LA Opera Open Door Days at the Dorothy Chandler

Most kids never get to see how an opera house works from the inside. On Saturday, November 7, LA Opera's Open Door Days changes that, welcoming families into the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a morning built around curiosity rather than a long night in a velvet seat. It is a good pick among the things to do in Los Angeles with children this month.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N Grand Ave, Downtown LA Price: $20 Ages: 3 to 9 (all ages welcome)

What to expect

The morning opens at 10 AM with art, music and dance workshops, so kids can get their hands busy before anyone sits down. At 11 AM the performance begins. Musical storytellers guide the audience through a fantastical world of opera, with cowboys, bullfighters, Parisian party-goers, a very sad clown and a pair of (literal) lovebirds.

Along the way, families learn about the history of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and how the opera house runs today, from the conductor in the orchestra pit to the supertitles above the stage. The program is designed for children 3 to 9 years old, though all ages are welcome. Every child, whatever their age, needs a ticket to attend the performance.

Why go

Opera can feel intimidating, and a short show pitched at young listeners removes that barrier. Kids hear trained voices in a real hall, see how the pieces of a production fit together, and leave with a first impression that is playful instead of stuffy. Adults get a low-pressure introduction to live music Los Angeles audiences have enjoyed at this venue for decades.

Getting there

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion sits on Grand Avenue in the Music Center complex. The closest Metro stations are Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill and Civic Center/Grand Park, both a short walk away, and the Music Center garage is between 1st and Temple streets. Arrive a little before 10 AM so the kids have time to settle in and join the workshops, which run before the 11 AM performance.

Plan the rest of your day around the neighborhood, since the Grand Park lawns and the downtown museums are close by. Check the Downtown LA guide for nearby ideas and the concerts page for more shows.

The listing notes that dates and times are subject to change, so confirm details with LA Opera before you head out. Tickets are $20 per person, and the source lists no separate pricing tiers.