Thanksgiving in Los Angeles 2019 - Things to Do in November & More

Spending Thanksgiving in the greater Los Angeles area this year? You’re probably looking for a few festive L.A. attractions to make the most of your long weekend with friends and family. Check out these suggestions for local activities and more seasonal things to do in November 2019. We have a list of top Thanksgiving in LA activities, including...

• Knott's Merry Farm
• LA Zoo Lights
• Hollywood Christmas Parade
• Thanksgiving Lunch at Aquarium of the Pacific
• California Science Center
• and more!

Consider adding a few of these attractions to your November itinerary for a fun Thanksgiving in Los Angeles.

Save on Attraction Admission

Regular admission to a number of these Los Angeles attractions is included on the Go Los Angeles® pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices. Please note, some of these special November events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Los Angeles® pass.

Knott's Merry Farm

November 2019 - January 2020

Starting in November, Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates the merriest of seasons with a transformation into Knott's Merry Farm. Enjoy thousands of twinkling lights and cheerful holiday décor throughout the park. Spend the most wonderful time of the year at Knott’s Merry Farm by visiting Santa’s Christmas Cabin. Guests can meet Santa and savor Knott’s world-famous holiday treats. Snoopy and a cast of world-class ice skaters perform "Merry Christmas, Snoopy!". It's a whimsical ice show bursting with characters and remarkable skating. Take a trip back in time and celebrate the holiday season in the Old West with Christmas in Calico. In the evening, join the Calico Citizens as they light up the night with the Calico Tree Lighting Ceremony. Then take a stroll through Ghost Town where snow gently falls to sparkling lights and festive music. Getting In: Knott's Berry Farm tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles® pass.

Thanksgiving Lunch - Aquarium of the Pacific

Date TBA

This is one of the more unique Thanksgiving traditions we’ve come across in L.A., and it’s instantly become one of our favorites. Spend your holiday visiting with the over 11,000 creatures that inhabit the Aquarium of the Pacific, and enjoy a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast at Café Scuba. Tickets are modestly priced and the meal looks fantastic. Well worth the price of admission under any circumstances, let alone the super cool chance to chill with the sea otters while dining. Be sure to order tickets in advance! Getting In: Thanksgiving events at the Aquarium of the Pacific are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go Los Angeles® pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the attraction website. General admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific is included with the Go Los Angeles® pass.

LA Zoo Lights

L.A. Zoo, Griffith Park November 2019 - January 2020

Thanksgiving has many charms... One of which is that it’s the lead-in to the winter holiday season. So give the kids the chance to celebrate Christmas early this year with a visit to the fantastic Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park. There’s a ton to do at this great seasonal event. Visit a few lovely reindeer who are stopping by the L.A. Zoo for the holiday season, participate in holiday crafts for children and take photos with Santa. This event continues throughout December as well. Do keep in mind that many of the animals will be asleep at night during your visit. If you're interested in seeing the critters, a daytime trip might be in order. Dates are TBA so check the LA zoo website for updates. Getting In: L.A. Zoo tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles pass. Selected L.A. Zoo Lights events are separately ticketed and are not included with the pass.

California Science Center

Come spend some time at this fantastic educational institute. It's a great place to entertain the adults and educate the kids, and the whole extended family will leave happy. In addition to fantastic regular exhibitions on science, nature, space travel, ecology, and more, they also have stellar special exhibits. These popular extra exhibits include the fun exhibit "Dogs! A Science Tail," which explores the connections between humans and their best friends alongside sensory demonstrations of how dogs run, hear, smell, and more. Getting In: California Science Center Plus IMAX tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles® pass. Select special exhibits may incur additional costs.

Whale Watch at Newport Landing

Fall is an amazing time of year to go on a whale-watching cruise. It is when you'll be able to see the elusive blue whales, attracted by warmer waters through November. You'll also be able to see playful seals and dolphins, and a variety of seabirds. Because the Southern California coastline is famous for being in the path of whale migration, you're bound to see one on your trip. Make sure your phone or camera is charged for this activity! Insider tip: You maybe a bit chilly aboard the vessel, so dress in layers. Getting In: Whale Watch from Newport Landing tickets are included with the Go Los Angeles® pass.

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Hollywood December 1, 2019

This festive and funky event is a real piece of L.A. heritage – it has been a tradition for nearly 90 years. This event is filled with balloons, floats, bands, celebrities, and much more. An evening spent enjoying the atmosphere of this parade is a great way to mark the start of the winter holidays. Enjoy a quick u-shape route through Hollywood from the grandstands (ticketed) or watch for free from the curb. Getting In: Curbside viewing of the Hollywood Christmas Parade is free.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

From entertainment to action, Thanksgiving to Christmas, there’s something for everyone on this list. We listed just a few fun suggestions for things to do in November and Thanksgiving in Los Angeles 2019. Of course, there are plenty of other activities to help fill your plans. Remember, many of these great options are included on the Go Los Angeles pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the November and Thanksgiving events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go Los Angeles pass. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your November weekend itineraries.

Share your trip with us

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity and use #GoCityPass on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!