In November, Angelenos can experience a variety of cultures and partake in some unique celebrations before focusing on their own Thanksgiving. And Norwegians can kick off the holiday season with the Norwegian Church’s annual Christmas Fair, a highlight of the year and a favorite event of mine. Throughout the month, walking tours, performances, workshops, fairs, and festivals all provide more opportunities to gain a fuller appreciation of what our area has to offer. What will you attend this month?

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 *

Dia de los Muertos Celebration on Olvera Street, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Downtown LA, Saturday & Sunday 10am-8pm and Monday 4pm-8pm. Dia de los Muertos is one of the most celebrated holidays in Mexico. It is a celebration of the belief that on October 31 and November 1 the spirits of beloved family members come to be with us once again. Enjoy face painting, street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, art workshops, puppets, ballet folklorico, piñatas and other fun family activities, followed by a Novenario procession.

Day of the Dead Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday, 10am-4pm. At this time of remembrance and celebration of life, come to the Bowers to enjoy the romantic music of Latin America, face painting and sugar skull decorating, ballet folklorico, mariachi music, and Aztec dance. See website for schedule.

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 7 & 8 *

Japanese Garden Festival, Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge, Saturday & Sunday. Descanso celebrates the art and culture of Japan with this family-friendly festival. On Saturday at 10 a.m. take an in depth tour of Descanso’s Japanese Garden with Dr. Kendall Brown, professor of Asian art history and author of Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America. On both days, there will be an Ikebana display where you can view examples of ikebana, the art of flower arranging, and Taiko drummers will perform heart-pounding feats of percussion in the Under the Oaks Theater. The Camellia Lounge will offer Japanese-inspired cuisine and sake cocktails crafted by Patina for purchase.

Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Downtown, Saturday, 10am-6pm. The 24th annual festival will feature contemporary and traditional Filipino food, music, dance, crafts, and culture. This year’s theme for the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event is “Balik tanaw, Pananaw bukas” a Tagalog phrase meaning “looking backward, looking forward.” While rooted in the native tongue of the motherland, this year’s theme celebrates the rich experiences of being Filipino American.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday, 10:30am-1pm. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to wind your way through a myriad of alleyways, plaza stalls, and classical courtyards to discover the charm of L.A.’s Chinatown. This tour is offered every first Saturday of the month.

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

In the Spirit of Gratitude, California African American Museum, Exposition Park, Sunday, 1:30pm-4pm. Come enjoy a Gospel and inspirational show for all ages. Tour CAAM’s galleries and take in their new exhibitions. Exhibitions and programs at CAAM are always free.

Family Jam: Fascinating Rhythm!, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 2pm-4pm. Admire the beautiful ancient ceramics from Colombia in Encountering Ancient Colombia—A Journey through the Magdalena Valley and then fast forward to the present to learn the basic steps of Cumbia, a popular dance in Colombia (2pm-3pm). Afterwards, decorate a pair of claves and keep the beat (3pm-4pm)—it’s a day for rhythm!

Free Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, every 2nd Sunday of the month. Established in 1971, the museum is one of few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum’s mission is to further intercultural understanding through the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In addition to the permanent and special exhibitions, there is a special interactive family-friendly exhibition called Journeys: The Silk Road where visitors can explore the legendary trade route that linked Europe and Asia for more than a thousand years. Also, every second Sunday of the month is a special storytime and with a hands-on craft. This Sunday’s theme is Diwali Festival.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 14 & 15 *

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

Kids in the Courtyard: Digital Disguise: Lights, Camera, Action!, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Disguise: Masks and Global African Art is full of exciting new media art. In this drop-in activity, experiment with simple technology to make a symbol that lights up and represents what makes you special. Then create your very own avatar. Take a picture of yourself and watch it transform before your very eyes!

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 21 & 22 *

Norwegian Christmas Fair/Julebasar, Sjømannskirken/Norwegian Church Abroad, San Pedro, Friday through Sunday. It’s the Norwegian Church’s annual Christmas Fair, a highlight of the year. You are warmly welcomed with gløgg and ginger snaps, and then Christmas decorations, music, candles, and the smell of freshly baked goods set the mood as you wander the booths filled with Scandinavian goods of all kinds. There are raffle drawings with wonderful prizes, traditional foods served in the church’s cafe, and baked goods for sale in the church’s bakery. You can also buy Norwegian Christmas food in the church’s store. There will also be a children’s Christmas Workshop from 12pm to 2:30pm on Saturday.

A Path Appears: Actions for a Better World, Skirball Cultural Center, ongoing from November 19 to February 21, 2016. Inspired by the bestselling book A Path Appears by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the exhibition is both a gallery installation and a community engagement project—a place where every visitor can take practical, results-driven steps to bring about social change. Get inspired inside innovatively designed pavilions exploring four critical humanitarian issues: education, health, good jobs, and empowerment. Tap into the power of grassroots action as you learn of organizations—both local and around the globe—that are developing workable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Then join in building a better world as you engage with ActionLab, a mobile-friendly tool that uses storytelling to promote social change and spark a commitment to human rights.

25th Annual Mariachi Festival and Community Fair, Mariachi Plaza, Boyle Heights, Sunday, 9:30am-5pm. The 25th Annual Mariachi Festival will be held at the 40-year-old landmark, Mariachi Plaza, in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Local mariachi groups will perform during the day-long program. There will also be arts activities, photo opportunities, art exhibitions, food, and information booths.

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 28 & 29 *

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.