Here’s How to Spend November in Los Angeles

The year might be winding down, but the holiday season is just getting started. This list of Things to do in November in Los Angeles will have you wishing the month was longer so you could get it all done! Check back with this post often, as new events are added weekly.

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November 1st – 3rd

Celebrate the day of the dead with all your relatives from Friday, November 1st, to Sunday, November 3rd, all over the city!

  • Day of the Dead on Olvera Street in DTLA includes an evening procession, entertainment, ofrendas, and even a 5K run on Saturday morning. See hours in the link. It happens through the weekend.
  • West Adams Dia de los Muertos Block Party Festival is on November 2nd from noon to 8 p.m. Events include live entertainment and free carnival games. Get more details on their Instagram.
  • Dia de Muertos at Chef Wes’ MXO Steakhouse offers specialty dishes and live music through Saturday, November 2nd. Reserve on OpenTable.
  • Enjoy a celebration of life with the liveliest of them all at Kidspace in Pasadena from November 1st to 3rd. Each day, there will be performances beginning at 11:15 a.m., and Friday, November 1st, is FREE, but the lines are long enough to wake the dead, so go on Saturday or Sunday instead. Tickets are available here.
Día de Los Muertos Olvera Street
Día de Los Muertos Olvera Street

October 31st to November 1st is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, and Bib Gourmand restaurant SHOR Bazaar in Hawaiian Gardens is celebrating until November 3rd with a special menu designed to attract prosperity in the new year, including a Gold Digger Chaat with an edible dollar. Reserve here.

November 1st is FREE Friday at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, where from 4 to 7 p.m., you can explore the galleries at no cost. Current special exhibitions include Art and Electric Light and a Still life Comparison.

Saturday, November 2nd to Sunday, November 3rd, is the 3rd Annual Applefest Fall Festival at Benny Boy Brewing in Lincoln Heights. The 21 and older event is FREE to enter and features delicious Food Trucks, Apple Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, and a Specialty Cider for the year 2024. You can even help press the cider yourself. Hours are Noon to 9 p.m.

November is World Vegan Month, and it’s a great time to challenge your taste buds to a game of “Is it steak or seitan?” Personal favorites include Real Food Daily, the Vegan AF Food Truck, and Veggie Grill for affordable, feel-good fast food.

Sunday, November 3rd, is the 18th Annual The FOOD Event 2024, presented by Los Angeles Magazine. It takes place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets to this 21+ event hover around $132, which is relatively low for an AYCE gorge fest where you can taste over 40 hot restos. Consider this one…

November 3rd is National Sandwich Day, and discounts on sandwiches are the next best thing to sliced bread. Subway chains are celebrating with a $6.99 Meal Deal that includes a 6-inch sub, cookies or chips, and a drink. It’s set to last until the end of the year. If you’re in Los Angeles, one of my favorite sandwiches of the year came from Si Roma in Glendale. You can find them in WeHo now.

The Deluxe Si Roma

November 4th -10th

Tuesday, November 5th, is election day, and if you rock that I Voted Sticker for the day, you can save on some eats at the places below:

  • Stop by KA’TEEN in Hollywood from 6 p.m. until close for a FREE Margarita with purchase. It’s also Taqueria Tuesdays.
  • Desert 5 Spot, also in Hollywood, is also giving away FREE Margaritas. That will help warm you up for their Songwriter Softspot Nights at 8 p.m.
  • Yogurtland is offering 15% off your purchase, so you can load up on those toppings.

Friday, November 8th, is an after-hours holiday festival at Eataly, Los Angeles. The Notte Italiana: Holiday Festa takes place from 9 p.m. to midnight and includes over twenty food and cocktail stations in the for $95 if you book early.

National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day is Saturday, November 9th, and there’s never been a dish I want to celebrate more! Discover the best in Los Angeles in this Chicken Sandwich roundup.

South City Fried Chicken New Orleans, LA Sandwich
Photo Credit: Ziv Sade

November 11th – 17th

Monday, November 11th is Veterans Day, and to thank the brave warriors of our nation, many restaurants are giving away their food for FREE. Visit Broken Yolk Cafe with your military ID, and you can enjoy a Free Shortstack of Pancakes. Visit Sizzler – a Culver City original since 1958 for free lunch until 4 p.m. Entree choices include Malibu Chicken and a 6oz Tri-Tip Steak, among others.

6oz Tri Tip Steak_Sizzler_1
6oz Tri Tip Steak Photo Credit: Sizzle

While most people celebrate this “holiday” weekly, apparently, November 12th is also National Happy Hour Day. Although there are dozens of restaurants you can visit in Los Angeles, how does a nice at-home happy hour sound? My absolute favorite Wine Advent Calendar comes from In Good Taste, and it sells out every year! This is my reminder to get your orders in before December rolls around. 24 Nights of Wine with very generous pours is just $145 – which breaks down to about $6 a glass. And for a limited time you can get an extra $18 off without a code! You can surprise yourself every night with something new.

