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10 Free Things To Do in L.A. You Should Bookmark for 2024

December 29, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
KCRW Summer Nights in Chinatown, 2023. Photo by Brian Champlin

What a year! For the past eight months, We Like L.A. and Metro have teamed up fill your social calendar with freebies. We’ve carved out lists and drawn up maps and offered helpful hints on where to find events and art and music and culture on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. All free to access/attend. All accessible by Metro bus or rail.

Now, as 2023 draws to a close, we want to look back on some of our favorites. But just as (if not more) important, we want to point out that everything we’ll mention below should be applicable for 2024. So maybe don’t think of it as a review, but a preview of what 2024 will have to offer. And if that’s the case, we think the future is looking pretty good.

Dance DTLA

dance-dtla-music-center
A crowd gathers for Dance DTLA at The Music Center. Photo by Brian Champlin.

On Friday evenings throughout the summer, The Music Center hosts family-friendly dance parties at Jerry Moss Plaza featuring expert instructors, live DJs, and bites for purchase. Each event is themed with a special style of dance, from Samba and Disco to Bollywood and Hip-Hop. And of course, the Music Center is a synch to get to by Metro, accessible by Civic Ctr / Grand Park Station (B or D line) or Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station (A or E line).

KCRW Summer Nights

Latin Grammy nominee Rogê performs at KCRW Summer Nights at The Hammer. Photo by Christina Champlin

It’s no secret that Santa Monica-based radio station KCRW hosts some of the best live event programming in Los Angeles. Chief among these series is Summer Nights, an annual set of activations that combine live music or DJ sets with some of the city’s finest cultural locales, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Japanese American National Museum, the California African American Museum, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Chinatown’s Central Plaza. This past July, we rode Metro’s 720 rapid line along Wilshire Blvd to visit Summer Nights at The Hammer Museum, and it was hands down one of the best nights we had all year.

Getty Off the 405

Off the 405 Concert at The Getty. Photo by Christina Champlin

On a handful of Saturdays every summer, the Getty Center’s annual Off the 405 concert series brings indie and world artists to a pop-up stage at the Getty’s courtyard for an evening of chill tunes and fine art. Peruse the galleries, purchase a few bites, and settle in for live music in one of the most idyllic spots in the city. PLUS: If you want to skip the Getty’s parking fees, you can take Metro’s 761 bus to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.

Grand Performances

Grand Performances, 2023. Photo by Brian Champlin

This annual free summer concert series at California Plaza is one of the best (and longest running) freebie bets in the city. On just about every Saturday from June to August, you can check out free, all-ages shows, headlined by artists from an array of genres, all set against the backdrop of Angels Flight Railway and the surrounding DTLA skyline. Plus, it’s only a five-minute walk from Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station (A or E line). Check back to Grand Performances website this spring to see what the 2024 lineup will look like.

Sunday Sessions at Grand Park

Sunday Sessions at Gloria Molina Grand Park. Photo by Brian Champlin

Sunday Sessions at Gloria Molina Grand Park feature specially-curated lineups of DJs paired with experiences/activations, usually themed whatever genre of music in focus for that date. These free events also feature cocktails for purchase, and there’s always plenty of space to hang out and picnic. It usually runs three to four times per year over the summer, but stay apprised by visiting the Grand Park’s events page for updates. And if you go Metro, the Civic Ctr / Grand Park Station (B or D line) is a great access point.

First Fridays in Chinatown

couple-shopping-chinatown-first-fridays-chung-king-plaza
A couple exploring shops and vendors in Chung King Plaza during Chinatown First Fridays. Photo by Christina Champlin.

One the first Friday of every month (usually), L.A.’s Chinatown businesses stay open late, offering visitors the chance to exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. The main activation is hosted at West Plaza and Chungking Road, usually with about a dozen local pop-up vendors participating, plus DJ-spun music, and a food vendor or two as well. It usually runs from 6 to 10 p.m., but you’ll want to check the event’s Instagram page for updates, and to ensure the event is on for the coming month.

Jackalope in Pasadena

Jackalope at Central Park in Old Pasadena. Photo by Brian Champlin

As part of round-up of holiday markets for 2023, we had a chance to visit some of the best shopping pop-ups around greater Los Angeles, and one of our favorites is Jackalope. This traveling showcase of indie artisans brings close to 200 hand-crafted vendors to Pasadena’s Central Park twice annually (spring and fall). It also happens to be just a stone’s throw from the Del Mar Metro station (A Line), making it a perfect option to shop and transit sustainably.

Free Museums + Friday Night Jazz at LACMA

One of our favorite free tips for 2023 was a free museum two-step taking Metro’s 720 Rapid Line along Wilshire Blvd. On weekdays, L.A. County residents with valid I.D. can get free admission at both the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and La Brea Tar Pits Museum after 3 p.m. Then, cap things off with LACMA’s free Friday night Jazz concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza. The jazz series generally runs from March to November (check the calendar for updates).

A Painted Stair Walk in Silver Lake

Je T’aime LA mural (top set of the Swan Stairs) painted by artist Evelyn Leigh. Photo by Brian Champlin

Want to your steps in? Take the Metro 2 or 4 line to Sunset Blvd. / Silver Lake Blvd., then hop off for a 2-ish mile jaunt featuring no fewer than 7 urban staircases, including several of the most Instagrammable in the city. We wrote a handy guide outlining the whole route (map included) for you to check out here.

The L.A. City Hall Observation Deck

View of the DTLA skyline from Los Angeles City Hall Observation Deck

As part of a guide on Metro-accessible viewing spots of DTLA, we swung over to Los Angeles City Hall back in September to check out the the observation deck on the 27th floor. The observation deck is open on weekdays and admission is free (but the view is priceless!).


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5 Free Things To Do This Weekend in L.A. [12-21-2023 to 12-24-2023]

December 21, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
LA County Holiday Celebration. Photo via The Music Center

With any luck, this week’s rain storms will be a thing of the past by Friday afternoon, which means you’ll get a full weekend of festive outings before the Christmas holiday on Monday. And if you need a little social prep (as in suggestions for things to do) over the next three days, then you’ve come to the right place.

Below, a few North Star-bright ideas to get you started. All free. All accessible by Metro rail or bus.

Hope you enjoy!

Free To-Dos This Weekend

Christmas Karaoke at Grand Central Market -> – This Friday, Grand Central Market hosts an evening of free holiday karaoke to celebrate the season, plus a do-it-yourself Ugly Holiday Sweater station. If you want to show up and sing your heart out, sign-up for the karaoke is free (first-come, first-served) but sweater kits will cost you $30 for the supplies (including the sweater you get to keep). Event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Historic Broadway station.

Cocoa & Carols -> Runway Playa Vista’s Cocoa & Carols series continues this Friday, offering guests a chance to grab a complimentary cup of gourmet hot cocoa (along with plenty of toppings) while they enjoy performances from acapella carolers. Epic Mega Cookie Co. will be on hand with a specia l treat offering. All free to enjoy/attend, but supplies are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Runs 6 to 8 p.m. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

Ovation Hollywood Holiday Programming -> Ovation Hollywood hosts holiday activations this Friday to Sunday, including afternoon performances by the Jingle 5 Carolers, Candy Cane Stilt Walkers, songs from Holly Belles Holiday Singers, meet-and-greets with Nutcracker characters and Santa’s Head Elf, plus free photos with Saint Nick himself. Times vary on each day, so be sure to check Ovation’s events page for details. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland.

Weekend In Hogsmeade Movie Night -> This Saturday, Lawndale’s Far Field Beer Co. becomes “Hogsmeade Brewery” for one special night, highlighted by family-friendly screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, ornament making activities for kids, special brews for the event (such as Sorting Hat Seltzer), and discounts for those who come dressed for the occasion. The screening begins at 6 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 40/120 to Hawthorne / Rosecrans.

L.A. County Holiday Celebration – > This Sunday the 64th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration returns live to The Music Center with a diverse lineup of L.A.-based artists performing holiday favorites. If you can’t make it out for the show, remember the performance will also be broadcast on PBS SoCal and streamed live on pbssocal.org. Runs 3 to 6 p.m. The event offers free admission, but there is no reserved ticketing and seating will be first-come, first-seated. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station OR take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.


