Fiesta Hermosa

Fiesta Hermosa is the biggest event in Hermosa Beach’s calendar and one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in all of Southern California. Running since the early 1970s — now over 50 years — it has grown from a small local street fair with 20 booths into a three-day Memorial Day weekend celebration that draws approximately 125,000 people over the long weekend. The city genuinely transforms. Pier Avenue, Hermosa Avenue, 11th Street, and Upper Pier Avenue close to cars and fill with vendors, stages, and people.

The artisan marketplace — called the Makers Mercado — is the heart of the festival: 250+ vendors selling jewelry, original art, handmade clothing, home goods, ceramics, and craft foods. The selection is legitimately good. This isn’t a generic street fair with mass-produced goods — people come specifically for the craft vendor quality. Five music stages run throughout the grounds simultaneously. There’s a Carnival Zone with rides and games. The Garden Stage (21+ ticketed area, $5 cover) features DJs, live music, local craft beer and wine, and yard games in a dedicated adult space.

Admission is free for the main festival. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am–7pm, Monday 11am–6pm. The Wine Garden closes 30 minutes after the general festival each day.

Parking is the main logistical challenge. City lots A and B close before the event. The official solution is a Park & Ride from the Northrop Grumman lot at Aviation Blvd and 33rd St in North Redondo — $1 per person for the shuttle, which runs 10am–8pm all three days. Designated rideshare drop-off is at 10th St and Hermosa Ave. Bike valet runs Sat/Sun 11am–7pm and Mon 11am–6pm. Walk or bike from Manhattan Beach via the Strand if at all possible — it’s more fun anyway.

If you’ve never been to Fiesta Hermosa, go. If you have, you already know. This event consistently makes people who are on the fence about Hermosa Beach as a place to live fall completely in love with it.
More info: fiestahermosa.net