Sigd Holiday Experience with Beejhy Barhany and Jonah Platt

On Sunday, November 8, the Skirball brings the traditions of Ethiopian Jewish life to an afternoon and evening built around Sigd, an ancient holiday of renewal and communal gathering observed 50 days after Yom Kippur. If you are putting together a list of things to do with kids LA has this month, this one mixes a walk outdoors, food, music and a hands-on table for younger guests.

When: Sunday, November 8, 2026, 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. Where: Skirball Center, Los Angeles Hosts: Beejhy Barhany and Jonah Platt Tickets: See the listing for pricing and availability

What the evening looks like

The program starts at 4:00 p.m. with a communal walk across the Skirball grounds, inspired by the pilgrimage and ascent at the heart of Sigd. Cookbook author and restaurateur Beejhy Barhany leads it with Beza Abebe, and it ends with a shared ritual and ceremony overlooking the landscape.

At 5:00 p.m. the celebration moves into the evening, hosted by Barhany and Jonah Platt, who hosts the Being Jewish podcast. Guests share a traditional Ethiopian meal, with dishes such as dabo bread, red lentil stew, yellow split peas and spiced pumpkin and sweet potatoes. There is a traditional coffee ceremony by Dr. Beza Abebe and Sinke Tigav, plus live Ethiopian folk and jazz from Anbessa Orchestra.

Conversation, books and exhibits

Platt also leads a conversation with Barhany, Abebe and Nikki Legesse of Destination Little Ethiopia about home, heritage and belonging. The talk will be recorded for Being Jewish. Barhany signs copies of her cookbook, Gursha, which the New York Times named one of its best cookbooks of 2025. You can also view testimonies from Ethiopian Jewish community members recorded by the USC Shoah Foundation, and photography celebrating Ethiopian Jewish culture by Kelly Fogel.

For families

Younger guests can explore Sigd at a children's arts table sponsored by Be'chol Lashon. The walk, the food and the music make this one of the more approachable family events Los Angeles offers around the holiday season, and it gives kids a way into a tradition many have not met before. Among kids activities LA families can pick from this weekend, it is a rare chance to hear the stories behind a holiday directly from the people who keep it.

Getting there

The Skirball sits along the Sepulveda Pass on the Westside, so plan extra time for Sunday traffic on the 405 and for parking. The walk begins at 4:00 p.m., so arrive a little early if you want to join it, and wear comfortable shoes for the grounds. Check the listing for the latest ticket details before you go.