Michele StuevenJust when you think you’ve recovered from Valentine’s Day weekend, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras are close on its heels Feb. 17. Between King Cakes and cocktails, here’s how to celebrate both.
The Obscure Distillery’s Fat Tuesday Celebration takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., bringing big NOLA energy to the Arts District. Typically reserved for members, The Obscure is opening its doors to the public for the evening. Expect beads, live music from Beaucoup Brass Band, and an exclusive one-night-only food and cocktail menu inspired by Louisiana flavors.
Sip bold cocktails like the King Cake Highball, Bananas Foster Coconut Milk Punch, and classic rum and gin daiquiris, and bite into house-made beignets and Creole-inspired dishes like braised beef, blackened catfish, dirty rice, hush puppies with honey butter, and creamy grits.
Tickets are $10, available online via SevenRooms, and purple, green, and gold attire is encouraged.
Courtesy The Obscure Distillery
Little Dom’s, and its sister seafood-forward restaurant in Carpenteria, Little Dom’s Seafood, are hosting their annual, multi-day Mardi Gras Feast from Sunday, Feb. 15 to Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17. There will be traditional Cajun and Creole dishes from New Orleans-born co-owner and chef Brandon Boudet, plus Mardi Gras-inspired desserts by pastry chef Ann Kirk. Available during dine-in dinner service, the Mardi Gras menu includes shrimp, chicken, and Andouille gumbo, roast beef and soft shell crab po-boys, jambalaya rice balls with Creole mustard, BBQ oysters, bread pudding with hard sauce, beignets , and King Cake Slice (whole cake available by pre-order via calling Little Dom’s)
The sounds of New Orleans will fill The Original Farmers Market with live music, colorful festivities, family- and pet-friendly fun. From Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 14, through Fat Tuesday on Feb. 17, the historic market will bring Zydeco and New Orleans bands, hands-on kids’ activities, a beignet pop-up tent, Cajun favorites like gumbo and jambalaya, and more. A special kissing booth photo frame will be available all weekend long for a special moment with a loved one or four-legged Valentine.
The Mutti Gras Pet Parade & Costume Contest will return, featuring pups (and possibly other pets) in costume as they strut their stuff for the coveted titles of king and queen. The event will kick off festivities on Saturday, Feb. 14, at noon.
The Mutti Gras Pet Parade & Costume Contest (Courtesy The Original Farmers Market)
Additional highlights include:
- Live musical performances including Nervis Bros, Brass Brothers Show Band, Alumnus Brass Band, Crawdaddio, Torrence Brannon & His Everything With Soul Band, Bear Brass Band, Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orleans
- Strolling parade bands throughout the Market
- Gumbo Pot Beignet Tent
- Face painting and kid-friendly Mardi Gras crafts
- Mardi Gras Heart wand activity with Art 2 Go
- Fat Tuesday celebration with live music
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., in partnership with Yappy Studios, will bring the Third Street Promenade to life on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, as Santa Monica Block Fest Vol. III transforms all three blocks of the Promenade into one of the city’s largest free nightlife and music events to date.
Beginning at 5 p.m., the multi-block celebration will span the 1200, 1300, and 1400 blocks of Third Street Promenade and feature live DJs, custom stages, pop-up bars, and immersive nightlife programming, with seasonal Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day–inspired elements woven throughout the evening.
Event highlights include three dedicated stages hosted by LA-based music collectives, with Beat Repeat on the 1200 block, Product Pluto on the 1300 block, and Yappy Studios on the 1400 block. Lounges, themed activations, and a diverse lineup spanning house to vinyl sets offer multiple ways to experience the festival. The pop-up bars will keep the energy flowing throughout the Entertainment Zone.
For event updates, schedules, and behind-the-scenes previews, visit DowntownSM.com
Courtesy Downtown Santa Monica