Santa Monica Pier’s ‘Locals’ Night’ Celebrates L.A. Hip-Hop Culture: This edition highlights the diversity and legacy of L.A.’s independent hip-hop scene with a curated lineup by Top to Bottom LA on the Main Stage with additional entertainment and activities, and Route 66 salute. Thursday, March 19, 3:30 - 10 p.m.
Venice Art Crawl: Experience the eclectic soul of Venice as local galleries, studios, and pop-up spaces open their doors for this quarterly community tradition. This volunteer-run sunset tour celebrates the neighborhood’s historic status as a creative haven, offering everything from large-scale murals and fine art to experimental performance pieces and live music. Thursday, March 19, 6p.m. veniceartcrawl.com
Irish Film Festival Returns to Santa Monica: Across one weekend, the festival presents a diverse program of feature films, documentaries, vertical cinema and Oscar-nominated short films, showcasing both established voices and emerging talent. Friday - Sunday, March 20-22 www.ciacla.com/film
The Venice Love Fest: This free annual community celebration of music, art, wellness and local culture, transforms Windward Circle, Windward Plaza, the Venice Boardwalk and surrounding streets into a large-scale cultural takeover. Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. thevenicefest.com
Rummikub & Rhythms at the Proper: Trade your phone for tiles at the city’s most aesthetic game night. This isn't your grandma’s Rummikub; expect high-stakes strategy paired with craft cocktails and a late-night DJ set in the art-filled Palma lounge. Whether you're a seasoned "manipulator" of the board or a newcomer looking for a sophisticated social scene, this is where Mid-City chic meets classic tabletop competition. Saturday, March 21, 9p.m., 700 Wilshire Blvd. instagram.com/p/DVrKhnAD-Jb
CoLab: Performing for a Better World: Join Dorit Cypis for an interactive performance and dialogue, followed by a conversation with art historian/curator Karen Moss on aesthetics & social justice. CoLab: Performing for a Better World is a living laboratory weaving together aesthetic strategies of immersive installation and interactive performance, as well as psycho-physical- social tools developed through the artist’s training and dialogue platform, PeoplesLab bridging our differences to build coalition. Saturday, March 21, 1p.m., 18th Street Arts Center events.humanitix.com/colab-performing-for-a-better-world
March Madness at Santa Monica Place: The excitement of March Madness hits the court at Santa Monica Place with a high-energy, basketball-inspired game experience for fans of all ages. Shoot your shot and test your skills with four interactive, carnival-style challenges including Rim Shot, Crossover, Alley Oop, and Bee Ball. Plus enjoy concession-style snacks to keep you fueled. There will be prizes, snacks, and everything you need to warm up to watch the games at The Courtside Lounge. Saturday, March 21, 2 - 5 PM, 395 Santa Monica Place santamonicaplace.com/events/march-madness-mania
Wally's Tasting - Irish Whiskey & Chowder: From smooth, honeyed drams to bold, spice-driven pours, showcasing Irish whiskey’s warmth, depth, and character. Saturday, March 21, 3p.m., 214 Wilshire Blvd. wallywine.com/events
Celebrate National Puppy Day with a Free Pet Psychic Reading: Pizzana Marina del Rey is offering pup pizzas & psychic readings 🔮🍕🐶 + buy any pizza, get a pup pizza - free! Sunday March 22, 1 - 4p.m., 4716 Lincoln Blvd. instagram.com/p/DVJiHx2Cgi4
Bergamot Comedy Festival: The Fest brings together up-and-coming and underrepresented comedians for shows, panels, and community programming that spotlight voices not always seen on traditional stages. Over the course of the week, attendees can expect multiple comedy showcases, free educational panels, networking opportunities and discussions with industry professionals — all designed to give performers greater exposure and local audiences a chance to discover new talent. March 24–28, The Crow, 2525 Michigan Ave. bergamotcomedyfest.org
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (April)
What to Eat & Drink?
Chef Brothers Overhaul Muse Santa Monica Menu for Persian New Year: For 3 nights only (March 20–22) the brothers will offer a homestyle interpretation of Persian classics inspired by their upbringing. They invite guests (both Persian and not) to experience a 4-course set menu which will not be strictly traditional, nor modern, but rather what speaks to them - with inspiration from Khorasani cuisine, the province their family originates. Expect offerings like Barbari bread with dips and seasonal veggies, Northern Persian stews, rotating skewers, and a Pistachio St. Honore for dessert. 108 West Channel Road resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/muse-los-angeles
Divine x Blue Plate Oysterette Oysters & Wine Night 🦪Two Montana Ave. favorites are teaming up for the ultimate Sunday afternoon "shuck-and-sip" session. This coastal collaboration pairs a curated selection of briny New Zealand oysters from Blue Plate Oysterette with a crisp flight of Sauvignon Blancs. Sunday, March 22, 3 - 7p.m., 1025 Montana Ave. divinevintage.com/products/new-zealand-oysters-sauvignon-blanc
Eater LA's Best Santa Monica Restaurants List: The updated list includes bakeries Petit Grain and Jyan Isaac, Michelin rated spots like Pasjoli and Cobi’s, and newcomer Holy Basil. https://la.eater.com/maps/best-santa-monica-restaurants-los-angeles
LA Times Covers Duke's Malibu Reopening: "The popular coastal restaurant that’s celebrating 30 years in operation this year withstood the Palisades fire that tore through Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Topanga Canyon over a year ago, suffering only smoke damage. Plans to reopen were underway last February when mudslides from heavy rain sent four feet of mud into the restaurant, requiring extensive repairs, cleanup and a full renovation." https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2026-03-12/dukes-malibu-reopen-14-months-after-palisades-fire
Coming Soon: La Diperie on Main St.: This is a dipped ice cream concept out of Canada and is moving into the old Holey Grail Donuts space at 2441 Main St. Their Insta says "Real Belgian chocolate dips for cones, cookies, cakes & donuts. WE DIP EVERYTHING" instagram.com/ladiperie_sm
Pasjoli's PJ & Friends Dinner Series (Now – April 23): Chef Dave Beran's beloved bistro dinner series returns to Pasjoli for a third year with an all-new lineup of guest chefs. Each edition invites a chef friend into the Pasjoli kitchen to cook their own take on a bistro menu. Upcoming lineup: Daniel Patterson of Jacaranda (March 19), Sathia Sun of Donna's (March 26), Dan Rabilwongse of Budonoki (April 9), Kevin De Los Santos and Katya Shastova of Vin Folk (April 16), and Mei Lin (April 23). opentable.com/r/pasjoli-santa-monica
Further Afield: César Chávez Family Day at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes: ¡Viva la Causa! Learn about the fight for farm labor rights through a celebration of activist and labor leader, César Chávez. Enjoy music and dance, along with art, garden and culinary workshops. Sunday, March 22, 501 N Main St., Los Angeles lapca.org/event/cesar-chavez-day
Looking Ahead: Downtown Easter Celebration (3/29); U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship (4/2-5); Santa Monica Film Festival (4/11-13)
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.