Santa Monica will shut down a stretch of Main Street on Thursday, July 23, for a free open-street celebration doubling as the city's annual State of the City address and the public launch of fundraising for a $650,000 Rose Parade float.

The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Main Street between Hollister Avenue and Ocean Park Boulevard in the Ocean Park neighborhood. The street will be closed from noon to 10 p.m.

Mayor Caroline Torosis will deliver the State of the City address between 4:45 and 5:30 p.m., preceded by a reading from Poet Laureate Jay Baldwin, a Santa Monica native who works as an elementary school librarian and has performed at The Moth and slam poetry events across the West Coast. Baldwin was confirmed as the city's second poet laureate in March.

"By bringing together city departments, local businesses and community partners, we're creating an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to connect with resources while celebrating the progress we've made," Torosis said in a city announcement.

Live music follows the address: the Santa Monica High School Orchestra Ensemble and the Spirit Fingers Trio, a progressive jazz group featuring pianist Greg Spero, bassist Mohini Dey, and drummer Marco Cirigliano, perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. DJ Bukue One spins throughout the event.

The celebration also marks the kickoff of community fundraising for Santa Monica's entry in the 138th Tournament of Roses Parade on Thursday, January 1, 2027. The City Council authorized up to $650,000 for the float at its June 9 meeting, with staff planning to offset costs through donations, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships. Float decorating in late December could offer more than 1,000 volunteer spots, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.

This year's theme, "Realignment to Renaissance," nods to the city's turnaround plan adopted in late 2025 after the city paid $229 million in legal settlements. The event will also highlight expanded full-service hours at the Santa Monica Public Library.

Other programming includes guided tours of the historic Shotgun House, the city's only intact shotgun house, built between 1893 and 1902 and now operated by the Santa Monica Conservancy as a Preservation Resource Center. City department booths, giveaways, and family activities round out the afternoon.

Getting there: Big Blue Bus rides are free from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. for anyone who mentions "State of the City" to the driver. Routes 1, 3, 8, and 18 all stop within a 10-minute walk. Free bike valet is available at Norman Place off Main Street. Paid parking is available at lots on Hill Street, Hollister Avenue, and Strand Street.

No ticket is required; optional RSVPs are available through Eventbrite.