2025 LA BikeFest
BikeLA hosts its 4th Annual LA BikeFest Fundraiser Happy Hour and Celebration of bike-minded people from daily commuters to weekend warriors, and everyone in between. A Pedal-Powered Party where attendees are encouraged to ride to and from LA BikeFest via the healthiest, happiest, most sustainable, and equitable transportation available – the BICYCLE. Taking place on Saturday, November 15 from 12 p.m.–3 p.m. at Highland Park Brewery, a hop, skip and roll from the Chinatown Metro station, the event is open to all ages, but you must be 21+ to be served beer. The $25pp ticket (purchased in advance; $35 at the door if capacity allows) includes free bike valet, one beer or non-alcoholic drink, a commemorative sky blue BikeLA bandana, and our biggest yet bike-themed silent auction.

Join fellow BikeLA supporters, local chapter members, and Angelenos with the shared desire to transform Los Angeles into a better place to live and bicycle. Come together for a relaxed afternoon of good vibes, great company, and tasty brews. In addition, BikeLA has announced this year’s three 2025 Spoke Award Honorees who will be honored at this year’s BikeFest:

Hugo Soto-Martinez, Los Angeles City Council for the 13^th District, was born and raised in Los Angeles. His parents immigrated here and worked as street vendors to give Hugo and his five siblings more opportunities than they had in Mexico. As a child, he took pride in building and riding his own bicycles. For 16 years, Hugo organized with UNITE HERE! Local 11, fighting alongside mostly immigrant women in the hotel industry to win better wages, healthcare, and respect on the job. Since his election to City Council in 2022, Hugo has worked to build community power and bring the voice of working people into City Hall. In 2024, Hugo opened his first ever protected bike lanes in Hollywood, as part of his landmark “Access to Hollywood” project.

BikeLA commends Metro staff for the Rail to Rail Path, a new 5.5-mile path for walking, biking and rolling in South LA that connects the K Line at Fairview Heights to the A Line at Slauson Station. Outfitted with five Metro Bike Share Stations at: Denker & Slauson, Vermont & Slauson, Figueroa & Slauson, Avalon & Slauson, and Compton & Slauson these stations installed in May 2025 connect the communities along the Slauson corridor with affordable bicycles.

ActiveSGV, founded in 2010 by San Gabriel Valley residents and public health advocates, addresses the lack of safe, green, complete streets in east Los Angeles County. The organization has led over a dozen active transportation plans, launched one of California’s first Traffic Diversion Programs with the El Monte District Court, and organized eight regional open streets events, including the 626 Golden Streets (2017) and ArroyoFest (2023). ActiveSGV also created the region’s first monthly e-bike share program, GoSGV.com (2022), built the Merced Avenue Greenway bikeway (2024), and expanded green space in El Monte – advancing a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley.

Plus, special partner acknowledgements to Streets are for Everyone (known as SAFE) started by cyclist Damian Kevitt as a movement for safer streets after he was hit by a car and nearly killed while riding his bicycle in Griffith Park. SAFE is a non-profit organization celebrating their 10^th Anniversary with an aim to improve the quality of life for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers alike by reducing traffic fatalities to zero; and Highland Park Brewery for graciously hosting BikeFest for the past three consecutive years.

Bike LA’s honorees are passionate, dedicated, and collaborative in making Los Angeles a more bikeable region for everyone.

“BikeFest is more than a bike celebration — it’s a statement about the kind of Los Angeles we’re building together,” explains Eli Akira Kaufman, BikeLA executive director.  “Every time someone chooses to ride, they’re choosing cleaner air, safer streets, and stronger connections among our communities. BikeLA exists to make that choice easier for everyone, in every neighborhood, every day.”

Highland Park Brewery will have a bar in a designated area where additional beer can be purchased as well as offering a special menu (including a vegan option) available for purchase. 

This year’s BikeFest Gold Helmet Sponsor is Waymo, making it safer, more accessible, and more sustainable to get around – without the need for anyone in the driver’s seat; the Silver Helmet Sponsors include Tranzito-Vector, working hard to expand bus shelter structures with better design and amenities to serve the lived experience of all Angelenos, Bicycle Transit Systems, with over a decade of supporting shared mobility in Los Angeles; and  Lyft, growing on-demand, scheduled ahead, late night, or morning commutes by bicycles; Bronze Helmet Sponsors are Laemmle Charitable Foundation, making the family’s vision of a sustainable community a reality; Lime, expanding the world’s largest shared electric fleet; and Serve Robotics, building the next generation of autonomous sidewalk delivery robots.

