Holiday celebrations, free museums, ocean views, and neighborhood walks make it possible to enjoy Los Angeles without paying an admission fee this November.
This guide brings together 15 ideas across the greater Los Angeles area, including special November events and places you can visit throughout the month. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a casual date, or a day exploring the city, there’s something here for a range of interests.
Admission to the activities described below is free. Parking, transportation, food, shopping, rides, and optional experiences may cost extra. Some locations require or recommend a free reservation. Check official schedules before visiting, especially around Thanksgiving on November 26.
Prefer seasonal celebrations? See our holiday events in Los Angeles this November. For a mix of free and paid outings, see 20 things to do in Los Angeles this November.
1. Watch Citadel Outlets light up its Christmas tree
Start the holiday season with an evening of live music and festive entertainment at Citadel Outlets. Its annual tree-lighting celebration includes an appearance by Santa and a snow show following the performances and lighting.
You can enjoy the celebration without making a purchase at the shops.
📅 Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ Time: Performances begin at 5 PM.
📍 Location: Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Drive, Commerce
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public.
✅ Reservations: No tickets are required.
2. Celebrate the holidays at Union Station
Union Station’s historic Ticket Concourse hosts a free evening of music, festive characters, and holiday photo opportunities for its annual tree-lighting ceremony.
The family-friendly celebration includes live performances by Mariachi Ausente and Lizzy & the Triggermen, with Charles Phoenix hosting the evening. Santa and towering stilt walkers add to the seasonal atmosphere.
📅 Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
⏰ Time: 6–8 PM
📍 Location: Union Station, Ticket Concourse, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free for all ages.
✅ Reservations: Tickets are not required. The official event page also links to an Eventbrite listing.
🚗 Parking: Paid parking is available. Union Station is accessible by public transit.
3. See Rodeo Drive’s holiday lighting celebration
Rodeo Drive welcomes the holiday season with an evening of live entertainment, illuminated decorations, and a fireworks finale.
Walk along the street, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and take holiday photos. Food and shopping are optional purchases, so you can attend the celebration without buying anything.
📅 Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
⏰ Time: 5–8 PM
📍 Location: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public.
✅ Reservations: Refer to the city’s official event page for arrival updates and any access instructions.
4. Explore Griffith Observatory and its city views
Spend an afternoon exploring astronomy exhibits, then step outside to take in views across Los Angeles. The Observatory combines indoor displays with terraces overlooking the city and the Hollywood Sign.
The building, grounds, and public telescopes are free to visit. Telescope viewing depends on weather and operating conditions; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows require a separate paid ticket.
📅 Dates: Throughout November during opening hours.
⏰ Regular building hours: Tuesday–Friday, noon–10 PM; Saturday–Sunday, 10 AM–10 PM. Closed Mondays. Check the calendar for holiday changes.
📍 Location: 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free for the building, grounds, and public telescopes.
✅ Reservations: No general-admission ticket is needed.
🚗 Parking: Parking closest to the Observatory is paid.
5. Spend a day at the Getty Center
Explore art, architecture, and gardens at the Getty Center, with wide views across Los Angeles from its hilltop setting.
You can build your visit around the galleries or take your time outdoors between exhibitions. Some galleries are closed for renovation, so check the museum’s visitor page when planning your route.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Regular hours: Tuesday–Friday and Sunday, 10 AM–6:30 PM; Saturday, 10 AM–9 PM. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving.
📍 Location: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free.
✅ Reservations: A free timed-entry reservation is required through Getty’s website.
🚗 Parking: Parking generally costs extra; check the official page for applicable free-parking periods.
6. Discover contemporary art at The Broad
The Broad offers free general admission to its collection galleries, making it an accessible stop for an afternoon of contemporary art in Downtown Los Angeles.
Take your time exploring the works on display. Some special exhibitions and events carry a separate charge, and individual experiences may have their own ticket arrangements.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Regular hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 11 AM–5 PM; Thursday, 11 AM–8 PM; Saturday–Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving.
📍 Location: 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: General admission is free.
✅ Reservations: Reserve a free timed ticket online in advance. Walk-up admission is also available.
🚗 Parking: Parking costs extra.
7. Visit the Hammer Museum in Westwood
The Hammer Museum is a free option for an art-focused outing on the Westside. Explore its current exhibitions and take a break in the courtyard during your visit.
Its public-program calendar also offers additional ways to experience the museum. Check individual listings for event schedules and entry arrangements.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11 AM–6 PM. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving.
📍 Location: 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free.
✅ Reservations: Advance reservations are not necessary for a regular museum visit. Groups of 10 or more should register as a self-guided tour.
🚗 Parking: Paid parking is available beneath the museum.
8. Explore MOCA Grand Avenue
Visit MOCA’s Grand Avenue location for a free look at contemporary art in Downtown Los Angeles.
November visitors can explore exhibitions including “In These Times: Recent Acquisitions at MOCA.” The museum is also close to The Broad, making the two a convenient pairing for an art-filled day.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Regular hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11 AM–5 PM; Saturday–Sunday, 11 AM–6 PM. The first Thursday of November has extended hours until 8 PM. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving.
