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When locals think about free things to do in L.A., it’s summer that comes to mind. And there’s a reason for that! Most of the city’s major annual series do happen sometime between the end of May and the first week of September. But if you think S-U-M-M-E-R is the only way to spell free in L.A., then we’re about to turn your head, because fall (wait for it…) has it all.
In this week’s edition of the We Like L.A. x Metro collab, we scan the calendar between now and Thanksgiving weekend, circling dozens of dates along the way where you can check out art walks, music festivals, outdoor concerts, workshops, parades, and more. There’s a Train Festival at Union Station, an LA Opera Simulcast at the Santa Monica Pier, and the annual P-22 Festival in Griffith Park. And that’s just for starters.
PLUS: Almost all (as in 95%+) of the suggestions on our radar are Metro accessible. So if your idea of “free” also includes the freedom to go car-free, then we’re here to help.
Now let’s see about those to-dos…
Free Fall Events in Los Angeles
M = Metro Accessible
September 8 M – Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza wraps up it’s 2023 series with a performance by TROMBOR. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
September 8 M – Jazz at LACMA presents Munyungo Jacksonat at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
September 9-10: M Union Station hosts a two-day Train Festival featuring railroad equipment tours, model train displays, live music, giveaways, and more. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
September 9: M Celebrate Metro’s new Regional Connector with an afternoon of live performances, tours and special workshops at Little Tokyo station. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.
September 9: M Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station Arts Center hosts their Fall Open House, offering public access to over 20 galleries and creative businesses. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.
September 9: M Echo Park Rising returns for a day of free, all-ages live music in Echo Park. Go Metro: Take Lines 2 or 4 along Sunset Blvd, or Line 603 along Alvarado St.
September 9: M The September edition of Westwood Village’s Broxton Nights pop-up features a roller disco and free skate lessons and rentals from the LA Skate Hunnies. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
September 9: M Pacific Opera Project’s production of Hansel & Gretel comes to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the 4 Line to Santa Monica Blvd. / Kings Rd.
September 9: M The Biennial Printmaking Summit and Eastside Print Fair comes to the Vincent Price Art Museum. Go Metro: Take Line 70 to Cesar Chavez / Atlantic.
September 10: M USC Pacific Asia Museum’s Free Second Sunday features special programming celebrating the arts and culture of Hawai’i. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.
September 10: M Pacific Opera Project’s production of Hansel & Gretel comes to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the 4 Line to Santa Monica Blvd. / Kings Rd.
September 10: M LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives is a special open house event featuring free admission to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, plus 13 augmented reality monuments, all-ages art workshops, and live DJ sets. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
September 10: M Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park series is back for the whole month of September, offering free concerts on Sundays at Gandara Park. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.
September 10: M The East LA Mexican Independence Day Parade tips off with a parade down Cesar Chavez followed by a public festival near the intersection of 1st St and S Mednik Ave. Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station OR Take Line 70 along Cesar E Chavez Ave.
September 10: M LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts a Fiestas Patrias Family Day featuring live music, dance, and art workshops. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
September 15: M The City of Los Angeles marks the beginning of Latino Heritage Month with a public celebration of El Grito, which commemorates Mexican Independence. Expect a live concerta plus a host of family-friendly activities, all adjacent to the steps at L.A. City Hall. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
September 15: M Dance MDR is a new series at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey featuring live DJs and dance instruction every Friday in September. Go Metro: Take the 108 Line to Mindanao / Lincoln.
September 15: M Jazz at LACMA hosts the annual Los Angeles Jazz Treasure Award concert with honoree Charles Owens at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
September 16: M Pacific Opera Project’s production of Hansel & Gretel comes to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the 4 Line to Santa Monica Blvd. / Kings Rd
September 17: M The September installment of Sunday Sessions at Gloria Molina Grand Park offer an afternoon of Latin House tunes and DJ sets. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
September 17: M CicLAvia brings a “mini” version of their opens streets initiative to a 1-mile stretch of Lankershrim Blvd in North Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the B Line or G (bus rapid) Line to North Hollywood station.
September 17: M UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance marks the opening of the new UCLA Nimoy Theater with a free Community Open House celebration. Go Metro: Take Line 2 to Hilgard / Wyton.
September 17: M Pacific Opera Project’s production of Hansel & Gretel comes to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the 4 Line to Santa Monica Blvd. / Kings Rd.
September 17: M Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park series is back for the whole month of September, offering free concerts on Sundays at Gandara Park. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.
September 23: M The San Pedro Festival of the Arts pops up at Peck Park for an afternoon of performances from over a dozen local dance companies. Go Metro: Take Line 205 to Western Ave / Crestwood St.
September 23: M LA Opera presents a live broadcast of Don Giovanni at two locations: Santa Monica Pier an La Mirada Community Regional Park. Go Metro to the Santa Monica event by taking the E Line to Downtown Santa Monica Station.
September 23: The Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party is a day-long community event benefiting local non-profits.
September 23: M Pacific Opera Project’s production of Hansel & Gretel comes to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the 4 Line to Santa Monica Blvd. / Kings Rd.
