November 2019 events calendar for Los Angeles
Plan your month with our November 2019 events calendar of the best activities, including free things to do, festivals and our favorite fall concerts
There are plenty of things to do in our November events calendar before you need to start thawing that turkey. Balance the upcoming holidays with equal parts generosity—try one of these volunteer opportunities—and gluttony—gorge on the best pies in Los Angeles for Thanksgiving. So bundle up (or strip down; it’s still L.A., after all) with affordable, essential fall fashion and take advantage of all there is to do in our November 2019 events calendar.
RECOMMENDED: Full events calendar for 2019
Time Out loves
Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
Thanksgiving in Los Angeles can be tough like an overcooked turkey—especially if you're without plans. Make sure that doesn't happen with our Thanksgiving guide.
Popular
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Perhaps the Los Angeles area’s most iconic flea market, this event around the exterior of the Rose Bowl is staggeringly colossal—but what else would you expect from a 90,000-seat stadium? The sheer size and scale of this flea market means that it encompasses multitudes: new and old, hand-crafted and salvaged, the cheap and the costly. On the second Sunday of each month, an odd mix of vendors populates the loop around the stadium: for every eye-catching artwork, there's a ratty $5 T-shirt, and for each elegant craft there's a competing "as seen on TV" demo. But you may have more luck in the rows and rows of old furniture, albums and vintage clothes and accessories that fill the adjacent parking lot. There are plenty of duds, to be sure, but come out early enough and you may go home with that perfect purchase. This destination flea market attracts bargain hunters, collectors, and antique aficionados from all over the county, so the organizers have instituted an extensive tiered entry/admission system, allowing professional and dedicated shoppers early access at a premium.
Artists & Fleas Venice
The newest flea market on the block, the Venice outpost of this artisan/craft-focused flea market mini-empire is bringing records, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and more to the Westminster Avenue Elementary School. A handful of small batch confectioners provide sweet treats to snack on or take home, while food trucks and nearby restaurants provide heartier bites. Though relatively small in size, owing perhaps to its prime location bookending the neighborhood’s famed Abbot Kinney stretch, vendors hawk a diverse range of hand-made and expertly curated wares that seems to simultaneously fit in and stand out in one of the nation’s most unusual neighborhoods.
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen
Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler host their variety show, Hot Tub, every Monday night at the Virgil. Expect a fresh, oddball lineup each week of stand-up comics, sketch performances and new music.
Asssscat
Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise’s longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater’s current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that’s deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who’s there—that’s part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.
The Black Keys
After five years of quiet, the blues-y Ohio natives are returning for an arena tour of more soulful, crunchy grooves. Hear Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney float through some nifty psych boogies at the Forum, with support from Modest Mouse and Shannon & the Clams.
Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano
Each summer, a different world-renowned architect constructs a short-lived immersive pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens. Now, for the first time, one of those fleeting structures is headed stateside: SelgasCano’s crisscross of airy rainbow tunnels will welcome visitors who are looking for colorful photo ops and free performances, hosted by coworking space Second Home and the Natural History Museum. Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano This iridescent rainbow pavilion has landed at the La Brea Tar Pits—and you can visit for free. http://bit.ly/2LnXCT6 Posted by Time Out Los Angeles on Thursday, June 27, 2019 We’re sure the pavilion’s Insta-worthiness will be the biggest attraction for most visitors, but take a moment to admire some of the whimsical architectural details: the colorful latticework of shadows on the floor, the calm canopy of streamers overhead, the iridescent shimmer of the plastic walls, the winding hallway that hugs the pavilion’s exterior. It should provide a stunning backdrop, too, for the pavilion’s planned live talks, which already include the likes of Universal Music, Netflix, World Wildlife Fund, David Lynch, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Frieze LA, LACMA and the mayor’s office. You can swing by daily from 11am to 7pm (and until 9pm on Fridays), though timed express entry tickets will also be released. While you definitely want to visit when there’s ample sunlight to make the irridescent exterior and its colorful shadows more vibrant, do
Donna Huanca: Obsidian Ladder
