Free, oceanside, and every Saturday night through mid-September — Santa Monica just gave beach lovers a serious reason to stay in town this month. The city’s Recreation & Arts Department, teaming up with local concert producer Rum & Humble, is launching Tongva Twilight: Sounds & Cinema, a brand-new outdoor series combining live music and open-air movies at Tongva Park.
What to expect from Tongva Twilight: Sounds & Cinema
The series runs six consecutive Saturdays, from August 8 through September 12, kicking off at 7pm each night on the park’s lawn. Admission is completely free, and organizers are encouraging guests to bring a picnic, blanket, or low-back chair and settle in for an evening under the stars — all within earshot of the Pacific.
Opening night on August 8 features Western Standard Time, a well-regarded ska jazz ensemble, followed by New Orleans funk group The Rumble on August 15. August 22 brings Son Mayor and a full salsa orchestra, complete with a complimentary salsa lesson before the set. Then on September 5, things shift into yacht rock territory with The Windbreakers performing sing-along ’70s classics. Additional concerts and film screenings will round out the six-week run, with the full schedule expected on the city’s website. City officials are framing Tongva Twilight as something of a late-summer send-off — one more excuse to gather outdoors before the season winds down.
“The new series reflects the City’s continued commitment to activating Santa Monica’s parks with free arts and cultural programming that brings neighbors together while celebrating the City’s vibrant creative community,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said.
Tongva Park sits between Ocean Avenue and Main Street, offering rolling lawns, gardens, and ocean views that make it one of the city’s most scenic public spaces — and, for six Saturdays this summer, its liveliest.
📍 Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica
