SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes the City’s 150th Grand Finale Celebration, The Fairmont’s Meet me Under the Fig Tree Event, Bergamot Station Annual Winter Open House, Taylor Swift’s Birthday at Ice Santa Monica, & and much more!
Pickle n Tequila x Sushi Roku Off the Court Holiday Party: Join the Pickle N’ Tequila community at Sushi Roku to celebrate the Holiday Season. Mingle with the community, WIN raffle prizes and dive into the exclusive extended Happy Hour menu. Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-9p.m., Sushi Roku, 1401 Ocean Ave. instagram.com/p/DRxPfRkDwbY/
Burlesque Holiday Edition at Massilia: Enjoy Burlesque, Cabaret, Pole Danding, Live DJ, and more. Table Reservations are $15 and free to view from the bar. Thursday, Dec. 11, 9 - 11p.m., 1445 4th St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burlesque-holiday-edition-massilia-tickets-1968324595852
DMN8 on Ice Holiday Party: ⛸️❄️Join them for an evening of holiday cheer 🎄, community, and charity - all with a little taste of winter magic at the rink at Ice at Santa Monica. Food and drink will be available for purchase. 🍔🍺 🎟️ Cost of entry is a toy donation and admission includes skate rental. 🧸 All donations go to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Friday, December 12, 4 - 7p.m., 1324 5th St. instagram.com/dmn8_gym
SaMoHi Winter Choral Concert: The 20th annual "Motus Perpetuus," a unique Concert of Perpetual Motion, will feature all 5 school choirs. During the concert, students move throughout Barnum Hall as they perform. Friday, Dec. 12, 7p.m. samohichoir.org/index.php/events/public-concerts-and-events/winter-concert
Virginia Avenue Park Mini Winter Festival: Pico Farmers Market and Virginia Avenue Park are hosting a mini winter festival featuring artist booths, face painting, live music, Pico merchants, and a glass art sale from Santa Monica College art studio. Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. – 12p.m., 2200 Virginia Ave. instagram.com/p/DR2xFGSCWrr
SaMo Venice Christmas Run (5K/10K): The 48th annual Christmas Run is the “jolliest run in SoCal,” inviting thousands of festive runners, many in costume, to dash from Santa Monica down the Venice Beach boardwalk and back. All participants receive holiday swag, nisher medals and enjoy a nish-line holiday bash with treats and beverages. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 – 10a.m. christmasrun.com
Bergamot Station Annual Winter Open House: This is a free event focusing on community engagement with live entertainment, a sustainable car free zone with fine art gallery exhibitions, receptions, curator walk throughs, artist talks, food, entertainment, and Wine Garden. Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., bergamotstation.com/bergamot-open-25
Baby Winter Ball: Sing, dance, and play until naptime! Little ones are invited to dress up and have a ball (and play with some, too). For ages 0 - 2. Saturday, Dec 13, 11a.m. - 12pm., Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd. santamonica.gov/events/4w3kej2270ggk2qb69ky70k4de/202512131100
SaMo 150th Anniversary Grand Finale Celebration: The City closes out its 150th anniversary year with a grand finale community festival and cultural celebration on the Third Street Promenade. The free event will bring residents, partners, and visitors together for an afternoon of live entertainment, local art, history exhibits, and family-friendly activities celebrating the city’s past, present, and future. Saturday, Dec. 13, 12 – 5 p.m. celebrating150.com
Annual LoveBug & Me Holiday Pajama Day Sing-Along: This festive, family-friendly event for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers, features live music, dance, parachute play, sensory stations, a take home art project, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. Our interactive concert includes Christmas, Hanukkah, and winter holiday favorites. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2:30 – 4p.m., Tongva Park, https://lovebugandme.com/event/holiday-sing-alongs/
Book Talk with Gordon Ramsey’s Next Level Chef Winner Pyet DeSpain: In her debut cookbook, Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking, she shares her joy of cooking fueled by her burning passion for Indigenous cuisine. Pyet joins a special guest moderator to share some of the stories, traditions, culture, and profound Indigenous philosophies found in her book, and that season every meal. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2:30 - 4:30p.m., Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. https://www.santamonica.gov/events/43ab9n4exzr191xy2d1nv6c9c8/202512131430
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade: This year’s theme is “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and approx 25,000 people are expected for the 63rd Annual Boat Parade, with festivities at various viewing spots like Fisherman’s Village and Burton Chace Park. Saturday, Dec. 13 https://mdrboatparade.org
Taylor Swift’s Birthday at Ice Santa Monica: ‘Tis the damn season to celebrate TayTay’s birthday! Show up in your favorite era’s style (or cardigan). First (50) skaters per session will receive a friendship bracelet. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1324 5th St. https://iceatsantamonica.com/santa-monica-events/
LA Master Chorale English Cathedral Christmas: Celebrate the holiday season with the GRAMMY® Award-winning Los Angeles Master Chorale, hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “the finest-by-far major chorus in America.” Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30p.m., 1310 11th St. https://broadstage.org/tickets-shows/calendar/los-angeles-master-chorale/
Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl: Crawl for a Cause at the Largest Holiday Crawl on the West Coast! Join Thousands of Crawlers and Help Those in Need for the Holidays with visiting over 20 of the best bars and restaurants in Santa Monica. Saturday, Dec. 13. https://santamonicapubcrawl.com/
Venice Christmas Street Fair: The fair will close 3rd Ave between Rose Ave and Sunset Ave for artists and small businesses. Sunday, Dec. 14, 9:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. instagram.com/reel/DR5RlorkltG
Meet Me Under The Fig Tree: Expect photos with Santa under the Fig Tree, Cookie decorating, arts & crafts, bounce house & snow machine, live tunes & special performances by the SaMo High Orchestra + master pianist Jason Pelsey, eats from FIG, Emporium Thai, BOA Steak, Sushi Roku, Chef Luigi Fineo, Michael’s & Shake Shack, meet the SMDP horses and check out the fire truck showcase. FREE. Sunday, Dec. 14, 1:00 - 4:00p.m., Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/events/meet-me-under-the-fig-tree/
AJA Vineyards Candle Making & Wine Tasting: Join owner of Glassed Over Taylor for a fun candle making class. Sip on AJA wines while you create one of their classic up-cycle candles with your selected scents. Includes workshop, candle and 2 glasses of wine. Sunday, Dec. 14, 2-5p.m., 1417 2nd St. https://ajavineyards.orderport.net/product-details/0201/Candle-Making-Workshop
Nightly Menorah Lightings on the Third Street Promenade: They begin on the first night of Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 14, and run for eight joyous nights through Sunday, Dec. 14, 5 - 7p.m., 1300 Block Third Street Promenade https://downtownsm.com/holiday-happenings
Jane Lynch's A Swingin' Little Christmas: This hilarious and heartwarming holiday extravaganza promises to be a delightful blend of comedy and music, ensuring a ‘swingin’ good time. The group has brought their joyful banter to audiences across the country, with their holiday album “A Swingin’ Little Christmas” hitting Billboard’s Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart. Hollywood Digest calls it “captivating,” the comedy “spectacular” and the vibe “absolutely precious.” Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7:30p.m.,1310 11th St. https://broadstage.org/tickets-shows/calendar/jane-lynchs-a-swingin-little-christmas/
ONGOING: Ice at Santa Monica (through Jan. 19); “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions
What to Eat & Drink?
Viceroy Debuting Après Surf Lounge: The seasonal pop-up transforms the hotel’s palm-tree-surrounded outdoor terrace into a stylish winter escape. The destination will celebrate its public opening on with a live DJ and a retail pop-up. Kicking off from 6p.m., hotel guests and visitors alike will be able to enjoy coastal-inspired beats as they discover an edited collection of vintage books, surf coded luxury, and other covetable vintage pieces that blur the lines between beach culture and high fashion. Thursday, Dec. 11, 1819 Ocean Ave. instagram.com/viceroysm
Gnarwhal After Hours Party: Come join an exclusive after hours at Gnarwhal Coffee with wine (& more) by their sister shop, companion, paired with a curated set of holiday music that is sure to keep you moving! Wear your favorite holiday sweater or santa hat to receive 50% your first glass of vino, or 25% off a bottle! 🍷 Friday, Dec 12 6:30 – 9p.m., 3101 Main St. https://partiful.com/e/2HWHVBdCnOV8m5O1DgJX
Juneshine X Vino Y Vinyl X Heavy Handed Pop-Up: A unique collaborative event featuring craft hard kombucha from JuneShine, vinyl music, and food from the acclaimed Main St. burger spot. Saturday, Dec. 13, 5 - 9p.m., 2914 Main St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneshine-x-vino-y-vinyl-x-heavy-handedwine-live-music-food-tickets-1970011207553
HomeState Opening SaMo Restaurant Tuesday: On Tuesday, Dec. 16, HomeState will soft open to the public at 7a.m., welcoming the community into their new location with special holiday festivities. HomeState Santa Monica will celebrate its official grand opening on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. 720 Wilshire Blvd. instagram.com/p/DSAufFfD2JH
Jyan Isaac Bakery Holiday Panettone: One of the best bakeries in the City is offering a traditional Italian holiday treat packaged in a beautifully designed custom box. I can vouch for how great the chocolate version is! Now through Dec. 31, 1620 Ocean Park Blvd. http://jyanisaacbread.com/products/panettone-classico
Rustic Canyon’s on The Infatuation’s Best Dishes in LA List: Rustic Canyon's seasonal menu shifts with the Santa Monica Farmers Market, so if a dish sticks around—like this chocoflan covered in passionfruit caramel—it should tell you something. Equal parts custardy flan and chocolate cake, this dessert is a two-in-one showstopper. Three-in-one, actually, if you count the sticky sauce on top. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-dishes-infatuation-la-november-2025?lid
Update on Gott’s Roadside Santa Monica Opening: An email from their PR team said it is "NOW OPENING SUMMER 2026" at 401 Wilshire Blvd. "Spanning 6,600 square feet of indoor space and 2,200 square feet of outdoor patio space, [in the space] formerly home to Osteria."
Further Afield: Deck the Hall Holiday Concerts returns to the Walt Disney Concert Hall from Dec. 5 - 31. This annual celebration brings together a diverse lineup of performances perfect for all ages, featuring everything from jazz and chamber music to family-friendly movie screenings. It’s the perfect way to gather your loved ones and usher in the most wonderful time of the year right here in Downtown Los Angeles. laphil.com/concerts-and-events/festivals/deck-the-hall-and-winter-wonderland-2526
Looking Ahead: NYE East Coast Countdown Celebration @ Ice at Santa Monica (12/31); LA Art Show (Jan 7-11); DineLA Restaurant Week (1/23 – 2/6)
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 Winter Festivals!