The City of Santa Monica Presents “TONGVA TWILIGHT: Sounds & Cinema,” a New Free Outdoor Summer Series Celebrating Live Music, Movies & Community at Tongva Park

August 3, 2026 2:23 PM

Pack a Picnic and Enjoy Six Weeks of Live Music and Film Under the Stars Every Saturday Evening, August 8 - September 12, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (August 3, 2026) - The City of Santa Monica Recreation & Arts Department, in partnership with longtime Santa Monica concert producer Rum & Humble, is proud to introduce Tongva Twilight: Sounds & Cinema, a free outdoor summer series celebrating live music, open-air cinema, and community in the heart of Santa Monica. Taking place every Saturday evening from August 8 through September 12, beginning at 7:00 p.m., on the lawn at Tongva Park, the six-week series invites residents and visitors to gather under the stars for idyllic summer evenings of live concerts and films in one of Santa Monica's most beautiful parks.

Building on the success of the inaugural Santa Monica International Jazz Festival at Tongva Park in May and the excitement generated by the FIFA World Cup™ celebrations throughout the city in June and July, Tongva Twilight: Sounds & Cinemais the City of Santa Monica's late-summer gift to the community.

The series kicks off Saturday, August 8, with acclaimed all-star ska jazz ensemble Western Standard Time, followed by New Orleans funk powerhouse The Rumble on August 15. On August 22, Son Mayor will bring its high-energy salsa orchestra to Tongva Park, complete with a complimentary salsa lesson before the performance. Then, on September 5, The Windbreakers will bring the yacht rock party with their smooth '70s classic sing-along hits. Additional live performances and film screenings will round out the series, with the complete schedule to be announced on the City of Santa Monica's website.

Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic, bring a blanket or low-back chair, and settle in for relaxed evenings just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Admission is free.

"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.

"It's such a pleasure to work with the City of Santa Monica to bring Tongva Park alive with free music and movies this fall," said Martin Fleischmann, producer of Tongva Twilight and founder of Rum & Humble. "It's no accident this series' title hints at the City's much-loved Twilight Concerts of the past. Once again, we can gather in the cooling breeze under the stars and within earshot of the waves to enjoy specially curated concerts and films. So grab your friends, pack a picnic, and join us. We hope to see you there."

Nestled between Ocean Avenue and Main Street, Tongva Park's rolling lawns, lush gardens, and ocean views provide the perfect backdrop for the new series, offering a welcoming space where people of all ages can connect through music, film, and shared community experiences.

Media Contact

Lauren Howland
Communications and public information manager
[email protected]

Departments

Recreation and Arts