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Free Events + Free Metro Rides is How to Do New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles

December 15, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
New Year’s Eve at Grand Park. Photo via The Music Center / Grand Park

New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles is a balancing act. You want to celebrate, but you also want to do so safely. That’s why we’re starting this week’s guide with a friendly reminder:

As we turn the page to 2024, Metro is again offering free rides on New Year’s Eve, including all bus, rail, and bike services across all of Los Angeles County from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. on January 1. All turnstiles unlatched. All fare boxes covered. No TAP card required. Just keep in mind as you’re transiting to and from your destinations that Metro’s holiday service will be in effect, meaning the last trains will depart around midnight. [UPDATE: Metro has announced that trains will run all night on New Year’s Eve] So if you do decide to include public transit as part of your celebration, you’ll want to stay on top of the schedules and plan accordingly.

Oh, and speaking of planning, we’ve got a few ideas on that front as well, from the city’s biggest block-party style celebrations to themed shindigs at some of our favorite local bars and breweries.

We’ll talk you through a few recommendations below. And yes, before you ask, they’re all free to attend.

Free New Year’s Eve Events in Los Angeles

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA Countdown to 2024 -> Gloria Molina Grand Park hosts the west coast’s largest free New Year’s Eve event, capped by a 3D countdown art show projected onto L.A.’s iconic City Hall. The evening features immersive art installations, 30+ food trucks on hand with bites for sale, two stages of music, and an all-female DJ lineup. Runs 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and it’s free to attend. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center.

New Years Eve Fireworks & GLOW Party -> Marina del Rey’s New Years Eve Fireworks & GLOW Party takes over Burton Chace Park with a slew of family-friendly activities to ring in the new year, including DJ sets, face-painting, food trucks, and a photo booth, all scheduled around a pair of 10-minute fireworks displays (9 p.m. and midnight). The fun starts at 7 p.m., and it’s free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 108 to Mindanao / Lincoln.

Angel City Brewery No Cover New Year’s -> Angel City Brewery is hosting an all-day, 80’s themed, NYE Party featuring live band karaoke, DJ-spun tunes, bites for purchase, and plenty of beers on offer. Era-appropriate attire is heartily encouraged. Free to attend, but 21+ only. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

Soul Grain NYE Party -> Common Space Brewery slides into the new year with an evening of soulful vibes, danceable tunes, tacos, micheladas, and of course tons of beers on tap. The fun goes from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and there is no cover to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo

Intergalactic New Year’s at Big Bar -> Los Feliz’s Big Bar is hosting an all-day, space-themed New Year’s celebration, marking the turn to 2024 with an hourly countdown, 10 intergalactic cocktails, and complimentary champagne toasts. The party starts at 3 p.m., and will continue on through midnight. Admission is free. Go Metro: Take Line 180 to Vermont / Franklin.

Homebound Brew Haus NYE -> The Union Station-based, Dodgers-loving bar is closing at the end of 2023, but they’re sending things off in style with a NYE bash featuring DJ sets, giveaways, karaoke, a photo booth, and more. Runs 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free entry (first-come, first-served), but space is limited. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

Long Beach New Year’s Fireworks -> The City of Long Beach rings in 2024 with a pair of fireworks shows, one at 9 p.m. for the east coast / earlier revelers, then again at midnight to mark the new year on the west coast. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 1st Street Station in Long Beach.


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Free Things To Do For the Next 40 Days in L.A. [December 2023 edition]

December 8, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
View of Downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding basin from the Griffith Observatory West Terrace. Photo by Brian Champlin

As we glide through the final days of 2023, our latest really big list has one simple goal: Give you a bunch of ideas of how to end your year in Los Angeles, and make the start to 2024 your best yet.

To accomplish that feat, we’ve mapped out 5 weeks of L.A. events that include free holiday activations, free skating nights, free museums days, free movie nights, free discussions, free performances and… well… are you sensing a theme here?

And of course the best part is that every single one of our ideas is accessible by Metro bus or rail, which means no parking costs, no traffic, and no sweat.

So grab your TAP card, check the list (twice if necessary), and get yourself on track to another great year in the Southland.

Free Things To Do

M = Metro Accessible

December 8: M Netflix Family Nights at Ice Santa Monica offers free skate sessions (first-come, first-served) on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 26. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 8: M Movie Fridays on Third Street Promenade presents a screening of Die Hard. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 9: M The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade returns for the 61st edition, offering musical entertainment, food trucks, and a pre-parade fireworks display. Go Metro: Take Line 108 to Mindanao / Lincoln.

December 9: M Runway Playa Vista screens Elf as part of their Movie Under The Stars holiday series. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 9: M The December edition of the Canoga Park Block Party features 50+ vendors, including special holiday programming. Go Metro: Take Line 162 to Sherman Way / Owensmouth.

December 9: M Pawliday Market at PetSpace offers an array of pet-focused vendors plus sweet photo ops for you and your four-legged friends. Go Metro: Take Line 108/110 to Jefferson / Inglewood.

December 9: M The Getty celebrates the exhibition Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela (1928–1978) with a free jazz performance, discussion event, and complimentary bites. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.

December 9: M The Goddess Mercado brings 50+ vendors and live music to the East L.A. Civic Center: Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station

December 9: M The Winter Open House at Bergamot Station features a full day of gallery receptions, artist talks, food, and entertainment. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.

December 9: M Creative Communal brings it’s brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 9: M Earle’s on Crenshaw is co-hosting a Makers Market featuring live DJs and local vendors at Crenshaw Square on three Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 210 to Crenshaw / 39th.

December 9: M Metro presents We Are Here: Poetry Along the K at the Museum of African American Art at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Martin Luther King Jr. Station.

December 9-10: M Jackalope Indie Craft Market brings 175 vendors to Downtown Burbank over a two-day event. Go Metro: Take Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando OR Take Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.

December 10: M Museum of Latin American Art hosts a children’s Make Your Own Holiday Ornament workshop. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station in Long Beach.

December 10: M A Snowy Wonderland offers a free day of holiday fun in Inglewood at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 209/10 to Crenshaw / Imperial OR Take the C Line to Crenshaw Station.

December 10: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 10: M Filled Market brings a Filipino Holiday Market & Celebration to Smorgasburg with local artisans, brands, body artists, DJs, and more. Go Metro: Take Line 53, 60 or 62 to Central / 7th.

December 10: M Ivy Station hosts a Celebration of Hanukkah featuring  giant menorah lighting, live klezmer music, face painting, games, hot latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt, dreidels, arts and crafts, and a free raffle. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station

December 11: M The Hanukkah Celebration at the Beverly Center will offer an evening of live entertainment, arts and crafts, traditional treats and more. Go Metro: Take Line 14/105/617 to La Cienega / Beverly.

December 12: M Netflix Family Nights at Ice Santa Monica offers free skate sessions (first-come, first-served) on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 26. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 14: M How Do We Hear America? is a special evening of music at Zócalo Public Square featuring compositions from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, artist, and 2023 MacArthur fellow Raven Chacon. Go Metro: Take the A or E line to Pico station OR take Lines 35/38 along Broadway.

December 14: M All Space Considered brings Griffith Observatory’s curatorial staff together for a discussion/presentation on the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy and space science. Take the B Line to Vermont/Sunset station then ride the DASH Observatory Shuttle (free to ride) to Griffith Observatory.

December 15: M Netflix Family Nights at Ice Santa Monica offers free skate sessions (first-come, first-served) on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 26. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 16: M Creative Communal brings its brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 16: M Earle’s on Crenshaw is co-hosting a Makers Market featuring live DJs and local vendors at Crenshaw Square on three Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 210 to Crenshaw / 39th.

December 16: M The Queer Mercado brings queer vendors, live music, food, and drag performances to the East L.A. Civic Center every third Saturday. Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station

December 16: M Runway Playa Vista screens Home Alone as part of their Movie Under The Stars holiday series. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 16-17: M Shogun Santa makes his annual appearance in Japanese Village Plaza. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

December 17: M The Special Needs Network, Inc. and Social Justice Learning Institute team up for Christmas In the Park in Leimert Park, which will feature toy giveaways, Santa photo ops, food distribution, DJs, arts, crafts, and refreshments. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Leimert Park Station.

December 17: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 17: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Cristina Montes Mateo (harp) & Friends. Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

December 19: M Netflix Family Nights at Ice Santa Monica offers free skate sessions (first-come, first-served) on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 26. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 22: M Netflix Family Nights at Ice Santa Monica offers free skate sessions (first-come, first-served) on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 26. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 23: M Earle’s on Crenshaw is co-hosting a Makers Market featuring live DJs and local vendors at Crenshaw Square on three Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 210 to Crenshaw / 39th.

December 24: M The 64th annual LA County Holiday Celebration offers an afternoon of L.A.-based artists performing holiday favorites at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station OR take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.

December 26: M Netflix Family Nights at Ice Santa Monica offers free skate sessions (first-come, first-served) on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 26. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 30: M Ovation Hollywood hosts a Kwanzaa Celebration featuring a performance from the Ujima dance & drum troupe, free cookies, crafting, and more. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland.

December 31 – REMINDER – To make your New Year’s Eve a little safer, Metro is offering free rides on all Metro bus, rail, bike across all of Los Angeles County.

December 31: M Gloria Molina Grand Park hosts the west coast’s largest free New Year’s Eve event, capped by a 3D countdown art show projected onto L.A.’s iconic City Hall. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center.

December 31: M The New Years Eve Fireworks & GLOW Party returns to Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey. Go Metro: Take Line 108 to Mindanao / Lincoln.

December 31: M Angel City Brewery is hosting an all-day, 80’s themed, no Cover NYE Party. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

December 31: M Soul Grain NYE Party at Common Space Brewery. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo

December 31: M Los Feliz’s Big Bar is hosting an all-day, space-themed New Year’s celebration. Go Metro: Take Line 180 to Vermont / Franklin.

January 1: M The 135th Rose Parade returns to Pasadena. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar Station, Memorial Park Station, Lake Ave Station, or Allen Station.

January 3: M Common Space Brewery kicks off the new year with their free first Wednesday comedy night. Go Metro: Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo

January 4: M DTLA ArtNight runs every first Thursday of the month, activating 25+ galleries along Downtown’s Historic Core. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Pershing Square station OR take the A or E or Lines to Historic Broadway Station.

January 5: M Norton Simon Museum offers free admission every first Friday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m. Go Metro: Take Line 182 / 256 to Colorado / Orange Grove.

January 5: M Los Angeles State Historic Park hosts a camp fire hang-out featuring treats and special programming every first Friday of the month. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown Station.

January 7: M 2024 Oshogatsu Family Festival—Year of the Dragon comes to the Japanese American National Museum. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

January 7: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra. Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

January 7: M LA Made + Sid the Cat Present Hand Habits at Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium. Go Metro: Take the A, B, D, or E Line to 7th Street / Metro Center Station.

January 9: M The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers free admission to all every second Tuesday of the month. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.

January 9: M The Autry Museum offers free admission every second Tuesday of the month. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

January 13: M The January edition of the Canoga Park Block Party features 50+ vendors, including special holiday programming. Go Metro: Take Line 162 to Sherman Way / Owensmouth.

January 14: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

January 15: M The 39th annual Kingdom Day Parade returns to Leimert Park. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Leimert Park Station.

January 17: M Self-Help Graphics Wellness Wednesday series pops up at Latinx Plants in Boyle Heights. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Soto Station.


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8 Free Things to do to Start Your December in Los Angeles

November 30, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
first-fridays-chinatown-chung-king-plaza
People gathering for Chinatown First Fridays at the West Plaza along Chung King Rd. Photo by Christina Champlin.

The last month of the year opens with a weekend, so you know what that means? We can slide into the December groove with a fistful of free things to do around the Southland.

First Fridays? Check. Movie screenings? Got two of those. A block party and an open-streets fest? Yes and yes. All free to attend, all easily accessible by Metro’s bus and rail service.

Kickstart your month by scanning our rundown below.

8 Free To-Dos to Start December

First Friday in Chinatown -> 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 December 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.

Pasadena Tree Lighting -> Pasadena City Hall gets the holiday treatment this Friday with a special tree lighting ceremony hosted by the mayor of Pasadena. The celebration features local singers and dancers, crafts for kids provided by Armory Center for the Arts, light refreshments, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Runs to 5 to 7 p.m., with the lighting taking place at 6 p.m. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park Station.

Night Plant Market at Three Weavers -> This Saturday, Night Plant Market brings an outdoor pop-up to Three Weavers Brewing Company in Inglewood featuring a unique selection of vendors offering houseplants, home decor, pottery, gardening supplies and more. Plus, The Vegan Hooligans will be on-site with bites for purchase and you can enjoy vinyl tunes spun by Meowhaus. And of course, plenty of great beers on tap! The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. and is free to attend. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Westchester / Veterans Station.

Elf at Ivy Station -> On Saturday, Culver City’s Ivy Station will host a Holiday Movie Night screening of Elf. Bring a blanket and snag a spot on the lawn, snap a festive photo at their selfie station and enjoy complimentary popcorn courtesy of Motion Flix. Free to attend. Starts at 5:30 p.m. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station.

The Grinch at Runway Playa Vista -> Runway Playa Vista screens The Grinch as part of their Movie Under The Stars holiday series on Saturday. They’ll offer complimentary buttery popcorn too! Event starts at 5:30 p.m., and admission is free. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

Holiday Arts & Music Festival -> The Valley Cultural Foundation’s 2023 Holiday Arts & Music Festival comes to Warner Center Park this Saturday for a festive day of photo ops with Santa, snow play, small business shopping, food trucks and crafts for kids. Runs 1 to 5 p.m., and admission is free. Go Metro: Take Lines 150/169 to Topanga Canyon / Marylee.

Holiday Block Party in the Arts District -> On Sunday, Truly LA, Angel City Brewery, and Makeshift Muse team up for a Holiday Block Party in the Arts District featuring a curated selection of 50 local brands, artists, and makers, plus live entertainment, and sips and bites for purchase. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

CicLAvia – South L.A. -> The final 2023 installment of CicLAvia pops up this Sunday in South L.A., carving out a 6-mile, car-free route along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd from Crenshaw to Central Ave, featuring multiple activity hubs and plenty of local gems to explore along the way. Go Metro: Access the route by stops along three different Metro lines, including the A, E, and K Lines.


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Free Things To Do for the Holiday Season in Los Angeles [2023]

November 22, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
union-station-tree-santa-claus
Union Station Tree Lighting ceremony with Santa. Photo by Christina Champlin.

This past Monday, Los Angeles Union Station hosted their 8th annual Tree Lighting ceremony, and we were there to experience the holiday cheer! As we sipped hot cocoa and witnessed the countdown to light up the 30-foot tree at the station’s South Patio, we couldn’t help but think, “Isn’t it nice to see the community come together like this, and all at the county’s biggest transit hub?”

But it also got us wondering: Is it possible for us to replicate a bit of the holiday goodwill for those who weren’t in attendance? Can we corral a list of holiday ideas that are both free and Metro-accessible? You bet your candy cane we can.

Ready to brave a chilly night for some family movie time? We’ve got options for outdoor holiday screenings. Need markets for one-of-a-kind gift ideas? We’ll point you in the right direction. And if all your heart desires is a two-story tree adorned with all the trimmings and backed by seasonal carols… well… we know more than a few places.

The rundown starts below. Now all you need to do is circle a date (or three).


M = Metro Accessible

Seasonal Celebrations & Activations

November 25: M Santa’s Grand Arrival at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall includes a toy giveaway, live musical performances, and a special reading by Santa’s elf. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Martin Luther King Jr Station.

November 26: M The 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade returns on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland OR Hollywood / Vine station.

November 27: M L.A. County hosts a tree lighting ceremony with special holiday festivities at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station OR take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.

November 28: M The 9th annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Long Beach will offer live music, food trucks, fireworks, and mini train rides. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 1st St. Station in Long Beach.

November 30: M The Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular brings snow, sledding, games, and free cookies to Downtown Culver City. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station.

December 1: M The annual Pasadena Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony features. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park Station.

December 2: M The Valley Cultural Foundation’s 2023 Holiday Arts & Music Festival comes to Warner Center Park. Go Metro: Take Lines 150/169 to Topanga Canyon / Marylee.

December 2: M The Holidayfest on South Lake Ave in Pasadena offers a day of family activities, shopping deals, holiday music, and a Santa’s Village. Go Metro: Take Lines 177/267/662 to Del Mar / Lake.

December 2: M The Holiday Kickoff Party at One Colorado. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.

December 5: M The City of San Gabriel hosts a Holiday Tree Lighting featuring photos with Santa, mini train rides, and live entertainment. Go Metro: Take Line 487 to Ramona / Main.

December 9: M The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade returns for the 61st edition, offering musical entertainment, food trucks, and a pre-parade fireworks display. Go Metro: Take Line 108 to Mindanao / Lincoln.

