SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Dodgers Pep Rally, Halloween Events, multiple downtown restaurant openings, and much more!
'We Believe in Blue' LA Dodgers World Series Pep Rally: As the Dodgers prepare to take the field for the 2025 World Series, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) and the City of Santa Monica are hosting a first-ever Dodgers Pep Rally on Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 - 8p.m. on the 1300 block of 3rd St. Promenade (in front of Dodgers Club House Store). https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/10/21/third-street-promenade-hosts-we-believe-in-blue-la-dodgers-world-series-pep-rally
Spooky Splash @ SaMo Swim Center: Join us for an evening of recreational swimming, floating pumpkin patch, spooky flicks, arts & crafts, and tricks and treats. Explore the Sharks Haunted House, conquer the floating obstacle course, and grab dinner from local food trucks. Costumes encouraged! Click here to get your Tickets in advance and skip the line. Friday, Oct. 24, 5 - 8p.m., 2225 16th St. www.santamonicaswimcenter.org
Circular Library’s Halloween Costume Run and Coffee Rave: Work it out with spirits, witches, and monsters! 🏃♂️➡️Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 25, 8a.m. - 12p.m., 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice
Malibu Moves Fitness & Halloween Festival: This year’s festival blends movement, community impact, and Halloween fun, uniting families, walkers, and runners while raising funds for local schools and fire-rebuild efforts. Events include a 10K, 5K, 1-Mile Zuma Dash, 1K Kids Run, Malibu Moves Expo, featuring a costume contest for kids and families with prizes. Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 25 & 26, MalibuMoves.com
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: This gathering unites communities to raise funds for both patients and survivors, all while celebrating courage and hope. These 3- to 5-mile noncompetitive walks provide a supportive community for courageous breast cancer survivors, people living with metastatic breast cancer, caregivers and families alike. Saturday, Oct. 25, 8a.m. - 5p.m., Santa Monica Pier https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=110848
Cinema Sundays at Sunset on the Promenade: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: This summer, Third Street Promenade transforms into Santa Monica's most charming outdoor movie theater every weekend. Sunday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m., in front of the Apple Store, 1415 3rd Street Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-sundays-at-sunset-tickets-1588204385069
Live Talks: An Evening with Michael Lewis: The writer will discuss the 15 year anniversary of the book and 10 year anniversary of the movie adaptation of The Big Short. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8p.m., New Roads School 3131 Olympic Blvd. https://livetalksla.org/events/michael-lewis-2/
4th Annual Volley-Ween Fundraiser: Santa MoniCARES is gearing up for its 4th Annual Volley-Ween, a beach mixer and volleyball tournament fundraiser, set for. The event, with a $35 registration fee per player, aims to raise funds for local nonprofits providing essential human services during the winter season. Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 3 - 6p.m., Perry’s, 2400 Ocean Front Walk SantaMoniCARES.org
Live Talks: An Evening with Judd Apatow in conversation with Marc Maron: discussing his book, Comedy Nerd: A Lifelong Obsession in Stories and Pictures.Thursday, Oct. 30, 8p.m., New Roads School 3131 Olympic Blvd. https://livetalksla.org/events/judd-apatow/
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Weekly Western Wednesday Line Dancing (through 10/29); Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 10/31)
What to Eat & Drink?
Red Car Winemaker Dinner at Local Kitchen: Red Car Winemaker Tanner Scheer will guide you through a specially curated Taste of Fall Winemaker dinner thoughtfully paired with Red Car Wines. $125 per person includes 4 course menu & wine pairing. Thursday, Oct. 23, 1736 Ocean Park Blvd. https://localkitchenandwinebar.com/red-car-winemaker-dinner/
APL to Host Pop-up at Hotel Casa del Mar for Breast Cancer Awareness 💗: They are supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and raising funds for Providence St. John’s & American Cancer Society by hosting light bites, pink mocktails, and an APL pop-up at Hotel Casa del Mar after the Breast Cancer walk. Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1910 Ocean Way https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=110848&pg=team&team_id=2824755
Sake & Temakis at Divine Vintage: Blue Plate Oysterette will be serving up their famous and fresh temaki rolls right outside Divine, while they pour premium sake flights and glasses inside. Enjoy them a la carte or pair them together for the perfect experience! Saturday, Oct. 25, 4 – 8p.m., 1025 Montana Ave. instagram.com/divinevintagesm
Ina Bakes Pastry Pop-Up: Boo-tiful treats and spooky sweets, Ina Bakes—a bakery known for custom cakes and creative desserts, is having a special Halloween pop-up, featuring festive baked goods and seasonal pastries. Sunday, Oct. 26, 9a.m. - 1p.m., 535 Rose Ave., Venice www.inabakes.com/store
All’Antico Vinaio SaMo Opening: 🥪The viral sensation Italian sandwich shop from Florence has been busy expanding its Italian sandwich empire to New York, Las Vegas, and Dubai, and now their fifth LA location is in Santa Monica, just steps away from Third Street Promenade, which means you can now grab a focaccia sandwich with truffle spread between buying shorts at Lululemon. 316 Santa Monica Blvd.
La Monique Opening: This is a new restaurant in the Oceana Hotel that’s led by a chef from Top Chef France. The dining room looks like a Great Gatsby backdrop, with mirrored ceilings, vintage photography, and a gilded bar. On the menu, look for a french onion grilled cheese, caviar seafood towers, linguine vongole, and lots of wagyu. Here is an NBC4 video report about the new spot at 849 Ocean Ave.: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/california-live/glamour-meets-gastronomy-at-la-monique-santa-monicas-new-french-brasserie/3791323/
SaMo Crushes “The Best Croissants In LA” Rankings: 🥐SaMo appears to be the king of croissants, grabbing four of the top 11 on This Infatuation list. Petitgrain Boulangerie nabbed the #2 spot, Bread + Butter got #5, Tartine got #10, and Milo & Olive got #11. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-croissants-los-angeles-ranked?lid=c96ivd2y1jba
Esters Wine Bar Closing: Their last day is Nov. 23. 🍷😪Here is the owners’ letter about the closing: https://mailchi.mp/rcrestaurants/esters-closure
Further Afield:FREE Downtown LA Museums for “Grand Ave Arts: All Access” Day: Highlights include a singing workshop and a chance to try instruments at the Colburn School; a sugar skull workshop and Halloween necklace-making at the Los Angeles Central Library; LA Opera recitals at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; a preview of the world’s first museum of AI arts, DATALAND; and a Day of the Dead celebration at Gloria Molina Grand Park. Other participating institutions include the Broad, MOCA, REDCAT, the Music Center, Center Theatre Group, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Saturday, Oct. 25, 11a.m. - 4p.m., Along Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles from Temple–6th St. https://grandavearts.org/
Looking Ahead: Montana Ave. Halloween Hop (10/31); Ice at Santa Monica (11/7); LA Wine & Food Festival (11/7-9); Montana Ave. Holiday Walk (12/6);
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Dodgers Pep Rally, Halloween Events & More