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All summer long, we’ve been keeping you on track to find the best free things to do in Los Angeles accessible by public transit. We’ve complied concert cheatsheets. We’ve catalogued kid-friendly to-dos. We’ve spotlighted how to use Metro to get to awesome free events like KCRW Summer Nights at The Hammer. And now? We’ve got one, big, final, blowout list to help you make the most of the precious moments between now and when autumn officially (according to the calendar at least) begins.
Over these next 40 days you’ll find everything from community bike rides and family festivals to jazz performances, dance parties, garden concerts, and of course, plenty of free movie screenings. Most (but not quite all) are accessible by Metro bus and rail service, so per usual we’ll give you a quick pointer on the best route to arrive so you can save some money on parking and beat the stress of traffic.
Now… let the summer of freebies continue!
Free Things To Do
M = Metro Accessible
August 10 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Gambian multi-instrumentalist Sona Jobarteh. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 10 M – The City of San Gabriel hosts a concert featuring Kids Imagine Nation and Wacko the Magician at Vincent Lugo Park, followed by an outdoor screening of Minions. Go Metro: Take Line 487/489 to Ramona / Wells.
August 10 M
August 10 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 10 M
August 11 M – Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza continues with Son Mirón Orchestra. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
August 11 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Soul and Rock with Nick Waterhouse. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 11 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Disco Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
August 11 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 11 M – Jazz at LACMA presents Ray Fuller Band at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
August 12 M – Latin Sounds welcomes Brazilian Bossa Nova musician Daniela Soledade for a family-friendly concert at Hancock Park. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
August 12 M
August 12 M – KCRW Summer Nights at KCRW HQ in Santa Monica. Go Metro: Take the E Line to 26th St / Bergamot Station.
August 12 M – 2023 Natsumatsuri Family Festival returns outside the Japanese American National Museum with a day of free cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Little Tokyo Station.
August 12 M – Grand Performances presents DJ Battlecat / Thes One. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
August 12 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Norteño and Mexican Folklorico with Flor Amargo, Los Jornaleros Del Norte, and Pacifico Dance Company. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 12 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 12 M – The Hammer hosts a drop-in Art Lab for kids every Saturday through the end of August. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd OR take Line 761 to Wilshire / Westwood.
August 12 M – Join a 3-mile Community Ride at Exposition Park, paired with a trip to California African American Museum. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park / USC.
August 12 M – Self-Help Graphics’ monthly workshop at the East Los Angeles County Library offers a tutorial on block printing on tote bags. Go Metro: Take the E Line to East LA Civic Ctr Station.
August 12 M – The Getty’s Garden Concerts for Kids bring free outdoor music to the museum’s central garden on select Saturdays and Sundays in August. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.
August 12 M – Ivy Station hosts a Kids Crafting Session with instruction from Kelle Meschede, a Los Angeles based multi-dimensional visual artist. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
August 13 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Mayan Music with Lucas Critchfield Marimba Tropical, Homenaje al Maestro Armando Manzanero, and more. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 13 M – The Getty’s Garden Concerts for Kids bring free outdoor music to the museum’s central garden on select Saturdays and Sundays in August. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.
August 13 M – “Free Day” at Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair, taking place at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary campus. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Little Tokyo Station.
August 13 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by The Tom Nolan Band.
August 13 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 14 M – Astronomy on Tap Los Angeles hosts talks on The Early Universe & Cosmic Neutrinos. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Del Mar station.
August 16 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 16 M – Movie Under the Stars at Runway Playa Vista screens The Secret Life of Pets. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.
August 17 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents indie rock with Ian Sweet. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 17 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 17 M – All Space Considered brings Griffith Observatory curatorial staff as together for a discussion/presentation on the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy and space science. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Vermont/Sunset station then ride the DASH Observatory Shuttle (free to ride) to Griffith Observatory.
August 17 M
August 18 M – The Music Center’s Dance DTLA hosts a Bollywood Night. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
August 18 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Latin Ska Rock with The Paranoias & Friends. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 18 – Jazz at LACMA presents Los Angeles Jazz Quartet at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
August 18 M – Ivy Station hosts a Salsa Night with a live band. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
August 18 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 19 M
August 19 M – Grand Performances presents Mark de Clive-Lowe. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
August 19 M
August 19 M
August 19 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Contemporary Pan-Asian with AAX Fest. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 19 M
August 19 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 20 M
August 20 M – KCRW Summer Nights at LA Plaza. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
August 20 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Guatemalan Rock and Mayan Dance with Marimba Orquesta Perla Oriental, Sara Curruchich, DJ Boris, and Los Chapincitos Los Angeles. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 20 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by The Kings of 88.
August 20 M – The Getty’s Garden Concerts for Kids bring free outdoor music to the museum’s central garden on select Saturdays and Sundays in August. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.
August 20 M – Sunday Sessions bring DJ tunes and party vibes to Gloria Molina Grand Park. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center station.
