SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes State of the City, Santa Monica Music Festival,Blue Plate Oysterette Community Dinner Series, & National Ice Cream Day, and much more!
State of the City Event: A Celebration of Resilience and Growth: Putting a new spin on the State of the City tradition, the evening will start with an opening reception inside the Miles Memorial Playhouse, offering light refreshments, city information displays and a chance to meet and connect with Mayor Lana Negrete and incoming City Manager Oliver Chi. The reception will be followed by live performances in the park, tours of the Playhouse, a beer garden by Santa Monica Brew Works, interactive city department booths across Reed Park including a prize wheel, a succulent giveaway, police officers on horseback, a fire truck and more. Thursday, July 17, 4 - 7 p.m., Christine Emerson Reed Park & Miles Memorial Playhouse https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-of-the-city-a-celebration-of-resilience-and-growth-tickets-1388453233999
Sunset Picnic at Annenberg Community Beach House: Grab your picnic basket and your favorite people - or come solo and join a communal table - and enjoy a sunset evening at the beach. Vibe to musical duos and take in the glow of the summer sunset while enjoying complimentary s'mores and fun activities! Check out their calendar of events – including sunset swims, community picnics, youth/adult classes & more. Thursday, July 17, 5 - 8p.m., 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-sunset-picnic-tickets-1412856324299
Santa Monica Music Festival: A new classical music festival will make its debut this summer in Santa Monica, offering four days of performances that blend contemporary compositions with beloved classics just steps from the Pacific Ocean. July 17-20, 1220 2nd St., First Presbyterian Church https://www.kco.la/events
Hammer Summer Concerts: See live concerts in the Hammer’s courtyard for free and enjoy happy hour, late gallery hours, art-making, and more. Thursday, Jul 17, 6:30 p.m., 10899 Wilshire Blvd. https://hammer.ucla.edu/programs-events/2025/dummy-maral-and-djs-peaking-lights
SaMo Library Summer Film Series: The Greatest Showman: Enjoy this exuberant musical based on the life of legendary circus impresario P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman. Stick around after for a bit of Barnum and circus-themed trivia and discussion. Friday, Jul 18, 1:30 - 3:30p.m., Pico Branch Library 2201 Pico Blvd. https://www.santamonica.gov/events/4f68mrzzgbhh0x8rhpnw0r394f/202507181330
Summer Venice Beach Run: The race is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities and is the the only race that starts and finishes out over the water on the iconic Venice Beach Pier (3100 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA). Saturday, July 19.Participants can sign up for the fast + flat 5K at 8:30a.m. or the Speedy 1 Miler at 10a.m. https://laparksfoundation.org/laparks_events/venice-beach-run-2025/
Gather & Grow: ¡Viva La Cultura! A Celebration of Latine Arts and Culture: This biweekly series at Christine Emerson Reed Park invites families to enjoy hands-on artmaking, live music and interactive performances. Saturday, July 19, 4p.m., 1130 Lincoln Blvd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/viva-la-cultura-a-celebration-of-latine-arts-and-culture-tickets-1435990559419
Annual Pickle Me Silly at Ishihara Park Learning Garden: They will demonstrate a quick and easy refrigerator Sweet Pickle, with attendees able taking supplies home to try making some easy pickles. Fun for people of all ages. Saturday, July 19. Garden opens at 9 AM for exploration and community breakfast. Pickling demonstration begins at 10a.m. 2909 Exposition Blvd. https://www.santamonica.gov/places/community-gardens/ishihara-park-learning-garden
Wizard School at the Getty Scavenger Hunt: Explore the magical side of the Getty Center on a hunt for art and artifacts that recall the fantastic beasts and enchanting adventures of the wizardly world. You will find art and artifacts that remind you of forbidden forests, Dementors, House mascots, Death Eaters, the Dark Lore, and more. Saturday, July 19, 4 p.m. https://watsonadventures.com/hunt/the-wizard-school-los-angeles-scavenger-hunt/
Library Celebrates Women of Marvel Comics with Author Event: The event features YALLWEST Book Festival co-founder and Santa Monica-based author Margaret Stohl, along with co-authors Judith Stephens and Jeanine Schaefer, presenting their new book "Super Visible: The Story of the Women of Marvel Comics." Thursday, July 24, 6 - 8 p.m., Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. https://smpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
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?
