LOS ANGELES — Southern California heads into the final full week of September with film screenings in Calabasas, a gathering in Beverly Hills, free music in Santa Monica and plenty of reasons to spend some time near the coast.
For those looking to get out of the house between Wednesday, September 23 and Sunday, September 27, here are several events and activities worth knowing about around Los Angeles County.
Calabasas Film Festival Returns September 23–27
The 13th annual Calabasas Film Festival begins Wednesday, September 23 and continues through Sunday, September 27.
The nonprofit festival brings together filmmakers, entertainment industry professionals and moviegoers for five days of premieres, documentaries, student films, short films, parties and community events throughout Calabasas.
Opening night includes screenings of Atonement at the Motion Picture & Television Fund campus and The Leader at Viewpoint, along with opening-night receptions and an after-party at Calabasas Country Club.
Programming continues throughout the week, including I Play Rocky, Ugly Cry, multiple shorts programs and other screenings.
One of the more casual weekend options comes Saturday night, when the festival hosts an outdoor screening of the 1985 classic The Goonies at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center beginning at 8 p.m.
The festival runs through Sunday, September 27.
Beverly Hills Hosts “An Evening With the Mayor” Wednesday
Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman will deliver the city’s 2026 State of the City Address Wednesday, September 23 during the annual “An Evening With the Mayor” gathering at Greystone Mansion & Gardens.
The event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hosted in conjunction with the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, the evening combines the mayor’s formal address with networking, live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres.
The event provides members of the Beverly Hills business community an opportunity to hear directly from city leadership about local priorities and the direction of the city.
Tickets are listed at $75 for Chamber members and $100 for non-members, with advance registration required.
Free Music Comes to Santa Monica
For something more casual — and free — Santa Monica has outdoor music scheduled at Christine Emerson Reed Park on Thursday and Friday evenings.
dublab Open Air is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. September 24 and 25, bringing DJs and live music to the park.
Thursday’s program leans toward jazz, psychedelic and experimental sounds, while Friday turns the park into more of an outdoor dance party with house, reggaetón, cumbia, hip-hop, R&B and other music.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Spend an Afternoon Along the Santa Monica Coast
You don’t necessarily need an organized event to make a day out of Santa Monica.
An afternoon can start with a walk through Palisades Park before heading toward the Santa Monica Pier, followed by a bike ride or walk along the beachfront path toward Venice.
Late September sunsets also make the coast an easy option for photography, biking, skating or simply spending a few hours outside.
More Events Around Los Angeles This Weekend
Elsewhere around Los Angeles, the weekend calendar includes the opening of The Horror Show at the Academy Museum on September 26, the Autry Block Party on September 26, the LA Kings playing the Anaheim Ducks at Crypto.com Arena and the LA Galaxy hosting the Colorado Rapids.
On Sunday, September 27, Tove Lo is scheduled to perform at the Greek Theatre, while Mariachi Meets the Smiths comes to The Ford.
What Will the Weather Be Like?
The coastal forecast looks favorable for getting outside.
Santa Monica is currently expected to remain largely dry through the weekend, with daytime temperatures generally in the 70s. Wednesday and Thursday should reach the upper 70s near the coast, followed by similarly mild conditions Friday and Saturday before temperatures cool slightly Sunday.
Inland communities should be noticeably warmer. Beverly Hills could reach the mid-80s during Wednesday’s mayoral event, making lighter clothing advisable for anyone attending outdoor portions of the gathering.
As usual in Southern California, temperatures can vary considerably between the immediate coastline and communities farther inland.
What About Surfing?
Surfers may want to keep expectations modest around Malibu at the beginning of the week.
Surfline currently reports Malibu First Point around 1–2 feet, roughly knee-to-thigh high, with light offshore wind and several small south-to-southwest swell components.
Santa Monica Pier is generally a less consistent surf location, so surfers looking for waves may want to check Malibu, Zuma, Venice and other nearby breaks before heading out.
The week’s tidal swings become increasingly pronounced heading toward the weekend. At Santa Monica, the afternoon low tide drops from approximately 1.9 feet Wednesday to around 0.2 feet Sunday afternoon, while Sunday’s morning high is forecast near 5.8 feet.
Because surf conditions can change considerably within a few days, anyone planning a weekend surf session should check the latest swell, wind and tide forecast the morning they head out.
A Busy Final Weekend of September
From a five-day film festival in Calabasas to civic networking at one of Beverly Hills’ most recognizable estates and free outdoor music near the Santa Monica coast, this week offers several different ways to experience Los Angeles.
And for anyone who doesn’t want another scheduled event, the forecast may provide the simplest option of all: grab a bike, surfboard and head toward the coast.
Have an event happening around Los Angeles? Presence News welcomes community announcements, event information and story tips for consideration in future local coverage.
