SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes a punk-rock Pier party, Thai food by the beach, a new Santa Monica bakery, Eater's biggest LA food event, coastal cleanup efforts, National Geographic Live at BroadStage, and much more!
Locals' Night at the Santa Monica Pier - Punk Night Takes Over: Locals’ Night returns to the Santa Monica Pier with a decidedly punk-rock kickoff to the new season. The free evening features live sets from Implicit Bias, Horny Toad and Riptide Band, plus salsa dancing, a classic car meet, DJ Cee Rock, local vendors, an art exhibition and more. Thursday, Sept. 17, 3:30–10 p.m., Santa Monica Pier. santamonicapier.org/localsnight-sept
National Geographic Live Diving the Great Barrier Reef at BroadStage: Enjoy an immersive presentation on diving and protecting the Great Barrier Reef, featuring stunning photography and first-person stories from marine explorers. Thursday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., 1310 11th St. broadstage.org
Pizza, Lucius & a Very Good Thursday: Indie music platform The Wild Honey Pie brings its signature Pizza Party to The Eden with an intimate, stripped-down performance by indie-pop band Lucius accompanied by a string trio. Even better, the evening includes unlimited pizza from a Paulie Gee x Chef Gabi Chappel collaboration. Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., The Eden, 1301 Ocean Ave. Free with RSVP. thewildhoneypie.com
Marina Movie Nights - Addams Family Values: 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 through Sept. 26. 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
Coastal Cleanup Day: Trade your beach towel for a trash bag and help clean Santa Monica Beach as part of Heal the Bay's annual Coastal Cleanup Day. The worldwide event brings volunteers to more than 60 sites across L.A. County. Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.–noon, Santa Monica Beach. healthebay.org/coastalcleanupday
Mexican Ballet Folklórico at the Santa Monica Library: The library kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with a live Mexican ballet folklórico performance, the traditional regional dances of Mexico in full color and full skirts. Saturday, Sept. 19, 12 - 2 p.m., Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Blvd. santamonica.gov/events/4j6frm206rv37yq7fmeq2bcvmy/202609191200
Thai Fest Takes Over the Pier: The Santa Monica Pier transforms into a two-day Thai street market featuring regional food vendors, Muay Thai demonstrations, traditional dance, live music, Thai makers and a performance troupe traveling from Bangkok. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19–20, 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Santa Monica Pier. thaifestbythebeach.com
Habits of Waste: World Record Tennis Ball Recycling: Celebrate the Guinness World Record for collecting tennis balls for recycling. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2 – 4 p.m., Reed Park (1150 Lincoln Blvd.) https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E357721&id=71
A Pierfect Benefit - All Aboard the S.S. Rex: The Santa Monica Pier's annual fundraiser transforms the historic Merry Go-Round building into a 1930s-era gambling ship complete with live jazz, casino tables, craft cocktails, a silent auction and indulgent bites. Dress for the Art Deco-inspired occasion and prepare to gamble for a good cause. santamonicapier.org/apierfectbenefit Saturday, Sept. 19 And here is a link to their online auction for a variety of food, wellness, and travel prizes that you can bid on even if you are not attending the event.
Stand-Up Jesus at Santa Monica Playhouse: What if the Second Coming were a comedy special? Humorist Robert Dubac brings his solo show Stand-Up Jesus to Santa Monica Playhouse for three Saturday performances this fall, followed by a post-show wine-and-wafer reception. Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., 1211 4th St. santamonicaplayhouse.com
ONGOING: Museum of Illusions; The CUBE VR; Splatter Studio; Wellness & Waves (Saturdays through 10/17); Locals' Night Third Thursdays; Perrys Beach House DJ Event (Saturdays and Sundays in Sept.)
WHAT'S NEW & DELICIOUS?
Petitgrain's New Little Sister: Clémence de Lutz, the baker behind Petitgrain Boulangerie, has opened a tiny sibling bakery and chocolatier eight blocks away on Pico Boulevard. Petitpain … et Chocolat serves whole-grain breads and pastries, house-made chocolates, coffee and some intriguing new creations, including an almond-honey croissant, cinnamon bun and fruit bostock. 1013 Pico Blvd.; open Wednesday–Sunday, 6:45 a.m.–2 p.m. LA Times glowed about the new spot: latimes.com/food/story/2026-09-08/petitpain-et-chocolat-best-croissants-los-angeles-petitgrain-new-french-bakery-chocolatier
Cowabunga! The Infatuation Reviews TMNT Pizzeria: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed pizzeria on Third Street Promenade gets a new review from The Infatuation, which highlights its neon-green-and-purple decor, arcade games, extensive TMNT merchandise and turtle-themed cocktails. 1444 Third St. Promenade. theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-pizzeria
35+ Singles Wine & Mingle Night at AJA Vineyards: Ditch the dating apps for a night of real-world connections as “Thursday” is taking over AJA wine bar for a 35+ singles gathering, pairing local boutique wines with a laid-back, open-format social hour designed for meeting local neighbors. Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 – 10 p.m., 417 2nd St. ajavineyards.com/events
Wallys - A Tasting with Tenuta Trinoro & Passopisciaro: This tasting is paired with a small cheese and charcuterie board for each guest. Thursday, Sept. 24, 214 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1020850&restref=1020850&experienceId=790883
FURTHER AFIELD: Eater Off Menu Brings Santa Monica Chefs to Atwater Village: Eater's biggest L.A. food event of the year takes over the historic Tam O’Shanter with an all-star lineup of food and drinks—including Santa Monica's own Pasjoli and Holbox, plus Quarter Sheets and Café Telegrama. Tickets include unlimited food and drinks, with 100% of net ticket proceeds benefiting World Central Kitchen. Saturday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m., 2980 Los Feliz Blvd. events.voxmedia.com/eateroffmenu2026
MORE FURTHER AFIELD: TenderFest All-You-Can-Eat Celebration of “All Things Pounded, Breaded, and Fried”: , An all-you-can-eat celebration of gourmet chicken tenders featuring unlimited bites, custom dips, pop-up desserts, and a chef competition judged by Nancy Silverton, Cat Cora, and Rams stars Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. Saturday, Sept. 19, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills tenderfest.com
Looking Ahead: The Other Art Fair (9/24-27); Montana Avenue Art Walk (10/3); Oktoberfest at the Fairmont (10/8-10); Off the Hook Seafood Festival (10/11); Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18); LA Times Food Bowl (10/23-24)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly at instagram.com/seanbesser or email me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: Thai Fest & Locals' Night Take Over the Beach