Yes, it\u2019s September \u2014 or as some people here call it, locals\u2019 summer. The tourists have gone home and we have things all to ourselves.\u00a0 Why sit home because you don\u2019t want to spend any money? Here are some fun activities that don\u2019t cost a dime.<\/p>\n
Sept. 1, 8 \u2014 Chatsworth: Want to learn to play mah-jongg? Yes, everyone\u2019s doing it now. It\u2019s a thing. Take a free two-session beginner\u2019s class from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Chatsworth library. Over two consecutive Tuesdays, you\u2019ll learn about the tiles, plays, structure and how the game is played. You must sign up in person and commit to both classes. When the classes fill up, there will be a waitlist. 21052 Devonshire St. Chatsworth. lapl.org\/events\/introduction-mah-jongg-0<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 1,\u00a0 8, 15, 22, 29 \u2014 Long Beach:\u00a0 Enjoy free Queen Mary ship admission for \u201cMeet Me at the Mary\u201d Tuesday happy hours 4-8 p.m. in the Observation Bar (ages 21+). Live music and drink specials. Parking discounted to $10. Must reserve online for free admission.1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. queenmary.com\/whatsondeck.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 3 \u2014 Dana Point: This is the last Orange County Parks free concert of the season, and it\u2019s at the beach! Go see the band Family Style at beautiful Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach<\/a>. Event starts at 5 p.m. concert at 6 p.m. Bring your chair and blanket. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. ocparks.com\/news\/oc-parks-presents-2026-summer-concert-series-and-sunset-cinema-film-series<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 5, 6 \u2014 Huntington Beach:\u00a0The annual Civil War Days<\/a> reenactment on Labor Day weekend is always free to visit. It starts at 10 a.m. on Sept. 5 and 6. There\u2019s food, music, talks and shopping. Reenactors come from all over the country. Anyone can sign up to participate but must pass a safety test. The camp is located in Central Park behind the library, on Gothard St. between Slater and Talbert. Battle times are Saturday between 1:30 and 4 p.m. and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn more: hbhistory.org\/civilwar<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 5, 12 \u2014 Pasadena: It\u2019s time for the Levitt Vibe Music Series<\/a> in Memorial Park next to City Hall. Event starts at 6 p.m. La Verdad<\/a> Latin funk and salsa performs on Sept. 5 and Troop with Jon B<\/a> on Sept. 12.\u00a0 Bring a\u00a0 chair, a blanket and your friends. 85 E. Holly St. Pasadena. levittvibepasadenamusicseries.com<\/a><\/p>\n September 6 \u2014 Riverside:\u00a0Enjoy the monthly Storytime in the Gardens at the University of California, Riverside Botanic Gardens<\/a>. Admission is free, but parking on campus is paid. This event is held on the first Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. until October. Look for the docents in Alder Canyon or the meeting room to hear a story read out loud. This is designed for ages 3-8. No registration is required. Paid parking is in the BG Visitor Lot, Lot 10, or Lot 13 Blue. Location:1 Botanic Gardens Drive, Riverside. gardens.ucr.edu\/events<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 8 \u2014 Studio City: Enjoy a reading of the great Russian author and playwright Anton Chekhov<\/a> from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with storyteller Arnold Weiss. He\u2019ll present a dramatic reading of Chekhov\u2019s famous short story, \u201cThe Lady with the Dog\u201d at the Studio City library Meeting Room, 12511 Moorpark St., Studio City. lapl.org\/events\/evening-chekhov<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 12 \u2014 Lancaster:\u00a0Head to the General William J. Fox Airfield<\/a> to view the free monthly display of classic, antique, and vintage aircraft. See the aircraft up close and meet and speak with their owners from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please contact the airport manager\u2019s office at 661-945-0078. 4725 William J Barnes Ave., Lancaster. calendar.pw.lacounty.gov\/event\/aircraft-display-day-132<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 12 \u2014 Rosemead: Experience the Rosemead Moon Festival<\/a>, one of the largest fall celebrations around, from 2:30-11 p.m. Enjoy live performances, cultural celebrations, fun for kids, photo opportunities, food for sale and lots more. Free parking. It\u2019s on Valley Boulevard between Ivar and Walnut Grove avenues in Rosemead. eventbrite.com\/e\/2026-rosemead-moon-festival-tickets-1984419193226<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 12 \u2014 San Pedro:\u00a0Head on over to the beautiful ocean view Point Fermin Park<\/a> for the 32nd Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture<\/a>, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This celebrates Filipino creativity and culture with cultural performances, art, dance, crafts and more. This year\u2019s theme is \u201cBalangay: From Islands to Infinity!\u201d Bring a folding chair. 807 West Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. filamarts-fpac.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 13 \u2014 Claremont: The California Botanic Garden<\/a> offers free admission on California Biodiversity Day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. if you get free tickets you can download online. This year, there will aso be a special Latin Conservation Week that includes bilingual tours. Take this opportunity to learn more about California native plants. 1500 N, College Ave., Claremont. calbg.org\/event\/california-biodiversity-day-free-day-2026<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 13 \u2014 Santa Ana:\u00a0 \u2014 The Bowers Museum<\/a> is hosting its free Asian Mid-Autumn Festival. Live music and dance, art projects, face painting and more. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2002 N. Main St, Santa Ana. bowers.org<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 15 \u2014 Downtown Los Angeles: Visit the landmark Walt Disney Concert Hall<\/a> to attend the Jazz Masters Tribute Concert, held by the National Endowment for the Arts, in honor of the recipients of the nation\u2019s highest honor in jazz. You can get two free tickets in advance to this 8 p.m. event or line up and hope to get walk-up tickets. Live performances and short videos about the honorees will be featured. 111 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles. eventbrite.ca\/e\/2026-jazz-masters-tribute-concert-tickets-1996126641519<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 17 \u2014 Everywhere: I\u2019ll bet you weren\u2019t expecting to get a free day in the national parks right now, but yes, you do in honor of Constitution Day. Yeah, I didn\u2019t know that was a thing either. Enjoy your fee-free day but go at the crack of dawn, before everyone else gets out of bed. It\u2019s a Thursday, so that will help. Note that you now must be a citizen or legal resident to get in free. nps.gov\/planyourvisit\/passes.htm<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 19 \u2014 Compton: Join the 200th anniversary celebration of the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be new exhibitions, adobe home tours, Native American storytelling, children\u2019s activities, and an original play entitled \u201cRemember the Rancho.\u201d Food for sale. Bring a picnic blanket. 18127 Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez, Compton. dominguezrancho.org<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 25 \u2014 Santa Clarita: Bring your chairs and blankets and hunker down to enjoy an outdoor movie at City Cinemas. This month, the movie is the original \u201cTop Gun\u201d and it\u2019s at the Canyon Country Community Center. Bring a picnic or visit a food truck on site. Get there early. Movie starts at 7 p.m. santaclarita.gov\/arts-and-culture\/events\/city-cinemas-in-the-park<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 26 \u2014 San Bernardino: Head to the free community block party to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the renovation of the historic Mt. Vernon Bridge, as well as the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66. Classic cars, family zone and fun for kids, local food vendors and more from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On No. Mt. Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino. \u00a0sanbernardino.gov\/route66<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sept. 26, 27 \u2014 Pasadena:\u00a0It\u2019s time for the 33rd annual Pasadena Chalk Festival<\/a>, where 500 skilled chalk artists gather to showcase their stuff. It\u2019s on two days from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with chalk murals, a live DJ, a silent auction, food for sale and more. It\u2019s all at Brookside Park, next to Kidspace Museum. Free parking. This project raises money for the Light Bringer Project arts education for underprivileged kids. 480 North Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. pasadenachalkfestival.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sept. 26 \u2014 West Los Angeles:\u00a0Start swiveling those hips or just get in the mood for this free belly dancing event at the Gypsy Camp Ethnic Arts Center in Palms,<\/a> including a talent showcase and back-to-school supply drive. Enjoy live performances and have fun. The event is free but you\u2019re encouraged to bring a new backpack or school supplies for kids to start school. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. 3265 Motor Ave., West Los Angeles. eventbrite.com\/e\/belly-dance-event-community-showcase-back-to-school-supply-drive-tickets-1998518034239<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 26 \u2014 Calabasas:\u00a0 Celebrate 50 years of the Malibu Creek State Park<\/a> with \u201cStories Under the Stars\u201d from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Enjoy this open house with live music, art, storytelling and food trucks. Observe fossils and trees. The Los Angeles Astronomical Society will host a star party, weather permitting, starting at 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and flashlight. Event is free but parking is paid. Malibu Creek State Park Trailhead, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas. eventbrite.com\/e\/stories-under-the-stars-celebrating-50-years-of-malibu-creek-state-park-tickets-1992177569739<\/a><\/p>\n Sept. 27 \u2014 El Monte:\u00a0 Head to the San Gabriel Valley airport for the monthly display day of classic, antique, and vintage aircraft at San Gabriel Valley Airport. You have a chance to see the aircraft up close and meet the owners. Admission and parking are free. Sponsored by LA County Airports. eventbrite.com\/e\/aircraft-display-day-tickets-1988835183572<\/a>. SGV Airport, 4233 Santa Anita Ave. El Monte<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Yes, it\u2019s September \u2014 or as some people here call it, locals\u2019 summer. 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