September in Coastal LA signals the end of summer, but that doesn’t mean our neighborhoods go quiet. Instead of tourist‑heavy festivals, this month’s “Between the Palms” takes you off the beaten path into events that locals whisper about. Here are several ways to spend your September evenings and weekends in Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista.
🎶 Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pier (Sep 18)
Third Thursdays from September through May, the Santa Monica Pier turns itself over to locals only. The evening has the feel of a block party with a salty breeze: think DJs, live bands, art exhibitions, lowrider car displays and a kids’ zone. It’s all free and designed to give residents a pier experience without tourists crowding the viewsantamonicapier.org. For September 2025 that means Thursday, Sept 18, 4‑9 pm. Parking is limited, so bike or ride‑share if you can.
Where: Santa Monica Pier — west end of Colorado Avenue
Admission: Free (registration requested)
Website: santamonicapier.org/localsnight
🎨 Venice Art Crawl Mixer (Sep 18)
The Venice Art Crawl isn’t your typical gallery stroll. It’s a grassroots mixer where artists, musicians and neighbors pop up in unexpected spaces — alleys, rooftops and empty storefronts become makeshift galleries. The 2025 calendar lists a Venice Art Crawl Mixer on Thursday Sep 18 from 6–8 pmveniceartcrawl.com. Grab a map from the Venice Chamber of Commerce and wander between installations, then meet up at the after‑party.
Where: Various pop‑up venues across Venice (start at Windward Circle)
Admission: Free / pay‑what‑you‑can donation to support local arts
Website: veniceartcrawl.com
🚲 Venice Electric Light Parade (Sundays in September)
Every Sunday at sunset, Venice locals strap LED lights onto their bikes and roll down the boardwalk. The Venice Electric Light Parade is part community ride, part light show. Riders meet near the Windward Plaza about an hour before sunset; the September 2025 dates are September 7, 14, 21 and 28business.venicechamber.net. No motorized vehicles, smoking or drinking allowed — this is about family‑friendly fun and cycling safety.
Where: Windward Plaza (gather), then along Venice Boardwalk
Admission: Free (bring your own decorated bike)
Website: veniceelectriclightparade.com
🛥 Marina del Rey WaterBus & Fisherman’s Village Music Series (Through Labor Day)
Labor Day isn’t just about the beach — it’s about boats and free tunes. Marina del Rey’s WaterBus runs every Friday through Sunday until Labor Day (Sept 1). For $1 you can hop on and off at stops like Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village. Service runs 11 am – 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and until 9 pm on Sundaysvisitmdr.com. Pro tip: bring exact change and plan for sunset on the water.
Stick around on weekend afternoons for the Fisherman’s Village Summer Music Series, which brings free live bands (coastal rock, reggae, blues) to the waterfront from 2 pm to 5 pm every weekend until Labor Dayvenicepaparazzi.com. It’s the perfect way to cap off summer without the crowds.
Where: Marina del Rey Harbor (WaterBus stops & Fisherman’s Village)
Admission: WaterBus $1 per ride; concerts free
Websites: visitmarinadelrey.com/waterbus & venicepaparazzi.com/event/fishermans-village-summer-concerts
🥕 Marina del Rey Farmers Market (Saturdays)
If you’d rather buy local than watch it from a boat, head to the Marina del Rey Farmers Market. Every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, vendors set up along Panay Way with fresh produce, prepared foods and specialty items like kimchi and galbi tacosdiscoverlosangeles.com. It’s operated by L.A. County’s Department of Beaches & Harbors, so your dollars support local farmers and fishermen.
Where: 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey
Admission: Free
Website: beaches.lacounty.gov/farmers-market
🌿 Playa Vista Farmers’ Market (Saturdays)
Playa Vista’s market is less of a secret than it used to be, but it still feels like a neighborhood gathering. This certified farmers market operates every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm along Millennium Drive and the Runway. It follows a “farmer first” philosophy and features organic produce, fresh flowers, artisanal cheeses, nut butters, Peruvian arepas and even wood‑fired pizzafestbeat.com. Live music, table‑top games and a KidZone keep everyone entertained, and LA Compost hosts a free community compost hubfestbeat.com. September dates include Sept 6, 13, 20 and 27festbeat.com.
Where: Millennium Drive at Runway, Playa Vista
Admission: Free
Website: festbeat.com/events/playa-vista-farmers-market
Final Thoughts
From drumming on the sand to biking under LED lights, Coastal LA’s September calendar proves that locals know how to keep summer vibes alive even as fall approaches. Whether you’re sipping cocktails at the pier, supporting local artists or simply shopping for heirloom tomatoes, these events remind us why we live “between the palms.”
