SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes tons of New Years Food & Events options, a Route 66 Centennial Kickoff , and much more!
Ring in the New Year - East Coast Countdown Celebration: Enjoy a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration in Downtown Santa Monica, concluding with an "East Coast Countdown" to accommodate earlier bedtimes. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8:30 – 9:30 pm downtownsm.com/events-calendar/8958/ring-in-the-new-year--east-coast-countdown-celebration
55th Annual Santa Monica Playhouse New Year's Eve Musical Revue: The long-running, one-night-only musical comedy revue rings in the New Year with an upbeat, family-friendly musical show. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6 & 9:30 p.m. www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/new-years-evemusical-revue.html
New Year’s Eve shows at The Crow: Join an absolutely stacked lineup featuring stand-up comics, dazzling drag artists, and (yes) real, actual clowns for a two-hour burst of pure, symbolic joy. Pull My Finger: Family-Friendly Comedy Show is Wednesday, Dec. 31, 5p.m. and New Year's Eve Cabaret & Comedy Show is Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8p.m., 2525 Michigan Ave. crowcomedy.com
The Bungalow Santa Monica - New Years Eve Spectacular: Keep a glass in hand from their premium open bar while the room fills with music and a little mystery. DJ Steve 1Der keeps the groove alive all night long. Classic Big Top touches drift through the space and bring the celebration to life in true Bungalow style. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 101 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.tixr.com/groups/thebungalowsm/events/the-bungalow-santa-monica-new-years-eve-spectacular-163448
New Year's Eve MASSIVE Beach House Music Festival: Ring in 2026 with a large-scale music festival, featuring house music and dancing right in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8p.m., 1212 3rd Street Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/massive-nye-beach-house-music-festival-tickets-1970765777492
New Year's Eve Santa Monica Pub Crawl: Participate in a festive NYE bar crawl, which includes VIP entry and exclusive drink specials at some of Santa Monica's most famous destinations. Wednesday, Dec. 31 eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-new-years-eve-pub-crawl-party-2026-tickets-1145215493369
New Years Eve at Hotel Casa del Mar: Dance your way into 2026 by the sea with a lavish Roaring ’20s–themed New Year’s Eve celebration. General Admission tickets are $225 per person plus tax and gratuity, and include three premium drink tickets, passed appetizers, late-night bites, a midnight champagne toast, and a festive balloon drop. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 9p.m., 1910 Ocean Way eventbrite.com/e/the-new-years-party-of-the-century-at-hotel-casa-del-mar-tickets-1974534400545
Bodega Wine Bar’s New Year’s Eve: No cover bash at 814 Broadway, 8p.m. - 1:30a.m. with a live DJ, drink specials, Jell-O shots and good vibes all night. instagram.com/bodegasantamonica
Champagne at the Stroke of Twelve at The Georgian Room: Enjoy an evening of live musical entertainment, flowing glasses, and celebratory moments that carry us from dinner to the dance floor, and for those staying late, into the new year. They are offering an early seating from 5:30 - 8p.m. and a late seating starting at 8p.m. 1415 Ocean Ave. https://resy.com/cities/santa-monica-ca/venues/the-georgian-room/events/nye-2026-at-the-georgian-room-2025-12-31
Route 66 Centennial Kickoff - The Drive Home VII: As the official Western terminus of Route 66, Santa Monica is expected to host the start of a major vintage car caravan to celebrate the Mother Road's 100th anniversary. This will be a high-profile, historic kickoff event. Saturday, January 3, Santa Monica Pier americasautomotivetrust.org/thedrivehome
ONGOING: Ice at Santa Monica (through Jan. 19); “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions;
What to Eat & Drink?
New Years Eve at Cosetta: Enjoy a four or five-course menu of classical italian elegance — plus caviar, truffles, and hanukkah brisket. 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. cosettala.com/nyebash
New Year’s Eve at Orla by Michael Mina: Celebrate with a four-course meal while overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Orla by Michael Mina. Diners can enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired menu, enjoy live music, followed by a nightcap in the lobby. Sip on complimentary champagne and receive festive party favors when the clock strikes 12. 6pm - 12am; First Seating: $125 per person plus Tax & Gratuity, Second Seating: $175 per person plus Tax & Gratuity. Schedule your reservation HERE.
NYE at Pasjoli: Ring in the New Year with an elegant multi-course French tasting menu, festive holiday flavors, standout cocktails and wines, and a celebratory midnight toast — the perfect upscale NYE. They are offering an early 3-course menu and a late 5-course menu. More details here.
New Years' Eve at Xuntos: For New Year's Eve ("nochevieja") Spanish-style, Xuntos is pulling out all the stops with a celebratory Tapas Tasting feast showcasing seasonal, premium ingredients. Think shellfish, seafood, jamón, caviar y buenos tiempos para todos! Let’s raise a glass together to a maravillosa 2026! 516 Santa Monica Blvd. opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?experienceId=597478&restref=1316665&rid=1316665
Cosetta's New Year's Day Hawaiian BBQ: Enjoy an all you can eat buffet, hula hoops hoedown, 24oz Mai Tai, and more. Thursday, Jan 1, 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. https://www.cosettala.com/nydbbq
Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest: About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. Friday, Jan. 2, starting at 5p.m. https://www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/
HomeState Grand Opening of SaMo Restaurant: HomeState Santa Monica will celebrate its official grand opening on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. 720 Wilshire Blvd. instagram.com/homestate
The Dinner Table at Crudo e Nudo: The Dinner Table is kicking off the new year with a cozy coastal dinner party at Crudo e Nudo , Santa Monica’s local-favorite seafood bar just steps from the beach. This Dinner Table gathering will feature a seasonal, family-style three-course meal and rotating seats to help you meet new people across the table through a dinner party experience. Wednesday, Jan 7, 7pm, 2724 Main St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dinner-table-at-crudo-e-nudo-santa-monica-tickets-1752193882069
Further Afield:
Looking Ahead: LA Art Show (1/7-11); Annual Polar Bear Plunge (1/10); DineLA Restaurant Week (1/23 – 2/6); SaMo Symphony Annual MLK Concert (1/17); Frieze LA Art Show (2/26 - 3/1); DineLA Restaurant Week
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: New Year's Week Food & Events