Silent auction donors for bike-themed accessories include Spurcycle; Patagonia; Yakima; Tern; Road Runner bags; ABUS; Kryptonite and more.

Visit https://www.la-bike.org or sign up for email announcements HERE.

Ticket proceeds and additional donations help raise crucial funds to support BikeLA advocacy and programming to make Los Angeles more bikeable for everyone.

GETTING TO LA BIKEFEST:

– Ride your bike! We highly encourage guests to ride to and from LA Bike Fest via the healthiest, happiest, most sustainable, and equitable transportation available – THE BICYCLE – BikeLA will offer complimentary Bike Valet.

– Sometimes people need to drive their car. Street parking is available, but please be mindful of street signs.

Where:  Highland Park Brewery,1220 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (free bike valet)

When:  Saturday, November 15, 2025; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Tickets:  $25pp ticket purchased in advance, $35 at the door if capacity allows – for ages 5 and up; includes free bike valet, one beer or non-alcoholic drink, a commemorative sky blue BikeLA bandana, and a bike-themed silent auction.

More Information & Tickets: 
– https://www.la-bike.org; https://events.humanitix.com/bikefest2025/tickets
– For additional information please contact:bikefest@bike-la.org
– Follow BikeLA at https://www.facebook.com/heybikela; https://www.instagram.com/heybikela/; https://twitter.com/heybikela
– https://www.youtube.com/@heybikela
– BikeLA Trailer/B-roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AORGteyQp3M&t=213s

BikeLA is a nonprofit organization that works to make all communities in Los Angeles County healthy, safe, and fun places to ride a bike through advocacy, education, and outreach. BikeLA envisions LA County that is a great place for every day, year-round bicycling. People live in healthier, more vibrant communities, where the air is cleaner, and streets are both quieter and safer for everyone. More women, families and children ride their bikes and appreciate opportunities to enjoy their neighborhoods and their city. All people, of varying cultures and backgrounds, can ride their bikes everywhere, safely, and conveniently.

Dine with Santa at Sunday Brunch, Gingerbread House Making, a 

Christmas Bar called the ‘Peppermint Lounge’, a Hot Cocoa Bar, 

Silent Disco: Christmas Songs Edition, Letters to Santa, and Much More!

The Queen Mary in Long Beach is making everything merry and bright this holiday season, decking her halls (and decks) with twinkling lights, decorated trees, and a month of festive programming through December 24th. From Santa at Sunday Brunch and the can’t miss Christmas Bar called the “Peppermint Lounge” to live entertainment and family-friendly fun, the legendary ocean liner is offering holiday cheer for all ages.

Throughout December, visitors and guests can enjoy a variety of holiday happenings and themed events that make the Queen Mary one of Southern California’s most unique holiday destinations. The celebrations begin with Santa Sundays at the ship’s signature Royal Sunday Brunch every Sunday in December (Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27), where guests can savor a lavish holiday spread while meeting Santa himself. December 4 – 24, visitors can also sip and be merry at the all-new Peppermint Lounge, a Christmas bar located in the Embarkation Room, featuring live music on select nights and specialty cocktails that taste just like the season. On Friday, December 5th, experience a festive evening of dancing under the stars with sweeping harbor views and a playlist of holiday favorites during Silent Disco: Christmas Songs Edition.

The celebration reaches its peak December 19–21, when Santa’s Ship Stop in the Queens Salon becomes the ultimate destination for hands-on holiday fun. Families can build gingerbread houses with Santa’s elves ($25 per child or available as a package with Photos with Santa), sip something sweet at Cocoa with Claus, and send off Letters to Santa, with replies from the North Pole guaranteed! These activities will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 19, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21. During select hours, children can enjoy Cookies with the Captain, where every young guest receives a complimentary cookie while parents are welcomed to toast the season at the Peppermint Lounge.

The festivities continue throughout the week with a lineup of can’t-miss holiday events leading up to Christmas. On Wednesday, December 17, guests can cozy up for Movie on the Mary: Christmas Edition in the Queen Mary Theatre from 6–8 p.m., followed by Brushes & Bubbly: Winter Wonderland on Thursday, December 18, from 6–8 p.m. On Friday, December 19, the ship comes alive with Bingo Loco in the Grand Salon from 7–11 p.m., along with Holiday Follies performances running December 19–20. 