📍 Location: MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: General admission is free.
✅ Reservations: Advance reservations are recommended through MOCA’s official ticket page.
🚗 Parking: Nearby parking may cost extra.
9. Step into the ancient world at the Getty Villa
The Getty Villa brings ancient Greek and Roman art together with gardens and architecture inspired by a Roman country home.
Explore the galleries and outdoor spaces at your own pace. This is a separate destination from the Getty Center, so make sure your reservation is for the Villa.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Hours: 10 AM–5 PM. Closed Tuesdays and Thanksgiving.
📍 Location: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades
🎟️ Admission: Free.
✅ Reservations: A free timed-entry reservation is required through Getty’s website.
🚗 Parking: Parking costs extra. Check current driving directions before traveling.
10. Explore the California African American Museum
Visit the California African American Museum in Exposition Park to explore exhibitions connected to African American art, history, and culture.
Admission is free, and the museum’s calendar includes public programs and events. Check the current exhibition lineup before visiting and review any registration instructions for special programs.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Regular hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday, 11 AM–5 PM. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving.
📍 Location: 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free.
✅ Reservations: Consult the official visitor page; individual programs may have separate RSVP instructions.
🚗 Parking: Exposition Park parking costs extra.
11. Take a walk along Santa Monica Pier
Enjoy ocean views, watch the activity along the pier, and take in one of the Westside’s most recognizable landmarks without paying an entry fee.
A walk on the pier is free, but amusement rides, arcade games, the aquarium, food, and other attractions are separate purchases. You can keep this outing free by sticking to a stroll and the views.
📅 Dates: Throughout November.
⏰ Hours: Check the pier’s official page for current access hours and bridge-construction updates. Individual businesses keep separate hours.
📍 Location: Santa Monica Pier, at the ocean end of Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica
🎟️ Admission: Free to walk onto the pier.
✅ Reservations: No reservation is needed for a regular walk.
🚗 Parking: Nearby parking costs extra.
12. Wander through the Venice Canals
Explore the public walkways and pedestrian bridges around the Venice Canals for a quieter outing near the coast.
The neighborhood’s waterways and varied architecture make it a pleasant place for a relaxed walk. This is a residential area, so stay on public paths and respect residents’ privacy.
📅 Dates: Year-round, including November.
⏰ Suggested visiting time: Daylight hours for an easier walk and a clear view of the bridges and waterways.
📍 Location: Venice Canal Historic District, between Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard, Venice
🎟️ Admission: Free.
✅ Reservations: No ticket or reservation is required.
13. Discover the art and architecture of Central Library
Downtown’s Central Library offers more than shelves of books. Explore its historic architecture and the dramatic atrium of the Tom Bradley Wing.
Free docent-led art and architecture tours are available on a limited schedule. If you would like a guided visit, check the upcoming tour listings rather than assuming a tour runs every day.
📅 Dates: Throughout November, subject to library hours and holiday closures.
⏰ Regular library hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 AM–8 PM; Friday–Saturday, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM; Sunday, 1–5 PM. Guided tours have separate scheduled times and last about one hour.
📍 Location: 630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles
🎟️ Admission: Free; listed docent tours are also free.
✅ Reservations: Check the selected tour listing for attendance instructions. Groups of eight or more should arrange a group tour in advance.
14. Enjoy the public spaces at Annenberg Community Beach House
For a relaxed coastal outing, visit the Annenberg Community Beach House’s public outdoor spaces. Enjoy ocean views, open seating areas, and a playground beside the beach.
This recommendation is for the free public areas. Pool access, reserved facilities, classes, and other activities have separate seasonal schedules or fees; a November visit should not be planned around summer pool access.
📅 Dates: Throughout November, subject to site hours.
⏰ Hours: Check the official Site Hours information before visiting; individual facilities have separate schedules.
📍 Location: 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica
🎟️ Admission: Free access to the public outdoor seating areas.
✅ Reservations: No booking is needed for ordinary use of open public seating. Reserved spaces and organized activities have separate arrangements.
🚗 Parking: On-site parking costs extra.
15. Visit Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale
Forest Lawn Museum offers a quieter art outing with both free admission and free parking.
Explore the museum and use its free digital art guide to learn more about the collection. The museum sits within an active memorial park, so keep your visit respectful of services and other visitors.
📅 Dates: Throughout November on opening days.
⏰ Museum hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving, November 26.
📍 Location: Forest Lawn–Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale. Follow the signs from the entrance to the museum.
🎟️ Admission: Free.
✅ Reservations: Tickets and reservations are not required.
🚗 Parking: Free.
Please note: The nearby Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection has additional closures and a separate presentation schedule. Check the official page if you plan to include it.
November offers plenty of ways to explore the Los Angeles area without paying an admission fee, from holiday celebrations to art galleries and walks by the ocean.
Choose a few nearby stops, make any required free reservations, and check official schedules before heading out. Holiday hours, event details, and availability can change.
Follow Places Los Angeles for more local events, neighborhood discoveries, and things to do around the city.
