SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes A LOT of Halloween events for kids and adults, Museum of Illusions opening, and much more!
Museum of Illusions Now Open on 3rd St. Promenade: The museum boasts a collection of over 80 exhibits and is designed for all ages. The museum will teach visitors about vision, perception, the human brain and science, helping them understand why the eyes see things that the brain cannot comprehend. 1232 3rd St. moisantamonica.com
Live Talks: An Evening with Judd Apatow in conversation with Marc Maron: discussing his book, Comedy Nerd: A Lifelong Obsession in Stories and Pictures.Thursday, Oct. 30, 8p.m., New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd. https://livetalksla.org/events/judd-apatow/
Halloween Party on the Promenade with Free Trick-or-Treating Throughout Downtown:This free, family-friendly Halloween celebration brings the community together with trick-or-treating at participating businesses throughout Downtown Santa Monica and a Halloween party on the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade.Friday, Oct. 31, 3 - 6p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trick-or-treat-downtown-santa-monica-tickets-1731327791029
Montana Ave. Halloween Hop: Join us on Halloween Day on Montana Avenue from 3–6 PM for trick-or-treating, activities, sales, and more! Bring the whole family (and your best costumes!) for a spooktacular afternoon, and don’t forget to tag @montanaavesm during your visit! 🕸️🧡Friday, Oct. 31, 3-6p.m.
Not No Bar Halloween Bash: 🪦 Costumes are mandatory at Six Feet Under The Disco! Not No Bar will have a spread of spiked punch and wicked pizza to make the night magical. Friday, Oct. 31, starting at 5p.m., 2424 Main St.
HalLouLouween: Step into the glamour of the dark side… Enter LouLou’s haunted world where elegance meets mystery. 👻 Live Entertainment 🕸 Bewitched Shows 🕯 Haunted Room 💃 Dressed to Impress *Costume Mandatory* Friday, Oct. 31, starting at 6p.m., 395 Santa Monica Place https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-2025-le-freak-cest-chic-tickets-1767150477649
1212's Love Island Halloween Party: Get ready to couple up for the spookiest night in the villa with a Love Island-themed Halloween bash. Expect sultry vibes, a live DJ, cheeky cocktails, and a sea of glam costumes under the neon lights. Whether you come dressed as your favorite Islander, a ghostly bombshell, or something wickedly original, you’ll be living your best villa life all night long. Friday, Oct. 31, starting at 9p.m., 1212 3rd St. Promenade https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1212-presents-love-island-halloween-party-tickets-1758809278899
Chez Jay Annual Halloween Bash in The Backyard: No reservations required. Just come by. Halloween contest at 9p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, starting at 4p.m., 1657 Ocean Ave. instagram.com/chezjay1959
Santa Monica Pier Celebrates Día de los Muertos:. Event Highlights include a parade, mariachi, and dance and band performances. Guests can enjoy face painting, art displays, vendor offerings, and hot chocolate from Soda Jerks while strolling through the transformed venue. Guests are encouraged to bring a photo of a loved one to contribute to the community ofrenda. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 & 2 santamonicapier.org/diadelosmuertos
Papille Gustative Tales from a Lavish Crib Halloween Party: Enjoy waves of champagne, caviar, seafood, steaks, sweets, and more along with a DJ on the patio, dancing, games, tarot readings, and best costume prizes. $95/person. Saturday, Nov. 1, 6:30 - 10:30p.m., 2823 Main St. instagram.com/papillegustativela
A Night of Comedy with Kevin Nealon at broadstage: Best known for his nine-year stint on NBC’s Saturday Night Live and his leading role on Showtime’s hit series Weeds, Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian with a unique comedic style that has resonated with fans for decades. Prepare to experience his fresh and engaging humor live, as he weaves tales and observations into an unforgettable evening of comedy. Saturday, Nov. 1, 7:30p.m., 1310 11th St. https://broadstage.org/tickets-shows/calendar/kevin-nealon/
Magic Fundraiser for SaMo Democratic Club: 🪄🎩✨ Join Albie Selznick and friends for one night only at Illusion Magic Lounge. Eight magicians from the Magic Castle will perform. Sunday, Nov. 2 6 - 7:30p.m., 148 4th St. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/magicsmdc
Live Talks: An Evening with Werner Herzog: From legendary filmmaker and author Werner Herzog, a compact, effervescent, and deeply personal exploration of art, philosophy, and history that unravels one of our most elusive and contested questions: What is truth—and how to find it in our “post-truth” era? Tuesday, Nov. 3, 8p.m., New Roads School 3131 Olympic Blvd. livetalksla.org/events/werner-herzog/
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; LiteBrite Experience; Weekly Western Wednesday Line Dancing (through 10/29); Penmar Sunset Sessions (through 10/31)
What to Eat & Drink?
