SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Lunar New Years and Mardi Gras Celebrations, Gladstones LAFD Event, a Star Wars themed dinner, and much more!
Locals' Night: Jazz Night: Localsâ Night is bringing the rhythm with BroadStage's Jazz Night featuring phenomenal alumni from Stanley Clarke's Artist Residency program. Enjoy serious grooves to celebrate Black History Month, while Offhand Wine Bar keeps the vibe smooth with perfectly paired selections. Thursday, Feb. 19, 3:30 - 10 p.m., Santa Monica Pier santamonicapier.org/jazznight
Lunar New Year Celebration: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with lion dancers, live music, dazzling arts and cultural traditions at Santa Monica Place. This afternoon event offers festive vibes and interactive activities perfect for community gatherings and family fun. Saturday, Feb 21, 2 â 5p.m., Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place https://www.santamonicaplace.com/events/lunar-new-year-at-santa-monica-place
Pier Party: Dialed Records Pier Takeover: Dance the night by the ocean as underground house heavyweights Kepler & Laidlaw headline a special Dialed Records takeover on the Santa Monica Pier. Expect deep grooves, hypnotic rhythms and stacked support DJs for a seaside rave under the sunset. Saturday, Feb. 21, 3:30â10:30 pm, Santa Monica Pier crowdvolt.com/event/pos/dialed-records-laidlaw-kepler-los-angeles?t=santamonicapier
Venice Beach Mardi Gras: Venice Beach brings the Big Easy to the boardwalk with a colorful Mardi Gras celebration full of live music, costumed revelers, brass bands, and plenty of beads flying through the salty air. Expect high-energy performances, festive parades, and that unmistakable Venice flair â where New Orleans spirit meets beachside weird in the best possible way. Sunday, Feb. 22, 12 - 6p.m., Venice Board Walk venicepaparazzi.com/2026/02/15/venicebeach_mardigras_2026
Faux Sweets Launches Japanese Food-Replica Workshops: Founded by Japanese American artist Mae Hirota,Faux Sweets is launching hands-on food-replica workshops at Venice Beach's Albion Garden. The series will teach participants to create hyper-realistic Japanese-style food replicas. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026: 10 a.m.-noon, CampFire S'mores Waffles Workshop; 1:30-4:30 p.m., Double Donut Milkshake Workshop https://www.smdp.com/faux-sweets-launches-japanese-food-replica-workshops-in-venice-beach/
Amor Film Festival: This quarterly short-film festival showcases independent filmmakers from around the world. The festival highlights diverse voices and intimate storytelling while creating a welcoming space for both filmmakers and film lovers to connect. Sunday, Feb. 22, Illusion Magic Lounge, 1418 4th St. amorfilmfestival.com
Frieze Los Angeles: Bringing together approximately 100 galleries, ambitious installations, nonprofit collaborations and local food pop-ups. As a leading international art fair focused on contemporary art, Frieze LA celebrates Southern California's dynamic creative culture and global influence in the arts. This is a must-attend event for art lovers, collectors and anyone interested in experiencing cutting-edge work in a community setting. Thursday, Feb. 26 - Sunday, March 1, Santa Monica Airport, frieze.com/fairs/frieze-los-angeles
ONGOING: âTwo Bit Circusâ Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio
What to Eat & Drink?
Gladstones Malibu Honors LAFD Heroes One Year After the Fires: This event honors the real heroes of the Malibu coastline - the brave men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department who stood on the front lines to protect the community, the coastline, and the beloved oceanfront landmark. To mark the one-year anniversary, Gladstoneâs invites the public to take part in this special gathering - a heartfelt tribute honoring the firefighters who helped protect Malibu. Guests will enjoy complimentary light bites and refreshments, followed by a special plaque unveiling. Friday, Feb. 20, 11a.m. â 12p.m.,, 17300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu partiful.com/e/AmvM3j0jW5syGWgFWspI
PJ & Friends Bistro Dinners: Pasjoli is has a series of dinner collabs with chef friends from the LA area in March and April. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 20. @ 2732 Main St. instagram.com/pasjoli.sm
Star Wars Immersive Dinner at Shoreside Restaurant: This is an interactive, immersive experience that includes the movie. Ticket Includes welcome Drink and 5-Course Prix Fixe Dinner. Sunday, Feb. 22, 5 - 9p.m., 1515 Ocean Ave. feastyoureyes.co
New BOGO Happy Hour at Fitoor: The excellent modern Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge blending vibrant flavors with coastal California style is launching a Buy One, Get One Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 3â6pm. Discover creative cocktails, elevated Indian bites, ocean vibes, and a gorgeous bar and lounge. 1755 Ocean Ave. eatdrinkfitoor.com/happy-hour-near-santa-monica-beach
Mishkon Temple Sake Tasting and Havdalah: This yearâs annual tasting event will feature sake, the traditional rice beverage of Japan. The evening includes the tasting, kosher Japanese snacks (including sushi), and your very own sake tasting cup to take home! Non-alcoholic sake available on request, and soft drinks will be served. Learn more and get your tickets here. Saturday, Feb. 21 6:15 - 8 p.m. 206 Main St., Venice mishkon.org/event/sake-tasting.html
Organic, Grass-Fed Burger Spot Palms ân Patties opens in SaMo: The menu centers on burgers prepared with 100% organic, grass-fed beef, accompanied by hand-cut fries and house-made sauces. The restaurant said the kitchen avoids seed oils and additives, instead preparing food with traditional fats such as beef tallow. Fries are double-fried, and sauces are made without industrial oils or preservatives. 3032 Wilshire Blvd. palmsnpatties.com
Louma Bakery to Open in SaMo with Artisan Breads and an Inclusive Employment Mission: Nonprofit-owned bakery will feature sourdough, French pastries, and seasonal organic offerings. The bakery is designed to create professional opportunities for individuals with learning and developmental differences, integrating workforce training with daily operations. 3223 Wilshire Blvd. toddrickallen.com/2026/02/05/louma-bakery-coming-to-santa-monica/
Further Afield: Tiki Kai doesnât just serve dinner â it throws a full-on tropical escape and hands you a rum drink on the way in. It gives off major Trader Vicâs vibesâŚin a great way. From the moment you step inside, itâs less âHermosa Beachâ and more âI accidentally booked a flight to the South Pacific and Iâm not mad about it.â The glowing lanterns, carved tiki gods, bamboo everything, and soundtrack of island vibes make it feel like a vacation you can Uber to. I highly recommend getting a few things from the âmake your own Pupu Platterâ menu. 73 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach instagram.com/TikiKaiHB
More Further Afield: Conscious Life Expo: Feb. 20â23, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, bringing together hundreds of speakers, vendors and attendees focused on personal growth, spirituality, science and wellness. Organizers describe the four-day event as a gathering of thought leaders, researchers and practitioners exploring topics that range from consciousness and metaphysics to health, longevity and emerging scientific ideas. The Expo will feature more than 200 speakers and 350 vendors, along with panel discussions, interactive workshops, free lectures and special events.
Looking Ahead: Frieze LA Art Show (2/26 - 3/1); Venice Art Crawl (early March); U.S. Womenâs Open Golf Championship (4/2-5); Santa Monica Film Festival (4/11-13)
If thereâs 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: Lunar New Year's and Mardi Gras Celebrations