If you're headed into the red from plunking down cash for music festival passes, you'll be happy to hear there are plenty of free things to do in April. From a cleanup party along the L.A. River to a huge art gallery open house in Santa Monica, these are the best ways to make the most of your month without breaking into your wallet.
Apr 1
International Pillow Fight Day Los Angeles; Pershing Square
Fluff up your finest pillow and take part in this playful brawl complete with a DJ and food trucks.
Apr 5
The Director's Series: Michael Govan and Peter Zumthor; Bing Theater (LACMA)
Listen to LACMA director and CEO Michael Govan talk with Peter Zumthor about the Swiss architect's redesign for the museum and how the plans will fit LACMA's collection.
Apr 5
Sci-Fi at Union Station: Blade Runner; Union Station
Watch the dystopian Los Angeles neo-noir classic for free inside of Union Station's historic ticketing hall.
Apr 8
So Cal Corgi Beach Day; Huntington Beach
Hit the beach with fellow devoted dog owners at this adorable corgi meet-up.
Apr 10-23
Portals Project; Grand Park
Step inside of a golden shipping container and connect with curious participants around the world during this two-week conversational installation.
Photograph: Courtesy Shared Studios
Apr 13
Citizen Science + Suds; Angel City Brewery
Find out how harnessing the power of people can have a serious impact on science at this beer and lecture series.
Apr 15, 22, 29
The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp; Various locations
Do your part in restoring the river with this coordinated cleanup effort across 15 different spots.
Apr 19
Earth Day L.A.; Grand Park
Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Park, the Music Center and DWP with green living demos and activities.
Apr 21
Charles Phoenix: Southern Californialand; Union Station
Join humorist and Americana ambassador Charles Phoenix as he frames through this slide show of L.A.'s undiscovered, underrated and misunderstood mid-century gems.
Apr 22
Bergamot Station Arts Center Spring Fling; Bergamot Station
Peruse the artwork at more than 40 galleries, learn how to make origami and partake in silent disco yoga at this springtime open house.
Apr 22
Record Store Day; Various locations
Catch pop-up concerts around the city at this annual celebration of independent brick-and-mortar music shops.
Photograph: Leah Freeman-Haskin
Apr 22, 23
Festival of Books; USC
Feed your bookworm tendencies with two days of lectures, signings and performances from the likes of Bryan Cranston, Margaret Atwood and Jessica Koslow.
Apr 26
Keeping the DREAM Alive; Hammer Museum
Hear undocumented-student advocate Angela Chuan-Ru Chen, Ph. D., provide insight into the tenuous future of the 2 million minors who came to the States as children and are seeking citizenship.
Apr 29-Sept 3
Oracle; The Broad
See 30 works pulled from the Broad's collection that show globalizing forces at work in contemporary society.
Ongoing
Free concerts; Various locations
Listen to some tunes without breaking the bank with free shows at the Echo, the Satellite, Grand Park and more.
Ongoing
Free museum days; Various locations
Make the most of free days at LACMA, the Natural History Museum and more, plus always-free museums like the Hammer, Getty and Broad.
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