Why sit home because it’s hot? Get on out there. Here’s a list of free things to do this month that won’t cost you anything.
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture will offer free admission on Aug. 1. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Aug. 1, Riverside: Free admission at both Riverside Art Museum (Julia Morgan Building) and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture 6-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month during the Riverside ArtsWalk,that celebrates arts and culture in Riverside and the Inland Empire. riversideartscouncil.com/artswalk-venues
The Long Beach Municipal Band will perform free concerts Aug. 1 at Recration Park and Aug. 2 at El Dorado Park West. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Aug. 1-2, Long Beach: Municipal Band concerts will have the theme “Music to My Ears.” 6:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at Recreation Park (4900 E. 7th St.) and Aug. 2 at El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Road). visitlongbeach.com/blog/summer-of-music-the-long-beach-municipal-band
The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena offers Free First Fridays, with complimentary admission on the first Friday of each month (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aug. 2, Pasadena: Norton Simon Free First Fridays: If you’ve never been to this marvelous art museum, you should go. It’s free monthly on the first Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. There’s a lot to see so I’d get there early. It showcases the immense collection of the late billionaire Norton Simon, including masterpieces of painting and sculpture by artists such as Picasso, Renoir, Raphael, Van Gogh and more. Free parking. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena nortonsimon.org
Aug. 3, Los Angeles: Free concert on the Music Center plaza in downtown L.A. 7 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Bring picnics, blankets and chairs. A DJ from KRCW will spin tunes, and then Grammy-winning Americana artist Gaby Moreno will perform. Paid parking. L.A. Music Center, 135 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles. musiccenter.org
Joshua Tree National Park, like all national parks, will offer free admission on Aug. 4 in honor of the anniversary of the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Aug. 4, multiple locations: Free National Parks Day. Every National Park Service site will be free to visit in honor of the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, signed in 2020. (Note however that some parks still require reservations). The best way to enjoy these free days is to get there at the crack of dawn, enjoy a day of nature and, then, when it starts getting packed, go eat or head home. (The next free day will be Sept. 28.) nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.html
A girl poses for a photo with a police officer during National Night Out in the Historic Mission District in San Gabriel. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Aug. 6, San Gabriel: The city will observe National Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. (Check your city for National Night Out events in your area). Petting zoo, face painting, K-9 demonstrations, bounce house, balloon artist and food trucks. Sponsored by the San Gabriel Police Dept. Mission Playhouse Parking Lot. 320 S. Mission Drive. sangabrielcity.com
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is free for everyone on the second Tuesday of the month and free to Los Angeles County residents every day after 3 p.m. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Aug. 13, Los Angeles: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is free to all on the second Tuesday of the month, but also free for L.A. County residents every day after 3 p.m. The largest art museum complex on the West Coast, this collection includes everything from David Hockney paintings to ancient artifacts to free arts workshops. (Note that part of the museum is currently under construction.) Paid parking. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles lacma.org/tickets
Aug. 17, Los Angeles: Sister Sledge will deliver disco hits of the ’70s starting at 8 p.m. on the Music Center Plaza in downtown L.A. You don’t need tickets, but RSVP in advance online. Also, note free dance lessons will be offered on the plaza on Aug. 16. You’ll have to pay to park. L.A. Music Center, 135 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles. musiccenter.org
Aug. 31, Redlands: Mountain Grove Labor Day weekend concert featuring Holy Crow, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 31. 27511 San Bernardino Ave., Redlands, mtgrove.com/events/
Various dates
Torrance Summer Nights (Aug. 4, 10, 17, 23-25, 31): All events at Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. unless otherwise noted. Bring chairs, picnics and blankets. Aug. 4 Sangre Nueva Salsa Band. 5 p.m.; Aug. 10. Family Karoake Party Little Mermaid 5 p.m. at Nakano Theatre; 3330 Civic Center Dr.; Aug. 17. Movie Kung Fu Panda 4 at 7:45 p.m.; Aug. 23-25 Tryst & Nomad Art Fair, 12-6 p.m. Del Amo Crossing, 21535 Hawthorne Blvd.; Aug. 31 Petty Theft, Tom Petty Tribute 5 p.m. torranceca.gov/services/cultural-services-arts-and-classes/torrance-summer-nights
The Queen Mary is offering free ship admission for its “Meet Me at the Mary” Tuesday happy hours. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Queen Mary (Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27): Free ship admission for “Meet Me at the Mary” Tuesday happy hours 4-8 p.m. in the Observation Bar. (Ages 21+) Live music and drink specials. Parking discounted $10. Must reserve online in advance. queenmary.com/whatsondeck
OC Parks Sunset Cinema (Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ): Activities begin at 6 p.m. movies start at sunset. Bring your chair and blanket. Aug. 2 “Frozen II” (2019) at Irvine Regional Park; Aug. 9: “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) at Irvine Regional Park; Aug. 16: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park; Aug. 23: “13 Going on 30” (2004) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park; Aug. 30: “The Goonies” (1985) at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach ocparks.com
Concerts in Orange County Parks (Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22): Live music under the stars on Thursday evenings. All ages. Bring a blanket and chair. Food trucks available. Sponsored by OC Parks. Aug. 1: Ozomatli at Mile Square Regional Park; Aug. 8: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Mile Square Regional Park; Aug. 15: The FABBA Show (Abba tribute) at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach; Aug. 22: Jimmy’s Buffet at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach, ocparks.com
Movies In the Park, Riverside (Aug. 2, 9): Movies begin at dusk. Aug. 2: “The Super Mario Bros Movie” at La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra Ave.; Aug. 9: “Elemental” at Orange Terrace Park, 20010 Orange Terrace Parkway. riversideca.gov/calendar/event/movies-park-0
The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach is free every Sunday. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Museum of Latin American Art (Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 ): The museum is free every Sunday and always has interesting exhibits. Free docent-led tours are offered at 2 p.m. Sundays. Free advance tickets are recommended and can be booked online. Parking is free. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. molaa.org/visit
The Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles is free every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. (Photo by Richard Vogel, The Associated Press)
Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles (Aug. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28): The Autry is free every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. but reservations are required and limited.. Parking is free, too. Learn about Native American and cowboy ways of life, using historical artifacts such as stagecoaches, serapes, beaded clothing, firearms, photos and more. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org/free
Sierra Madre Movies in the Park (Aug. 2 and 16): Aug. 2: “Kung Fu Panda”; Aug. 16: “Haunted Mansion.” Movies begin at dusk. 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. cityofsierramadre.com/
Whittier Summer In The Park (Aug. 1, 8, 10): Aug. 1 Anything for Salinas/Selena Tribute; Aug. 8: Pop Vinyl pop and Top 40. Aug. 10: Screening of the film “Jumanji” starting at dusk. All events at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Rd. whittierprcs.org/recreation/summer-in-the-park
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