SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Pier Boxing, Main Street Sunday Funday Street Event, Montana Ave. Dog Daze of Summer Event, Sunset Swims, Mahjong Classes, and much more!
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, Aug. 20, 6p.m. veniceartcrawl.com
Bombas Venice Store Opening: To celebrate the opening, Bombas will give its first 150 customers a pair of exclusive Sushi Socks. 🧦 Friday, Aug. 21, 1140 Abbot Kinney Blvd. instagram.com/bombas
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 their historic and heated pool. Float under the evening sky, unwind with friends old and new, and enjoy complimentary s’mores and pool floaties while taking in the ocean air and sunset views. Friday, Aug. 21, 415 PCH santamonica.gov/events/426hjtf67wfff7r8y1ypwkx6c5/202608211800
Introduction to Mahjong with Mahjong Mistress: Santa Monica Public Library launches a new monthly Mahjong series with an afternoon of guided play, community gathering, and cultural learning hosted by Mahjong Mistress. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2:30 p.m., Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. santamonica.gov/events/45kmadhkp674g6w9mns9k55knp/202608221430
Dog Daze of Summer on Montana Ave.: The event encourages you to “Bring your furry best friend for a day of shopping, treats, and giveaways as you explore the charming boutiques and restaurants along Montana Ave.” Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. instagram.com/montanaavesm
Pickleball Speed Dating: You can snag a spectator seat to cheer on the players in a pickleball tournament that’s doubling as speed dating. Saturday, Aug. 22 3 - 5 p.m., SaMo Pickleball Center (1330 4th St.); Post-tourney drinks at Barney’s Beanery (1351 3rd St. Promenade) instagram.com/p/Dbn7YhwKj4o
New Outdoor Music & Movie Series Saturdays at Tongva Park: Spend 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. This week, Son Mayor will bring its high-energy salsa orchestra to Tongva Park, complete with a complimentary salsa lesson before the performance. Saturdays, through Sept. 12, 7 - 10 p.m., 1615 Ocean Ave. santamonica.gov/events/tongva-twilight-sounds-cinema-series
Marina Movie Nights: Grab your family, a picnic dinner, and a blanket or low-profile beach chairs and make your way to Burton Chace Park for the free Summer Concerts presented by the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors on select Saturdays from August 22 to September 26, 2026. Movies start at 8 p.m. but arrive by 7 to pick out your spot on the lawn. Free admission. visitmdr.com/annual-events/marina-movie-nights
Blockprint Music & Arts Festival: A full-day 21+ street festival taking over Abbot Kinney with live dance music, art, and food while keeping local storefronts open. Saturday, Aug. 22, starting at 3:00 p.m. tixr.com/groups/blockprint
Butterfly Brawl Returns to Santa Monica Pier: Local boxing returns to the oceanfront as Westside Boxing Club hosts the 2026 Butterfly Brawl directly on the iconic Santa Monica Pier deck. This outdoor amateur boxing showcase features a full card of competitive local bout matchups, food vendors, and ocean views. Saturday, Aug. 22; 4 p.m. Santa Monica Pier deck southerncaliforniaboxing.com
Main St. Farmers Market in the Street Event: This Sunday, the Main Street Farmers Market hits the Street for a very special Sunday Fun Day event! Main St. will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. with more than a dozen food vendors expected and the Entertainment Zone activated for people who want to enjoy an adult beverage on the street. Expect live music and DJs all day and a Kid Zone on the lawn featuring City Council Members.
Wellness on the Westside: Spend the day exploring fitness classes, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, sound baths, and recovery treatments. Sip healthy bevs and bites, discover new self-care favorites, and collect stamps in your Wellness Passport for prizes and giveaways. You'll also receive complimentary professional beauty portraits and enjoy a mindful flower market. Sunday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santa Monica Place eventbrite.com/e/wellness-on-the-westside-tickets-1994242947339
Laughs by the Sea: Gladstones Launches Malibu's New Weekly Comedy Night: The series is hosted by comedian Lawrence Thomas and features a rotating lineup of established comedians and surprise special guests in one of Southern California's most iconic oceanfront settings. Comedy Hang Ten brings live stand-up to the beach, offering guests the chance to enjoy dinner, drinks, sunset views and a comedy show all in one evening. Show starts at 8pm. instagram.com/gladstonesmalibu
Weekly Western Wednesdays Line Dancing at Santa Monica Place: No prior dance experience is required, and attendees are encouraged to bring enthusiasm and comfortable shoes. FREE. Every Wednesday through Aug. 26, 6 - 8 p.m., 395 Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza.
ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio;
What to Eat & Drink?
Dine LA Restaurant Week Continues (Now Through Aug. 28): LA’s premier dining event is back for two full weeks of culinary exploration. Dozens of Westside and Santa Monica favorites are rolling out special multi-course lunch and dinner menus at fixed price points ranging from $15 to $65+. Whether you're looking to revisit an iconic neighborhood staple, check out a newly opened concept, or splurge on a Michelin-starred tasting menu, it’s the perfect excuse to skip cooking and sample the city's best kitchens. Here are some SaMo offerings and you can browse menus and make reservations directly at discoverlosangeles.com/dinela.
Cheers to 80 Years! Hot Dog on a Stick Celebrates National Lemonade Day with 80-Cent Lemonade 🍋🎉On Thursday, Aug. 20, guests who purchase any Original Hot Dog on a Stick or Cheese on a Stick at can get a 16 oz. Original Fresh Hand-Stomped Lemonade for just 80 cents. 1633 Ocean Front Walk hotdogonastick.com
Nespresso x Caffè Panna Venice Pop-Up: The New York ice cream shop is teaming up with Nespresso for a three-day pop-up at 57 Windward from Aug. 21 - Aug. 23, 10 a.m. - 4p.m. daily. The event will feature three limited-edition offerings created for the collaboration. The signature Stracciatella Iced Coffee is made with Nespresso’s Double Espresso Dolce and other flavors include Coconut Double Espresso Crunch and Raspberry Yuzu Swirl. instagram.com/caffepanna
Origins Culinary Series: An Evening in the Napa Garden with Caymus: Indulge in an exclusive multi-course wine dinner celebrating the iconic pours of Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards. The evening pairs seasonal garden dishes with select Caymus vintages, highlighting the vineyard's rich winemaking heritage in an intimate outdoor setting. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m., 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey eventbrite.com/e/origins-culinary-series-an-evening-in-the-napa-garden-with-caymus-tickets-1995603765583
Farmer's Market Mimosa Flight at Calabra: Santa Monica Proper's rooftop restaurant Calabra introduces a farmer's market-inspired mimosa flight during weekend brunch. Guests get to mix and match seasonal juice combinations with champagne, alongside an elevated brunch menu featuring standouts like tomatillo green shakshuka, Greek fries, and olive oil cake topped with Gaviota strawberries. properhotel.com/santa-monica/restaurants-bars/calabra/
Three SaMo Places Make The Infatuation's "Best Sandwich Shops In LA" List: Of course Bay Cities is represented, but they also give love to Bread Head (1518 Montana Ave) and Lady & Larder (828 Pico Blvd). Describing Bread Head: "LA is flooded with fancy focaccia sandwiches. But it only takes one bite of the pork-stuffed Combo Grinder to know this spot is doing something special. This glass box of a sandwich shop bakes its loaves daily, blending the soft, airy innards of focaccia and a crackly glazed ciabatta that shines like a polished penny." theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-sandwich-shops-in-la
Looking Ahead: 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)
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