SANTA MONICARES REVIVES NEW HEROES CELEBRATION
The community event aims to recognize the people helping to educate, inspire, and protect Santa Monica.
SANTA MONICA, CA (October 19, 2026) – Santa MoniCARES invites community members to attend the Santa Monica New Heroes Celebration on Wednesday, October 21 from 4:30–7:30 pm at Sandbourne Santa Monica.
The Santa Monica New Heroes Celebration recognizes those individuals doing essential work to help educate, inspire, and protect Santa Monica. New hires to local public and private schools, the Police Department, and the Fire Department from the past year will be named and recognized.
In addition to welcoming new team members, the Santa Monica New Heroes Celebration honors three seasoned leaders within the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), the Police Department, and the Fire Department with special awards. These awards recognize those who lead their community with exceptional endurance and empathy, inspiring everyone around them to strive for excellence and improvement every day.
Misti Kerns, President & CEO at Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, said the New Heroes Celebration is among the city’s most important ceremonies. “We are excited to bring back one of our community’s most beloved and important events. Teachers, police officers, and firefighters are the everyday heroes of Santa Monica, and we treasure this event as an opportunity to say thank you for their hard work and sacrifice.”
The award ceremony will be followed by a reception with light bites and refreshments, as well as exhibitors from local nonprofits, City departments, community groups, and local businesses.
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism and Santa MoniCARES extend sincere thanks to this year’s New Heroes Celebration sponsors whose support makes this event possible:
Sandbourne Santa Monica: Presenting Sponsor
Visit Sandbourne Santa Monica, a stylish coastal retreat featuring thoughtful design, ocean-view dining, relaxing poolside experiences and access to the beach and Santa Monica Pier.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Pacific Park
Pacific Park proudly supports New Heroes and celebrates the dedicated educators, first responders and community leaders who inspire, protect and strengthen Santa Monica every day.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce: Promotional Partner
The New Heroes Celebration is a free event with limited capacity. Please register for the event at santamonicares.org/new-heroes/
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About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For more information visit santamonica.com, email [email protected], or follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), X (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
