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Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend in L.A. from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17 features L.A. Zoo Lights, Adult Swim Festival, Moonlight Forest, Burbank Winter Wine Walk, Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light and MUCH more.
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Remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.
Hope you find the rundown useful and, as always, enjoy your weekend!
Keep in mind that while we retain complete editorial control of our content, for some of the ticketing options provided we utilize affiliate links and receive a commission if you purchase through our links.
Friday November 15th, 2019
1. One of L.A.’s most magical holiday traditions, L.A. Zoo Lights returns November 15, 2019 through January 5, 2020 with thousands upon thousands of LED lights illuminating the zoo. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
2. Adult Swim Festival returns to the Banc of California Stadium in Downtown LA November 15-16 with a massive line-up of music, comedians and immersive fan experiences in true Adult Swim fashion. Musical acts include Helado Negro, Jamie XX, Lil Nas X. Activation highlights include a Rick and Morty “The Rickflector” machine that transports you into the show and the return of the popular Mechanical Hot Dog Ride.
3. The Get Together 2019 a Record Label Market & Music Fair taking place at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA brings together independent record labels for a day of live performances, a vinyl marketplace, DJs, exhibits, food and much more.
4. The Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden presents Moonlight Forest, where crafted lanterns line the garden grounds, some depicting animals, shimmering exotic flowers, and figures from Chinese legends. Happening Wednesdays through Sunday from November 9 through January 12, 2020. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
5. Decompress at Mystic Journey Crystals in Venice with a crystal sound bath that combines original compositions and performances with crystal singing bowls.
6. Don’t Tell Comedy pops up in Santa Monica on Friday with some of the biggest names in comedy. Performers are kept under wraps and the location will be emailed to all ticket holders. BYOB!
7. Get up close and personal with sharks at the Aquarium of the Pacific during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and view large sharks in an after hours setting. FREE
8. The annual AFI FEST November 14-21 returns to Hollywood for 2019 with an eight-day run featuring tons of film screenings, world premieres, and panels.
9. Restaurant Fest is back at Eataly L.A. November 1-17. Located inside the gorgeous Century City Westfield Mall, the event extends to all three restaurants housed at the Eataly L.A. complex. Diners get to choose two-courses from a set prix-fixe menu priced at $18 or $28 plus $25 bottles of vino.
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10. Instagram favorite 29Rooms returns with a new experience dubbed the “Expand Your Reality” tour. The third iteration will take place at the Beverly Venue by HD Buttercup from November 8-17.
11. Metro Art Los Angeles present an all-new film screening series featuring animated films at Union Station. This Friday with a screening of Waking Life. The event is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. FREE
12. Constitution Happy Hour at AMMO at The Hammer continues this Friday with guided, topical conversations about the US Constitution and its role in our democracy.
13. Highways Performance Space & Gallery presents the inaugural Film Maudit 2.0 celebrating the work of outré filmmakers. The program will include six feature films and 40 shorts from around the globe making their Los Angeles premiere. The festival runs November 14-17.
14. TENDERFEST 2019 is a new festival celebrating the art of chicken tenders taking place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The festival will feature some of the city’s best culinary icons offering up their own interpretations.
15. Grand Central Market hosts Friday Night Flights this Friday starting at noon. The special includes a flight of drinks or bites from GCM vendors and a round trip ticket on the historic Angels Flight Railway right across the street for $15.
Saturday November 16th, 2019
16. This November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month and the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace is partnering with Camp Golden Years and the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control to host an adoption party for senior dogs this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annenberg PetSpace will have family-friendly activities, complimentary food and drink, plus photo ops during the event. All are welcomed and it’s free to attend.
17. Celebrate the season with a Burbank Winter Wine Walk with wine tasting stations, live music, holiday lighting and even snowfall along the way.
18. There’s a Fall Star Party at Paramount Ranch hosted by rangers and astronomers, guests will partake in some stargazing through telescopes set up in the park. FREE
19. The fourth official Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission Pow-Wow will take place at Grand Park with dancing, vendors, contests, arts and crafts, food and much more. FREE
20. Mercado Sagrado features artisan goods, healing arts and workshops, music and more, all designed to inspire a conscious living lifestyle. Happening at King Gillette Ranch over the weekend of November 16-17.
