Metro Art and Architecture Tour at Union Station

Most people pass through Los Angeles Union Station on the way to a train. This Metro Art tour asks you to stop and look instead. On Sunday, December 20, a guided walk covers the art and architecture of the station, which the event listing describes as a place where history, art and architecture meet. It is a good pick if you are sorting through the things happening in Los Angeles this month and want something free that gets you out of the house.

When: Sunday, December 20, 2026, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Where: Los Angeles Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Price: Free, with registration on Eventbrite

What to expect

The listed window is about an hour and a half, and the tour comes from Metro Art, the arts program of the county transit system. Metro Art describes its work as site-specific artworks built into the transit network, along with art tours and live performances that connect people and neighborhoods across Los Angeles County. Union Station is one of the places where that mission is easiest to see, since the artwork sits in the same halls where riders catch trains and buses.

Expect to spend the time on your feet, moving between spots in the station while a guide points out what to notice. The cover photo gives a sense of the format: a group gathered in a large hall beneath a mural of portraits, listening to a guide. Bring comfortable shoes and a phone for photos, and plan to arrive a few minutes before the 10:30 start.

Getting there

Union Station sits at the north end of downtown, next to Olvera Street and Chinatown, and is the hub for Metro rail and buses. Taking transit is the easiest way to arrive, and it suits a tour about transit art. If you drive, check parking options ahead of time and allow extra time.

Registration is handled through Eventbrite, so reserve a spot ahead of time rather than showing up on the day. The listing is the place to check for any changes.

Make a day of it

The tour wraps up around noon, which leaves the afternoon open. Olvera Street and Chinatown are a short walk away, and Little Tokyo and the Arts District are a quick ride from the station. If you are looking through upcoming events in Los Angeles for a low-cost December plan, pairing this tour with lunch nearby makes an easy half day. Browse more in our arts and culture listings or the downtown neighborhood page.