SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes the Promenade Block Fest, Americana in the Park, the new Bower Surf Club, and much more!
Bergamot Station Fall Open: Bergamot Station kicks off its fall season with a free daylong celebration featuring gallery openings, artist talks, curator walkthroughs and special events. Curator and advisor Hannah Sloan will lead two guided tours highlighting exhibitions throughout the complex at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., 2525 Michigan Ave. bergamotstation.com
Wilmont Movies in the Park: The second of 3 monthly free movie screenings is Jumanji in Palisades Park featuring live music, picnicking, free popcorn for the movie. Saturday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m., wilmont.org
Marina Movie Nights: Michael (2026): Grab your family, a picnic dinner, and a blanket or low-profile beach chairs and make your way to Burton Chace Park for the free Summer Concerts presented by the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors on select Saturdays through Sept. 26. Movies start at 8 p.m. but arrive by 7 to pick out your spot on the lawn. Free admission! visitmdr.com/annual-events/marina-movie-nights
Tongva Twilight Says Goodbye to Summer: Spend your Saturday night under the stars at TONGVA TWILIGHT: Sounds & Cinema, a free outdoor series blending live music, iconic films, and summer vibes in Tongva Park. Grab your friends, pack a picnic and enjoy complimentary popcorn on movie nights while supplies last. This week is a Concert & Film: Myra Washington – Country, Soul, Funk + screening of Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Saturday, Sept. 12, 7-10 p.m., 1615 Ocean Ave. santamonica.gov/events/tongva-twilight-sounds-cinema-series
Santa Monica Block Fest & Night Food Market: Downtown Santa Monica again hosts this massive second-Saturday evening block party featuring live EDM DJs across all three blocks of the Promenade, an open-air night food market on Arizona Ave., and late-night restaurant specials. Saturday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m. – Midnight, Third Street Promenade eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-block-festival-tickets-1995782844212
Jazz at the Ballroom: Blues & Taboos: Travel back to Prohibition-era speakeasies with Jazz at the Ballroom’s Blues & Taboos at the Ruskin Group Theatre. The lively evening highlights the playful, provocative, and risqué songs that defined 1920s dance halls and late-night clubs, featuring live performances from vocalists Olivia Chindamo, Tawanda, trumpeter Alphonso Horne, and the Lineage Trio. Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m., 2800 Airport Ave. jazzattheballroom.com
Santa Monica Classic 5K/10K & Promenade Festival: Lace up your running shoes to support neurological disease research. Whether you're aiming for a personal record or taking a scenic walk, stick around afterward for the post-race Finish Festival on the Promenade complete with music, bites, and community celebrations. Sunday, Sept. 13, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., Third Street Promenade (1300 Block) santamonicaclassic.com
Free Venice Street Fair: With more than 150 local artists and makers, the fair will close 3rd Ave between Rose Ave and Sunset Ave. Sunday, Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. instagram.com/theartistfair
Americana in the Park Returns to Gandara Park: The sixth annual outdoor festival returns for an all-ages afternoon of live roots, blues, jazz, and folk music. This year's stellar lineup features Grammy-winning guitarist Albert Lee, Afro-Cuban innovators Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, folk-rock multi-instrumentalist Abby Posner, singer-songwriter Jason Luckett, and a performance by the historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Pack a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy food trucks, crafts, and family activities on the grass. Sunday, Sept. 13, 1:30 – 6:30 p.m., 1819 Stewart St. santamonica.gov/events/americana-in-the-park
National Geographic Live Diving the Great Barrier Reef at BroadStage: Enjoy an immersive presentation on diving and protecting the Great Barrier Reef, featuring stunning photography and first-person stories from marine explorers. Thursday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., 1310 11th St. broadstage.org
Pizza, Lucius & a Very Good Thursday: Indie music platform The Wild Honey Pie brings its signature Pizza Party to The Eden with an intimate, stripped-down performance by indie-pop band Lucius accompanied by a string trio. Even better, the evening includes unlimited pizza from a Paulie Gee x Chef Gabi Chappel collaboration. Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., The Eden, 1301 Ocean Ave. Free with RSVP. thewildhoneypie.com
ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Wellness & Waves (Saturdays through 10/17); Locals' Night Third Thursdays; Perrys Beach House DJ Event (Saturdays and Sundays in Sept.)