Rustic Canyon Weiser Family Farms Farmers Market Dinner: Celebrate a 4-course meal from Chef Elijah Deleon highlighting produce from one of their closest partners, Weiser Family Farms. This will be a 20-person, family-style dinner served in their back garden patio. Thursday, July 17, 6:30p.m., 1119 Wilshire Blvd. https://resy.com/cities/los-angeles-ca/venues/rustic-canyon/events/weiser-family-farms-garden-dinner-2025-07-17
Sunday, July 20 is National Ice Cream Day: Yes, this is a thing! And it’s just the escapist thing we may need right now!
- Jeni’s Launching “Super Fun Times” Summer Collection: Enjoy such flavors as Toasted S’mores, Watermelon Taffy, Strawberry Pretzel Pie, and Popcorn Brittle. And on July 20, their new Sundae Fudge Sauce is FREE with any order. 64 Windward Ave, Venice https://jenis.com/pages/super-fun-times
- McConnell’s x See’s Collab: Enjoy three limited-edition flavors—each one blending See’s confections with McConnell’s ice cream. The flavors are Brown Sugar with Milk Bordeaux, PB&J with Peanut Butter Patties, and Strawberry with Strawberry Creams. 1456 3rd Street Promenade https://mcconnells.com/
- Salt & Straw is Making it "National Ice Cream Week": Enjoy specials throughout the week, including new toppings, launching Strawberry Shortcake Waffle Cone, and getting a digital scratch off card on Sunday with prizes. 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Blue Plate Oysterette Community Dinner Series: Join a gourmet dinner at sunset for $29. Enjoy a chef-curated meal, mingle with your Santa Monica neighbors, and soak in the sunset from our communal table. This month the featured dish will be Idaho Trout with a puttanesca sauce, greek salad, and roasted potatoes. Monday, July 21, 6 - 8p.m., 1355 Ocean Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bpo-community-dinner-series-tickets-1474663491199
Wally's Casa Dragones Experience Tasting: Hosted by Brenda Gallardo, you’ll explore four expressions of Casa Dragones: Joven, Añejo, Reposado, and Blanco, along side Mexican-inspired small plates by Chef David Féau and Chef Alan Martinez. $60. Wednesday, July 23, 5p.m., 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=513657
Multiple SaMo Bakeries on The Infatuation's "The Best Cookies In LA" List: The Chocolate Chip at Petitgrain Boulangerie (1209 Wilshire Blvd.), Caramel-Pretzel-Chocolate Chunk at Cookie Good (2448 Wilshire Blvd.), The Peanut Butter Cookie at Bristol Farms (3105 Wilshire Blvd.) all get recognition. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-cookies-la
Displaced by Wildfires, the Palisades Community Finds a Slice of Home as Cinque Terre West Reopens in Venice: Palisades wildfire survivors Marlo and chef Gianbattista “Gianba” Vinzoni opened in the former Bluestone Lane at 523 Rose Ave. https://la.eater.com/restaurant-openings/285761/cinque-terre-west-reopens-venice-palisades-community-los-angeles
Dine LA Restaurant Week: It kicks off next weekend and from July 25 – Aug 8, so make your reservations now for deals on set menus. Dozens of SaMo eateries are participating, including Blue Plate Oysterette, Edgemar Restaurant, Fia, Fig, Fitoor, Lunetta, Mélisse, Orla, Socalo, and dozens more. https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela
Further Afield: Festival Beverly Hills: Join a vibrant day of music, dance, interactive workshops, and culinary delights that showcase the rich tapestry of many cultures from around the world. Sunday, July 20, 12 - 6p.m., Beverly Gardens Park 9439 Santa Monica Blvd. https://beverlyhills.org/1335/Festival-Beverly-Hills---July-20
Looking Ahead: National Night Out (8/5); Festival of Chariots (8/3); Thai Fest by the Beach (9/20-21); Abbot Kinney Festival (9/28); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18)
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: State of the City & National Ice Cream Day!