Afterglow at Santa Monica Pier: See the Free Photo Exhibit Before It Closes

If your family is heading to the beach this week, there is a thoughtful—and completely free—reason to step inside one of the Santa Monica Pier’s most nostalgic buildings. Afterglow: Portraits by Sam Comen is in its final days at the historic Merry Go-Round Building, where 274 portraits turn a familiar tourist destination into a gallery of real people and real stories.

The exhibit is easy to pair with a carousel ride, a walk along the Pier, or a sunset stop by the ocean. There are no tickets to reserve and no admission charge, but the closing date is close: the final viewing day is Monday, September 28, 2026.

Afterglow at Santa Monica Pier: Quick Details

• What: Afterglow: Portraits by Sam Comen, a free portrait-photography exhibition

• Where: Santa Monica Pier Merry Go-Round Building, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

• Thursday, September 24, 2026: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Friday, September 25, 2026: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

• Saturday, September 26, 2026: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

• Sunday, September 27, 2026: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

• Monday, September 28, 2026: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Admission: Free; no ticket is required

• Official information: Visit the Santa Monica Pier website

Because schedules can change, especially during a busy weekend on the Pier, families should check the official Santa Monica Pier website before leaving home.

What Is the Afterglow Exhibition?

Afterglow grew out of a simple but ambitious idea. Over three summer days in July, photographer Sam Comen created a portrait studio on the Santa Monica Pier and invited the people passing through to sit for a photograph. He photographed 274 people, including local residents, road trippers, and visitors from around the world.

Each participant was also asked what brought them to the Pier and how they see America right now. That question gives the project more weight than a typical vacation-photo display. The portraits capture individuals at one of Southern California’s most recognizable gathering places, while the accompanying stories invite visitors to think about travel, community, identity, and the many different lives that briefly intersect at the end of Route 66.

The completed portraits have now returned to the place where they were made. Displayed inside the Merry Go-Round Building, the exhibit lets families see the Pier through the faces of the people who experienced it during the summer. It is a people-centered snapshot of Los Angeles tourism and local life at a particular moment in 2026.

Why Families May Enjoy This Free Pier Stop

A portrait exhibit might not be the first thing kids expect to find beside rides, arcade games, and cotton candy, but that contrast is part of the fun. Afterglow can work especially well as a short cultural stop within a bigger Santa Monica outing. Families can spend as much or as little time as their children’s attention spans allow.

Younger children may enjoy noticing expressions, hairstyles, clothing, and the different ways people chose to face the camera. Older kids and teens can look for clues about personality and discuss why a photographer might choose a simple background rather than a busy Pier scene. The exhibit also offers a natural opening for conversations about portraiture, storytelling, and how one photograph can make a stranger feel familiar.

Parents do not need to turn the visit into a formal lesson. A few open-ended questions—Who would you want to meet? Which portrait makes you curious? What would you say if someone asked why you came to the Pier?—can help children slow down and engage with what they see.

A Meaningful Location Inside a Classic LA Landmark

The Santa Monica Pier is more than an amusement stop. Opened in 1909, it has long served as a public gathering place where beachgoers, travelers, street performers, anglers, families, and visitors from around the world cross paths. The Merry Go-Round Building adds another layer of history and atmosphere to the exhibit.

Placing contemporary portraits in this setting creates a nice connection between old and new. Families can look at present-day faces while standing inside a building associated with generations of childhood outings. Even if your children are eager to get back outside, the setting makes the visit feel distinctly Los Angeles.

Afterglow is presented in collaboration with the Santa Monica Pier Corporation and was made possible through Art of Recovery, an initiative of the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. The city describes Art of Recovery as a program that supports artists, cultural producers, public-space activations, and projects designed to build community connection.

How to Make the Visit Fun for Kids

The simplest approach is to keep the exhibit visit flexible. Let kids know that you are stopping for a quick look before or after another Pier activity. Once inside, give them one small mission instead of asking them to study every portrait.

• Ask each child to choose one portrait that tells an interesting story.

• Look for three details that reveal something about a person’s style or mood.

• Invite kids to imagine what brought each subject to Santa Monica.

