Special Events
We host a diversity of programmatic opportunities, open to the entire community.
Special events are hosted events in our museum. They include exhibition premiers, discussion panels and other community gatherings.
What’s Coming Next
At the Table: Exploring Food, Family, and Our Shared Histories
Presented by two longtime friends, through storytelling, images, and guided reflection, we explore how traditions are passed down, evolve over time, and serve as a powerful bridge between generations and communities.
July 18, 2026 11am-1pm
Previous Events
Breaking Bread: Stories of Food and Family
Chefs, educators, and community voices explore how breads across cultures carry stories of ancestry, memory, hospitality, resilience, and belonging, from cornbread to croissants and baguettes; Mexican breads to flatbreads.
Dia de los Muertos 2025
The Santa Monica History Museum hosts students from local high schools as we honor Dia de los Muertos. Students share altars honoring family and friends. The rich tradition of Dia de los Muertos is a rare opportunity to spend time with loved ones who have passed away as well as being a time to process their loss and remember. Dia de los Muertos is not a mournful commemoration but a joyous, colorful celebration of life and memory.
When the City Speaks
Book signing and Photo exhibit for “When the City Speaks”
Kuruvunga Village Springs Tour
Kuruvunga Village Springs Tour + Free Museum Admission Friday, June 6, 2025, Starting at 10AM rsvp@santamonicahistory.org The Santa Monica History Museum, in partnership with the Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation, invites the public to a free day of cultural exploration celebrating Indigenous heritage and the rich local history of the region. The day begins at Kuruvungna Village Springs and Cultural Center, where from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Bob Ramirez, President of the Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation, will lead a guided tour of the sacred site. Following the tour, guests may visit the Santa Monica History Museum to explore its current exhibitions, which […]
Dia de los Muertos 2024
The Santa Monica History Museum hosts students from local high schools as we honor Dia de los Muertos. Students share altars honoring family and friends. The rich tradition of Dia de los Muertos is a rare opportunity to spend time with loved ones who have passed away as well as being a time to process their loss and remember. Dia de los Muertos is not a mournful commemoration but a joyous, colorful celebration of life and memory.
Unidad Screening
Screening of the film “UNIDAD”. A documentary that tells the story of the Los Angeles organization Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU)
More Past Special Events
Dia de los Muertos 2023
The Santa Monica History Museum hosts students from local high schools as we honor Dia de los Muertos. Students share altars honoring family and friends. The rich tradition of Dia de los Muertos is a rare opportunity to spend time with loved ones who have passed away as well as being a time to process their loss and remember. Dia de los Muertos is not a mournful commemoration but a joyous, colorful celebration of life and memory.
Dia de los Muertos 2022
The Santa Monica History Museum hosts students from local high schools as we honor Dia de los Muertos. Students share altars honoring family and friends. The rich tradition of Dia de los Muertos is a rare opportunity to spend time with loved ones who have passed away as well as being a time to process their loss and remember. Dia de los Muertos is not a mournful commemoration but a joyous, colorful celebration of life and memory.
Mac & Cheese Fundraiser
Mac & Cheese Fundraiser A Comfort Food Cook-Along Join us and Santa Monica native, Chef Casey Corn, for a comfort food cook-along and demo of her famous MAC & CHEESE! Wednesday, January 27 at 5 pm PST 1 hour on zoom! Cook-along with Casey – you’ll get a list of ingredients to purchase before the event or simply watch the demo and ask questions! Invite your friends and family to join! Included in the price of your ticket, you will receive a digital download of Casey’s new cookbook: MARCH MACNESS Tickets only $59! all proceeds go to support the Santa […]
Virtual Wine Tasting – 2020
Virtual Wine Tasting hosted by Enjoy a tasting of three Margerum wines delivered directly to your home! Join us November 12th at 6 PM We are excited to co-host this event with Margerum Wine Company as a unique and fun way to gather with family and friends, taste and learn about their fabulous wines and help support us in Keeping History Alive! BUY TICKETS to guarantee your wine arrives in time for the tasting, order by November 5th Full details and ordering information can be found on Margerum Wine Company‘s website. The wine tasting event will be held on Zoom! […]
2019 Shirley Temple Tea Party
This year’s Shirley Temple Tea Party theme is Storybook based on the story books read by Shirley Temple.
