There's no denying LA is an expensive city. However, there are an abundance of activities across music, art, culture, community and the outdoors that are free and grounds to make some incredible summer memories. Check out this list for some ideas!
Sections
4
Music
Hikes
Community Happenings
Art and Culture
Music
Free music events across the city!
An LA staple! Free live jazz concerts every Friday evening at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art courtyard
Event Calendar - Jazz at LACMA
Eclectic, world-class performances (music, dance, film) at California Plaza in DTLA!
Grand Performances
Free summer concerts in MacArthur Park with a fun, diverse lineup!
Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles – Free concerts every summer in MacArthur ...
These are free Thursday night concerts in the beautiful Skirball Cultural Center courtyard
Sunset Concerts
So cool – these are outdoor dance parties every weekend with free lessons and live DJs
Music Center | Dance DTLA: Special Edition
Hikes
The perfect time to get outdoors for some beautiful LA hikes!
Get some friends together and do an iconic Griffith Park hike. Grab sandwiches after for a truly elite weekend summer day :)
10 Best hikes and trails in Griffith Park | AllTrails
A hidden oasis with trails and a duck pond between Beverly Hills and the Valley
Best hikes and trails in Franklin Canyon Park | AllTrails
Get a nice little booty burn and climb the steps for an awesome and rewarding view
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and the Culver City Steps, California
Easy hike with coastal views!
Seascape Trail on Palos Verdes Peninsula
Community Happenings
There are so many free and awesome ways to connect with community via wellness events, clubs, markets, and festivals.
WalkGood LA is a family-led community wellness organization based in Los Angeles. They provide spaces for healing through community yoga classes, hikes, run clubs, healing circles, and countless other activations — many activities are free for the co...
WGLA Events — WalkGoodLA
Free yoga every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11am!!
Free Yoga in the Park, Venice/Santa Monica
Join a free run club! It's also a great way to meet people :)
18 inspiring L.A. run clubs to kickstart your running era
Beach cleanups are a great way to give back to your community while getting outdoors and meeting new people
Events - Heal the Bay
A super fun night food market in Santa Monica
626 Night Market Mini
The Venice Fest is happening this saturday, June 21 — it's always a TIME!
The Venice Fest
Every first friday of the month, there's an awesome food truck festival along Abbot Kinney in Venice. While of course the food itself will cost, it's still an awesome community environment to take part in :)
Venice First Friday's
Soccer fans! Check out the Club of the New Generation — an experiential pop-up on Melrose Avenue to connect with its rapidly growing global fanbase in the States
PSG House in Melrose
Art and Culture
There are an abundance of free museums in the city — these are some of the best.
The beloved Getty is having it's grand reopening on June 27th! Admission is always free.
Visit the Getty Villa Museum
Contemporary art at its finest (reserve free tickets ahead)
The Broad Museum
The Hammer Museum itself always has free admission but it's summer jazz thursday program is a true gem.
JazzPOP 2025 | Hammer Museum
Gallery hop at this vibrant arts complex!
Bergamot Station ARTS CENTER
DJ sets, food trucks, art, and culture under lanterns!
Chinatown Summer Nights 2025
Check out these beautiful Japanese gardens (free with reservation!)
