Gee, here we are in the middle of fall, staring down the tunnel toward the holidays. If you’re as broke as I am, never fear. Because here are things you can do this month that cost nothing at all!
Dia de los Muertos, Mission Viejo: Dia de los Muertos at Saddleback College. 4 to 8 p.m. Altar ofrendas, free tacos (until they run out), live entertainment. Bring a flower or photo to place on the ofrendas. 4-8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1 in the college’s Fine Arts Plaza (accessible from Lot 12). Free parking for event in lots 12 and 10 starting at 3 p.m. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. eventbrite.com
Day of the Dead celebration, Baldwin Hills: Festivities take place at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw mall. The family movie “Coco” will screen for free at 5:30 p.m. Also arts and crafts, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 on Level 2 at The Bridge. Arrive early, it’s first come, first served. Special store promos also. 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Baldwin Hills. baldwinhillscrenshawplaza.com
UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden, Westwood: Arrive before 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 for this drop-in garden tour that lasts about one hour. Explore this 7.5 acre living museum, including plants from all over the world. Meet at the UCLA La Kretz Garden Pavilion on the north end, 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles. Park on the street or in UCLA Parking Structure 2, $4 hour or $16 all day. botgard.ucla.edu
Dia de los Muertos Festival, Santa Ana: This event, at Fairhaven Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 will feature live entertainment, building a traditional altar, folkloric dancing, mariachis, prayers for the dead. Food will also be avaiable for purchase. Check the schedule for details. 1702 Fairhaven Avenue Santa Ana. dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/california/santa-ana/fairhaven-memorial-park-mortuary/5358
Movie double feature, Los Angeles: See a spooktacular movie double feature at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 2 to 6:30 p.m on Sunday, Nov. 3. “The Addams Family” will screen at 2 p.m. followed by “Death Becomes Her” at 4. The event includes tours of the historic building and bonus trick or treating. Costumes are encouraged. Sponsored by LA Voices. The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S Lucerne Blvd. Los Angeles. ebellofla.org/calendar
Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles: The Autry is free every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m., but reservations are required by the night before.. 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
Queen Mary, Long Beach: 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 to $10. Must reserve online.1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. queenmary.com
Trail Tips for Beginnners, Newport Beach: Come and get tips on gear, what to pack, trail etiquette and have fun hiking two miles at Buck Gully, part of the City of Newport Beach’s Irvine Ranch Open Space Preserve. 9 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5. No experience necessary. Minimum age 6 years. Must register in advance. Staging area at 5th and Marguerite avenues. letsgooutside.org/activities/2024/11/06/hiking-101-trail-tips-for-beginners-buck-gully/
Flavors of Fall, Redlands: This family event at Citrus Plaza from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 will include crafts, photo opportunities and sample tastings. Register online to participate in crafts and bring printed reservation. Citrus Plaza Shopping Center Food Court, 27320 W Lugonia Ave, Redlands. citrusplaza.com/flavors-of-fall-event-2024
Veterans Day observances, Redlands: Live music in honor of Veterans Day will be performed 7-9 p.m. Nov. 9 and 11 at Mountain Grove, 27510 West Lugonia Ave. The concert also takes place at noon, Nov. 10 at Citrus Plaza, 27320 W. Lugonia Ave., Redlands citrusplaza.com/events
Artwalk, Pomona. This month’s Downtown Pomona artwalk is billed as “Hasta La Muerte!” There will be live music from Banda, Grupo, and Grupo Tradicional Folklorico en Vivo, with decorated altars, a car show and calaveras. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 197 W. Second St., Pomona. downtownpomona.org/artwalk
Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting, Temecula: Get into the holiday spirit from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Promenade Temecula-Plaza, 40820 Winchester Road Temecula. Free parking. Pre-show at 5 p.m. with the arrival at 6. visittemeculavalley.com
Queen Mary, Long Beach: Free admission for veterans and their families from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 11. Live entertainment. Activities include meet-and-greets with the ship’s commodore andcaptain, the chance to write letters to the troops, participate in arts and crafts, and hear stories from veterans.
“Dancing With the Stars” taping, Los Angeles: Go see a taping of the hit dance show at Television City in Hollywood on Nov. 12, 19 or 26. Minimum age is 12. You must apply in advance online to get tickets. Be warned: These tapings can last a long time. You can see other taping opportunities also on the website. 7800 Beverly Blvd., Hollywood. on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Dancing_with_the_Stars#
Classical guitar and Jazz, Westchester: An Evening of Classical Guitar and Jazz is a 90-minute-long concert presented jointly by Loyola Marymount University’s Guitar and Jazz Ensembles. 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in LMU’s Murphy Recital Hall, 1955 Ignatian Circle, Los Angeles. Register online at cal.lmu.edu/event/an-evening-of-classical-guitar-jazz
Free movie nights, Hollywood: See “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” at Ovation Hollywood on Nov. 29. Bring chairs and blankets and meet in the Center Courtyard on the grass for fun movies on the big screen. Check in at the Ovation Hollywood booth for FREE popcorn and discounted treats from the TCL Chinese Theatre Concessions Stand. Movie starts at 7 p.m. RSVP in advance. 6801 Hollywood Blvd. ovationhollywood.com/movie-nights