French Wine Takeover - Les Enfants Sauvages × Crudo e Nudo: 🍷Juri makes these beautiful wines with his mother Carolin at their estate, Les Enfants Sauvages (The Wild Children), where craft progressive, terroir-driven wines. This will be a relaxed by-the-glass takeover, with Juri and Dash pouring wines tableside throughout the evening. Come ready to taste something special and hear the stories behind these remarkable wines directly from the maker. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2724 Main St. instagram.com/crudo_e_nudo
A Taste of Tuscany on the California Coast: Il Borro Toscana Takes Over Fairmont Miramar’s FIG Restaurantwith Four-Course Wine Dinner: Nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, Il Borro Toscana is a Sustainable Relais & Châteaux-recognized estate and certified organic winery, renowned for its commitment to responsible winemaking and authentic Italian heritage. Monday, Nov. 3, 6:30p.m., 101 Wilshire Blvd. https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/explore/event-calendar/#!/e/evening-with-il-borro-four-course-dinner-wine-pairing-4dcb2fdd
Broken Spanish Comedor Now Open: 🌮This is an evolution of Chef Ray Garcia’s landmark restaurant, Broken Spanish. Reimagined through a more relaxed lens, Broken Spanish Comedor revives the bold, contemporary voice of Alta California cuisine that defined Broken Spanish. Garcia calls it, “a neighborhood offshoot of Broken Spanish with the same quality, same passion, and a community-centric approach” offering food that balances refinement and comfort, honors tradition, and remains rooted in California’s terroir and modern sensibilities.12565 Washington Blvd. brokenspanishcomedor.com
Día de los Muertos Menu at Socalo: Enjoy special food and drink offerings all weekend with a special mariachi performance on Saturday, Nov. 1, 7-9p.m, including a tostada with octopus, a jidori fried chicken thigh, carrot pumpkin seed mole, and special tequila cocktail offerings. Socalo.com
Heavy Handed Makes The Infatuation's Best Smashburger List: 🍔“As the lone smashburger option in Santa Monica, this small yellow walk-up window on Main Street is a destination for touristy types on the Westside, and that’s before you factor in their dipped soft serve cones, beef tallow fries, and a long list of craft beers on tap. The strongest burger traits here are the beef (substantial, flavorful ground short rib) and bun (a buttery toasted potato roll).” 2912 Main St. https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-smashburgers-los-angeles
Mélisse Receives One Knife Award from The Best Chef Awards: Santa Monica’s legendary Chef Josiah Citrin is regarded across the industry for his culinary innovation and award-winning restaurants with three locations in our seaside city, including Augie’s on Main, one Michelin One Star Citrin and Michelin Two Star Mélisse. At the 9th edition of The Best Chef Awards, Mélisse was honored with One Knife at this renowned ceremony for the restaurant’s endless pursuit of excellence. https://thebestchefawards.com/chefs/josiah-citrin/
Further Afield:West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval: The massive block-party style Halloween spectacle returns taking over a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Blvd between Doheny Dr and La Cienega Blvd. Expect DJ sets, food trucks and thousands of attendees dressed in their costumed best. Free. Friday, Oct. 31, 6 - 11 p.m. https://www.visitwesthollywood.com/halloween-carnaval/
Looking Ahead: Ice at Santa Monica (11/7); LA Wine & Food Festival (11/7-9); Montana Ave. Holiday Walk (12/6); Main St. Tree Lighting & Holiday Party (12/7); SaMo 150th Anniversary Grand Finale Celebration (12/13)
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: Your Halloween Weekend Events Guide
