SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town covers a car free Ocean Ave. Art Festival, citywide jazz festivals, beach house picnics, dessert pizza, and much more!
SMPL at the Beach: Southern California's only beachside pop-up library is heading back to the Beach House for a day of bookish fun in the sun! Sign out books from our beach reads collection (no library card required), make nautical crafts, play games, or kick back, relax and read in our Surfside Lounge. Seaside Storytime at 10:15 a.m., followed by Nautical Crafts, and an interactive musical performance from Sweet Potato Music at 11:30 a.m. For all ages. Friday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 PCH https://www.santamonica.gov/events/4f4chrrsrckhn636b3cj4naqxy/202608071000
FX's 'The Shards' Present: Sunset Sessions at Penmar: From Executive Producer Ryan Murphy, this seductive new drama is set in 1980s Los Angeles and follows a group of glamorous high school seniors drawn into a life of wealth, beauty, parties and excess. Camber guest list will receive free first drink tickets, and an exclusive blanket (all while supplies last!). Friday, Aug 7, 5:30 p.m. tickets.thepenmar.com/e/sunset-sessions-date-4-5-11-8
Free Bean Tattoos: đ«Yes you read that correctly! If youâre a lover of legumes, Heyday (the company making beans cool again) is offering free tattoos of your favorite bean over the weekend. 1306 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice instagram.com/p/DbWIShuBnsl
Santa Monica Summer Craft Showcase: This free local art and design pop-up event features handmade goods and creative designs. Friday - Sunday, Aug. 7 - 9, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-summer-craft-showcase-local-art-design-pop-up-tickets-1993264707397
SMC Planetarium's August shows explore Mars, telescopes and eclipses: It will present live-hosted shows on Friday evenings in August, along with a Sunday Family Matinée on Aug. 16, featuring programs on the Mars rover Curiosity, the Great Observatories, eclipses and moon phases, and the sun. 1900 Pico Blvd. smc.edu/planetarium
Sunset Swim at the Annenberg Beach House: Spend your evening poolside at the historic Annenberg Community Beach House, home to the iconic 1920s Marion Davies estate built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Sunset Swim invites adults to enjoy an evening of swimming, relaxing, and connecting by the sea at our historic and heated pool. Float under the evening sky, unwind with friends old and new, and enjoy complimentary sâmores and pool floaties while taking in the ocean air and sunset views. Friday, Aug. 7, 415 PCH (also Aug. 21) santamonica.gov/events/49c3xhnjw5g4v5918cz3g4735y/202607101800
Santa Monica's New Oceanfront Arts Festival: Ocean Ave. will be car free as it transforms into a vibrant outdoor gallery featuring over 100 California visual artists, live music, an oceanfront wine garden, interactive art experiences, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Saturday, Aug. 8, 1ï»ż1 a.m. - 6 p.m., Ocean Ave. between California & Montana Ave. art-on-ocean.com/santamonica
New Outdoor Music & Movie Series Saturdays at Tongva Park: ï»żSpend your Saturday nights 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. The series kicks off with all-star jazz and ska big band Western Standard Time Orchestra on Aug 8. Saturdays, Aug. 8 - Sept. 12, 7 - 10 p.m., 1615 Ocean Ave.