With its gleaming Art Deco halls, sweeping ocean views, and nostalgic holiday atmosphere, the Queen Mary offers a truly one-of-a-kind backdrop for celebrations big and small. Guests are invited to book their holiday parties, plan festive gatherings, and experience the spirit of the season aboard one of the world’s most iconic ships.

Deck the halls and sail into the season aboard The Queen Mary! For more information on the Queen Mary, to book a holiday party, seasonal offerings, and more visit queenmary.com/whatsondeck, or connect with us on social @TheQueenMary.

Credit: The Queen Mary.

Following the success of last year’s event, the iconic Queen Mary in Long Beach will once again honor our nation’s heroes this Veterans Day with a day of celebration dedicated to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. On Tuesday, November 11, from 11 AM to 3 PM, guests will enjoy free admission aboard the legendary ship, featuring special programming and family-friendly activities designed to commemorate and celebrate their service.

“We are honored to once again open our decks to the men and women who have served our country,” said Steve Caloca, Managing Director of The Queen Mary. “As a war veteran herself, the Queen Mary proudly welcomes fellow veterans and their families aboard for a day of reflection, gratitude, and celebration. It’s a privilege to create a meaningful day filled with special programming that reflects our deep gratitude for their service and sacrifice.”

Throughout the day, veterans and their guests can enjoy exclusive experiences, including meet-and-greets with the ship’s Captain and officers, arts and crafts, letter-writing to active troops, and live entertainment featuring patriotic performances by the USO Girls. 

Admission also includes access to select self-guided tours of the ship’s renowned exhibits and spaces, including the Churchill Exhibit, Engine Room, Ship Model Gallery, The Wheelhouse, and The Shipyard. Guests looking to make the most of their visit can enhance their experience with guided tours, dining at the ship’s restaurants, retail shopping, and cocktails at the historic Observation Bar.

“The Queen Mary’s legacy of service as a troopship during World War II connects her deeply to this day of remembrance,” Caloca added. “It’s an honor to celebrate side by side with those who have shared in that same spirit of duty and resilience.”

Veterans can reserve a ticket for themselves and guests today by visiting, Queen Mary Veterans Day Celebration

For more information on the Queen Mary, Veterans Day, and more visit queenmary.com/whatsondeck, or connect with us on social @TheQueenMary.

Credit: The Queen Mary.

 Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) announces the return of Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ and Hulu, the city’s beloved holiday tradition, now celebrating its 17th season. From November 7, 2025, through January 19, 2026, the seasonal ice rink at 1324 5th Street will transform Downtown Santa Monica into a winter wonderland by the beach, welcoming families and friends to create unforgettable holiday memories. 

The festivities kick off with the Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, November 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy free ice skating (available on a first-come, first-served basis), a live DJ, on-ice skating performances, giveaways and a magical “snow” surprise. 

Admission to the Ice at Santa Monica skating rink is $22 for a 60-minute session, including skate rental. The rink will be open daily through January 19, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Throughout the season, visitors can also indulge in rink-side fire pits, rent private party tents and participate in themed events including:

• Taylor Swift Birthday Celebration | Friday, December 13 during 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. sessions
• New Year’s Eve East Coast Countdown | Tuesday, December 31 from 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Disney+ and Hulu Themed Nights | Every Tuesday will feature rotating themed programming inspired by Disney+ and Hulu favorites, from a Home Alone Night to a Die Hard Night, with more exciting themes to be announced.
• Classical Sundays presented by KUSC | 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm sessions

With the Disney+, Hulu Bundle, guests can bring the holidays home with their favorite movies like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, Die Hard, and The Polar Express (arriving Nov. 20), and unwrap brand-new premieres like A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (Nov. 14) and the highly anticipated second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Dec. 10).

For more information on Ice at Santa Monica, please visit iceatsantamonica.com or call 310-807-4822. For details on all holiday happenings in Downtown Santa Monica, visit downtownsm.com/calendar. 

Credit: Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.)

Kick off this year’s  Art + Nature Celebration with Laguna Art Museum’s Upcycled Couture: Restoring the Future, the 2nd annual runway show combining community, creativity and environmental awareness. Inspired by the remarkable work of community and arts partners, students and early career designers will create one-of-a-kind sustainable, couture designs that highlight the many ways that our partners are making a difference in the community and beyond. This all culminates in an exciting, sustainable runway show in the galleries of Laguna Art Museum. Join us for a night dedicated to the creative and conscious spirit of Laguna Beach.

