El Segundo 9:11
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25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ceremonies in the South Bay

ByLaura Stotland

Where to Honor September 11 in the South Bay This Year

This September 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, including 343 New York City firefighters, and South Bay cities are marking the milestone with public memorial ceremonies. From Redondo Beach to Gardena, local fire and police departments, city officials and community members will gather on Friday, September 11, 2026 to lay wreaths, ring memorial bells and observe moments of silence for those who were lost.

Local Anchor pulled the details below directly from official city event pages, city flyers and department announcements. Because ceremony times and locations can shift close to the date, especially for an anniversary as significant as the 25th, it’s worth double checking a city’s official calendar or social media the morning of before heading out.

El Segundo 9:11
El Segundo Firefighters Association new mural on the fire station tower honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters

Here is where South Bay residents can gather to remember September 11, 2001, city by city.

9/11 Ceremony in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Police and Fire, along with the city, will hold their 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 8:46 a.m., the exact minute the first plane struck the World Trade Center. The ceremony centers on a wreath laying at the city’s 9/11 memorial, a bronze armillary sphere monument outside the Redondo Beach Civic Center.

Sept 11
8:46am
Redondo Beach Civic Center (415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, CA)

Details: redondo.org events calendar

The ceremony is free and open to the public, and it’s a fitting one to arrive early for given how many South Bay residents grew up in Redondo Beach or pass through the Civic Center regularly.

Redondo Beach 9:11

9/11 Ceremony in Torrance

The City of Torrance is hosting a remembrance ceremony honoring both the lives lost on September 11 and the first responders who answered the call that day. The program includes a moment of silence, a flag ceremony, a memorial bell ringing, a wreath presentation and a performance of “Amazing Grace” by Pipes and Drums. Mayor Sharon Kalani, Fire Chief David Dumais and Police Chief Robert Dunn are all scheduled to speak.

Sept 11
8:00am
Torrance City Hall (3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA)

Details: City of Torrance newsroom

Because the program starts promptly, it’s worth planning to arrive a few minutes early to find parking and a spot on the City Hall lawn.

Torrance 9:11 Event

9/11 Ceremony in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Rolling Hills

The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department is hosting a September 11 Remembrance Event marking the 25th anniversary, gathering the community at Memorial Park for a moment of reflection.

Sept 11
10:00am
Memorial Park (directly across the street from the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, 340 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates, CA)

Details: City of Palos Verdes Estates calendar

The peninsula also carries its own piece of 9/11 history in Rolling Hills Estates, where the Pepper Tree Foundation’s 9/11 Memorial at Levitt Park was dedicated by then Mayor Suzy Seamans on September 10, 2002, marked by two Sequoia trees planted to represent the Twin Towers. It’s a quiet, permanent tribute residents can visit any day of the year.

Palos Verdes 9:11

9/11 Ceremony in El Segundo

The El Segundo Fire Department and El Segundo Police Department are hosting a 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony outside City Hall, honoring the lives lost on September 11 and the courage of the first responders who served that day.

Sept 11
9:00am
Outside El Segundo City Hall (350 Main Street, El Segundo, CA)

Details: City of El Segundo events calendar

El Segundo has also given the day a permanent marker. The El Segundo Firefighters Association, working with city leadership, recently completed a new mural on the fire station tower honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters killed on September 11, painted with an American flag, the words “Never Forget 343” and the New York City skyline. It’s a striking piece to see in person, and it’s now a lasting reminder in town well beyond the anniversary itself.

El Segundo 9:11 Event

9/11 Ceremony in Manhattan Beach

The Manhattan Beach Fire and Police departments are holding a joint memorial service at the city’s 9/11 Memorial, including the lowering of the flags, the placement of the fire wreath and police flowers, and a moment of silence.

Sept 11
9:00am to 10:00am
9/11 Memorial (southwest corner of 15th Street and Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach, CA)

Details: City of Manhattan Beach calendar

Drivers should plan ahead. Valley Drive between 13th Street and 15th Street will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the ceremony.

Manhattan Beach 9:11

9/11 Ceremony in Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach holds its 9/11 Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony every year at its own dedicated 9/11 Memorial, where the Greenbelt meets Pier Avenue. This year’s ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks and is dedicated to honoring both the victims of September 11 and the first responders who gave their lives trying to save others.

Sept 11
7:30am
Hermosa Beach 9/11 Memorial (Greenbelt at Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA)

Details: City of Hermosa Beach

The program will include remarks from Mayor Mike Detoy and other community members, a Posting of the Colors by the Hermosa Beach Police Department Honor Guard and Hermosa Beach Scouts Troop 860, and ceremonial music from retired service members. Elected officials along with police and fire representatives will lay wreaths at the memorial, and afterward flowers will be made available for attendees to place at the site themselves.

“Twenty-five years later, many of us still remember exactly where we were that Tuesday morning. We remember the people in uniform who ran toward danger. The man in the red bandana who gave his life to save his coworkers. The passengers who stormed a cockpit to save countless lives below, and so many others who made the ultimate sacrifice for their friends, neighbors and those they didn’t know. In the worst of times, these heroes showed us the best of humanity, and their legacy will never be forgotten.”