December 9: M The 68th Compton Christmas Parade runs along Compton Blvd from Bullis St to Alameda. Go Metro: Take Lines 60 or 127 to Long Beach / Compton OR Take Lines 125/127/28 to Compton / Alameda.

December 9: M The Echo Park Community Parade returns with a route on Sunset Blvd running from Vin Scully to Park Ave. Go Metro: Take Line 603 to Alvarado / Sunset OR take Line 4 along Sunset Blvd.

December 10: M Museum of Latin American Art hosts a children’s Make Your Own Holiday Ornament workshop. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station in Long Beach.

December 10: M A Celebration of Hanukkah at Ivy Station includes a giant menorah lighting, live klezmer music, face painting, games, hot latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt, dreidels, arts and crafts, and a free raffle. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station.

December 10: The El Segundo Holiday Parade returns with guests as the Grand Marshals… the 2023 El Segundo Little League World Series Championship Team!

December 10: M Museum of Latin American Art hosts a children’s Make Your Own Holiday Ornament workshop. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station in Long Beach.

December 11: M The Hanukkah Celebration at the Beverly Center will offer an evening of live entertainment, arts and crafts, traditional treats and more. Go Metro: Take Line 14/105/617 to La Cienega / Beverly.

December 16-17: M Shogun Santa makes his annual appearance in Japanese Village Plaza. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

December 24: M The 64th annual LA County Holiday Celebration offers an afternoon of L.A.-based artists performing holiday favorites at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station OR take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.

December 30: M Ovation Hollywood hosts a Kwanzaa Celebration featuring a performance from the Ujima dance & drum troupe, free cookies, crafting, and more. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland.

Holiday Movies Screenings

November 24: M Ovation Hollywood hosts a Friday Movie Nights screening of The Year Without a Santa Claus (1976). Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland

December 2: M Ivy Station hosts a Holiday Movie Night screening of Elf. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station.

December 2: M Runway Playa Vista screens The Grinch as part of their Movie Under The Stars holiday series. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 8: M Movie Fridays on Third Street Promenade presents a screening of Die Hard. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 9: M Runway Playa Vista screens Elf as part of their Movie Under The Stars holiday series. Go Metro: Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 16: M Runway Playa Vista screens Home Alone as part of their Movie Under The Stars holiday series. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

Pop-Up Markets & Shopping Events

November 25: M El Segundo’s outdoor mall The Point celebrates Small Business Saturday with a Sun & Sea Collective Pop Up Market. Go Metro: Take Line 125 to Rosecrans / Sepulveda OR Line 232 to Sepulveda / Rosecrans.

November 26: M Mayumi Market pops up with a holiday event at Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo.

November 26: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 2: M Conscious Market brings local, curated vendors to Santa Monica’s Third Street Market Promenade every first Saturday of the month, and come December they’ll be hosting a special holiday edition of the pop-up. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 2: M The San Fernando Outdoor Market hosts a holiday edition of their monthly pop-up. Go Metro: Take Line 224, 234, or 294 to Truman St. / Brand Blvd.

December 3: M Truly LA, Angel City Brewery, and Makeshift Muse team up for a Holiday Block Party in the Arts District. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

December 9: M The December edition of the Canoga Park Block Party features 50+ vendors, including special holiday programming. Go Metro: Take Line 162 to Sherman Way / Owensmouth.

December 9: M Creative Communal brings it’s brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 9: M Pawliday Market at PetSpace offers an array of pet-focused vendors plus sweet photo ops for you and your four-legged friends. Go Metro: Take Line 108/110 to Jefferson / Inglewood.

December 9: The Goddess Mercado brings 50+ vendors and live music to the East L.A. Civic Center: Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station

December 9-10: M Jackalope Indie Craft Market brings 175 vendors to Downtown Burbank over a two-day event. Go Metro: Take Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando OR Take Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.

December 10: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 10: M Filled Market brings a Filipino Holiday Market & Celebration to Smorgasburg with local artisans, brands, body artists, DJs, and more. Go Metro: Take Line 53, 60 or 62 to Central / 7th.

December 16: M Creative Communal brings its brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 16: M The Queer Mercado brings queer vendors, live music, food, and drag performances to the East L.A. Civic Center every third Saturday. Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station

December 17: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.


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How to Do a Free Museum Friday in L.A.

November 16, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
lacma-light
Chris Burden’s Urban Light outside of LACMA. Photo by Christina Champlin.

Savvy Angelenos (like the ones that read our free museum guide) already know that there are multiple local museums that offer free admission for Los Angeles County residents after 3 p.m. on weekdays. Among those, two that standout (because they are literally next door to one another) are the La Brea Tar Pits Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What you might not know is LACMA stays open late on Fridays (till 8 p.m.), which makes that the perfect day for a little freebie two-step. Of course, we know what you’re thinking. Do I really want to be driving on the Miracle Mile at 3 o’clock on a Friday? Probably not. Good thing you have options.

metro-720-lacma-wilshire-blvd
The Metro 720 Rapid Bus along Wilshire Boulevard. Photo by Christina Champlin.

One way to get there is to ride Metro’s local 20 Line or take the 720, a rapid bus line that spans Downtown to Santa Monica, mostly along Wilshire Blvd. Both lines have stops near Museum Row, and it’s roughly a 40-minute ride from DTLA, or a tick over an hour if coming from Downtown Santa Monica. And keep in mind these bus lines are sped up by a priority (e.g. peak hour) bus lane that runs the length of Wilshire between Westlake and Mid-Wilshire. Compare that to slogging through mid-afternoon traffic on a Friday, and it’s not bad at all.

Because the La Brea Tar Pits Museum closes at 5 p.m., you’ll want to go there first. Here you’ll encounter specimens and exhibits detailing the evolutionary history of animals that called Los Angeles home at the end of the last ice age, including more a few that got stuck in the area’s pools of natural asphalt, preserved for archeologists to discover thousands of years later (and for homo sapiens like us to look at in museums!). If you’re into saber-toothed cats, wooly mammoths, or dire wolves, this will be your jam.

la-brea-tar-pits-museum-interior
Inside the La Brea Tar Pits Museum. Photo by Christina Champlin.

After a perusal of the interior, you can move on to investigate the sticky situation around the Tar Pits themselves before scooting over to the LACMA campus, either by cutting through the adjacent park or walking down Wilshire.

An afternoon at the La Brea Tar Pits. Photo by Brian Champlin

Inevitably, you’ll probably snag a photo at Chris Burden’s Urban Lights (okay, it’s a cliche, but it’s lovely cliche) and then jump in line to check-in at the ticketing kiosk.

Whether you opt for the photo or not, one thing you’re bound to notice is that the LACMA construction is ongoing, which means a big portion of the campus is still closed. Current estimates put the completion at sometime in late 2024, and until then, you’re getting to experience about half of what the museum eventually will be. Still, for the price of free, you can’t beat it.

Start at the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (the three story building with the escalator), where you’ll find plenty of master works and modern art pieces on display. Then, head over to the Resnick Pavilion, where a new exhibition featuring one of L.A.’s most revered muralists just opened last month.

lacma-interior-exhibit
Art enthusiasts inside LACMA Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM). Photo by Christina Champlin.

Painting in the River of Angels: Judy Baca, includes two murals in-progress that depict scenes from The Chicano Movement and The Watts Rebellion. The murals are being painted inside the gallery, giving it an almost art studio like feel. Once completed, the set of panels will be added to The Great Wall of Los Angeles, a nearly mile-long set of murals designed by Baca in the late 1970s, and installed on the concrete sides of a section of Tujunga Wash near Valley Glen, with the help of 400 youth, artists, and community members.

Once you’ve had your fill of art, you might wander outside to find one of LACMA’s free Friday night Jazz concerts underway at Smidt Welcome Plaza. The music is excellent, and the atmosphere draws a crowd, with onlookers packing picnics, filling up folding chairs, and grabbing any bit of real estate they can find to relax and enjoy the tunes.

jazz-night-lacma
Jazz at LACMA. Photo by Christina Champlin.

It’s a beautiful way to blend the late afternoon to early evening, but also a reminder that the crowds in L.A. don’t quit, which is probably why parking is this area is so expensive.

Good thing you rode Metro, right?