Inspired by the innovative work of local artists, students, and community partners, Upcycled Couture features one-of-a-kind couture designs made from repurposed materials, each creation highlighting sustainability and conscious design. The evening unfolds within the museum galleries, offering a vibrant celebration of Laguna Beach’s creative and eco-minded spirit.

VIP Experience: Exclusive pre-show reception with curated charcuterie, fine wines and champagne.

• VIP Ticket: $175
• LAM Members: $135
• General Admission: $150

More details can be found here.

Getty Villa:

Making Scents of the Ancient World: Pylos Perfume Workshop

Oct 18, Nov 16, Dec 13, 2025 and Jan 10, 2026 from 11am-3pm

Getty Villa

In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, you can create your own perfume inspired by an ancient recipe from Pylos, in southern Greece. Build custom perfumes by exploring the spices and oils favored by the Mycenaeans, some of which are still in use today, and discover how these materials were applied in antiquity.

Artist-at-Work: Mycenaean Jewelry

Sunday, Nov 16, 2025 at 11am–3pm

Getty Villa

In this free, drop-in demonstration, meet Akis Goumas—a contemporary jewelry maker and researcher of ancient Greek goldsmithing techniques—as he shares the tools, methods, materials, and artistry of Mycenaean jewelry making.

Getty Center:

Family Festival: The World of Medieval Travel

Saturday, Nov 1, 2025 at 10am–5pm

Getty Center

Embark on an adventure unlike any other at this festival celebrating medieval journeys! Join our storyteller on a family-friendly pilgrimage alongside some of Chaucer’s famous characters. Immerse yourself in the world of sea travel through Norse rowing chants and troubadour ballads. Meet a donkey and a mini-mule—travelers’ companions on treks between townships and castles. Craft seashell keepsakes and draw the people and places you encounter. Let your imagination take flight with tales of travel at this free event for the whole family!

Getty Drawing Days

Oct 26, Nov 9, Dec 7, 2025 and Jan 25, 2026 at 11am–3pm

Getty Center

Do you like to draw? Join us for this fun, drop-in drawing event where participants of all ages and skill levels discover the joy of drawing from live, costumed models. Guest artists offer guidance and materials are provided—just bring your curiosity and creativity.

Artist-at-Work: Figure Drawing

Oct 26, Nov 9, Dec 7, 2025 and Jan 25, 2026 at 11:30am–3pm

Getty Center

Join artist Peter Zokosky for live drawing demonstrations. Meet the artist, ask questions, and discover different materials and techniques for drawing people.

Artist-at-Work: Knights, Tournaments, and Travel

Saturday, Nov 22, 2025 at 11am-3pm

Getty Center

Among the many reasons to travel in the Middle Ages, few were as spectacular as a gathering of armored knights at a tournament or deed of arms—a contest of martial arts skill, strength, and honor. Meet knights from Chivalry Today as they demonstrate the techniques of sword, spear, poleaxe, and other weapons of the period, ask questions, and discover for yourself why medieval travelers were drawn to these popular chivalric events.

 Laguna Art Museum (LAM) proudly announces the return of its 13th annual Art + Nature, a vibrant celebration that explores the relationship between art and the natural world. Starting the week of November 1, this dynamic event brings together thousands of attendees and continues to be one of LAM’s marquee events, as emphasized by this year’s unprecedented free admission throughout November generously provided by the Office of Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors.“The 13th annual Art + Nature continues to deepen the museum’s exploration of the profound relationship between creativity and the environment,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. “This year’s events and exhibitions invite the community to engage with the natural world in bold new ways, reflecting our commitment to inspiring dialogue, awareness and action through art.”

This year’s Art + Nature will feature a full schedule of exhibitions and community events, including:

SOS by Ana Teresa Fernández:

This year’s Art + Nature commissioned artist, Ana Teresa Fernández, presents SOS, a multi-dimensional project incorporating sculpture, performance and photography that will bring a dynamic and community-focused approach to Art + Nature 2025. 

From November 6 – 10, Fernández’s  SOS  will unfold in phases, culminating in a collective activation involving 800 participants holding circular mirrors. The sculptural installation, An Ocean in a Drop, will invite exploration on Main Beach while Fernández engages visitors with a photography station named We Are Water, where visitors can pose with Fernández’s artwork that reflects the ocean. 