August 20 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 22 M – Books and Cookies hosts Free Musical Story Time and Kids Crafts at Ivy Station. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
August 23 M – Runway Playa Vista’s Kids Club offers weekly reading/singing/exercise sessions every Wednesday through the end of August. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.
August 23 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 24 M – Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center presents Brooklyn Afrobeat ensemble Antibalas. Go Metro: Take Line 761 along N. Sepulveda Blvd.
August 24 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 25 M – Ovation Hollywood and Japan House Los Angeles team up for a free screening of Detective Pikachu. Go Metro: Take the B Line to Hollywood/Highland.
August 25 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Indie Rock and Disco with Healing Gems and De Lux. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 25 – Jazz at LACMA presents George Kahn’s Jazz & Blues Revue at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
August 25 M – Grand Performances presents a Black Voices Poetry Night. Go Metro: Take the A or E Lines to Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station.
August 25 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 25 M – Ivy Station hosts a free screening of Black Panther. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
August 26 M – KCRW Summer Nights return to Chinatown. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Chinatown Station.
August 26 M
August 26 M – The 4th annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival returns to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Go Metro: Take the K Line to Martin Luther King Jr. station.
August 26 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents a David Bowie Tribute Celebrating 50 years of Aladdin Sane featuring Claire McKeown, Daniel Crook, Sugarmill Slim, and more. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 26 M – The Hammer hosts a drop-in Art Lab for kids every Saturday through the end of August. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd OR take Line 761 to Wilshire / Westwood.
August 26 M – NoHo Summer Nights present Queen Legion (Tribute to Queen) with Emerging Artist: Joker’s Hand at North Hollywood Recreation Center. Go Metro: Take the B Line or G (bus rapid) Line to North Hollywood station.
August 26 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 26 M – The Getty’s Off the 405 series welcomes Alabaster DePlume for a performance at the museum courtyard. Go Metro: Take Line 761 to Getty Center Dr / Sepulveda Blvd.
August 26 M – One Colorado in Old Pasadena hosts an End of Summer Festival featuring carnival games, a beer garden, and live music. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.
August 26 – The El Segundo Art Walk offers food trucks, live music, and a self-guided walking art tour of El Segundo.
August 27 M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Classic Dub and Reggae with DJ’s Tom Chasteen and Boss Harmony. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
August 27 M – The Hammer’s Family Flicks series screens Nim’s Island. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd OR take Line 761 to Wilshire / Westwood.
August 27 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by My Generation.
August 27 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 29 M – Books and Cookies hosts Free Musical Story Time and Kids Crafts at Ivy Station. Go Metro: Take the E Line to Culver City station.
August 30 M – Runway Playa Vista’s Kids Club offers weekly reading/singing/exercise sessions every Wednesday through the end of August. Go Metro: Take Line 110 to Jefferson / McConnell.
August 30 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
August 31 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
September 1 M – KCRW Summer Nights comes to Descanso Gardens.
September 1 – M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Traditional & Contemporary Philipino with Para Sa Lahat (For All). Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 1 M – Jazz at LACMA presents Julius Rodriguez at Smidt Welcome Plaza. Go Metro: Take Line 20/720 along Wilshire Blvd.
September 1 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
September 2 – M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Traditional & Contemporary Philipino with Para Sa Lahat (For All), Gingee, and more. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 2 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
September 3 – M – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Concerts presents an evening of Regional Mexican and Jazz with Beatriz Solis and Eisner Intergenerational Orchestra from the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA). Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Westlake / MacArthur Park station.
September 3 – ISC’s Shakespeare in The Park performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Griffith Park.
September 3 – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park Amphitheater hosts Concerts in the Park with a performance by The Blue Breeze Band.
September 7 – Redondo Beach Pier hosts a free family movie night screening of Minions: The Rise of Gru.
September 8 M – Summer of Salsa at LA Plaza continues with 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 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 9 – Day of the Dog brings a slew of pup-friendly activations and vendors to Main St. in Santa Monica.
September 9-10 M – Union Station hosts a Train Festival featuring special tours, music, displays, and giveaways. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
September 10 M – East LA Mexican Independence Day Parade. 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 10 M – Free second Sunday at The USC Pacific Asia Museum includes special pop-up events (including live Hula) celebrating the arts and culture of Hawai’i. Go Metro: Take the A Line to Memorial Park station.
September 14 – Redondo Beach Pier hosts a free family movie night screening of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
September 14 – Do We Need More Food Fights? is special panel discussion from Zócalo Public Square, co-presented with LA Cocina de Gloria Molina and California Humanities. Go Metro: Take the A, B or D Lines to Union Station.
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 17 M – CicLAvia brings a “mini” version of their open streets initiative to North Hollywood. Go Metro: Take the B Line or G (bus rapid) Line to North Hollywood station.
September 17 M – Sunday Sessions bring DJ tunes and party vibes to Gloria Molina Grand Park. Go Metro: Take the B or D Lines to Grand Park / Civic Center 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.
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