Hermosa Beach Mayor Mike Detoy

The Hermosa Beach 9/11 Memorial was established in 2010 as a dedicated place of reflection for the community, and it recently underwent restoration work on several of its features. That includes the memorial bench, which is adorned with buttons representing each life lost on 9/11, the concrete towers sculpture, which contains a piece of steel recovered from Ground Zero, and the memorial’s gazebo. No RSVP is required, and the 7:30 a.m. start is earlier than most other South Bay ceremonies, making it a good option for residents who want to pay their respects before the workday starts.

Hermosa Beach 9:11

9/11 Ceremony in Hawthorne

Hawthorne has held 9/11 memorial ceremonies in recent years, but as of publishing the city had not posted an official date, time or location for a 2026 ceremony. Residents should check the City of Hawthorne’s calendar or its social pages in the days leading up to September 11 for an update. Gardena and Redondo Beach, both listed here, are the closest confirmed ceremonies for Hawthorne residents this year.

9/11 Ceremony in Gardena

The City of Gardena is holding its 25th Anniversary 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the City Hall Complex, honoring the lives lost, recognizing the bravery of first responders, and reflecting on the resilience that emerged after September 11, 2001.

Sept 11
9:00am
City Hall Complex (1700 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247)

Details: City of Gardena events

The ceremony is free and open to the public, and the city’s flyer sums up its message simply: together, we remember, together, we honor, together, we will never forget.

Gardena 9:11

Frequently Asked Questions About 9/11 Ceremonies in the South Bay

What time do most South Bay 9/11 ceremonies start on September 11, 2026?

Most South Bay ceremonies begin between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Hermosa Beach starts earliest at 7:30 a.m., Redondo Beach begins at 8:46 a.m. to mark the moment the first tower was struck, Torrance begins promptly at 8:00 a.m., El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Gardena all begin at 9:00 a.m., and Palos Verdes Estates begins latest at 10:00 a.m.

Why is the 2026 ceremony being called the 25th anniversary?

September 11, 2026 marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and several South Bay cities, including Redondo Beach, Torrance, El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach and Palos Verdes Estates, are specifically marking this year’s ceremonies as their 25th Anniversary commemoration.

Are South Bay 9/11 ceremonies free and open to the public?

Yes. Every ceremony listed here is free and open to the public, with no ticket or RSVP required. Most take place outdoors at a city hall, civic center or dedicated memorial site.

Is there a 9/11 memorial in the South Bay that can be visited any time of year?

Yes. Several cities have permanent memorials residents can visit outside of the anniversary ceremony. Hermosa Beach’s 9/11 Memorial, established in 2010 at the Greenbelt and Pier Avenue, includes a memorial bench adorned with buttons representing each life lost and a concrete towers sculpture containing a piece of steel from Ground Zero. Manhattan Beach’s memorial is at the southwest corner of 15th Street and Valley Drive, and Rolling Hills Estates’ Pepper Tree Foundation memorial at Levitt Park includes two Sequoia trees planted to represent the Twin Towers. El Segundo’s fire station also now features a permanent mural honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters lost that day.

What should I bring or expect at a 9/11 memorial ceremony?

Most ceremonies include a moment of silence, a flag or honor guard component, and a wreath laying, and they typically last 30 minutes to an hour. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early is a good idea for parking and seating, especially at ceremonies that start promptly.

Never Forget, Together

The 25th anniversary of September 11 is a significant one for the South Bay, and these ceremonies are a chance for neighbors to gather, honor the lives lost and thank the first responders who continue to serve local communities every day. Local Anchor will keep this guide updated as cities confirm additional details.

If a South Bay city is holding a ceremony that isn’t listed here, or if a listed time or location changes, reach out to Local Anchor so this guide can be corrected for other readers.

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DISCLOSURE: Event schedules are subject to change. Please contact the event host or venue to confirm event details.

Laura Stotland is the founder of Local Anchor and the Local Anchor Foundation, a passionate community builder dedicated to uplifting the South Bay of Los Angeles through storytelling, connection, and local impact. A lifelong Angeleno with deep roots in the South Bay, Laura brings a background in media and entertainment from companies like Disney and iHeartMedia, blending creative strategy with grassroots action.

Laura is a recognized expert in digital marketing, local outreach, and community-driven campaigns. She’s the force behind beloved initiatives like Project Holiday Helpers, South Bay Camp Fairs, and Taste of South Bay. She frequently moderates community panels and networking events focused on small business growth, nonprofit development, and the future of digital media.

A mom, marketer, and connector at heart, Laura was selected for the Meta Community Accelerator and previously served three terms as President of the Alliance for Women in Media, Southern California. Through Local Anchor, she continues to create meaningful ways for people to engage, give back, and discover the best of local life.

You can follow Laura on Instagram at @laurastotland and @wearelocalanchor, visit localanchor.com, connect with her on LinkedIn, or join her Facebook communities: South Bay Parents and South Bay Local Insider.