A Sofar Show with a Creative Twist: đ¶ Live music from some of LA's best and brightest, with craft breaks in between. Get creative, hang with friends, or chat with the artists. The exact location of this intimate, secret concert (where you can picnic outside) will be revealed after you grab your tickets. Saturday, Aug. 8 https://www.sofarsounds.com/events/66006
Wilmont Movies in the Park: The first of 3 monthly free movie screenings is Paddington 2 in Reed Park featuring live music, picnicking, free popcorn for the movie (also Sept. 12 and Oct. 10). Saturday, Aug. 8, 6 p.m., 1133 7th St. wilmont.org
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, Aug. 9, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. instagram.com/theartistfair
The Surfrider Malibu launches 'Sunday Sessions' summer concert series with Aviator Nation Dreamland, Malibu Pier: General admission is free and open to all ages, with access to the Malibu Pier Stage, Dreamland Stage and Dreamland Patio. Guests 21 and older can buy VIP passes for exclusive access to The Surfrider Roof Deck and the Lola Blankets Lounge on Malibu Pier. Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. tixr.com/groups/dreamland/events/sunday-sessions-aug-9-196029
Annenberg Beach House Sunset Picnic - Route 66 Edition: Bring your own picnic and enjoy a relaxed night by the ocean. Come with friends, family, or on your own and join a communal table. There's live music, ocean views, complimentary sâmores (while supplies last) & board games. Thursday, Aug. 13, 5 - 8 p.m., 415 PCH eventbrite.com/e/sunset-picnic-tickets-1989064540585
ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio;
What to Eat & Drink?
The Sunday Table Curry Club: This is a monthly Indian family style dinner on Chelsea's patio, held the second Sunday of each month. Gather around a communal table under the string lights for three courses of shared plates - rotating menu from our families' recipes. Sunday, Aug 9, 6:30 p.m., 2460 Wilshire Blvd. https://resy.com/cities/santa-monica-ca/venues/chelsea/events/sunday-table-curry-club-2026-08-09
Andrew's Cheese Shop's "Premium Pours and Grilled Cheese Night": They're bringing out the good stuff. The bottles you donât usually see on shelves, all in one place. Weâve gathered a lineup of small-batch producers for our premium beverage and grilled cheese pairing event back by popular demand, featuring 4 courses of expertly paired sandwiches, rare beers, sparkling wines, and a show stopping Basque cheesecake finale. Friday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m., 728 Montana Ave. eventbrite.com/e/premium-pours-and-grilled-cheese-night-tickets-1996302677046
Not No Bar on Main St. Featured on The Infatuation's "Most Fun Dinner Spots In LA" List: âA night at Not Bar Bar is frenetic and a bit lawless. Walk into this pizzeria-cocktail bar from the Dudley Market people in Santa Monica and youâll find dates smooshed up against the bar and groups packed into booths. On Friday and Saturday nights, youâll probably have to wait in line for a little bit while DJs spin throwback Euro disco over the hi-fi. A spacious table is never a guarantee, but the reward is excellent tiki-inspired cocktails and bubbly-crusted pizza that goes toe-to-toe with the best on the Westside.â https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/the-most-fun-dinner-spots-in-la
Tartine Bakery List as #1 Croissant in LA: This list crowns both their frangiapane and plain croissants as best in show. instagram.com/p/DbWExQ0iRsb
Prince St. Pizza Debuts Black Currant Apple Pie Dessert Pizza: đđThroughout August, the Black Currant Big Apple Pie Pizza pairs the familiar comfort of apple pie with a black currant drizzle and McCormick Black Currant Finishing Sugar. 326 Lincoln Blvd, Venice princestreetpizza.com
Further Afield: The LA Jazz Festival will spread across the city for 17 days in August, mixing dozens of free neighborhood concerts with a two-night beachfront finale. The festival spans free "Jazz in the Park" concerts, restaurant pop-ups called "Jazz After Dark," a Caribbean Street Carnival in Venice and a closing "Jazz on the Beach" weekend headlined by John Legend, Janelle MonĂĄe, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and Raphael Saadiq. Terrace Martin was among the newest additions to the beach lineup. Aug. 7 - 23 lajazzfestival.com
Looking Ahead: Dine LA Restaurant Week (8/14-28); Main St. Farmers Market in the Street Event (8/23); Thai Fest by the Beach (9/19-20); A Pierfect Benefit (9/19); Ocean Way Festival (9/26-27); Off the Hook Seafood Festival (10/11); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18)
If thereâs 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: Oceanfront Arts Fest, Free Tattoos & Jazz Fest