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 corgi beach day, these are the best ways to make the most of your month without breaking into your wallet.
Through Aug 25
Olafur Eliasson: Reality Projector; Marciano Art Foundation
See the sculptor bathe the art museum’s massive first floor gallery in light and shadow.
Apr 7
So Cal Corgi Beach Day; Huntington Beach
Hit the beach with fellow devoted dog owners at this adorable corgi meetup.
Apr 13–15
Dance Camera West; Santa Monica Pier
Celebrate the expressive art form with free dance concerts by the sea.
Apr 14, 21, 28
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, 22
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books; USC
Feed your bookworm tendencies with two days of lectures, signings and performances from the likes of Dave Eggers, Diana Gabaldon, Patton Oswalt, Vivica A. Fox and Reza Aslan.
Apr 21–Sept 9
“Not an Ostrich: And Other Images from America’s Library”; Annenberg Space for Photography
Curator Anne Wilkes Tucker has pulled 500 of the most striking portraits and obscure curiosities from the Library of Congress’ staggering collection of 14 million images.
Apr 21
Record Store Day; Various locations
Catch pop-up concerts around the city at this annual celebration of independent brick-and-mortar music shops.
Apr 22
CicLAvia: Heart of the Foothills; Various locations
Celebrate Earth Day with a San Gabriel Valley bike ride, pedaling through San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont.
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.