Free events in Norwalk, CA

This free, in-person workshop from Outcome School is designed for kids ages 7 to 13 who want to try building a game for the first time. Participants begin with a simple starter project and leave with a playable game they created. The session introduces coding concepts in an approachable way, nurtures imagination, and strengthens logical thinking and problem solving. With guidance from experienced mentors in a supportive setting, kids grow their confidence as they craft something they can proudly share. It offers a friendly introduction to the skills behind careers in technology.

Enjoy a free Friday night session at the Stone Fruit Festival at Echo Park Farmers' Market. There will be live music sets plus a performance, along with seasonal fruit tastings. The event also includes a DADA Bar pop-up, still-life drawing classes, story times, and Nutrition Navigator activities highlighting local agriculture.

Enjoy “The Classic Car Show” at Garden Grove Historical Society. All kinds of vehicles are welcome, including antiques, classics, custom cars, exotics, sports cars, hot rods/street rods, imports, mini/micro cars, muscle cars, and trucks. The event is free and is geared for both car enthusiasts and spectators.

Car lovers and families gather at Buena Park Elks Lodge #2046 for a community celebration of classic automotive culture. Look forward to a showcase of classic, muscle, custom, and vintage vehicles, including standout VWs, along with music, raffle drawings, and trophies for notable entries. Lonnie’s Grill serves barbecue favorites such as burgers, hot dogs, and desserts, and the lodge also offers Inside Dinners. Everyone is welcome, no Elks membership is required, and there is no charge for spectators or exhibitors.

Celebrate the final Huntington Beach Foodie Fest of the season in Orange County, a free food festival featuring hot, cheesy pizza slices, loaded hot dogs, freshly grilled plates from the flat top, crispy comfort classics, street tacos with stacked bowls, and ice cream with over the top dessert combinations. Admission and parking are free, making it easy to sample favorite flavors as summer wraps up.

City of Fullerton’s Friday Night Live brings a park concert to the Fullerton Sports Complex, spotlighting Funk, R&B and New Jack Swing. A live band fuels a retro soundtrack of smooth grooves, classic favorites and upbeat rhythms that keep the crowd moving. Admission is free, the atmosphere is welcoming for families and friends, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and comfortable shoes for dancing.

Opening night in Leimert Park offers a free celebration with performances by Lalah Hathaway and Chief Adjuah, plus more artists, alongside art, food, and music. It launches the Los Angeles Jazz Festival, which aims to attract 250,000 attendees across 17 days and to turn the entire city into its stage. Founded by Martin Ludlow, this expansive cultural and tourism effort celebrates jazz, spurs regional economic activity, supports minority and women owned businesses, and maintains a core commitment to social justice and environmental responsibility. The festival also aspires to rank among the largest international jazz events, aiming to become the third largest globally and the largest Black owned jazz festival ever.

Dance DTLA returns to Jerry Moss Plaza in Downtown L.A. for its 22nd summer of free outdoor dance parties. This Afrobeats themed night features a free lesson with instructor Kara KJ Wade, music by TOMI TRIBE, interactive experiences, and dancing from start to finish. Food and drinks are available, creating a lively evening outdoors.

Shoreline Village presents a free summer concert series with live music every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The season showcases some of the area’s top talent and scenic views at the Off Boardwalk Theater near the Funnel House. The lineup spans a wide mix of styles, including R&B, jazz, funk, cumbia, roots reggae, rock en Español, Caribbean rhythms, pop, 80s and 90s favorites, rebel country and honky tonk, along with dynamic DJ sets. Featured performers include Sarah Daye, Michael Haggins, DJ Rome, DJ Impeccable Styles, Catfish and the Hollywood Hound Dogs, Upstream, Thieves Like Us, the Michael Physick Band, Harbor Groove, Intent, JLB, Smooth, Reaction Band, Sugarlips, Moving in Stereo, Rory Seldon, Illunis, So Rad, Idellix, Pop Vision, In the Red, Natasha Remi, As IF, and The Ponderosa Aces. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Parking is available for an additional charge, and discounted rates are offered with parking validation at a shop or restaurant.

Take part in a monthly community cleanup focused on the Bixby Highland neighborhood. It is a chance to get some exercise, meet new people, and make a positive difference. Cleanup supplies are provided, donuts are available, and first-time participants receive a free T-shirt and whistle.

Enjoy a free Zumba fitness class in Santa Ana, Orange County, led by Instructor Teo Reyes. Move to high energy Latin music with easy to follow choreography designed to help burn calories, tone and strengthen the body, improve cardiovascular endurance, reduce stress, and boost your mood. The environment is welcoming to all ages and fitness levels, and no prior experience is needed. Teo Reyes is an experienced, high energy instructor with years of teaching in the local community. First time students can attend at no cost. The complimentary offer is limited to one class per person for new attendees, and space is limited.

Volunteers assemble weekly grocery boxes for the community, no matter the weather. There is no need to show ID or proof of income, and boxes are available for pickup.

Ava Motherwell is bringing a pop-up trunk show filled with vintage and vintage-inspired beads and components from Germany and Italy. Browse and shop Italian polyresin, carved and German resins, vintage lucite and glass, neon colors, leaf and flower motifs, marbled and matte finishes, dangles, hoops, faceted and moonglow pieces, novelty and laser-cut designs, plus mid century modern styles in sizes from 4 mm up to 60 mm in a wide range of colors. Admission is free, and both the public and trade professionals are welcome. Wholesale pricing will be available. For questions, text 530-265-2725.