September 24: M Clockshop hosts a community launch for Take Me to Your River: A Cultural Atlas of the LA River, a three-year collective history and cultural mapping project of the Northeast LA neighborhoods that surround the Los Angeles River. Go Metro: Take Lines 182 or 603 to Fletcher Dr. / Ripple St.
September 24: M Pacific Opera Project’s production of Hansel & Gretel comes to Kings Road Park in West Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the 4 Line to Santa Monica Blvd. / Kings Rd.
September 24: M Santa Monica’s Americana in the Park series is back for the whole month of September, offering free concerts on Sundays at Gandara Park. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.
September 30: M The City of Burbank hosts a Fall Festival and 30th anniversary screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas at Johnny Carson Park. Go Metro: Take Line 155 along Alameda Ave.
September 30: M The Hammer Museum hosts a public celebration for the newest iteration of Made in L.A., a biennial celebration of artists who work, live and create in the city of Los Angeles. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
September 30: M The Watts Towers 44th annual Day of the Drum Festival returns for an afternoon of rhythm of culture adjacent to one of L.A.’s most famous public artworks. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 103rd St / Watts Towers station.
October 1: M Simon Rodia Watts Towers 46th annual Jazz Festival brings 8 hours of live music to the Watts Towers Arts Center. Go Metro: Take the A Line to 103rd St / Watts Towers station.
October 7: The Torrance Art Museum hosts an opening reception for its two fall art exhibitions.
October 7: M The Getty celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a special activations, hands-on workshops, and musical performances. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.
October 7: M Muertos Artwalk brings 35+ artists to Olvera Street in DTLA. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
October 8: M The 5th Annual Disability Pride Parade & Festival returns to the East L.A. Civic Center. Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Center station.
October 13: M The fall edition of Pasadena’s biannual ArtNight includes free activations at myriad partner locations, including the Gamble House, Armory Center for the Arts, and the USC Pacific Asia Museum. Check back after September 15 for the full roster of participants. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.
October 14: The Santa Monica Mountains Fund celebrates National Archaeology Month with an Archaeology Day event at King Gillette Ranch featuring family-friendly performances and tons of hands-on activities and workshops.
October 15: M CicLAvia – Heart of LA brings the city’s biggest open streets event to Downtown Los Angeles for a route that includes hubs in Chinatown, Mariachi Plaza, Grand Park, and Pershing Square. Go Metro: Find access points to the CicLAvia route adjacent to the Chinatown, Pershing Square, Mariachi Plaza, Soto, 7th St, and Historic Broadway stations.
October 21: M Grand Ave Arts: All-Access bands together over 10 arts and culture institutions along Grand Avenue for a day of art, activations, and family fun. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Ave Arts / Bunker Hill Station.
October 21: M San Fernando Outdoor Market hosts a special “Spooky Market” edition just in time for Halloween. Go Metro: Take Line 224, 234, or 294 to Truman St. / Brand Blvd.
October 21-22: M The two-day Fall Festival at the Original Farmers Market features a pumpkin patch, pig races, games, live music, and crafting for kids. Go Metro: Take Line 16 along W. 3rd St OR Take Line 217 or 218 along Fairfax Ave.
October 21-22: M The fall edition of the bi-annual Beverly Hills Art Show comes to Beverly Gardens Park with over 200 artists expected to participate. Go Metro: Take Line 4 along Santa Monica Blvd.
October 21-22: M The bi-annual Brewery Artwalk is back with a free two-day showcase of over 100 participating resident artists. Go Metro: Take Line 76 along N. Main St.
October 21 to November 2 – M Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos welcomes parkgoers to contribute to a community altar and to stroll through the park to view 19 altars. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
October 22: M The P-22 Day Festival honors L.A.’s most famous big cat (may he rest in peace!) with a one day, family-friendly celebration in Griffith Park. Go Metro: Take Line 96 along Crystal Springs Dr.
October 28: M Check out the trove of historical treasures at the annual L.A. Archives Bazaar, presented by L.A. as Subject and the USC Libraries. Go Metro: Take the E Line to USC / Expo Park station.
October 28: M Ovation Hollywood and Dreamers Market team up for a Spooky Halloween Artisan Market. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood / Highland station.
October 29: M The City of Downey hosts a free Día de Los Muertos Art Festival at the Downey Theater. Go Metro: Take Lines 115 or 127 along Firestone Blvd.
November 2: M 24th Street Theater hosts their 18th annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. Go Metro: Take Line 603 to Hoover / 23rd St.
November 11-12: M The annual Inglewood Open Studios art walk offers a mix of tours and talks at galleries and artists studios in the city of Inglewood. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Downtown Inglewood Station
November 18: The Great Los Angeles Walk returns for its 18th installment (route TBD… it will likely be Metro accessible)
November 18: M Hauser & Wirth DTLA hosts an Intro To Relief Printing Creative Workshop. Go Metro: Take the A or E Line to Little Tokyo Station.
November 18-19 – M Indie craft market Jackalope returns to Central Park in Old Pasadena for a two-day, pop-up marketplace with over 200 vendors. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar station.
November 19: M The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade returns for its 44th edition, featuring an irreverent and oddball cast of characters marching down Colorado Blvd in Old Pasadena. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.
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