The Instagram account @thaifestbythebeach is the best place to track the final vendor and performer lineup ahead of the weekend.

For more LA food festivals and things to do in Los Angeles this fall, browse the food and drink events calendar or check what else is happening in Santa Monica.