SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes the Main St. Summer Soulstice Festival,2025 Pride on the Promenade, The Venice Fest, and much more!
Main St. Summer Soulstice Festival: The iconic Summer Soulstice returns with live music, vendors, beer garden, activities for kids & more. Get ready to kick off summer with this FREE, car-free celebration that transforms the street into a pedestrian paradise. Saturday, June 21, 12 - 7p.m. Main St. from Pico Blvd. to the Venice border https://www.mainstreetsm.com/
2025 Pride on the Promenade: Enjoy live music, free swag, games, and more as local orgs + service providers will be out showing love and support. This is a space to celebrate our vibrant identities, uplift one another, and connect with the services that help us thrive! The Entertainment Zone will be fully activated for the first time so kick off the day with a drink from participating businesses starting at 11a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2 - 7p.m., Third St. Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-pride-on-the-promenade-tickets-1364921178989
Rosé & DJ Party Summer Kickoff at Wally's: Celebrate French National Music Day with a day of rosé, live DJ beats, and the lively ambiance of the French Riviera. Sip your way through a curated selection of Provence and Bandol rosés while enjoying games, giveaways, and more. $45. Saturday, June 21, 3 - 5p.m., 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=481831
Make Music LA: Multiple neighborhood organizations are participating, including OPA (on the lawn of the Ocean Park Library at 2601 Main St.), Mid City Neighbors (4-8 p.m. at Colorado Center Park at 26th and Broadway), and NOMA (5 -8 p.m. in Palisades Park on Ocean Ave. at Georgina). Saturday, June 21
The Venice Fest: This is your go-to celebration for the first day of summer — a free, all-ages community event that brings together the best of the Westside in one unforgettable day. Enjoy live music, outdoor yoga, wellness experiences, local artisan vendors, delicious eats, and good vibes under the sun. Saturday, June 21, 12 - 7p.m., 12257 Venice Blvd. https://www.thevenicefest.com/
Pride on the Pier Dance: With the ocean as the backdrop and the Pier as the stage, this unforgettable event brings together the entire community to celebrate love, unity and the beautiful diversity of Santa Monica’s LGBTQIA+ family. A portion of the proceeds from this spectacular event will go directly back into the community, supporting local LGBTQIA+ organizations and initiatives to ensure that the spirit of Pride continues long after the celebration ends. Sunday, June 22, 12 - 8 p.m., Santa Monica Pier https://wl.seetickets.us/event/PRIDE-ON-THE-PIER-SANTA-MONICA/648376?afflky=JustinDavidPresents
Broadway Voices Unite -A Harvest Home Benefit Concert: The event features Broadway and TV stars including Jason Alexander, Rachel Bloom, and Alex Newell, and benefits Harvest Home, a nonprofit supporting homeless pregnant women and their children. Sunday, June 22, 7p.m, Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St. https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/4134/event/1424211
The Crow’s Family Comedy Show: A comedy show, full of fart jokes and silliness, just for families. Tuesday, June 24, 3 - 4 p.m., Montana Branch Community Room, 1704 Montana Ave. https://www.santamonica.gov/events/4k6jkxzm9t5gv624s4ktchytc9/202506241500
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 7/18); Night Market at The Bungalow (through 8/28); Wellness & Waves (through 10/11)
What to Eat & Drink?
Junior Cookies Now Open on Main St.: The beloved West Hollywood bake shop, famous for its fresh, made-to-order bite-size cookies, has officially opened its second location in Santa Monica—moving into the former Sweet Rose Creamery space and offering rotating flavors like Banana Pudding, KitKat Tiramisu, and Salted Almond Chocolate Chip. 2726 Main St. https://www.instagram.com/thejuniorcookies
Brunch at Birdie G's is Back: The menu includes favorites like their matzo ball soup, hangtown brei, bruleed brioche, Birdie burger, and more. Starting Saturday, June 21 https://resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/birdiegs
Bottomless Mimosas Saturdays at Edgemar: Every Saturday from 11a.m. -4p.m., they are offering endless mimosas fo $19 per hour, plus boozy brunch favorites along with live Music by Chase Hall. 2435 Main St. https://www.instagram.com/edgemar.restaurant
Fitoor Collab with Chef Aarthi Sampath: The NY-based renowned chef, food truck expert, and TV personality is teaming up with Fitoor’s Executive Chef Surya Kumar to create a four-course immersive dining experience. Each course will offer guests two dishes - one created by each chef. $105 / person. Sunday, June 22 https://www.instagram.com/fitoor_santamonica/
Wally’s Rosé & DJ Party: Celebrate French National Music Day with a day of rosé, live DJ beats, and the lively ambiance of the French Riviera. Sip your way through a curated selection of Provence and Bandol rosés while enjoying games, giveaways, and more. $45. Saturday, June 21 3p.m., 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=481831
Bay Cities Deli Re-Opens: The deli was abruptly shut down three weeks ago, on May 21, by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health due to multiple health violations, including alleged evidence of a "rodent and insect infestation." Inspectors cited the deli for 13 violation points, 11 of which were classified as major. The closure left loyal customers without access to the popular Godmother sandwich and other Italian staples that have made the Lincoln Blvd store a local institution. https://smdp.com/breaking-news/finally-some-good-news-bay-cities-deli-is-back-open/
How did Pasjoli flip from being a fancy prix-fixe restaurant to reopen as casual in just two weeks? This LA Times report is a play-by-play coverage of the project where Pasjoli reopened this past weekend after a two-week closure meant to reset and rebrand the lauded Main St. restaurant. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-06-12/pasjoli-reopening-behind-the-scenes-story
Further Afield:Miznon Opens at Grand Central Market in Downtown LA: Chef Eyal Shani’s celebrated Mediterranean street‑food concept from Tel Aviv has opened its first West Coast location, serving its signature stuffed pitas—such as charred cauliflower with tahini, smash‑burger-style cheeseburger, and a steak & egg version—alongside non‑pita dishes like lamb kebabs and brisket platters. 317 South Broadway, 11a.m. – 9p.m.
Looking Ahead: SaMo Chamber of Commerce "Toast to 100 Years" (6/26); Eeeeeatscon (6/28-29); 'Pier 360' Beach Festival (6/28-29); Main St. 4th of July Parade (7/4); Summer Venice Beach Run (7/19)
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: So Many Festivals!