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Los Angeles has many tropes critics like to hang around its neck. Freeway gridlock. Concrete jungle. Too flat and too sprawling and too decentralized to truly wrap your head around. And while some of that labeling is deserved, it is also a woefully incomplete assessment. If you want to get a real picture of what L.A. is, sometimes all it takes is getting out of your car and going for a walk.
It’s in that spirit that we offer our latest Metro x We Like L.A. collaboration. Here we’re sorting some events (all free!) where you can explore our fair city on two feet. We’ll point you towards seasonal art walks and pop-up markets, the debut of a new community space in Exposition Park, the 2024 finale of CicLAvia’s open street series, and an annual group walk that’ll take you straight across the basin, connecting our two most famous local universities.
Oh, and did we mention each and every one of the suggestions is Metro accessible? So if you want to ditch the auto, skip the traffic, avoid the parking fees, and do it all while getting your steps in, then this is the list for you.
Let’s check it out.
Free & Walkable Events in Los Angeles
First Friday in Chinatown (next up November 1) -> L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late on Friday for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road will activate with 10+ local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and area galleries with extended hours. The November edition of First Fridays runs from 6 to 10 p.m., and it’s free to attend. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown Station.
Jackalope Pasadena (November 9-10) – > Bi-annual, indie craft market Jackalope returns to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day pop-up marketplace featuring over 200 vendors offering an array of indie goods, both original made and vintage. Plus you’ll find live music, live poetry, face painting and other hands-on, family-friendly activities. Free to attend as always. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar station.
Inglewood Open Studios (November 9-10) -> The annual Inglewood Open Studios art walk offers a mix of tours and talks at galleries and artists studios in the city of Inglewood. Metro-accessible locations for this year’s activation include stops at Aero Collective, D2Art, Inglewood Public Library, Sip & Sonder, and many more. Runs noon to 5 p.m. both days. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Downtown Inglewood Station.
Renegade Craft (November 16-17) – > Renegade Craft market pops up for a day-two affair at Los Angeles State Historic Park featuring over 200 craft designers, artists, and creative vendors. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown station.
NHM Commons Opening Day Celebration (November 17)-> To celebrate the debut of NHM Commons, a the new community hub in Exposition Park, Natural History Museum is hosting a free block party on opening day which will show off the new indoor/outdoor space with a day of live music, special performances, plus food and drinks by South LA Café. Note that while events on the Commons Plaza and Theater will be free to the public on this day, you’ll need a ticket to check out the exhibits/activations inside Natural History Museum. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park / USC station.
Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pier (next up November 21) -> Every third Thursday from September to May, Locals’ Night brings at the Santa Monica Pier offers a free evening of youth activities, a car show, local DJs and live music from local bands, and art exhibits. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.
Great Los Angeles Walk (November 23) -> If you like walking (we mean really like walking), the annual Great Los Angeles Walk will meet at the oldest palm tree in Los Angeles, found in Exposition Park to begin a route that’s scheduled to take participants all the way to the Bruin statue on the campus of UCLA. The walk kicks off at 9 a.m. Free to join in, but make sure you email the organizer if you plan to participate. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park / USC station.
Hollywood Christmas Parade (December 1) -> One of the cities largest (and most festive!) annual events is back on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade will feature a U-shaped parade route running east on Hollywood Blvd, to Vine St, south on Vine St to Sunset Blvd, and west on Sunset Blvd. back to Orange Drive. It all kicks off at 6 p.m. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland OR Hollywood / Vine station.
Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Fest (December 7-8) -> A huge vendor marketplace takes over Downtown Burbank for a two-day event featuring 170+ indie sellers on hand offering curated goods including original fashion and jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art, photography, food, and more. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Go Metro: Take Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando OR Take Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.
CicLAvia – The Valley (December 8) -> The 2024 finale of CicLAvia pops up in the San Fernando Valley, stretching a 5-mile across Sherman Way from Shoup Ave to Lindly Ave. The car-free route will feature multiple activity hubs and plenty of local gems to explore along the way, plus all the room. Runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Go Metro: Take the G Line to Sherman Way Station
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