Book Signing – Santa Monica: A Look Back to 1902 from Today
Book Signing Santa Monica: A Look Back to 1902 from Today Click image to visit Book websiteDATE: May 24, 2018 TIME: 6pm – 7pm Michael Murphy, the author of “Santa Monica: A Look back to 1902 from Today,” signs his book at the Santa Monica History Museum for a special event in conjunction with the Museum’s new exhibition featuring his work. Murphy’s book is a then-and-now photographic comparison of Santa Monica as it looked in 1902 and how it appears today. Book released on May 14th, by Arcadia Publishing and is available for purchase in the Museum and online gift […]
Shirley Temple’s 90th Birthday Tea Party
Don’t miss this very special event and one-day-only exhibit of these historic cinematic treasures! Join us on Saturday, April 21st, 2018 from 12:00 to 2:30 PM for a tea party celebrating the 90th anniversary of Shirley Temple’s birth, featuring an exclusive one-day-only exhibit of her newly reunited Little Princess costume-ensemble, plus a selection of iconic dresses and never-before-displayed items. A delicious traditional tea service will be served, including tea sandwiches, desserts, and a variety of teas and coffee. Tickets: $35.00 Click here to visit our event page for more info and to purchase tickets! All proceeds from this event and […]
2018 Shirley Temple Birthday Tea
Shirley Temple’s 90th Birthday Tea Party Join us on Saturday, April 21st, 2018 from 12:00 to 2:30 PM for a tea party celebrating the 90th anniversary of Shirley Temple’s birth, featuring an exclusive one-day-only exhibit of her newly reunited Little Princess costume-ensemble, plus a selection of iconic dresses and never-before-displayed items. A delicious traditional tea service will be served. Tickets: $35.00 or by phone at (310) 395-2290 email: RSVP@santamonicahistory.org Santa Monica History Museum 1350 7th Street Santa Monica, CA 90025 All proceeds from this event and exhibit benefit the educational and preservation mission of the Santa Monica History Museum, a […]
Girl Scout Birthday
Girl Scouts 105th Birthday Celebration! You’re invited to join us to celebrate the 105th birthday of the Girl Scouts of the USA! On Saturday, March 11th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM the Santa Monica History Museum will offer half-price admission in honor of this special day. Cupcakes and lemonade will be available while supplies last. At 11:00 AM we will have a sparkling-cider toast and sing happy birthday to the Girl Scouts. We hope you will join us for this special celebration! For more information please contact Kathryn Evans at (310) 395-2290 or kevans@santamonicahistory.org.
City of Santa Monica Anniversary
Santa Monica Celebrates 141st Anniversary in 2016! The Santa Monica History Museum is excited to announce it will hold a special celebration to honor the 141st anniversary of the city of Santa Monica from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at the Santa Monica History Museum. The celebration will include free sweet treats for museum visitors, museum admission for 50 cents, and all visitors will be entered in a drawing for a 1975 Santa Monica centennial coin! The original lots in Santa Monica were auctioned off to the public in July of 1875 – 141 years ago! Museum […]
Women In History Program, March 2012
“A Tribute to Dynamic Women of the Past”. among them Arcadia Bandini de Baker,wife of the co-founder of Santa Monica, will be co-sponsored by the Santa Monica History Museum and the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, Sunday, March 18, 2012 from 2pm to 4pm at 1350 7th Street. The Status of Women Commission photo posters of the women being featured will be on display at the museum in celebration of women’s national history month during the month of March.Arcadia Bandini was the daughter of Juan Bandini, a wealthy and prominent Rancho owner in San Diego in the early 1800s. In […]
FolkWorks Concert – 02/02/2013
A night of celebrating wedding music from many cultures. Come celebrate Candlemas, Imbolc, Lughnasadh & the Sainted Groundhog Day!