In Good Taste EatDrinkLA resize

Friday, November 15th, is a one-night-only Doritos After Dark™ Night Market Pop-Up from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a chance to check out the first Doritos restaurant in the world, which is located inside the Crypto.com Arena. It’s usually only accessible with an event ticket, but for one night only, you can enjoy it all at Peacock Place in the heart of DTLA. The dishes are insane, and you can check them out at the hyperlink.

Doritos After Dark Signage Crypto.com Arena

L.A. Zoo Lights is turning things on the night of November 15th, with tickets as low as $15 for members on value nights. Non-members can expect to pay $20 and up.

Sunday, November 17th, is the start of Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada-Flintridge. Tickets for that light spectacular begin at $22 for non-members and are already on sale.

Enchanted Sign Descanso Gardens

November 18th – 24th

Thursday, November 21st, is the return of the largest outdoor ice rink in Los Angeles: The Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square. General admission to the rink, including skate rental, is $20, locker rental is $5, and skate helpers are $6.  Timed Tickets can be purchased in advance now.  

It’s the most wonderful time of year if you love drinking in the streets of Downtown Burbank! The Burbank Wine Walk is back on November 23rd from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Live entertainment and holiday lighting go until 8 p.m.Tickets begin at $55.


November 25th – 30th

Tuesday, November 26th, offers a chance to see Moana 2 before anyone else! El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood is where you can get those tickets, including “sunrise screenings” at 7:30 a.m. on some days. Your kids are up anyway, you might as well be singing :).

Wednesday, November 27th, is the first night of Lektrik, a brand new light-sculpture installation. You’ll find this festival of lights at Raging Waters in San Dimas. Tickets are discounted now to $33.21 for adults and $25.11 for kids.

November 28th is Thanksgiving, a foodie holiday of such immense proportions that it needs several posts. Here’s What to Pickup for Thanksgiving for Less than $200, plus Spots to Gobble up Thanksgiving in Los Angeles if you’d rather go out. Check back for updates for 2024, as I’m still compiling the menu :).

If you’re hungry for Thanksgiving now, head to Fat Sal’s, who started serving their Fat Pilgrim Sandwiches and Pumpkin Cheesecake Fat Shakes on November 1st.

November 28th is also the 11th annual Turkey Trot Los Angeles, and nothing makes you feel better about your own feast than helping to feed others. Taking place in Downtown Los Angeles on Thanksgiving morning, this year’s event aims to raise $100,000 for those in need at The Midnight Mission. Register for the race or donate yourself here.

November 30th is the first night of Holidays on the Hill at the Hilton in Universal City. Expect a Holiday Ice Rink, Photo Ops with Santa in his workshop, a Jingle Bell Tavern, and more! Get all the details here.

Fat Pilgrim Sandwich Photo Credit: Fat Sal's
Fat Pilgrim Sandwich Photo Credit: Fat Sal’s

Happening all Month Long!

KOOZA, the new Cirque du Soleil show under the big top in Santa Monica, is out of this world! It’s a two-hour party with endless feats of human strength that somehow get even more impressive with every act. Get tickets here.

I generally don’t plug the new flavors at Baskin’ Robbins – except when they have cheese-board-inspired ice cream. The flavor of the month is Brie My Guest, which is a combination of brie and burrata-flavored ice creams mixed with almonds, pistachio pieces, and apricot swirls. It just might be good enough for your Thanksgiving table.

Sushi by Scratch is a month into its 90-day pop-up at the SLS Beverly Hills, and it’s definitely one you’ll want to add to your Date Night list. The cost is $185 a person for a 17-course omakase experience in an ultra-intimate setting. The night begins with Cocktails and Canapes, and while you’ll be sharing the evening with ten other guests, the Chefs make you feel like it’s been designed exclusively for you. It’s a truly special evening that’s only available for a limited time. Reserve on Tock.

Sushi by Scratch Beverly Hills Canapes

It’s Apple Picking Season in Oak Glen, California, and this list will give you the pick of the orchard! Enjoy Apple Picking, Apple Pressing, and Apple Butter Making.

apple picking

Looking Ahead

These events in December have limited tickets, so I can’t wait another moment to share them with you:

  • Once Upon a Mattress with Sutton Foster begins December 10th at the Ahmanson Theatre. Get discounted tickets for this direct-from-Broadway show with this link.
  • 8 Nights at Birdie G is a star-studded chef event beginning December 2nd with names like Chef Nancy Silverton and Chef Shaina Loew-Banayan from Café Mutton in Hudson, New York. Birdie G will be hosting eight nights of collaborative dinners with Chefs nationwide. Make your reservations on Resy for December 3rd on as night one is already sold out!
  • If you’ve fallen in love with Wicked all over again, thanks to the film released November 22nd, then you’ll be thrilled that the live show is back at the Pantages beginning December 4th. Tickets are available on their website or through Vivid Seats for less.





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