Some Notes Before You Go

  • Make sure you check the hours/visitor pages of both LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits Museum before you go. Things change!
  • LACMA is closed on Wednesday, so if you’re thinking about a weekday visit to the museums on Wilshire, you might want to skip that day of the week.
  • La Brea Tar Pits Museum is open every day (except select holidays) and it always closes at 5 p.m.
  • Just for sake of comparison, LACMA adult admission for L.A. County Residents is $20, and La Brea Tar Pits Museum is $15.
  • LACMA also offers free admission to all every second Tuesday of the month. At this time, La Brea Tar Pits Museum has no monthly free days.
  • For La Brea Tar Pits Museum, you can walk up any of their ticketing desks or kiosks to get the free L.A. County resident tickets (3 p.m. and after). For LACMA, we recommend reserving a slot in advance through the LACMA website.
  • Jazz at LACMA has two more dates on the 2023 schedule: November 17 with John Proulx Quartet and November 24 with Luther Hughes and the Cannonball-Coltrane Project. After that, you’ll have to wait until next spring for the series to restart.
  • Have a kid or teen and want to visit LACMA, but can’t make it on a weekday? Through a program called NexGenLA, LACMA offers free membership for kids under 17 years who live in L.A. County. And if they sign up, they automatically get to include.
  • Speaking of kids, if you do visit using Metro, remember that the Metro GoPass program. GoPass lets eligible students of L.A. County K-12 schools or community colleges ride all Metro buses and trains for free. And that’s not just to-and-from school. That’s anywhere Metro takes you, no restrictions. You can click here to see if you/your child’s school is enrolled.
  • Finally, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (just west of LACMA) offers free admission to all children ages 17 and younger. If you’re solo guardian/caretaker/parent with a couple of kiddos in tow, if you time it right on a weekday it’s possible you could see three of L.A.’s top institutions for the price of one round-trip fare on Metro and one adult admission at The Academy Museum ($25). That’s a pretty sweet deal!

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Free Things To Do For the Next 40 Days in L.A. [November 2023 edition]

November 10, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
Photo via CicLAvia

In last week’s Metro x We Like L.A. collab, we stitched together a rundown of upcoming holiday markets that are a) chock full of local, indie sellers and b) accessible by public transit. Of course, the thing about shopping is that shopping means spending. And spending, especially in this inflationary era, is bound to put a thumping on your wallet.

But you know what’s nice? Having a handy list of free things to do around the city in your back pocket so you can offset a few costs by trimming your entertainment budget. Hence, our fresh rundown of 40 days of freebies is right on time.

In view over the next month-plus, you can explore seasonal celebrations, holiday lights festivals, stand-up comedy shows, live talks, art activations, annual parades, workshops and lots more. All free, and (almost) all accessible by Metro bus or rail.

Let’s get you started below.

Free Things To Do

M = Metro Accessible

November 10-11: M Night Games brings back-to-back evenings of family-friendly, immersive gameplay to Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station OR take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.

November 11: M Hauser & Wirth hosts a performance by Puerto-Rican collective Poncili Creación as part of an exhibition programming series for Nonmemory. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

November 11: M Creative Babe Market comes to the Original Farmers Market. Go Metro: Take Line 16 along W. 3rd St OR Take Line 217 or 218 along Fairfax Ave.

November 11: M The Ivy Station Night Market returns to help you holiday shopping at this autumnal edition of our monthly night market on the Ivy Station lawn in Culver City. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.

November 11-12: M The annual Inglewood Open Studios art walk offers a mix of tours and talks at galleries and artists studios in the city of Inglewood. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Downtown Inglewood Station.

November 12: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

November 12: Check out the SoCal Zine Fest at Brewport Tap House in El Segundo.

November 12: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Phillip Levy (violin)
and Tae Yeon Lim (piano). Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

November 13: M Metro Art and the Silkroad Ensemble team up for Railroad Roots at Union Station, an evening of storytelling and live performances. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

November 13: M The Grove’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Go Metro: Take Line 16 along W. 3rd St OR Take Line 217 or 218 along Fairfax Ave.

November 14: M Are You Still Listening? is a free monthly stand-up showcase at Dynasty Typewriter, presented by Netflix is a Joke Radio. Go Metro: Take the B or D Line to Westlake / MacArthur Park.

November 15: M Self Help Graphics Wellness Wednesdays are back at Latinx Plants in Boyle Heights, featuring an ancestor portrait workshop led by artist Dalila Paola Méndez. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Soto station.

November 15: 2023 Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House in Manhattan Beach Pier kicks off the holiday season in the South Bay.

November 15: M Fowler Out Loud series presents a concert South African voice and sound artist Zama Dube. Go Metro: Take Line 602 to Westwood UCLA Amtrak Bus Stop OR take Line 2 to Hilgard / Wyton.

November 16: M The November edition of All Space Considered brings Griffith Observatory curatorial staff as together for a discussion/presentation on the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy and space science. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Vermont/Sunset station then ride the DASH Observatory Shuttle (free to ride) to Griffith Observatory.

November 16: M The City of Santa Monica hosts their Official Holiday Tree Lighting Party, featuring live musical entertainment and a visit from Santa. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

November 16: M The 2023 edition of the holiday lights installation SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc debuts with a special live performance, ugly sweater competition, and holiday treats. Go Metro: Take the A, B, D, or E Line to 7th St / Metro Center.

November 18: M The Great Los Angeles Walk returns for its 18th installment, beginning and ending the route at the Griffith Park bear statue on Los Feliz Blvd. Go Metro: Take Line 207 to Western/Franklin.

November 18: M It’s Alive! A Plant Based Horror Marketplace returns to Common Space Brewery. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo

November 18: M The Burbank Cultural Arts Commission hosts a Fall Festival at Johnny Carson Park (rescheduled from September 30) featuring food trucks, live performances, art vendors, and an outdoor screening of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Go Metro: Take Line 155 to Alameda & Bob Hope EB.

November 18: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

November 18: M Hauser & Wirth DTLA hosts an Intro To Relief Printing Creative Workshop. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

November 18: M Ivy Station hosts a Pop-Up Mini Golf night. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station.

November 18-19M Indie craft market Jackalope returns to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day, pop-up marketplace with over 200 vendors. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar station.

November 18-19 M Renegade Craft market pops up for a day-two affair at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown station.

November 19: M The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade returns for its 44th edition, featuring an irreverent and oddball cast of characters marching down Colorado Blvd in Old Pasadena. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.

November 19: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Althea Waites (piano). Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

November 20: M The 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and holiday concert comes to the South Patio at Union Station. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

November 24: M Ovation Hollywood hosts a Friday Movie Nights screening of The Year Without a Santa Claus (1976). Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland

November 25: M El Segundo’s outdoor mall The Point celebrates Small Business Saturday with a Sun & Sea Collective Pop Up Market. Go Metro: Take Line 125 to Rosecrans / Sepulveda OR Line 232 to Sepulveda / Rosecrans.

November 26: M The 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade returns on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland OR Hollywood / Vine station.

November 26: M Mayumi Market pops up with a holiday event at Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo.

November 26: M The Bob Baker Marionette Theater and 826LA celebrate the opening of the Resizing Reality exhibit at the Time Travel Mart in Echo Park. Go Metro: Take Line 4 to Sunset / Echo Park.

November 26: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

November 26: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring YuEun Kim (violin) & Sung Chang (piano). Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

November 27: M L.A. County hosts a tree lighting ceremony with special holiday festivities at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station OR take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.

November 29: M Fowler Out Loud series presents a concert by the Game Music Ensemble. Go Metro: Take Line 602 to Westwood UCLA Amtrak Bus Stop OR take Line 2 to Hilgard / Wyton.

December 1: M The Uptown Village Holiday Market comes to the Expo Arts Center in Long Beach in conjunction with the Bixby Knolls First Fridays Art Walk. Go Metro: Take Line 60 to Long Beach / San Antonio.

December 2: M The Valley Cultural Foundation’s 2023 Holiday Arts & Music Festival comes to Warner Center Park. Go Metro: Take Lines 150/169 to Topanga Canyon / Marylee.

December 2: M The Holiday Kickoff Party at One Colorado. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.

December 2: M The San Fernando Outdoor Market hosts a holiday edition of their monthly pop-up. Go Metro: Take Line 224, 234, or 294 to Truman St. / Brand Blvd.

December 2: M The Holidayfest on South Lake Ave in Pasadena offers a day of family activities, shopping deals, holiday music, and a Santa’s Village. Go Metro: Take Lines 177/267/662 to Del Mar / Lake.

December 2: M Conscious Market brings local, curated vendors to Santa Monica’s Third Street Market Promenade every first Saturday of the month, and come December they’ll be hosting a special holiday edition of the pop-up. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 3: M CicLAvia comes to South L.A. up with a 6-mile, car-free course along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd from Crenshaw to Central Av. Go Metro: Access the route by stops along three different Metro lines, including the A, E, and K Lines.

