Santa Monica Police activity: Homeless Man with a large pet rat threatens a street Performer on the pier , a woman collaspes from the heat, and another homeless man is arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Santa Monica is partnering with Goldenvoice, a division of AEG Presents and one of the nation’s leading producers of large-scale music events, to produce a new music and cultural festival on Santa Monica’s coastline in fall 2026.

"Partnering with the city of Santa Monica to bring a yearly music festival to the Pier is a true honor for us,” said Melissa Ormond, Goldenvoice COO and COO of Festivals for AEG Presents. “We can't wait to bring world class music and artists to one of the most beautiful urban locations in the state."

The inaugural festival concept envisions a single-day event with an estimated capacity of 30,000 to 35,000 attendees. Programming would include 12 to 15 musical artists, curated food and beverage offerings, festival and artist merchandise, art installations, partnership activations, and guest services such as restrooms, lockers, and water stations.

Goldenvoice has indicated its intention to design a festival that aligns with the character of Santa Monica, encourages attendance by residents, and drives economic activity for local hotels, restaurants, and retail prior to and during the event.

The concert would return in fall 2027 and fall 2028 as an annual event.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

It's time for Santa Monica's 8th Annual Polar Bear Plunge!

Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10am-2pm Looking for a bold way to get 2026 started? The Annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Beach House is a great way to refresh, reset, and have some fun. If you have never been part of a Polar Bear Plunge, it’s time to see what you’re missing.

The morning starts with a 10 a.m. check-in at Guest Services before heading to the shoreline in front of the Beach House. The first plunge takes place around 10:15 a.m. The most stalwart Polar Bears can take part in the 300-yard swim around a buoy. At this no judgement zone, whether you stick your toes in the ocean, take a quick dip or round the buoy, it’s a great experience that gets the blood pumping and the skin tingling. After the invigorating ocean plunge, warm up in the heated Beach House pool. Gather with friends and family, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and grab a photo with our very own Pat the Polar Bear mascot.

Pool admission will be charged for Polar Bears and others entering the pool deck to visit, soak, swim in the heated pool, or take a hot shower.

In-person registration will be available but may be limited on the day of event. Parking is $3 per hour or $8 per day.

Pool Admission: $10/adult, $5/senior adult age 60+, $4/youth age 1-17.

Regular Pool Rules apply while swimming at this event. Youth under age eight and under four feet must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times.

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

NEW YEAR SAME SHENANIGANS!!!! Cruise to the Mollusk Venice New Year’s party on the 10th with Fahrenheit/Celsius and all the legends!

1600 Pacific Ave, Venice

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

HomeState is a Texas Kitchen in Southern California sharing breakfast tacos, queso, brisket, house-made flour tortillas and genuine hospitality. In 2013, Briana “Breezy” Valdez founded HomeState in Los Angeles with the dream of sharing her Texas identity through food and hospitality.

We’d originally planned to host our Santa Monica Grand Opening Celebration last coming Sunday but it rained. So instead, join us on Saturday, January 10 for sunny skies and good times.

• The first 50 guests will receive a festival-style wristband that lets you + a friend come back for one free taco every day for a week! We open at 7am!

• Our friends @amigoroasters are popping up and will be sharing complimentary pours of iced lattes and their signature OG blend.

• Limited-edition HomeState Santa Monica tees will be available for purchase.

Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for us to come together and officially celebrate the opening of our new home at the corner of Lincoln and Wilshire.

Until then, we’re open daily from 7AM-9PM for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Happy Hour is from 3-6pm, Monday through Thursday. FREE PARKING IN THE BACK

Thank you for the warm welcome so far 💛💛💛

Team HomeState

720 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 101
Santa Monica, CA 90401

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Project Save Our Surf returns to Tower 26 to clean the beach. Buckets, gloves and light snacks will be provided.

SUNDAY January 17th



While we are usually on the second Saturday of the month - were doing this one big on Sunday for plastic free July with amazing sponsors - cant wait to see you out soon!

Come join Project Save Our Surf for a fun afternoon of music and refreshments cleaning the beach. Buckets and gloves will also be provided for the cleanup. Connect with others in Los Angeles working to support our environment.

Supported by Beryl Foundation you can donate by choosing a donation ticket and choosing an amount

We have also partnered with Project Pop Drop to collect items for the homeless that we will be delivering to a homeless shelter on the last Saturday of the month (each month is a different shelter and details will be available at the cleanup for those who want to attend that event as well). We are collecting non- perishable foods and new toiletries, new socks, new underwear, new clothing etc.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

On January 7, 2026, the City of Malibu will mark one year since the Palisades Fire devastated our community, with “Palisades Fire Remembrance: Finding Strength in Community,” a time to reflect on the profound impact the fire had on all of Malibu.

“The one-year mark reminds us of both the pain we experienced and the strength we discovered in one another,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins. “Through loss, uncertainty, and recovery, our community has shown extraordinary resilience. As we look ahead, we remain focused on supporting every resident, honoring what we’ve overcome, and building a future rooted in hope and long-term restoration.”

This remembrance is a time to recognize the challenges and traumatic losses we have endured and will never forget, and reaffirm our shared commitment to healing, rebuilding and moving forward.

The Palisades Fire stands as the greatest disaster the City of Malibu has ever endured. It tore through the community, destroying more than 700 structures, displacing families, and leaving entire neighborhoods reduced to smoldering ruins. It was part of a historic regional disaster that took many more lives and thousands of homes, and we stand in solidarity with our fellow communities that experienced this tragedy.

In the wake of the Palisades Fire, the City was left traumatized, its landscape transformed and its collective heart wounded. Yet even amid the ashes, the resilience of Malibu’s people began to take shape, as neighbors supported one another and the long, difficult path toward healing and recovery began. de by panelists/interviewees have also not been vetted by the Museum, and the Museum does not assert that such statements are truthful. All statements should be understood as the individual’s perspective rather than a view expressed by The Mob Museum.

On January 6, 2026, at approximately 11:54 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department was notified by UCLA Police that an adult female had been detained on the UCLA campus after making statements indicating she had harmed her child and left the child inside an apartment in the 2000 block of Broadway.

Officers responded to the residence where an infant was located inside an apartment with significant injuries. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and transported the infant to a local area hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased.

The adult female was taken into custody in connection with this incident and transported to the Santa Monica Jail. The identities of those involved are not being released at this time.

The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are actively investigating this case. Based on preliminary information, this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

No additional information is available at this time. Further updates will be provided as appropriate. Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Friday we’ll be kicking off the Route 66 Centennial by hosting the first official caravan of 2026 at the Santa Monica Ice Rink on Friday, January 2. Come on by and see the cars on display. Music and Mocktails till 10:00.

1324 Fifth Street, Santa Monica

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.