Great things are happening in Los Angeles this month. From fairytale forests to hiking the highest peaks in the city, via red carpets and Academy Awards, we’ve got the lowdown for you, right here. Every month The Real Los Angeles Tours produces a list of ten of the top events or attractions in southern California, for visitors and residents of the city of angels to experience. Some are free, some are not, but doing any of them will give you an authentic experience of Los Angeles’ food, music, art and general joie-de-vivre. Have fun, be safe and let us know what you think of our list of the 10 Best Things to Do in LA in November.

Events & Activities in Los Angeles This Month

1. VISIT AN ENCHANTED FOREST (NOVEMBER 19 ONWARDS)

This is an interactive, after dark experience that is well worth checking out. I mean come on, an enchanted forest? Who doesn’t want to see one? This version features a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences at the beautiful Descanso Gardens (which is always worth visiting anyway).

More information here.

2. GO TO A DATING EVENT IN BEVERLY HILLS – IF YOU’RE SINGLE OF COURSE (VARIOUS DATES)

If you’re looking for that special someone, who’s going to be there if you fall, share those nights watching your favorite movie with a glass of wine and be their shoulder to lean on, then these events might be something to consider. Meeting people through work is almost impossible in the era of remote working, the old ways of meeting people in bars and clubs seems to have gone the way of the twentieth century and who has friends anymore who could make introductions…

At least with speed dating you can tell right away if there’s any chemistry!

More information here.

3. GO TO A CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL (NOVEMBER 17)

How about a Mariah Carey Christmas concert to get you in the mood for the coming holidays? Isn’t she known as the Queen of Christmas, after all, and there can’t be a better venue for this kind of event than the Hollywood Bowl. Definitely a must do event in LA this November.

More information here.

4. VISIT THE NEW(ISH) ACADEMY MUSEUM (ALL MONTH)

The Academy Museum opened during the pandemic, so maybe it hasn’t got all the attention that it deserved. It joins a stellar list of institutions on on Miracle Mile’s museum row: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits Museum and the Petersen. Nevertheless the Academy Museum holds a special place in the heart of LA because of our history. At some point you just have to make the pilgrimage, why not this month?

More information here.

5. VISIT A FOREST OF LIGHT (NOVEMBER 17 ONWARD)

This is an internationally acclaimed exhibition using light, art and music that transforms the Arboretum in Arcadia into an illuminated and illuminating evening experience! Even better, you can visit using the Metro L Line.

Experience a winter walk on the dark side of the garden and let your imagination soar with the new sights and sounds along the Serpent Trail and Forest Path. The reimagined Lightscape merges nature and art in the mesmerizing Fire Garden, awesome Arch of Light, eye-catching Feast of Light, exotic Dancing Palms, and other spectacular installations. Fan favorite, the magnificent Winter Cathedral, returns! Food trucks every night and a full bar too. Pssst–Santa is coming to Lightscape on select nights.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

More information here.

6. GO TO A COMEDY SHOW (ALL MONTH)

Who couldn’t do with a good laugh? Most of LA’s comedy clubs have reopened with shows featuring lineups of both household names and up-and-coming stand-ups. Hollywood Improv has a full slate of shows and The Comedy Store is open almost nightly. Don’t Tell Comedy is an underground series of “secret” standup shows offering pop-up shows at outdoor venues, including parking lots and rooftops.

7. GO TO A CONCERT (ALL MONTH)

There are always great bands coming to Los Angeles to perform, and a lot of musicians live here (at least part of the year). This month some of the many highlights are Queen and Adam Lambert, Los Lobos, Kesha and Doja Cat. 

Any one of those guys could easily be the best thing to do in LA in November.

8. WATCH AN AMAZING SUNSET OVER LA (ALL MONTH)

We have some great sunsets here – maybe it’s the pollution ;-). November’s a good time to hike up into the hills above LA and watch the sun set on the city of Angels.

Our Mount Hollywood Hike starts at 3 pm at the Greek Theatre, finishing at the Griffith Observatory at around 5.30 pm. Is there better way to time it than this? If there is we haven’t figured it out. As the sun drops below the Hollywood Hills after another day working in the dream factory, with the Observatory’s dome one one side, the Hollywood Sign on the other, and the city lights coming on below you – it’s just a magical moment. What can I say? That’s why you’ve see it in so many movies.

More information here.

9. CELEBRATE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IN DTLA (NOVEMBER 1-2) 

Every year Grant Park, by City Hall in downtown, has a series of events and exhibits in celebration of Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday known as Day of the Dead.

The annual Downtown Día de los Muertos welcomes parkgoers to pay reverence at 19 altars created by professional artists and local community organizations.

Parkgoers can also contribute to the annual community altar -the 20th altar- which will honor the victims of gun violence in Monterey Park and those who perished in Maui’s wildfires.

The Music Center, Gloria Molina Grand Park

More information here.

10. WATCH A SPORTS GAME (ALL MONTH)

Los Angeles has a host of world famous sports teams – ahem franchises – and catching one of them playing here can be a fantastic experience. Many of the athletes are superstars in their sport.

The Los Angeles Lakers: more information here.

The LA Clippers: more information here.

The Los Angeles Rams: more information here.

The Los Angeles Chargers: more information here.

Los Angeles FC: more information here.

LA Galaxy: more information here.

Los Angeles Kings: more information here.

Anaheim Ducks: more information here.

If you have any feedback on the 10 Best Things to Do in LA in November please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw (Twitter)