21. Night in the City: L.A. After Dark is a three-part series co-produced by The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West. Topics will include the noir landscapes imagined through films and novels, the science behind our evening skies, and more aimed to unmask our city after sunset. The full-day symposium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. takes place at the Doheny Memorial Library. FREE
22. Get into the winter spirit when ICE at Santa Monica returns with a 8,000 square foot ice skating rink. Running November 1, 2019 through January 20, 2020.
23. Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair returns to Pasadena (November 16-17) with handmade makers ranging in products from home décor, food and houseware, to fashion accessories and body products. Admission is free.
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24. Norton Simon Museum hosts a Drop-in Drawing every Saturday. Guests can pick up a drawing board, paper and pencil at the Information Desk and enjoy drawing in the galleries and Sculpture Garden.
25. The Skirball presents Through A Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photography opening October 17. Before he became one of the most prolific directors of our time he was a 17-year old man who in 1945 sold his first photograph to the magazine Look. The public will see photos, many of them unpublished all exposing New York life through the eyes of Kubrick. The exhibit closes March 8, 2020.
26. A colorful, winding installation called The Second Home Serpentine Pavilion is now open at the La Brea Tar Pits for the summer and its 100% free for the public to roam and explore. The pavilion is open daily and will run through November 24. FREE
27. On Saturdays, The Getty Villa hosts a Tea by the Sea from 1-3 p.m. inspired by the Mediterranean herbs, vegetables, and fruits that grow at the Villa. Admission to the Villa is free with a reservation, the tea service reservation comes with a fee of $39 per person.
28. The Natural History Museums latest exhibit dives into the scientific inspiration behind some of Hollywoods most terrifying creatures. “Natural History of Horror” opens October 10, 2019 through April 19, 2020 and will include rare movie props, film footage, activities and museum specimens.
Sunday November 17th, 2019
29. Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light returns for another installment with a host of interactive displays and nighttime activities from November 17 through January 5, 2020.
30. There’s a San Fernando Valley Audubon Bird Walk taking place at Malibu Creek State Park this Sunday. FREE
31. Fit & Bendy will host a free Pre-Holiday Stress-Proofing Open House with a a 20-minute stretch and strengthen routine workshop and a variety of local vendors focused on self care will be on hand for you to discover and treat yourself.
32. The 18th Annual California Christmas at the Grove will feature a tree lighting ceremony, with magical snow fall, a fireworks show, an appearance by Santa and a special performance. FREE
33. The Patchwork Show is a large showcase of handmade and artisan crafts and creations. Support some of the best independent creators throughout Southern California by buying local this holiday.
34.The Bai Holiday Ice Rink returns to Pershing Square from Nov. 14, 2019 to Jan. 2, 2020 featuring a 7200 square foot outdoor ice-skating experience. A wide variety of events will take place throughout the duration of the rink.
35. Every third Sunday of each month The Autry presents a Western Music Association Showcase from noon to 3 p.m. where musicians and cowboy poets perform stories and songs of the Old West, the open range and the all American cowboy. This event is free with your admission to the museum.
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36. Stop into Hamburger Mary’s for their Legendary Bingo night this Sunday.
37. Friendship Buddies a free stand-up comedy show taking place at the Verdugo Bar back patio features some of the best comics in Los Angeles and beyond. Show starts at 8p.m. FREE
38. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with a screening of The Princess Bride this week.
Food Pick for the Week
This week’s pick by Christina Champlin, Co-Founder of We Like L.A.
Chez Jay celebrates their 60th anniversary by bringing back some of their 1959 menu items with 1950’s pricing this Saturday, November 16. Guest will be treated to live jazz, special cocktails, a photo booth, and more. The specially priced throwback menu will feature a New York Cut Steak ($5.95), Filet Mignon Béarnaise ($5.95), Grenadine of Beef with Mushroom Sauce ($4.50), Shrimp Curry A L’indienne Rice Pilaf ($3.95), Broiled Catalina Swordfish Béarnaise ($3.75) and a Surf ‘N’ Turf, featuring top sirloin and lobster tail ($6.95). Signature sides will also be available to accompany the throwback entrees. The celebration takes place from 4 p.m. to close. Reservations and 1950’s attire are encouraged for the event. All guests are limited to an hour and a half per table during this party. Cheers!
Chez Jay is located at 1657 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401
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