Known for using nude bodies as her canvas, Huanca’s site-specific performance piece has filled the Marciano’s theater gallery, a former gathering place for the Freemason’s secret order of men, with painted female models. The only consistent thing about the Marciano’s theater gallery is how wildly different it appears during each exhibition, and Obsidian Ladder is no exception. Huanca has bathed the space in harsh white lighting—made (unintentionally?) more clinical by the white-clad museum employees who line the perimeter. But the pieces between the massive, slanted vertigo-inducing walls feel far more organic and ritualistic. Seven models—sometimes standing, other times kneeling or laying down—adorned with pendants, elaborate hair pieces and thick ponytails move slowly about a series of steel sculptures. There’s no set path or choreography; the models are free to move as they please, though there are certainly moments where all of their movement seems coordinated. Two important things we should note: Performances are only scheduled on Saturdays from 11am to 5pm. Though Huanca’s blue swirls of paint are still beautiful, the installation isn’t complete without the models. Speaking of, that brings us to our second point: Yes, the female models in the installation are fully nude. It’s certainly something to keep in mind for younger viewers, though nothing is obscene or lewd—quite the contrary, as Huanca’s body paint work is simply stunning and lends the whole piece an empoweri
Meet on Beach
Slow down and see busy Beach Boulevard from a new perspective during this open streets event spanning seven Orange County cities. While the whole 21-mile highway won’t close, a cumulative 1.5 miles will be rid of cars on November 17 in La Habra, Buena Park, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, Westminster and Huntington Beach.
Melrose Trading Post
If Melrose Ave is LA’s sceney-est street, then the Melrose Trading Post is the epicenter of that scene. Every Sunday, hundreds of stylish Angelenos head over to Fairfax High School for the beloved Melrose Trading Post ($3 entry, free parking). Smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles, it's much more than a mere flea market: live music, a food court, and expansive grounds bring people out to wile away the day, chat with old friends, and yes, be seen. Fortunately, the Trading Post is also a world-class flea market. With the right balance of new and old, expensive and affordable , the many vendors hustling artwork, succulents, and vintage jackets fill a startlingly expansive space in an urban epicenter.
Mar Vista Art Walk
This fun neighborhood stroll highlights the numerous artists, musicians, shops and galleries of Mar Vista, where huge vivid murals brighten exterior walls everywhere you look. Since launching in 2015, the quarterly event has dramatically expanded, now featuring several clusters of activity along Venice Boulevard. Catch local musicians and performers throughout the evening, artists selling their works as well as creating new ones on the spot, grab food from trucks, and browse galleries and shops that stay open late. The walk takes place the first Thursday of March, June, September and November, each time featuring a different theme and the artists are curated by Monique Boileau and Mitchelito Orquiola.
Selling Fast
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen
Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler host their variety show, Hot Tub, every Monday night at the Virgil. Expect a fresh, oddball lineup each week of stand-up comics, sketch performances and new music.
The Black Keys
After five years of quiet, the blues-y Ohio natives are returning for an arena tour of more soulful, crunchy grooves. Hear Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney float through some nifty psych boogies at the Forum, with support from Modest Mouse and Shannon & the Clams.
Dogs! A Science Tail
We love their adorable faces, quirky behavior and unwavering loyalty. We bring them everywhere—particularly here in L.A. And they may very well make us better people. It’s no surprise then that dogs would get an entire exhibition dedicated to their canine skills and unique relationship with humans. “Dogs! A Science Tail” takes a colorful, hands-on approach to its subject and mainly targets kids. But dog lovers of all ages will delight in the displays at the California Science Center: You can squeeze between two pointed ears to listen to how dogs perceive the sounds of a street scene different than humans; you can put your face up against a dog-shaped viewfinder that simulates canine vision; and you can test your knowledge in a game of Jeopawdy! Kids will particularly love seeing how fast they are compared to dogs and sniffing scents that a dog might encounter—from coffee and bubblegum to, yes, poop and farts. The exhibition also includes a selection of dog-featuring works of art, mostly Norman Rockwell paintings and Charles Schulz Peanuts strips, on loan from the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Make sure to catch daily live demonstrations of dogs’ rescue, agility, sensory and service skills (i.e. a guide dog walking a sightless trainer through an obstacle course). You’ll find the demo area near the exhibition’s exit, just before the gift shop.