What to Eat & Drink?
Bower Surf Club Opens at Colorado Center: A new all-day cafe, bar and restaurant inspired by Australian surf culture is opening at Colorado Center, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. The menu blends Aussie-inspired breakfast fare with grain bowls, burgers and evening dishes, along with cocktails, organic wines and specialty matcha. Grand opening Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:30 a.m., 2501 Colorado Ave., Suite 190. Three-hour parking validation is available. bowersurfclub.com
Zaca Mesa Winemaker Dinner at Chelsea: Chelsea hosts a five-course dinner paired with wines from Zaca Mesa Winery, with winemaker Kristin Bryden on hand to discuss the wines and their pairings. The menu includes dishes ranging from seared jumbo scallop and slow-braised pork ribs to naan tacos with Syrah-braised short ribs. Thursday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., 2460 Wilshire Blvd. resy.com/cities/santa-monica-ca/venues/chelsea/events/zaca-mesa-winemaker-dinner-2026-09-10
Tipsy Scholar: How to Blind Taste Wines: Ever wanted to guess a wine's origin and varietal with just a sip? Tipsy Scholar is holding an interactive, low-stakes blind tasting class in Santa Monica. Learn how to break down flavor profiles, identify key tasting notes, and uncover what's in your glass like a pro while enjoying a guided flight of distinct wines. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m., AJA Vineyards, 1417 2nd St. eventbrite.com/e/tipsy-scholar-how-to-blind-taste-wines-tickets-1997796132010
Fall Specials at JINYA Ramen Bar: The Main St. staple is launching two limited-time seasonal menu items for autumn. Spice lovers can try the "Aka Oni" (Red Demon), a spicy garlic ramen with clear chicken broth, pork and chicken chashu, fried garlic, and chili oil. They are also offering a classic crispy Tonkatsu pork cutlet served with signature sauce and steamed rice. 2457 Main St. jinyaramenbar.com
LA Times Profile on Citrin & the Impact of Dine LA Restaurant Week: It discusses how “many [people] were excited to try the $99 three-course tasting menu in a Michelin one-star restaurant that normally charges $165 for a four-course menu.” “And though the reduced-price menu has come to an end for now (Dine LA will return early next year), Citrin offers a way to experience its cuisine at happy hour pricing all year long, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (reserve at the bar, not the dining room).” https://www.latimes.com/food/newsletter/2026-09-08/when-restaurants-lower-prices-what-happens
Perse Restaurant Elevates Modern Persian Cuisine: Brentwood's newest standout is redefining modern Persian dining on the Westside. This isn't your typical old-school Persian places dotting all along Westwood Blvd. with plates of meat vying for room with an immense amount of rice. This is more chef-driven with a menu of elevated ingredients resulting in impressive and complex flavors. My favorites so far are the Kashk Bademjan (smoked eggplant), Beef Cheek Tahchin (saffron rice cake filled with tender beef), and the Wagyu kabobs. The cocktail menu is impressive too, with some fun Persian flair to it. Highly recommend! 11677 San Vicente Blvd. perserestaurant.com
Further Afield: LA WineFest Returns to a New Home: The 21st annual LA WineFest moves to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank for two days of wine tasting, craft beer, cider, kombucha, food trucks, live music and boutique shopping. More than 75 wineries are participating, making this a legitimate destination event rather than just another weekend festival. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2–6 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 13, 1–5 p.m., Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Dr., Burbank.
Looking Ahead: Thai Fest by the Beach (9/19-20); A Pierfect Benefit (9/19); The Other Art Fair (9/24-27); Ocean Way Festival (9/26-27); Montana Avenue Art Walk (10/3); Off the Hook Seafood Festival (10/11); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly at instagram.com/seanbesser or email me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Block Parties, Americana Beats & Aussie Eats