Why sit home staring at a screen when the world is full of free things to do? Here’s a list of some good local ones for June 2024.
Conejo Valley Pop-Up Arts Festival, Thousand Oaks (June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29) : Enjoy 10 free arts and music events throughout the month on Fridays and Saturdays at different locations. Most start at 7 p.m. bapacthousandoaks.com/show-details/pop-up-arts-music-festival-2024
Discovery Days at Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa (Monday, June 3, 9 a.m. to noon): Fun things to do at this 3-acre demonstration farm, which is also open most days. On Discovery Days, volunteers are available for self-guided tours, kids can plant radishes, learn about baby chicks, see an oxen demonstration and view livestock. Reservations required for 10 or more people. Free parking. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa ocfair.com/centennialfarm
Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA), Long Beach (June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: ): 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
Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles (June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26): 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
Norton Simon Free First Fridays. Pasadena (June 7):. 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
Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum, El Segundo (June 8): “Net Cruze Cars and Coffee.” Free admission. 9 a.m. to noon. The museum features original and custom cars from the 1930s to the 1950s. Coffee, pastries, food truck and raffle. Open to all. 610 Lairport St., El Segundo. automobiledrivingmuseum.org
KelpFest 2024 Laguna Beach (June 8): Enjoy this festival on Main Beach hosted by Laguna Ocean Foundation and partners from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Music, activities, informational booths and more to celebrate World Oceans Day Note there’s also a guided tidepool walk at 9 a.m. starting at the Rivian South Coast Theater. lagunaoceanfoundation.org
Second Saturday ArtWalk, Pomona (June 8): This monthly event in the Pomona Arts Colony brings crowds to the streets as art studios, galleries, shops and more stay open late. 6-10 p.m. 119 W. 2nd St, Pomona. downtownpomona.org/events
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles (June 11): The museum 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.) Children 17 and under who live in L.A. County can sign up for the NexGen program, where they can get in free any day and bring one person with them. Bank of America cardholders get in free the first full weekend of every month. (Only the cardholder.) Paid parking is nearby, beware of street parking in the afternoon — you could be towed. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles lacma.org/tickets
OC Parks Sunset Cinema at Craig Regional Park, Fullerton (June 7, 14): Activities begin at 6 p.m. movies start at sunset. Bring your chair and blanket. “Wonka” (2023) screens on June 7 and “The Little Rascals” (1994) is the feature on June 14. 3300 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton ocparks.com
Movie Night at the California Citrus State Park, Riverside (June 19): “Wonka” starts at sunset (8 p.m.) Bring your blankets and chairs. 3400 Dufferin Ave., Riverside. Get free tickets on EventBrite. citrusparkweddingandevents.com/end-of-summer-movie-night
Concerts at Craig Regional Park, Fullerton (June 20, 27). Live music under the stars on Thursday evenings. All ages. Bring a blanket and chair. Food trucks available. Sponsored by OC Parks. 6-8 p.m. Sweet and Tender Hooligans play June 20; Mariachi Divas perform June 27. 3300 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton ocparks.com
OC Parks Sunset Cinema at Carbon Canyon. Brea (June 21, 28): Movies start at sunset, preceded by other activities. “Migration” (2023) in on the bill for June 21. “Men in Black” (1997) screens June 28. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea ocparks.com
Venice SummerFest 2024 (June 22): Live music, classic cars, food trucks, art booths, yoga and more on Venice Boulevard in Mar Vista. Venice Boulevard will be closed between Centinela Avenue and Inglewood Boulevard for this free event. 12257 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. Noon to 8 p.m. thevenicefest.com
Long Beach Municipal Band concerts (June 25-28): “Music to My Ears” theme. 6:30 p.m. start time. June 25 at Whaley Park (5620 E. Atherton St.), June 26 at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.), June 27 at Recreation Park (4900 E. 7th St.) and June 28 El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Road). longbeach.gov/park/recreation-programs/programs-and-classes/municipal-band/