Adult Swim Festival
Everyone’s favorite chill-out block of out-there animation is taking its signature brand of comedy and music to L.A. for its second festival. The Adult Swim Festival will take over the Banc of California Stadium on November 15 and 16. Cartoon-inspired acts top Friday night of the fest, with Metalocalypse’s Dethklok and Flying Lotus’s animated moniker Captain Murphy. Saturday, meanwhile, features more hip-hop heavy hitters, including Vince Staples, Young Thug and Lil Nas X, plus Jamie XX, Tierra Whack, CupcakKe and a live version of The Eric Andre Show. Expect plenty of Adult Swim show tie-ins, too, including games and exclusive merch as well as an exclusive Rick and Morty season four screening, plus experiences based on Robot Chicken and Squidbillies. Single-day passes cost $49, while a weekend pass runs for $95, with VIP upgrades available.
Dreamstate
This fledgling fest from industry titans Insomniac tapped Paul van Dyk and Paul Oakenfold for its inaugural celebration of trance. For this year’s fest, you’ll find the likes of Above and Beyond, Abraxis (the latest project from Seven Lions), Astrix, Vini Vici and more.
Sara Bareilles
If you tuned out after “Love Song,” you may have penciled in Bareilles as a one-hit wonder. But instead, the singer-songwriter’s profile has only grown over the years, most notably with her turn on Broadway, penning the music and lyrics for Waitress. See her perform at the Hollywood Bowl this fall on the back of her latest album, Amidst the Chaos.
Gesaffelstein
French producer Gesaffelstein stops by the Shrine Expo Hall to blast out his irresistible dirty dancefloor electro to the sweaty masses.
Sleater-Kinney
Everyone reunites—it’s human nature—so it’s no surprise that Sleater-Kinney is back. But few comebacks are so welcome. The Sleater-Kinney trio trashes and swings with a two-guitar attack, offering a sound that is growing more and more uncommon. We’re not only talking unfiltered rock, but also a headline act of all women. What makes S-K really roar is the work of all three voices combined.
Designer Con
Attention toy geeks, illustrators, underground-art lovers and anyone with a sense of humor and a love for plushy things: Find your inner child at the annual DesignerCon, where more than 500 vendors and artists will showcase toys, art, design and collectibles at the Anaheim Convention Center. Check the website for the full schedule.
Wild Adventures: Behind the Scenes Tours
The L.A. Zoo houses 1,400 animals across 270 species, and those critters rely on all facets of the zoo’s support system. Through these behind-the-scenes tours (each one tackles two locations in 90 minutes), the Griffith Park institution shines a light on those programs, including its medical facilities, food storage systems, habitat design and conservation efforts. Offered on Saturdays and Sundays, this revolving selection of tours is a good fit for any visitor seeking to experience to view the zoo from the other side of the fences. While you won’t find hands-on animal encounters aboard these, you will get pretty close to some critters.
Free
Artists & Fleas Venice
The newest flea market on the block, the Venice outpost of this artisan/craft-focused flea market mini-empire is bringing records, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and more to the Westminster Avenue Elementary School. A handful of small batch confectioners provide sweet treats to snack on or take home, while food trucks and nearby restaurants provide heartier bites. Though relatively small in size, owing perhaps to its prime location bookending the neighborhood’s famed Abbot Kinney stretch, vendors hawk a diverse range of hand-made and expertly curated wares that seems to simultaneously fit in and stand out in one of the nation’s most unusual neighborhoods.
