Cultures from all over the world are represented at special events happening in and around Los Angeles in November. And ‘tis the season for Scandinavian Christmas fairs!

Of special significance to me this month is the Norwegian Christmas Fair. I’ve been at this event several times both as a guest and a volunteer. It takes place, as it always does, the weekend before Thanksgiving (Friday, November 16 – Sunday, November 18). In addition to the Norwegian Christmas Fair, Scandinavian enthusiasts can visit Swedish and Danish Christmas fairs. Both SWEA Orange County and SWEA Los Angeles host their own Swedish Christmas fairs. SWEA Orange County’s event takes place on Sunday, November 18, in Huntington Beach, and the SWEA Los Angeles event happens on Sunday, December 2, in Torrance. The Scandinavian Christmas Fair hosted by the Danish Church takes place on Saturday, November 24, in Yorba Linda. For more information, visit ‘Tis the Season for Scandinavian Christmas Fairs!

Also happening this month, Magnus Nilsson, internationally acclaimed Swedish chef and author of bestselling The Nordic Cookbook, will be in town for a book signing for his follow up book The Nordic Baking Book on Wednesday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Now Serving in Downtown LA (Chinatown). Advance ticket purchase is required to attend this event. Ticket price includes a signed copy of the book and an opportunity to meet Magnus. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

How will you explore the richness of Los Angeles this month?

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 3 & 4 *

21st Annual Arpa International Film Festival, Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, Friday, 11/2 – Sunday, 11/4. The annual Arpa International Film Festival is a dynamic forum for international cinema with a special focus on the work of filmmakers who explore the issues of diaspora, exile, and multiculturalism. A strong emphasis is placed on ideals of independent thought, artistic vision, cultural diversity, and social understanding.

Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour, Chinatown, Downtown LA, Saturday, 11/3, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more! The 2 1/2 hour walking tour will take visitors to a number of off-the-beaten-track points of interest and will guide those interested in shopping to some of Chinatown’s best bargains and its trendiest shops. 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 LA’s Chinatown. (Offered every first Saturday of the month).

India: Diwali Rangoli Designs (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/4, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Día de los Muertos, Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, Sunday, 11/4, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The City of Santa Monica presents its seventh annual Día de los Muertos celebration. This family-friendly event celebrates the cycle of life and the remembrance of ancestors with live music and dance, storytelling, workshops, altars, craft vendors and food trucks. Free and open to all.

Mexican Day of the Dead Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday, 11/4, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Celebrate the Day of the Dead at Bowers. Dia de los Muertos is based on the Mexican belief that our departed loved ones come back to earth to be with us every year in a joyful celebration that lasts for three days. Join the celebration and enjoy pan dulce with Mexican hot chocolate, face painting, special art projects, and performances by Rhythmo Mariachi Kids, Folklorico Raices de Mexico, Trio Tres Souls and Xipe Totec Danza Azteca.

Arts of Africa Festival, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Westwood, Sunday, 11/4, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Come for an afternoon of African-inspired food, music, storytelling, and surprising conversations with curators and blacksmiths. Programs for all ages will spark curiosity about the impact of art in communities far away and how it shapes our own daily lives. There will be gallery talks, family activities, forging, food, and music! See website for schedule.

Rome If You Want To (Andell Family Sundays), LACMA, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11/4, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Make, look, and talk about art at Andell Family Sundays. This weekly family event features artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This month, explore Roma bella! Whether it is through the mythological gods and goddesses, or iconic architecture, ancient Rome has been a fountain of inspiration for artists throughout history. Take a family friendly, bilingual tour of the exhibition To Rome and Back: Individualism and Authority in Art, 1500–1800 and get inspired to make art in workshops. (Offered Sunday, November 4, 11, and 18).

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 10 & 11 *

Red Nation Film Festival, Various Venues, Monday, 11/5 – Friday, 11/16. Red Nation Film Festival is a showcase for new work by American Indian and Indigenous international independent filmmakers. It brings together decision makers and content creators with the goal of ensuring media representation of American Indian and Indigenous content to the world at large.

32nd Israel Film Festival, Various Venues (Beverly Hills, Skirball Center, Encino), Tuesday,11/6 – Tuesday, 11/20. The mission of the Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles is to spotlight Israel’s thriving film and television industry, enrich the American vision of Israeli life and culture, and provide an intercultural exchange through the powerful medium of film. A special program, Jewish Identity Through Israeli Film, will be presented at the Skirball Cultural Center on Tuesday, 11/13.

AFI Fest, Various Venues, Hollywood, Thursday, 11/8 – Thursday, 11/15. This is American Film Institute’s annual celebration of international cinema from modern masters and emerging filmmakers. It features nightly red-carpet galas, special screenings, conversations, and tributes.