• Let older children compare a posed portrait with the candid family photos on your phone.

• After leaving, take a family portrait of your own somewhere on the Pier.

If you have a child who is shy around galleries, remind them there is no right answer. Portrait photography is about observation and curiosity. Kids are free to notice whatever catches their eye, and a five-minute visit can be just as worthwhile as a longer one.

Planning Your Santa Monica Pier Visit

The Pier can be busy, particularly on Friday evenings and weekends. Arriving earlier in the day may make the exhibit easier to explore with younger children. The final weekend of the show is September 26–27, so families who prefer a quieter visit may want to consider Thursday, Friday daytime, or Monday.

If you are driving, review the Pier’s current directions and parking information before your trip. The official guidance notes that traffic patterns and parking access may change while the Pier bridge improvement project is underway. The Pier also encourages public transportation and other alternatives to driving.

The Downtown Santa Monica E Line station is at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, roughly a ten-minute walk from the Pier. Families using a rideshare can consider the official suggested drop-off address at 1550 Appian Way to avoid some of the congestion around Ocean Avenue and the Pier bridge.

Bring layers even on a sunny day. Ocean breezes can feel cool inside and around the Pier, especially later in the afternoon. Comfortable shoes are also a good idea if you plan to combine the exhibit with the beach, Third Street Promenade, Pacific Park, or a walk along Ocean Front Walk.

What to Pair With the Exhibit

Afterglow is designed to fit easily into a larger family day. The classic carousel is in the same building, making it the most natural add-on for families with younger children. Outside, you can walk to the end of the Pier, watch the waves, see the street performers, browse the small shops, or enjoy the rides and games at Pacific Park.

A budget-friendly plan could be as simple as visiting the free exhibit, walking the Pier, bringing snacks, and spending time on the sand. Families who want a special treat can add a carousel ride or choose one attraction rather than committing to a full day of paid activities.

If you visit close to sunset, allow enough time to see the exhibit before it closes. The gallery hours end at 5:00 PM on Thursday and Monday and at 7:00 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Parent Tips Before You Go

• Confirm the hours. The exhibit has different closing times depending on the day.

• No reservation is needed. Admission is free, and the Pier says no tickets are required.

• Keep expectations flexible. This can be a quick cultural stop or a longer conversation, depending on your child’s interest.

• Plan for Pier crowds. Weekend afternoons are often busier than weekday mornings.

• Take your own portrait afterward. It is a fun way to extend the exhibit into a family memory.

• Check transportation details. Bridge work may affect driving and parking patterns.

• Use the visit as a conversation starter. Ask children what a portrait can reveal—and what it cannot.

Takeaway

Afterglow is a rare little LA outing that is free, easy to add to another family adventure, and meaningful without requiring a big time commitment. The portraits give kids a chance to see art made from everyday people, while parents get a fresh reason to slow down inside one of the city’s most iconic destinations.

The main thing to remember is the deadline: the exhibition closes Monday, September 28, 2026. If you are already considering a Santa Monica beach or Pier day this week, add the Merry Go-Round Building to your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Afterglow at Santa Monica Pier free?

Yes. Admission to Afterglow: Portraits by Sam Comen is free, and no ticket is required.

2. When does the Afterglow exhibit close?

The final day is Monday, September 28, 2026. The exhibit is open 11:00 AM–5:00 PM that day. It is also open September 24 from 11:00 AM–5:00 PM and September 25–27 from 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.

3. Where is the exhibit located?

The exhibit is inside the Santa Monica Pier Merry Go-Round Building at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

4. Is the exhibit appropriate for children?

The official announcement describes a public portrait exhibition with free admission. Families can make the visit engaging by asking children to notice expressions, clothing, and visual details or to imagine the story behind a portrait. Parents should choose the visit length that fits their children’s ages and attention spans.

5. How long should families plan to spend there?

There is no required visit length. Families can enjoy a quick ten- to twenty-minute stop or spend longer looking closely and discussing the portraits. It is easy to combine the exhibit with the carousel, a Pier walk, the beach, or other Santa Monica activities.