December 3: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 3: M Truly LA, Angel City Brewery, and Makeshift Muse team up for a Holiday Block Party in the Arts District. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

December 3: Art at the Airport is a gallery open house event featuring the works of 20+ artists on display at an airplane hangar the Santa Monica Airport.

December 3: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Samuel Nebyu (violin) & Jacopo Giacopuzzi (piano). Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.

December 6: M Fowler Out Loud series presents a concert by the UCLA Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Go Metro: Take Line 602 to Westwood UCLA Amtrak Bus Stop OR take Line 2 to Hilgard / Wyton.

December 6: M The Silent Book Club of Death returns to Lawless Brewing in North Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the B Line or G (bus rapid) Line to North Hollywood station.

December 7: M DTLA ArtNight runs every first Thursday of the month, activating 25+ galleries along Downtown’s Historic Core. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Pershing Square station OR take the A or E or Lines to Historic Broadway Station.

December 8: M Movie Fridays on Third Street Promenade presents a screening of Die Hard. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

December 9: M The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade returns for the 61st edition, offering musical entertainment, food trucks, and a pre-parade fireworks display. Go Metro: Take Line 108 to Mindanao / Lincoln.

December 9: M The December edition of the Canoga Park Block Party features 50+ vendors, including special holiday programming. Go Metro: Take Line 162 to Sherman Way / Owensmouth.

December 9: M Pawliday Market at PetSpace offers an array of pet-focused vendors plus sweet photo ops for you and your four-legged friends. Go Metro: Take Line 108/110 to Jefferson / Inglewood.

December 9: M The Getty celebrates the exhibition Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela (1928–1978) with a free jazz performance, discussion event, and complimentary bites. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.

December 9: M Creative Communal brings it’s brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 9-10: M Jackalope Indie Craft Market brings 175 vendors to Downtown Burbank over a two-day event. Go Metro: Take Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando OR Take Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.

December 10: M Museum of Latin American Art hosts a children’s Make Your Own Holiday Ornament workshop. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station in Long Beach.

December 10: M A Snowy Wonderland offers a free day of holiday fun in Inglewood at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 209/10 to Crenshaw / Imperial OR Take the C Line to Crenshaw Station.

December 10: The El Segundo Holiday Parade returns with guests as the Grand Marshals… the 2023 El Segundo Little League World Series Championship Team!

December 10: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 14: M How Do We Hear America? is a special evening of music at Zócalo Public Square featuring compositions from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, artist, and 2023 MacArthur fellow Raven Chacon. Go Metro: Take the A or E line to Pico station OR take Lines 35/38 along Broadway.

December 16: M Creative Communal brings its brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.

December 17: M The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

December 17: M Great Music LA presents Classical Sundays at Six, featuring Cristina Montes Mateo (harp) & Friends. Go Metro: Take the D Line to Wilshire / Western station.


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13 Pop-Up Markets for the Holiday Season Around Los Angeles

November 3, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
Photo provided by Renegade Craft

The holiday season is fast approaching, but as we consider how and where we shop for presents this year, how about a promise? For 2023, let’s forgo the gift cards.

After all, Los Angeles is bursting with creative talent. There are countless local makers, artisans, crafters, and designers who provide one-of-kind, high quality goods that truly express the meaning of “it’s the thought that counts.” Sounds ideal, right? Like the person on the receiving end may really feel special when they open that gift wrap. But where to start?

Well, over the next seven weeks, seasonal markets and holiday gift bazaars will be popping all over the county, all with a highly local flavor. Our goal here is to give you a head start on planning which to attend so you can focus your energy on picking out that perfect gift. Plus, since you’re already going eco-friendly by shopping local, you can double down on that vibe by riding public transit to and from the city’s best pop-ups. Win-win, right?

To that end, all events we mention below have free admission (nice) and all are adjacent to a Metro bus or rail stop (even better). So let’s get into some options.

Pop-Up + Holiday Markets in Los Angeles

Ivy Station Night Market (November 11) -> The Ivy Station Night Market returns to help you holiday shopping at this autumnal edition of our monthly night market on the Ivy Station lawn in Culver City. Shop 25+ local vendors, food trucks, craft beer, games, and music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City Station

Creative Babe Market -> Creative Babe Market focuses on curating female-owned craft businesses, and on November 11 they’ll be bring a lineup of 100 vendors to the Original Famers Market, offering everything from jewelry and homegoods to clothing and apparel. Plus, the event also features a live DJ, face painting, and photo ops with animatronic dinosaurs and the Jeep from the Jurassic Park (because why not?!?). Runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. And if you the OG Farmers Market event, Creative Babe will be doing another pop-up at Long Beach Exchange featuring 50 vendors on November 19. Go Metro: Take Line 16 along W. 3rd St OR Take Line 217 or 218 along Fairfax Ave.

Jackalope Pasadena (November 18-19) – > 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. 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.

Renegade Craft (November 18-19) – > 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.

Sun & Sea Collective Pop Up Market (November 25) -> El Segundo’s outdoor mall The Point celebrates Small Business Saturday with a pop-up event featuring 25 local vendors offering  apparel, jewelry, plants and more. Plus: There will be live music, and Santa Claus will be there too. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 125 to Rosecrans / Sepulveda OR Line 232 to Sepulveda / Rosecrans.

Los Feliz Flea Holiday Market at The Autry (November 26 + December 3, 10 & 17) -> The Los Feliz Flea heads to the The Autry Museum for four consecutive Sundays of shopping pop-ups heading into the holiday season.  Expect a curated range of vendors offering artisan crafts, vintage finds, unique jewelry, and handcrafted decor. Free to attend. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all dates. Go Metro: Take Line 96 to Autry National Ctr.

Museum Store Sunday at MOLAA (November 26) -> Did you know every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, museums around the country band together to host unique sales and discounts on merch as part of Museum Store Sunday? Long Beach’s Museum of Latin American Art is among those institutions celebrating with a special sale this year, and they’ll even have artist and jewelry designer Tita Lopez onsite to meet visitors and discuss her designs. Plus: MOLAA offers free admission to the museum every Sunday, so you can go check out some art before or after you shop. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station.

Mayumi Holiday Market (November 26) -> Common Space Brewing hosts a holiday edition of Mayumi Market, which highlights local Asian American and Pacific Islander creators. The November 26 pop-up will feature some 40 vendors offering baked goods, jewelry, candles, skincare, clothing, accessories, art prints, and more. Free to attend. Runs noon to 6 p.m. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo

Uptown Village Market (December 1) -> The Uptown Village Holiday Market puts the emphasis on handcrafted, offering  everything from paper goods and clothing to jewelry, handbags, accessories, art, pottery, plushies, knit items, and more. This evening event takes place at the Expo Arts Center in Long Beach, and coincides with the Bixby Knolls First Fridays Art Walk. Runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 60 to Long Beach / San Antonio.

Conscious Market Holidays on Third Street Promenade (December 2) -> Conscious Market brings local, curated vendors to Santa Monica’s Third Street Market Promenade every first Saturday of the month, and come December they’ll be hosting a special holiday edition of the pop-up. PLUS: Remember the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market (arguably the best in the county) takes place on Saturday’s from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., so maybe you’ll peruse some produce after you pick up a one-of-a-kind gift. Conscious Market runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

Makeshift Muse Holiday Block Party (December 3) -> On the first Sunday of December, Makeshift Muse brings their brand of curated vendors to the Arts District for a block party holiday event, featuring food, music, and goods for purchase. Details are still light, but we know it’ll be centered around Angel City Brewery. Check their website or Instagram as the date approaches for more info. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo station.

Jackalope Burbank (December 9-10) -> If you can’t make the November edition of Jackalope in Pasadena, the indie artisan market swings over to Downtown Burbank in December, covering a stretch of San Fernando Blvd from Magnolia to Angeleno during the two-day event. Expect over 170 vendors offering hand-crafted artisan goods, visual art, photography, jewelry, paper goods, housewares, and more. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both dates. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando OR Take Lines 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia.

Creative Communal Holiday Market at Runway Playa Vista (December 9 & 16) -> Creative Communal brings it’s brand of holiday market to Runway Playa Vista on two Saturdays in December, offering  40+ vendors offering jewelry, leather goods, men’s apparel, fine art, home goods, and more. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both dates. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.


