SUB HEAD: SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Thai Fest, Douglas Day 2025, & Locals Night Returns, and much more!
Pier Locals Night: Local's Night is back with a Reggae-themed evening offering live entertainment including a classic car show, youth activities, art exhibits, DJs, and several reggae performances. FREE. Thursday, Sept. 18, 3:30 - 10p.m. https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight
Paint & Sip at Sunset, Paired with Bottomless Bubbles: Enjoy a guided paint experience, bottomless bubbles, charcuterie & sunset views at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Local artist Harmony Harris of Wandering Brushes will walk you through a painting activity while you sip bottomless bubbles and enjoy artisanal cheese and charcuterie. All levels are welcome, just bring your creativity. $50. 21+ Thursday, Sept. 18, 5:30 - 7:30p.m., 101 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-sip-at-sunset-tickets-1618800177909
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵: Dive into authentic Thai flavors, enjoy the most vibrant of vibes, and experience cultural performances—all in one place all weekend. FREE. Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 20 & 21, 12 – 8:00p.m., Santa Monica Pier instagram.com/thaifestbythebeach
Douglas Day 2025: This community celebration honors the legacy of innovation at Santa Monica Airport and the heroic first responders of the 2025 LA wildfires, presented by the Spirit of Santa Monica. From thrilling aircraft and STEAM-powered discovery zones to live music, tasty bites, and hands-on fun for all ages, this event is your ticket to a day of inspiration, imagination, and aviation magic. Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Santa Monica Airport https://www.spiritofsantamonica.org
LA Girls Book Club Beach Picnic: Bring your book, a blanket, and make a day of it (even if you didn't finish reading). Saturday, Sept. 20, 1p.m. https://partiful.com/e/MxQ5xTv3NfCLwBnO4Ux7
Gather & Grow: East Never Loses with Feminist Center for Creative Work: This biweekly series at Christine Emerson Reed Park invites families to enjoy hands-on artmaking, live music and interactive performances. Saturday, Sept. 20, 4p.m., 1130 Lincoln Blvd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-never-loses-with-feminist-center-for-creative-work-tickets-1475437125159
Broadstage: The Reverend Shawn Amos Dance Party: This show opens the 2025/26 season by inviting everyone onto the dance floor! Join the joyful bluesman for a night of classic 1960s dance and rhythm & blues, plus favorites from his own catalogue—and as always, he has a few festive surprises waiting. If you have ever seen The Rev perform, you know that no two performances are alike—and you are guaranteed to be dancing. Saturday, Sept 20, 8p.m., 1310 11th St. https://broadstage.org/tickets-shows/calendar/the-reverend-shawn-amos-dance-party/
Mega Mahjong at the Park: Join East Never Loses, the Feminist Center for Creative Work (FCCW), and the City of Santa Monica Parks for an exciting event where you can play with giant lifesize mahjong tiles—a viral sensation sweeping across Asia. Saturday, Sept. 20, 4 - 7p.m., Christine Emerson Reed Park, 1133 7th St. https://www.santamonica.com/event/mega-mahjong-at-the-park/
Cinema Sundays at Sunset on the Promenade: ET: This summer, Third Street Promenade transforms into Santa Monica's most charming outdoor movie theater every weekend. Sunday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m., in front of the Apple Store, 1415 3rd Street Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-sundays-at-sunset-tickets-1588204385069
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Wellness & Waves (through 10/11); Weekly Western Wednesday Line Dancing (through 10/29); Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 10/31)
What to Eat & Drink?
Soso Club Presents: Kombucha, But Make It Flirty & 30+: Enjoy a Kombucha singles mixer at Juneshine. 🧋Your ticket includes access to a private 30+ singles-only party w/ an open bar (includes beer + wine), mingling and activities. 2914 Main St.
Baked SoCal, Manifold Bakery, and Anomaly Coffee PopUp Bakery: They are joining forces for a one-day pop-up. 🥧 Saturday, Sept. 20, 10a.m. - Sell Out, 12813 Venice Blvd.
Monica Cafe Opens Downtown: Everything looks soooo fresh here, from the espresso tonic to all the dishes made with ingredients 100% sourced from the farmer's market. ☕️508 Santa Monica Blvd. https://www.instagram.com/monicacafe.la/
Breakfast by Salts Cure Listed #1 on LA TImes' Best Pancakes in LA List:"I almost hesitate to call these pancakes, and in fact, the official name on the menu is “Oatmeal Griddle Cakes.” Made from a base of oat flour and cinnamon sugar, these thin-yet-hearty griddle cakes taste like a deeply gooey, slightly underbaked oatmeal cookie. There is absolutely no maple syrup or syrup of any kind available, but you won’t need any if you are careful to get the scoops of cinnamon molasses butter into every nook and cranny." 🥞714 Montana Ave. https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-09-14/where-to-find-great-pancakes-in-los-angeles
Hermanito Opens Downtown: The Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant opened at the former Swingers location at 802 Broadway. Originally founded by co-owner Amal Flores, the restaurant brings together a tapestry of Los Angeles cultures by blending Mexican and Japanese cuisine. 🌮🍣 https://smdp.com/lifestyle/food/hermanito-brings-japanese-mexican-fusion-neighborhood-ambiance-to-satna-monica/
Jon + Vinny's and Sidecar Donuts Collab: Fans can vote for one of two limited-edition donuts in the Flavor Showdown to decide which one deserves a spot on the daily menu. Try Hazelnut Mocha Crunch from 9/17 - 9/21 and cast your winning vote by 9/22. 🍩 631 Wilshire Blvd.
Further Afield:LA Smorgasburg: Fresh Picks Beer Fest: The first-ever “Beer Fest” edition of Smorgasburg, featuring a large selection of craft & hop-centric beers, local breweries, food vendors & live DJs. Sunday, Sept. 21, ROW DTLA, 777 S. Alameda St. https://la.smorgasburg.com/calendar
Looking Ahead: The Other Art Fair (9/25-28); Oktoberfest on the Promenade (9/27); Montana Ave. Art Walk (9/27); Tech St. Santa Monica (10/13); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18); OTH Santa Monica Seafood Festival (10/19)
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: Thai Fest, Douglas Day 2025, & Locals Night Returns