Silence and Solitude: Conrad Buff and the Landscapes of the American Southwest:

Silence and Solitude will be on view from September 20, 2025 -January 25, 2026. This landmark exhibition, curated by Dr. Deborah Solon, marks the first major museum exhibition dedicated to modernist painter Conrad Buff. Through evocative depictions of the American West, Buff forged a unique vision that contributed to California’s artistic identity in the 20th century. 

On the Road to Zion, Oil on canvas, 47 1/2 x 64 1/2 in. Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

Eternal Construction: Photographic Perspectives on Southern California’s Built Environment:

Eternal Construction will be on view from September 20, 2025 – January 18, 2026. This exhibition brings together artists from Laguna Art Museum’s permanent collection who have engaged deeply with themes of urbanization, infrastructure, environmental transformation and conceptual interpretations of space. Rather than presenting a wide survey, this exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of artists with multiple works in the collection, allowing for a richer, more layered engagement with their investigations of land-use and development. 

Barbara Kasten (b. 1936), Construction A&A, 1984. Polacor ER Photograph. 28 x 21 1⁄2 in. 1994.127. Gift of the Richard H. Mumper Trust. Image courtesy of Laguna Art Museum.

Event Highlights:

Saturday, November 1, Art + Nature will kick off with Upcycled Couture: Restoring the Future Runway Show at Laguna Art Museum. This innovative runway show brings together the creative talents of students and early-career designers with the impactful missions of LAM’s community partners. The runway will feature one-of-a-kind sustainable and upcycled designs, which artfully interpret and illustrate the partner organizations’ missions, blending sustainability with high fashion. This exciting showcase highlights the powerful synergy between art, nature and our community.

On Sunday, November 2 , Art + Nature will host a Block Party at Main Beach featuring local non profit partner organizations, local vendors and family art activities.

On Thursday November 6,  Ana Teresa Fernández will debut her multi-dimensional project, SOS. The project incorporates sculpture, performance and photography that will bring a dynamic and community-focused approach to Art + Nature 2025 and will be on view from November 6 – 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. daily at main beach. Also on November 6, artist Ana Teresa Fernández will host an engaging Artist Talk at Laguna Art Museum. 

On November 9 at 10:30 a.m., 800 participants will come together on Laguna’s Main Beach to create Fernández’s social sculpture SOS. The participants will use the artist’s handheld acrylic mirrors to spell “SOS” or “Save Our Seas” in morse code along the beach and mimic the movement of the waves on the shoreline. Sign up as a participant in the SOS Social Sculpture here.

Other special events include an SOS Performance by Laguna Dance at Main Beach on November 7, Keynote speech by former NASA scientist Jonathan Trent on November 8 and an SOS Paddle Out on November 11.  To sign up as a participant in the SOS Social Sculpture and all other events, visit lagunaartmuseum.org/event-calendar. 

Art & Nature 2025 Events Schedule:

• Saturday, November 1: 
  • 5 – 8 p.m.: Upcycled Couture: Restoring the Future Fashion Show at Laguna Art Museum
• Sunday, November 2: 
  • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Art + Nature Block Party at Main Beach
• Thursday, November 6: 
  • 5 p.m.: Artist Talk: Ana Teresa Fernández at Laguna Art Museum
  • 6  – 9 p.m.: First Thursdays Artwalk
• Friday, November 7: 
  • 3:15 – 5:00 p.m. – SOS Performance by Laguna Dance at Main Beach
• Saturday, November 8: 
  • 3 – 4 p.m.: SOS Artistic Swimming Performance at Laguna Beach High School & Community Pool
  • 6:00 p.m.: Keynote: Jonathan Trent at Laguna Art Museum
• Sunday, November 9:
  • 10:30 a.m.: SOS Social Sculpture at Main Beach
• Monday, November 10:
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: SOS Paddle Out at Main Beach

Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature continues to bridge art and nature, inspiring creativity, sustainability and deeper reflection on the environment’s role in our lives. This year’s event promises to be an enriching experience for all ages, showcasing cutting-edge art and fostering environmental awareness.

Art + Nature is generously sponsored by early support from: Capital Group, Anonymous, McBeth Foundation, Laguna Beach Garden Club, FOA Foundation of Laguna Beach, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Kathleen and Richard Malcolm, The Bush Family Foundation, Jan and Ken Kaplan and Lori and Harley Bassman.

Free admission during the month of November is generously provided by the Office of Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. This support partially funds Laguna Art Museum’s 13th annual Art + Nature initiative.

For more information about Art + Nature and Laguna Art Museum, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.