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8 Free Things To Do BEFORE Halloween in L.A

October 26, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
Photo of Boonion Station by Farah Sosa

With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, we get that most of our readers are likely to celebrate a bit early. That means two words: weekend plans. And we’re here to help!

Over the next few days we’re scoping out events far and wide that include kid-friendly performances and film screenings, a Dia de los Muertos Family Day, a 21+ block party, and a massive open-streets fest that’s going to shutdown an entire stretch of freeway (seriously!).

As always, our suggestions are all free and all accessible by Metro… cause we know parking costs and traffic are the most frightening part of any weekend excursion.

So let’s make it easy, and let’s get into the mix below.

Things To Do This Weekend in Los Angeles

Movie Night at Ivy Station -> This Friday, Ivy Station is hosting a free Halloween-themed movie screening of Addams Family Values on their main lawn, complete with complimentary popcorn and gratis snacks. The flick starts at 7:30 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.

Boonion Station -> On Saturday, Boonion Station brings an afternoon of family-friendly Halloween activations to Union Station, including face painting, dancing, crafts, and a trick-or-treating experience. Plus, you’ll want to dressed for the holiday, as the event will award prizes for the Most Original, Funniest, Spookiest and Best Group/Family costumes. Runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to attend and no ticket required. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

Celebrating Connections -> On Saturday, Metro celebrates the new Historic Broadway Station with a packed day of live performances, workshops, and tours of the neighborhood, all free and open to the public. The musical lineup, curated by Metro Arts Presents, includes sets from DJ QUILO of La Papaya Club, Plaza de la Raza’s Folklor Pasión Mexicana, Rhythms of the Village Band, Spaghetti Cumbia, and the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band. Event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Historic Broadway Station

L.A. Archives Bazaar -> This Saturday, come to L.A. as Subject’s Los Angeles Archives Bazaar to peruse a trove of historical treasures and interact with experts from dozens of institutions and archives. The event takes place at Doheny Memorial Library on the campus of USC and is free and open to the public. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the E Line to USC / Expo Park station.

Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party – > This Saturday, One of Los Angeles’ most historic neighborhoods is throwing a 21+ block party for spooky season. Expect live music, a full bar, costume contest, and food. Free to attend with RSVP! More info here.

Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station

Bob Baker Spooktacular at One Colorado -> The acclaimed marionette theater group comes to Old Pasadena’s One Colorado this Saturday for a pair of free performances of their Halloween Spooktacular show, a family-friendly program featuring plenty of spooky (but not that spooky!) sprites and Halloween characters. Shows start at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Free to attend. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station

626 Golden Streets ArroyoFest – > On Sunday, the biggest event of the weekend takes over the Arroyo Seco Parkway, which will be closed to vehicular traffic to allow visitors to experience L.A.’s first freeway up close and personal. Walk, bike, skate, or jog while dipping off the route to explore local neighborhoods, enjoy live entertainment and engage with activity hubs at three separate locations. Runs 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free and open to the public. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the A Line to one of five stations along the Arroyo Fest route, including Lincoln/Cypress station, Heritage Square station, Southwest Museum station, Highland Park station, South Pasadena station, or Filmore station.

Dia de los Muertos Family Day at LA Plaza -> On Sunday, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts a Día de Los Muertos Family Day featuring live music and dance performances, plus art workshops on sand art, clay figures, and ofrenda printmaking. There will also be a giveaway for K-12 grade students. Programming runs from noon to 4 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.


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Things To Do for Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles [2023]

October 20, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
Grand Park Dia de los Muertos
A Dia de los Muertos Altar in Grand Park with City Hall in background. Credit: Brian Champlin

In a city so closely tied to Mexican culture, it’s no surprise that Los Angeles has one of the most vibrant Día de los Muertos traditions of any city north of the border. And while the holiday of remembrance and celebration is traditionally held in the days after Halloween, here in L.A. there are special events, performances, festivals and altar displays on view starting from mid-October through the first weekend of November.

Most (but not all) of these public events are free to attend, and most (but not all) are readily accessible by Metro bus and rail service. Below, you’ll find a list of some of our favorites.

Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles

M = Metro Accessible

Grand Park from October 21 to November 2: M – Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos welcomes park-goers to contribute to a community altar and to stroll through the park to view 20 altars, all beginning on October 21. Opening day will also feature including altar making and live music. The 13-day program concludes on November 2 with an evening screening of Macario presented by GuadaLAjara Film Festival. Altars are available to view from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.

Downtown San Pedro on October 22: The 11th annual San Pedro Día de Muertos celebration returns with an afternoon street festival featuring live performances (including the Mariachi Divas), traditional dance showcases, special vendors, altar and costume competitions, and a beer garden. The event runs from 3 to 9 p.m. and is free to attend. Go Metro: Take the J-Line 910/950 to Pacific / 7th.

Olvera Street from October 25 to November 2: M – In celebration of Día de Muertos, the Olvera Street Plaza will host nightly Novenario processions from October 25 through November 2, featuring a traditional Maya Blessing and Aztec dancers. Then, starting October 28, there will be an outdoor altar display accompanied by daytime and evening entertainment on select days. All events are free to attend. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

Hollywood Forever on October 28: M – The 24th Annual Día de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever returns featuring unique daytime and evening events, combining to make one of the largest Día de los Muertos events in the entire United States. Programming varies for the day/night events, but for both expect altars, traditional dance, art exhibits, culinary vendors, and a ceremonial procession. GA tix start at $35 for day, $60 for night. Go Metro: Take Line 4 to Santa Monica / Bronson

Santa Monica Pier on October 28: MThe Santa Monica Pier will host 8 days of altars on the iconic boardwalk to celebration Dia de los Muertos, kicking things off with a public festival on October 28. Programming will include a ceremonial blessing, face painting, live music, special food, and dancing. The opening celebration runs from noon to 9 p.m. and is free to attend. Altars will be on hand to view through November 4. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

Forest Lawn on October 29: SoCal cemetery chain Forest Lawn is hosting Día de los Muertos events at three locations throughout L.A. County on October 29. Each includes special altars plus traditional folklórico and mariachi music. All are free to attend.

LA Plaza on October 29: M – LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts a Día de Los Muertos Family Day featuring live music and dance performances, plus art workshops on sand art, clay figures, and ofrenda printmaking. There will also be a giveaway for K-12 grade students. Programming runs from noon to 4 p.m. Free to attend. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

Downey Theatre on October 29: M – The City of Downey hosts a free Día de Los Muertos Art Festival at the Downey Theatre featuring local artists and vendors selling Day of the Dead-inspired works, plus live music, dance performances, and food options. Runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and free to attend. Go Metro: Take Lines 115 or 127 along Firestone Blvd.

MOLAA on October 29: M – The Museum of Latina American Art in Long Beach marks Día de Los Muertos with a public festival featuring 30+ merchants, nine food stations, beer & wine, a face-painting station, a children’s sugar skull workshop, printmaking station and a live tattoo artist, and DJ-spun tunes, all presented under this year’s theme: Hecho con Amor (Made with Love). Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station.

24th Street Theatre on November 2: M – Now in its 18th year, 24th Street Theatre’s Día de los Muertos Festival draws thousands of guests annually, offering an evening of live performances, food vendors, artisan booths, altars, art installations, and a cemetery of remembrance. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Go Metro: Take Line 603 to Hoover / 23rd St.

Self Help Graphics on November 4: MSelf Help Graphics is hosting their 50th annual Día de los Muertos celebration to Civc Center Park in East LA. Expect an afternoon of altars, art, food, live music, and a special kids zone. Runs 3 to 8 p.m. and free to attend. Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station


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Free Things To Do For the Next 40 Days in L.A. [October 2023 edition]

October 13, 2023 by We Like L.A. with L.A. Metro
Photo by Halline Overby courtesy of CicLAvia

So how’s your autumn going?

Did ankle-biting mosquitoes invade your patio? Traffic got you down? Wallet hurting from a summer of expensive adventures and rising gas prices? Well, not much we can do on point one. But for the other two, there’s hope. That’s because the latest We Like L.A. x Metro collab is a brand new list of free to-dos for the coming forty days… and 99% are accessible by Metro’s bus and rail service.

In the coming weeks, we invite you to use your TAP card to visit some of L.A.’s top seasonal events, including CicLAvia: Heart of the City, ArtNight in Pasadena, a day of cultural events at Grand Ave Arts: All Access, the 626 Golden Streets Arroyo Fest, a Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party, Taste of Soul on Crenshaw Blvd, Inglewood Open Studios, and many more.