JANM Free Family Days: Superheroes!, Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo, Downtown LA, Saturday, 11/10, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This full day of crafts, performances, and other activities is inspired by real-life heroes as well as fictional characters as seen in the exhibit Kaiju vs Heroes: Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys. For more information on activities and schedule, please visit website.

Ancient Rome: Chariots (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/11, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Textiles, Status, and Ceremony (Free Second Sunday@PAM), USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday, 11/11, 11:00 a.m. Explore the connections between textiles, status, and ceremony through the history and culture of Korea! Learn about the king who used his status to develop the Korean alphabet. Enjoy artmaking activities, storytime for kids, and docent tours.

Rome If You Want To (Andell Family Sundays), LACMA, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11/11, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Make, look, and talk about art at Andell Family Sundays. This weekly family event features artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This month, explore Roma bella! Whether it is through the mythological gods and goddesses, or iconic architecture, ancient Rome has been a fountain of inspiration for artists throughout history. Take a family friendly, bilingual tour of the exhibition To Rome and Back: Individualism and Authority in Art, 1500–1800 and get inspired to make art in workshops. (Also offered Sunday, November 18).

Performance@PAM: The King’s Language, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday, 11/11, 3:00 p.m. In a blend of contemporary and folk theater, The King’s Language whimsically retells a historical milestone of a nation’s identity as a people through rhythmic beats of a native drum punctuated with dialogue, song, and movement. This Korean musical performed mostly in English playfully traverses culture to incite awareness in audiences of a fundamental human tool we often take for granted—casting a spotlight on what we risk as a species if it is eroded. Visit website for ticket information.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 17 & 18 *

Norwegian Christmas Bazar, Norwegian Seamen’s Church, San Pedro, Friday, 11/16 – Sunday, 11/18. The third weekend in November is the annual Norwegian Christmas Fair at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church. 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, baked goods for sale in the church’s bakery, and Norwegian Christmas food available in the church’s store. There will also be a children’s Christmas workshop from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. All are welcome!

The Great Los Angeles Walk, Meet at Pershing Square, Downtown LA, Saturday, 11/17, 9:00 a.m. Get to know our city by walking across it. Every year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, hundreds of walkers start the free urban hike on one side of the city and, 9 hours and 17 miles later, end up at the other. It is a low-key event, and you can hop on or off the walk whenever you’d like.

USA: Native American Sand Paintings (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/18, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

28th Annual Mariachi Festival and Community Fair, Mariachi Plaza, Boyle Heights, Sunday, 11/18, 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. The 28th 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.

Rome If You Want To (Andell Family Sundays), LACMA, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11/11, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Make, look, and talk about art at Andell Family Sundays. This weekly family event features artist-led workshops and friendly gallery tours and activities thematically based on special exhibitions and LACMA’s permanent collection. This month, explore Roma bella! Whether it is through the mythological gods and goddesses, or iconic architecture, ancient Rome has been a fountain of inspiration for artists throughout history. Take a family friendly, bilingual tour of the exhibition To Rome and Back: Individualism and Authority in Art, 1500–1800 and get inspired to make art in workshops.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 24 & 25 *

Scandinavian Christmas Fair, The Danish Lutheran Church, Yorba Linda, Saturday, November 24, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Danish Church hosts its annual Julemarked with Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian vendors selling items imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland or that feature Scandinavian themes. Artisans and crafters offer high quality, unique and one-of-a-kind glass, ceramics, paper art, paintings, jewelry, and fabric art. Guests can also enjoy traditional Danish foods such as smørrebrød (elegant, elaborate open-face sandwiches) and æbleskiver (Danish pancake balls) with powdered sugar and raspberry jam as well as strong Danish coffee and gløgg, the hot Scandinavian yuletide drink (mulled red wine with cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, raisins and slivered almonds). Danish pastries and selected meat products are also available for purchase.

Little Tokyo Walking Tour, Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo, Downtown LA, Saturday, 11/24, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Learn about past and present-day Little Tokyo on a walking tour led by an in-the-know JANM docent. From murals to monuments, explore both the popular and lesser-known gems of this bustling neighborhood. Weather permitting. $12 members, $15 non-members. Museum admission included. Limited to 20 participants. (Offered every last Saturday of the month.)

Germany: Grimm Fairytale Puppets (Barnsdall Art Sundays), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 11/25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Every Sunday art instructors present a free art project featuring a different culture and media. All materials are provided.

Feel free to add events for this month in the comments below. I also welcome feedback on any events you have attended. If you have tips on future events and celebrations to include in upcoming months, please email me with details. Thank you!