The City of Santa Monica presents the 12th Annual Arts & Literacy Festival, themed “A Day on the Farm,” hosted by Virginia Avenue Park in collaboration with Santa Monica Public Library, Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District, and Venice Family Clinic. The free community event will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park and is designed to help young children build the foundational skills needed for pre-K and Kindergarten through hands-on learning, storytelling, creativity, and play.
Families can explore more than 40 interactive booths hosted by community partners including the Santa Monica Police Department, Santa Monica Fire Department, Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District, and many other local organizations. Activities align with the Santa Monica Cradle to Career Building Blocks for Kindergarten campaign, which promotes social and emotional development, self-care, physical well-being and motor skills, language development, and early learning to help ensure all Santa Monica children start kindergarten ready to learn.
The festival will feature two stages of programming, including a Story Time Stage hosted by Santa Monica Public Library, where librarians will lead interactive farm-themed readings, and a Main Stage with music, dancing, and performances for all ages. Children will receive a Festival Explorer Card and can collect stamps by completing activities at partner booths; once their card is filled, they can exchange it for a free book at the Santa Monica Public Library booth. Families can also meet the city's new Poet Laureate, Jay Baldwin, from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Additional highlights include arts and craft stations, discovery activities, games, and a Kids Zone co-hosted by Virginia Avenue Park and Community Gardens featuring active play and challenges. The Rediscover Center will return with their creative Pollinator Play Lab, where children can design animal and insect puppets while learning about pollinators and participate in a bee-hive themed costume and photo booth made from recycled materials. Food trucks and plenty of family-friendly entertainment will round out a fun day of learning, creativity, and community connection.
Getting to the Arts & Literacy Festival: Walking and biking are encouraged. Additional free parking is available at Venice Family Clinic (2509 Pico Blvd.) and Santa Monica College Parking Lot 3 between 16th and 17th Streets on Pico Blvd. The park is also served by Big Blue Bus Line 7.