2026 SANTA MONICA 4TH OF JULY PARADE GUIDELINES & PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
All parade participants must review and agree to the following guidelines prior to participation.
Submission of your application and digital signature confirms your organization’s agreement to comply with all parade rules, safety requirements, and event policies.
1. All participants must complete the official parade application and submit all required materials by Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
2. Parade check-in will take place from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM. The parade begins promptly at 9:30 AM. Approved participants will receive official wristbands during check-in. Only registered participants with wristbands will be permitted in the parade.
3. All vehicles are subject to inspection and approval by the Santa Monica Police Department beginning at 6:30 AM. Vehicles must be capable of maintaining a slow parade pace without stalling. Any vehicle transporting passengers must have appropriate safety rails/barriers in place. Drivers must provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance upon request. Vehicles failing inspection or arriving late will not be permitted to participate.
4. To support a safer and more environmentally conscious event, vehicle participation should be limited whenever possible. Fossil fuel vehicles are permitted for approved floats, classic cars, accessibility transport, or parade production purposes.
5. Participants should be physically capable of completing the 1.3-mile parade route. For safety reasons, participants may not join or exit the parade route once the parade begins unless directed by emergency personnel or parade organizers.
6. Loading and unloading of vehicles, equipment, or participants may only take place within designated staging and unloading areas.
7. The Santa Monica 4th of July Parade is a non-political community event. Political campaigning, candidate promotion, protests, advocacy groups, divisive messaging, or political endorsements of any kind are strictly prohibited. All signage, branding, costumes, handouts, messaging, and parade materials must be appropriate for a public all-ages audience and are subject to organizer approval.
8. All written messaging, logos, banners, props, handouts, costumes, and promotional materials must be submitted in advance for approval as part of the parade application process.
9. Participation is at the sole discretion of parade organizers and the Santa Monica Police Department. Parade organizers reserve the right to deny or revoke participation at any time for failure to comply with event guidelines or safety requirements.
10. All participants must follow instructions from parade organizers, City of Santa Monica staff, security personnel, and law enforcement at all times.
11. Animals are only permitted with prior written approval. Approved animals must remain properly restrained and supervised at all times.
12. Props, displays, and parade materials must be safe for participants and spectators. Weapons, mock weapons, fireworks, explosives, or pyrotechnics of any kind are strictly prohibited.
13. Nothing may be thrown, sprayed, or distributed from moving vehicles. Distribution of promotional materials, giveaways, or samples must be approved in advance by parade organizers.
14. Alcohol, illegal substances, or impaired driving are strictly prohibited anywhere within the parade staging area, route, or event footprint.
15. Participants are encouraged to minimize waste and comply with all City of Santa Monica sustainability regulations, including restrictions on Styrofoam and single-use plastics.
16. Participants under 18 years of age must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Children under 16 must remain supervised by an adult at all times.
17. Music and entertainment are encouraged. Amplified sound may begin after 8:00 AM in accordance with City noise regulations. Parade organizers reserve the right to request volume adjustments as needed.