Fall in Los Angeles is about to get a lot better. The only question now is, where do you want to go?

Free Things To Do

M = Metro Accessible

October 12-15: M The Los Angeles Korean Festival is back at Seoul International Park, promising four exciting days of festivities. Go Metro: Take Line 206 to Irolo / San Marino.

October 13: M The fall edition of Pasadena’s biannual ArtNight includes free activations at myriad partner locations, including the Gamble House, Armory Center for the Arts, and the USC Pacific Asia Museum. Check back after September 15 for the full roster of participants. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.

October 14: M The Wallis Family Fest offers a full day of interactive activities and performances across the theater’s Beverly Hills campus. Go Metro: Take Line 4 to Santa Monica / Canon.

October 14: M Culver City Art Walk & Roll Festival takes over afour-block stretch of Washington Blvd for a day of gallery visits, artists, live music, wine and beer gardens, a kids zone, interactive art experiences, and more. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station OR La Cienega / Jefferson station.

October 14: M My Valley Pass teams up with Burbank Town Center to host a Fall Festival featuring family activities, DJ sets, and food specials. Go Metro: Take Line 154/165/294 to 1st / Magnolia OR Line 92 to Magnolia / San Fernando

October 14: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

October 14: The Santa Monica Mountains Fund celebrates National Archaeology Month with an Archaeology Day event at King Gillette Ranch featuring family-friendly performances and tons of hands-on activities and workshops.

October 15: M CicLAvia – Heart of LA brings the city’s biggest open streets event to Downtown Los Angeles for a route that includes hubs in Chinatown, Mariachi Plaza, Grand Park, and Pershing Square. Go Metro: Find access points to the CicLAvia route adjacent to the Chinatown, Pershing Square, Mariachi Plaza, Soto, 7th St, and Historic Broadway stations.

October 15: M The Sherman Oaks Street Fair brings a day of live performance, carnival games, and vendors to a half-mile stretch of Venture Blvd from Van Nuys to Kester. Go Metro: Take the 155/240 line along Venture Blvd OR Take Line 761 to Ventura / Sepulveda.

October 20: M Catch performance of Much Ado About Nothing by the Bardfly Theatre Co. at Lawless Brewing. Go Metro: Take the B Line or G (bus rapid) Line to North Hollywood station.

October 21: M Grand Ave Arts: All-Access bands together over 10 arts and culture institutions along Grand Avenue for a day of art, activations, and family fun. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.

October 21: M Taste of Soul brings a massive, free family festival to Crenshaw Blvd. between Barack Obama Blvd. and Stocker Avenue, with live entertainment, special vendors, and plenty of food for purchase. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo / Crenshaw station OR the K Line to Martin Luther King Jr. station.

October 21: M San Fernando Outdoor Market hosts a special “Spooky Market” edition just in time for Halloween. Go Metro: Take Line 224, 234, or 294 to Truman St. / Brand Blvd.

October 21: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

October 21-22: M The two-day Fall Festival at the Original Farmers Market features a pumpkin patch, pig races, games, live music, and crafting for kids. Go Metro: Take Line 16 along W. 3rd St OR Take Line 217 or 218 along Fairfax Ave.

October 21-22: M The fall edition of the bi-annual Beverly Hills Art Show comes to Beverly Gardens Park with over 200 artists expected to participate. Go Metro: Take Line 4 along Santa Monica Blvd.

October 21-22: M The bi-annual Brewery Artwalk is back with a free two-day showcase of over 100 participating resident artists. Go Metro: Take Line 76 along N. Main St.

October 21 to November 2 M Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos welcomes parkgoers to contribute to a community altar and to stroll through the park to view 19 altars. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.

October 22: M The P-22 Day Festival honors L.A.’s most famous big cat (may he rest in peace!) with a one day, family-friendly celebration in Griffith Park. Go Metro: Take Line 96 along Crystal Springs Dr.

October 27: M How Does Confronting our History Build a Better Future? is a live panel talk hosted at Zócalo Public Square. Go Metro: Take the A or E line to Pico station OR take Lines 35/38 along Broadway.

October 27: M The City of San Gabriel’s annual Fall Fun Festival pops up in the Mission District offering a range of family-friendly Halloween activities for all ages. Go Metro: Take Line 487 to Ramona / Main.

October 27: M Ovation Hollywood’s monthly movie night features a screening of Ghostbusters in the Center Courtyard. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland station.

October 28: M Check out the trove of historical treasures at the annual L.A. Archives Bazaar, presented by L.A. as Subject and the USC Libraries. Go Metro: Take the E Line to USC / Expo Park station.

October 28: M Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party is a 21+ affair offering live music, a full bar, costume contest, and food. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo station.

October 28: M Boonion Station brings an afternoon of family friendly Halloween activities to Union Station. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.

October 28: M Ovation Hollywood and Dreamers Market team up for a Spooky Halloween Artisan Market. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland station.

October 28: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

October 28: M One Colorado in Old Pasadena hosts a pair of free performances of the Bob Baker Marionette Halloween Spooktacular. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.

October 29: M 626 Golden Streets Arroyo Fest closes down the Arroyo Seco Parkway to vehicular traffic to allow visitors to experience L.A.’s first freeway up close and personal. Walk, bike, skate, or jog while dipping off the route to explore local neighborhoods, enjoy live entertainment and engage with activity hubs at three separate locations. Go Metro: Take the A Line to one of five stations along the Arroyo Fest route, including Lincoln/Cypress station, Heritage Square station, Southwest Museum station, Highland Park station, South Pasadena station, or Filmore station.

October 29: M The City of Downey hosts a free Día de Los Muertos Art Festival at the Downey Theater. Go Metro: Take Lines 115 or 127 along Firestone Blvd.

October 29: The Museum of Latina American Art in Long Beach hosts a Día de los Muertos festival that includes live performances, a face-painting station, a children’s sugar skull workshop, printmaking station and a live tattoo artist. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 5th Street station.

October 31: M Trick or Treat at Grand Central Market turns the historic market into a spooky playground featuring drinks, food, and costumes. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Historic Broadway station.

October 31: One Colorado hosts a Treat Trail with store-to-store Trick-or-Treating for kids, followed by a screening of Casper (1995) at 7 p.m. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.

November 2: M 24th Street Theater hosts their 18th annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. Go Metro: Take Line 603 to Hoover / 23rd St.

November 4: Head to dublab for an On Air Open House featuring immersive sound sculptures, installations, mixers, and talks. Go Metro: Take Line 2 to Hoover / Union.

November 4: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

November 5: M The November Metro Bike Share Community Ride covers a 4-mile course of public art in Koreatown. Go Metro: Take the B or D Line to Wilshire / Vermont station.

November 8: M The City of West Hollywood and WeHo Reads host a free edition of Literary Death Match, which will be the event series’s first ever show in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take Line 4/16/105 to Santa Monica / San Vicente.

November 11: Hauser & Wirth hosts a performance by Puerto-Rican collective Poncili Creación as part of an exhibition programming series for Nonmemory. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

November 11-12: M The annual Inglewood Open Studios art walk offers a mix of tours and talks at galleries and artists studios in the city of Inglewood. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Downtown Inglewood Station.

November 12: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

November 16: M The 2023 edition of the holiday lights installation SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc debuts with a special live performance, ugly sweater competition, and holiday treats. Go Metro: Take the A, B, D, or E Line to 7th St / Metro Center.

November 18: The Great Los Angeles Walk returns for its 18th installment (route TBD… it will likely be Metro accessible)

November 18: M It’s Alive! A Plant Based Horror Marketplace returns to Common Space Brewery. Go Metro: Take Line 209/210 to Crenshaw / El Segundo

November 18: M The Burbank Cultural Arts Commission hosts a Fall Festival at Johnny Carson Park (rescheduled from September 30) featuring food trucks, live performances, art vendors, and an outdoor screening of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Go Metro: Take Line 155 to Alameda & Bob Hope EB.

November 18: M The Santa Monica Pier hosts a community Wellness & Waves series on six select dates this fall. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station.

November 18: M Hauser & Wirth DTLA hosts an Intro To Relief Printing Creative Workshop. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.

November 18-19M Indie craft market Jackalope returns to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day, pop-up marketplace with over 200 vendors. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar station.

November 18-19 M Renegade Craft market pops up for a day-two affair at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown station.

November 19: M The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade returns for its 44th edition, featuring an irreverent and oddball cast of characters marching down Colorado Blvd in Old Pasadena. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.


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