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We’re marching into another weekend in Los Angeles with plenty of options on the table, from the debut of multiple 2024 holiday lights programs to big, free activations at some of the county’s largest institutions. So where you headed?
From November 15-17 in L.A., you’ll find an opening celebration for NHM Commons, Night Games at the Music Center, Noon to Midnight with the LA Phil, Vulture Festival, SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc, Voices of Heritage at The Skirball, Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens, and more. Let’s sort through all the options in our list below.
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
NHM Commons Opening Day Celebration – M FA > To celebrate the debut of NHM Commons, a 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. More info here.
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park / USC Station
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Listening by Moonrise – M FA > Clockshop’s Listening by Moonrise quarterly series returns to L.A. State Historic Park this Friday with performances by Los Angeles-based artists Maral and SY3. Free to attend as always. Program runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Get more info here.
Night Games at the Music Center – M FA > This Friday and Saturday, The Music Center and IndieCade team up for Night Games, which showcases the creativity and innovation of the indie game community over two nights at Jerry Moss Plaza with tons of solo and multi-player games to enjoy. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. both nights. Free to attend. More info here.
Alamo Drafthouse Presents: A Broadway Rave – M > Musical lovers can swing over to Alamo Drafthouse DTLA this Friday for a special party celebrating all things Broadway with a live DJ, sing-alongs, and propmasters. It all takes place at the Video Vortex bar located inside the theater. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Definitely come dressed for the occassion! More info here.
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L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow -> Starting this Friday, The Los Angeles Zoo’s brightest annual tradition is back to transform the zoo grounds into a world of light and holiday magic. The after-hours event offers brightly lit displays and festive family-friendly experience every night throughout the entire holiday season. Adult tickets range from $29-$35, depending on the desired date to attend. Runs on select dates through January 5. More info here.
Grown in LA: A Festival of Los Angeles Wine -> On Friday, the Los Angeles Vintners Association (LAVA) will host a tasting event at Angeleno Wine Company, showcasing wines grown and made in Los Angeles. Sample unlimited tastings of over 30 small-production wines from 11 local wineries, with vineyards spanning Malibu, Bel Air, Santa Clarita, and beyond. Tickets are $71.21 per person. Food trucks will be available, and the L.A. Vintner table will highlight the lost history of Los Angeles winemaking. Runs 4 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Noon to Midnight LA Phil -> The LA Phil’s annual new-music marathon is back this Saturday with a fresh 12-hour slate of performances and art installations spread throughout Walt Disney Concert Hall, all curated by Pulitzer-prize winning composer Ellen Reid and paired with onsite food trucks and a beer garden. GA tickets start at $12, but keep in mind those do not provide entry to Doug Aitken’s Lightscape evening concert that caps off the event. More info here.
Opening Day Community Celebration for Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature – FA > This Saturday, The Broad hosts a community day celebrating the opening of Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature. The event includes a DJ set by In Sheep’s Clothing, a Family Weekend Workshop, and an exhibition-themed photobooth. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance.
We Place Life at the Center Seed Workshop – FA > This Saturday, the Vincent Price Art Museum is hosting a free interactive seed workshop with artist and seed educator Azita Banu in coordination with the museum’s newly installed Life at the Center installation. The hands-on workshop will educate attendees on the ethnobotanical history of seed libraries, teach the basics of seed-saving, and highlight seasonal and native plants from the Chumash and Tongva territories. Open to all ages, and all materials will be provided for registered participants. Runs 1 to 3 p.m. More info here.
Vulture Festival – M > On Saturday and Sunday, Vulture Festival is back for two days of actors in conversation, special screenings and panels, rare performances and workshops at NYA studios. Highlights include The Simpsons Live Oral History, Julio Torres’s Favorite Colors, Kat Williams is here, The Skeleton Twins Reunion With Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader and much more. Tickets for individual sessions start at $40. More info here.
Autumn Festival at The Aquarium – M > This annual two-day event at The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates Asian culture through traditional craft demonstrations, music, dance, cultural arts exhibits, and storytelling. Festival activities are included with general admission to the Aquarium, which starts at $44.95 for adults. Runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get more info here.
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Renegade Craft – M FA > This Saturday and Sunday, Renegade Craft market once again pops up for a day-two affair at Los Angeles State Historic Park featuring over 275 craft designers, artists, and creative vendors. Free to attend. More info here.
