Free Holiday Events in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA's free holiday events include Annenberg Community Beach House, Gloria Molina Grand Park, City of Los Angeles - Poinsettia Park, City of Santa Monica - Pier Volleyball Courts, and Vermont Canyon Tennis Courts. Tree lighting ceremonies, holiday parades, and free outdoor concerts typically run late November through December.
Free. Open until 10pm. Free telescope viewing every evening. Best city views in LA.
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue–Fri 12–10pm, Sat–Sun 10am–10pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Space Shuttle Endeavour is here. Free. Combine with Natural History Museum and Rose Garden next door.
700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 10am–5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. · Ages 0+
Free to walk. $10 Ferris wheel. Sunset Deal wristband: $24.95 after 5pm.
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Pier open 24hrs. Rides generally 11am–11pm summer, shorter off-season. Check pacpark.com for daily schedule. · Ages 0+
15,000 rose bushes. Free. Between the Science Center and Natural History Museum.
701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 8:30am–dusk. Closed Jan 1–Mar 15. · Ages 0+
Free admission. Tram ride up. Pack a picnic -- terrace views are the real exhibit.
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Free splash pad on the beach. Pool and playground too. Santa Monica waterfront.
415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 · Daily 8:30am-5:30pm (seasonal hours vary) · Ages 0+
Free. At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Touch tanks and local marine life.
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 · Mon-Fri 3pm-sunset, Sat-Sun 10am-sunset · Ages 0+
Always free. Cold War art and artifacts in a converted armory. Mural garden outside.
10808 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 · Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon-Thu. · Ages 8+
Free. 605 acres. The lake from the Andy Griffith Show opening. Easy trails.
2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · Daily sunrise-sunset · Ages 0+
Eight free public courts on a hillside in Griffith Park. No lighting, so play ends at sunset. First-come first-served, no reservations. Hiking trails nearby.
2715 Vermont Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Dawn to dusk daily
Four lighted beach volleyball courts near the Santa Monica Pier -- one of the only lit court locations on the beach, allowing evening play. Free on a first-come basis when not reserved. Court reservations available at approximately $15/hour through the city. Perfect for after-work games year-round.
1560 Appian Way, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Dawn to 10pm (lighted courts)
Free City of LA rec center with basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball diamond, playground, indoor gym. Free youth sports leagues, fitness classes, after-school programs. Rarely crowded.
11430 Woodbine St, Los Angeles, CA 90066 · Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Free City of LA rec center with lighted basketball courts, baseball diamond, tennis courts, playground, indoor gym. Lights mean you can play after dark. Free youth and adult programming.
7341 Willoughby Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
A wide, flat beach with volleyball courts, a paved bike path, and body surfing. Less crowded than Santa Monica and Venice -- the trade-off is slightly colder water. Free beach access, $8-15 parking in the lot. Popular for pickup volleyball and beach running. Lifeguards on duty year-round.
17000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 · Daily sunrise-sunset, lifeguards 9am-6pm (summer hours extended)
Free admission. Hilltop views. Tram ride up. Saturday nights until 9pm -- free date night.
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon.
Free. Basquiat, Warhol, Kusama's Infinity Room. Timed tickets released monthly.
221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Tue–Wed & Fri 11am–5pm, Thu 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm. Closed Mon.
Free concerts year-round. Lunchtime Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Just show up.
200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Park open daily 5:30am–10pm. Event times vary.
Always free. Contemporary art, film screenings, live music. UCLA campus.
10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 · Tue-Sun 11am-6pm, Thu until 8pm. Closed Mon.
Free admission. Roman villa recreation on PCH. Timed tickets required. Stunning gardens.
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 · Wed-Mon 10am-5pm. Closed Tue.