When November arrives in Los Angeles, the city hits that sweet spot - cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and a calendar packed with food festivals, film premieres, concerts, and holiday celebrations. The summer crowds have thinned, the beach still feels inviting, and the streets buzz with creative energy. Whether you’re into art, music, culture, or cozy nights under string lights, November in LA delivers it all.

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November in Los Angeles at a Glance

Category What to Try Why Go
Arts & Culture AFI Fest, DTLA Film Festival, CicLAvia, Art Walk Film, creativity, and citywide inspiration
Food & Drink LA Coffee Festival, Smorgasburg, Eat! Drink! Vegan!, Malibu Wine Hike Local flavor and sunny patios
Music & Nightlife Camp Flog Gnaw, Jazz by the Pier, Latin Music Concerts Live beats from stadiums to beaches
Family Fun LA Zoo Lights, Enchanted at Descanso, Holiday Train Ride Early holiday magic for all ages
Sports & Outdoors Lakers & Rams games, Malibu Half Marathon, Beach events Year-round sunshine and energy

Festivals and Seasonal Favorites

November kicks off with the return of the AFI Fest, one of LA’s biggest celebrations of cinema. Movie fans pack Hollywood theaters for screenings, premieres, and Q&As with filmmakers from around the world. Over in Downtown LA, the DTLA Film Festival keeps the momentum going with indie favorites and local talent.

For something lighter, the LA Comic Con brings color, costumes, and community to the Convention Center - a must for pop-culture fans. And as the month unfolds, the LA Auto Show rolls into town with futuristic cars, concept models, and plenty of star power.

Food, Wine, and Everything Delicious

If fall had a flavor, it would taste like LA in November. The Los Angeles Coffee Festival in the Arts District celebrates the city’s coffee culture with tastings, workshops, and latte art battles. Over in Venice, Eat! Drink! Vegan! offers plant-based food, craft beer, and live DJs in a beachside setting.

Downtown’s Smorgasburg LA keeps weekends delicious with rotating food vendors and pop-ups - perfect for sampling your way across the city. And for wine lovers, the Malibu Wine Hike combines vineyard tastings with coastal views that feel straight out of a postcard.

Music and Outdoor Vibes

Even as the year winds down, LA’s music scene doesn’t slow. The Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival brings massive acts to Dodger Stadium, while the Latin Music Awards Concerts fill the city with rhythm and celebration. For something more intimate, catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl’s fall lineup, or head to Santa Monica for live jazz along the pier.

If you prefer your music with a side of movement, Yoga at the Getty Center and Sunset Sound Baths in Griffith Park mix wellness with incredible views - the perfect way to reset before the holiday rush.

Art, Culture, and Creative Weekends

November is one of the best months for art in LA. CicLAvia returns with its open-streets festival, transforming neighborhoods into car-free zones filled with cyclists, artists, and families. Meanwhile, Art Walk Downtown LA continues to be a monthly favorite for those who love galleries, installations, and street performances.

Don’t miss The Getty’s new exhibitions or the Broad’s evening openings, where live music and food trucks turn museum nights into social events. And in Pasadena, the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair gathers hundreds of local makers selling everything from handmade jewelry to ceramics - perfect for early holiday shopping.

Family Fun and Holiday Kickoffs

Families have plenty to look forward to as the holidays approach. The LA Zoo Lights returns with glowing displays and nighttime animal encounters, while Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens creates a dreamy, interactive light show among the trees.

In Griffith Park, the Holiday Train Ride delights kids (and adults) with a vintage miniature train decked out in lights. And on the coast, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade Preview gives a first glimpse of the decorated boats that will later illuminate the harbor in December.

Sports, Sunshine, and LA Energy

November is big for sports fans. The Lakers and Clippers heat up the court downtown, the Rams take the field at SoFi Stadium, and LAFC fans pack BMO Stadium for playoff excitement. Prefer your sports with a view? Join locals at the Malibu Half Marathon or watch surfers catch waves at the Hermosa Beach Open - the vibe is pure California.

Experience Los Angeles Like a Local With HomeExchange

November is one of the best times to feel like an Angeleno - and with HomeExchange, you can do it authentically. Swap homes with a local and wake up in a sunny Silver Lake bungalow, a Santa Monica apartment near the ocean, or a cozy home tucked into the Hollywood Hills.

You’ll shop at neighborhood markets, join evening walks under palm trees, and come home to a place that feels truly yours. Because in Los Angeles, life isn’t about where you stay - it’s about how you live it.

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