The Pasadena Armenian Festival – FA > Celebrate the vibrant culture of Armenia at the Pasadena Armenian Festival this Saturday. Expect an array of vendors selling Armenian crafts, artwork, jewelry, and more, plus live performances and a range of onsite food trucks The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Caltech’s PST ART Opening Doors Series Presents Tonality -> This Saturday evening at Caltech, the Grammy Award–winning vocal ensemble Tonality performs HomeCare at the Beckman Auditorium. HomeCare offers a choral concert focused on the climate crisis that includes the use of words from young leaders who have spoken about the urgent need for action to conserve what resources are still available on this planet. Following the performance you can catch a panel discussion featuring featuring Caltech researchers, including seismologist Lucy Jones. Tickets are $40. Show starts at 8 p.m. More info here.
SPARKLE DTLA Grand Debut – M FA > The 2024 edition of The Bloc’s holiday lights installation SPARKLE DTLA kicks off this Saturday with special live entertainment and giveaways, including performances by the Colburn Choir and Laura Marano. The main attraction will be the countdown/illumination of the lights display which features over 18 million hues of lights synched to festive tunes. The kickoff event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Voices of Heritage: Celebrating Indigenous and Jewish Languages and Cultures -> On Sunday, join the Skirball for a day-long, intergenerational celebration of Indigenous and Jewish languages and cultures. The event features engaging panel discussions, interactive activities and games, and performances including poetry, music, and more. This event is free to attend with museum admission ($18). More info here.
Enchanted: Forest of Light – > Descanso Gardens’ annual light spectacle is back for 2024 this Sunday with a range of wondrous, illuminated installations spread throughout the grounds, from 3-D geometric sculptures in the Rose Garden to a glowing meadow grass installation among the oaks. Adult tickets cost $22-$45 for non-members. Enchanted continues on select dates through January 5. More info here.
A Day of Quantum Listening – FA > This Sunday, A Day of Quantum Listening with Claire Chase comes to The Ebell as part of the Getty’s PST ART: Art and Science Collide intiative. Chase and a group of special guests will lead the session, which celebrate the work of Quantum Listening/Deep Listening theorist Pauline Oliveros through a series of instrumental interpretations and interactive opportunities. The program runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Free to attend with RSVP. More info here.
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Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Ayara Thai Loy Krathong Festival + Friendsgiving Special Menu – This weekend, Ayara Thai in Westchester invites Angelenos to celebrate Thailand’s Festival of Lights, Loy Krathong, with a special menu crafted and cooked Bangkok-style on the sidewalk by Chef Vanda and Chef Cathy Asapahu. Taking place this Friday and Saturday, the menu features unique dishes like Smoked Wagyu Salted Plum Soup, finished with Asin Tubuok—the world’s rarest artisanal salt, brought from the Philippines by Vanda just weeks ago. Other highlights include Chicken Curry Puff Pastry and a vibrant Yum Autumn Salad made with apples, pomelo, pomegranate, Asian pear, pork belly, shrimp, and peanut-sesame brittle. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, with a newly renovated private room for larger groups of 8 or more. Reservations via OpenTable are highly recommended, though walk-ins are welcome based on availability. The menu is also available for takeout.
Fantasy Cocktail Menu at Big Bar –> Big Bar in Los Feliz has unveiled a whimsical “Land of Big Bar” cocktail menu, celebrating all things fantasy. The lineup includes a dozen imaginative drinks, like “The Great Conjunction” inspired by The NeverEnding Story, the playful My Little Pony-themed “Pink Pony Club,” and the “Light of Eärendil” nodding to Lord of The Rings. There’s even a fantasy football-inspired cocktail, because why not? More info here.
Steak & Martini Night at Maple Block with Herd & Grace –> This Friday, Maple Block Meat Co. in Culver City partners with premium online butcher Herd & Grace for a special steak and martini night. The menu spotlights top-quality cuts, including a 14 oz Black Opal Australian Wagyu New York Strip, 8 oz Filet, and Maple Block’s signature 22 oz Bone-In Ribeye—all expertly grilled over oak and mesquite for that perfect smoky flavor. Enjoy sides like creamy spinach, crispy fries, and indulgent mac & cheese, alongside sauces like green peppercorn and fresh chimichurri. The cocktail menu features both timeless favorites (Vesper, Gibson) and creative spins (Sage Lemon Drop, Pickle Brine Martini). Dinner runs from 5-10 p.m., with reservations strongly encouraged due to limited seating. More info here.
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