15 free things to do in October 2024 in Southern California

Can you believe it’s already October? That’s right, we’re creeping up on Halloween and then the holidays. Meanwhile, so you can save up for those Christmas gifts, here are free things you can do this month.

Queen Mary, Long Beach: Free ship admission for “Meet Me at the Mary” Tuesday happy hours 4-8 p.m. in the Observation Bar (ages 21+). Live music and drink specials. Parking discounted $10. Must reserve online. Oct. 1, 8, 15. 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. queenmary.com

The Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles. The Autry is free every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. but reservations are required by the night before.. 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. Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org/free

Museums in Riverside: Free admission at both the Riverside Art Museum (Julia Morgan Building) and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture 6-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month during the Riverside ArtsWalk,that celebrates arts and culture in Riverside and the Inland Empire. Oct.  3. 3425 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside.  riversideartscouncil.com/artswalk-venues

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena: 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. Oct. 4. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena nortonsimon.org

Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach: This 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. Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. molaa.org/visit

“Dancing With the Stars,” Los Angeles: Go see a taping of “Dancing With the Stars” at Television City in Hollywood. Minimum age is 12. You must apply in advance online to get tickets. Be warned: These tapings can last a long time. You can see other taping opportunities also on the website. Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29. 7800 Beverly Blvd. Hollywood. on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Dancing_with_the_Stars# 7800 Beverly Blvd., Hollywood.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art 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.)  Paid parking. Oct. 8. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles lacma.org/tickets

Halloween event, Lake Forest: Heritage Hill Historical Park Fall-O-Ween family festival 4:30-8:30 pm daily. Decorated grounds, photo opportunities, straw maze, scavenger hunt. Costumes welcome and also pets on short leashes. Oct. 11, 12, 13, 18, 20. 25151 Serrano Rd. Lake Forest. OCParks.com

Indonesian Film Festival, Los Angeles: Indonesian Film Festival at the Ray Stark Family Theatre at USC. It’s the 10th anniversary of this free two-day festival. Check out the listings online and RSVP here. Oct. 11-12. 900 W. 34th St. L.A. la-iff.org

Dinosaur event, Buena Park: Prehistoric OC Day at Clark Regional Park. Crafts, live animal demonstrations, ancient artifacts, fossils and more. Learn about paleontology and archeology. Oct. 12. 8800 Rosecrans Ave. Buena Park.

Second Saturday ArtWalk, Pomona: Trick or Treat at the Second Saturday ArtWalk, Pomona  Art. Costume Contest. Music. Kid Zone. The monthly event in the Pomona Arts Colony brings crowds to the streets as art studios, galleries, shops and more stay open late. 5 p.m. Oct. 12. 119 W. 2nd St., Pomona. downtownpomona.org/events

Grand Ave Arts: All Access, Los Angeles: Explore the arts and cultural institutions along Grand Avenue from 1st to 5th streets in downtown L.A. for a day of free workshops, performances, tours, and interactive events. Check out art, music, dance, literature, and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 19. L.A. Music Center, 135 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles. musiccenter.org

Monster Mash Bash at Citrus Plaza, Redlands:  Family fun with trick-or-treating, costume contests, face painting, games, crafts and more. Please register online so enough supplies will be available. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Oct. 19. Citrus Plaza Shopping Center Food Court, 27320 W Lugonia Ave, Redlands citrusplaza.com/events

Boo at the Bay, Newport Beach:Spooky stories, creepy crafts, science experiments, games. Costumes encouraged. Rain cancels. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 26. Muth Interpretive Center at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve  2301 University Drive, Newport Beach ocparks.com/events

Day of the Dead: Forest Lawn memorial parks are hosting Day of the Dead commemorations on Oct. 27 in Covina Hills, Cypress and Glendale (and also Nov. 2 in Cathedral City) with commemorative altars, larger-than-life Catrina figures, artworks, folkloric dancing, Mariachis, face painting, arts and crafts and more. Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 27, Forest Lawn-Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina; Forest Lawn-Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Ave.,Cypress; Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S Glendale Ave., Glendale. Noon-3 p.m. Nov. 2, 69855 E. Ramon Road, Cathedral City. forestlawn.com/events-all-events/