Asssscat
Every Saturday and Sunday, the UCB franchise’s longest-running, most beloved showcase starts when a base cast of the theater’s current top-brass—including founding UCB members Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts—takes the stage. Then they introduce the surprise celebrity alumnae and friends who will be joining them (think Horatio Sanz, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally). And finally, another special guest takes the stage, a non-improviser (think Flea, Cat Power, Rebel Wilson, Lena Dunham) who opens the show with a personal story, that’s deftly mined for laughs by the players. But you have to go to find out who’s there—that’s part of the fun. Looking for a cheap night out? Sunday shows are free, but seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early.
Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano
Each summer, a different world-renowned architect constructs a short-lived immersive pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens. Now, for the first time, one of those fleeting structures is headed stateside: SelgasCano’s crisscross of airy rainbow tunnels will welcome visitors who are looking for colorful photo ops and free performances, hosted by coworking space Second Home and the Natural History Museum. Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano This iridescent rainbow pavilion has landed at the La Brea Tar Pits—and you can visit for free. http://bit.ly/2LnXCT6 Posted by Time Out Los Angeles on Thursday, June 27, 2019 We’re sure the pavilion’s Insta-worthiness will be the biggest attraction for most visitors, but take a moment to admire some of the whimsical architectural details: the colorful latticework of shadows on the floor, the calm canopy of streamers overhead, the iridescent shimmer of the plastic walls, the winding hallway that hugs the pavilion’s exterior. It should provide a stunning backdrop, too, for the pavilion’s planned live talks, which already include the likes of Universal Music, Netflix, World Wildlife Fund, David Lynch, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Frieze LA, LACMA and the mayor’s office. You can swing by daily from 11am to 7pm (and until 9pm on Fridays), though timed express entry tickets will also be released. While you definitely want to visit when there’s ample sunlight to make the irridescent exterior and its colorful shadows more vibrant, do
Donna Huanca: Obsidian Ladder
Known for using nude bodies as her canvas, Huanca’s site-specific performance piece has filled the Marciano’s theater gallery, a former gathering place for the Freemason’s secret order of men, with painted female models. The only consistent thing about the Marciano’s theater gallery is how wildly different it appears during each exhibition, and Obsidian Ladder is no exception. Huanca has bathed the space in harsh white lighting—made (unintentionally?) more clinical by the white-clad museum employees who line the perimeter. But the pieces between the massive, slanted vertigo-inducing walls feel far more organic and ritualistic. Seven models—sometimes standing, other times kneeling or laying down—adorned with pendants, elaborate hair pieces and thick ponytails move slowly about a series of steel sculptures. There’s no set path or choreography; the models are free to move as they please, though there are certainly moments where all of their movement seems coordinated. Two important things we should note: Performances are only scheduled on Saturdays from 11am to 5pm. Though Huanca’s blue swirls of paint are still beautiful, the installation isn’t complete without the models. Speaking of, that brings us to our second point: Yes, the female models in the installation are fully nude. It’s certainly something to keep in mind for younger viewers, though nothing is obscene or lewd—quite the contrary, as Huanca’s body paint work is simply stunning and lends the whole piece an empoweri
Meet on Beach
Slow down and see busy Beach Boulevard from a new perspective during this open streets event spanning seven Orange County cities. While the whole 21-mile highway won’t close, a cumulative 1.5 miles will be rid of cars on November 17 in La Habra, Buena Park, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, Westminster and Huntington Beach.
Mar Vista Art Walk
This fun neighborhood stroll highlights the numerous artists, musicians, shops and galleries of Mar Vista, where huge vivid murals brighten exterior walls everywhere you look. Since launching in 2015, the quarterly event has dramatically expanded, now featuring several clusters of activity along Venice Boulevard. Catch local musicians and performers throughout the evening, artists selling their works as well as creating new ones on the spot, grab food from trucks, and browse galleries and shops that stay open late. The walk takes place the first Thursday of March, June, September and November, each time featuring a different theme and the artists are curated by Monique Boileau and Mitchelito Orquiola.