Gay Freebern leads a welcoming exploration of astrology through the lens of archetypes, with this session focusing on Virgo. The class examines each sign’s symbols, qualities, and how its expression unfolds through the houses of the chart. Attend as many sessions as you like, and feel free to bring a sack lunch. There is no fee, and voluntary donations are appreciated. If you provide your birth date, time, and place in advance, a personalized chart wheel can be prepared so you can see where each sign appears in your own life, including prominent placements such as the ascendant, the moon, and the planets. Come ready to discover insights about yourself and the people closest to you through the zodiac’s language of the soul.

Explore a showcase of handcrafted creativity at The Paseo with the SoCal Etsy Guild Market. Enjoy live art and a variety of handmade goods from participating vendors, with more to discover throughout the market. Admission is free and pets are welcome, creating a relaxed and welcoming outing for everyone.

Head to Golden Park for a fun day with games, prizes, and information booths, plus free backpacks provided by Gangs Out of Downey.

At Woodbridge Community Park, the Summer in the City series turns the lawn into an open air stage with performances spanning a variety of music styles. Admission is free and no tickets or advance registration are needed. Seating is first come, first served, so bring low back chairs and blankets, and consider dressing in layers. Guests may enjoy picnic style food, or choose snacks from local food trucks. Additional parking is available at Woodbridge High School and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Settle in for an open air screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as Cinema Under the Stars brings a free movie night to Westwood Village’s Broxton Plaza. Enjoy a lively pre-show scene with family friendly activities, community tabling, giveaways, and special activations from local organizations and brands. Bring blankets and low back lawn chairs, invite friends and family, and pick up favorite movie snacks from nearby Westwood Village businesses. Admission is free, and registration is encouraged to receive updates and reminders. Broxton Plaza is a pedestrian friendly gathering place in the heart of Westwood Village that hosts community events, live entertainment, outdoor dining, and cultural programming throughout the year.

Cal Plaza hosts an evening of movement and music as Pamyua shares Inuit rhythms interlaced with contemporary gospel, R&B, funk, and masked dance. The program begins with Insun Park & Generals, presenting a bold mix of rock, Korean traditional music, and masked dance. Both performances celebrate heritage while stretching creative boundaries, offering fresh perspectives on cultural traditions through sound and motion. Admission is free with RSVP on Eventbrite.

Celebrate the City of Anaheim Summer Concert Series at Pearson Park Amphitheatre with a performance by RED HOT TRIBUTE. Admission is free, and attendees of all ages are welcome.

Bring your car-loving crew to Donut Derelicts, a classic car show happening in Huntington Beach. Admission is free, and the event runs in the evening at Adams Ave Donuts.

Enjoy free group workouts that pair mat based Pilates with cardio training for a balanced, full body session in a welcoming setting.

Bring your curiosity to Fullerton Airport for Antique Aircraft Display Days. Owners of classic aircrafts are invited to showcase their planes, and visitors can stop by to view the displays. Aircraft will be parked in the “Transient” area inside the airport, just north of the terminal building and control tower. Admission is free.

Create an imaginary creature at a hands-on family workshop that uses mix and match block printing to layer dreamy imagery inspired by Odilon Redon. Personalize your artwork with color, or convert it into a playful handheld fan. All materials are provided. Family programs are free and do not require tickets, but the Center uses timed entry reservations, and parking has a fee. Make it a picnic by bringing a blanket or towel and your own food. To protect the grounds and collections, please leave folding chairs, glass containers, metal cutlery, and alcohol at home.

LA Jazz Festival brings Jazz in the Park to Lafayette Park in Los Angeles, offering a free concert in an outdoor community setting. Entry requires an RSVP confirmation, and reservations are free. This stop is part of a 24-concert series in parks across the Los Angeles area, showcasing world-class sounds from jazz and soul to hip hop and beyond. Pack a blanket, relax with friends and family, and enjoy live music in the open air. Artists to be announced.

LA Jazz Festival brings its Jazz in the Park series to Penmar Park with a performance by the African Rhythms Alumni Quintet. This concert is part of a free, 24-show program that brings top-tier music to parks across the Los Angeles area, spanning jazz, soul, hip hop, and more. Expect a relaxed outdoor setting where you can spread a blanket, gather with friends and family, and enjoy live music in the open air. Admission is free with an RSVP, and a confirmation is required for entry.

A community sharing market welcomes neighbors to Pearson Park in Anaheim, set up between the tennis courts, where everything is free. Money, bartering, and trading are not part of this event, and participants are invited to bring items that are clean, useful, and safe. Craft supplies, books, toys, clothing and shoes, plants, housewares, small furniture, electronics, and non-perishable food all make thoughtful contributions. Bring a blanket or tarp to display what you have. Please give people time and space to set up before browsing, avoid crowding, and plan to take home anything you brought that is not claimed to keep the park clean. Items picked up here should not be resold. Free services and skill sharing are encouraged, whether that is haircuts, nails, mending, simple repairs, crochet lessons, teaching a game, or yoga. A food and essentials drive runs alongside the exchange... give what you can and take what you need, with particular need for diapers size 3 and up, wipes, laundry detergent, and toilet paper. The event meets ADA standards and offers accessible restrooms, mostly flat ground with no steps, dedicated parking spots, a wheelchair ramp, and wide doorways and walkways.

Part of the Newport Beach Concerts on the Green series presented by the Newport Beach Arts Commission, this concert features Pacific Symphony on the Civic Center Green at the Newport Beach Civic Center. Attendees can bring low chairs or blankets and enjoy their own picnic or purchase food from food trucks. Admission and parking are free on a first come, first served basis, and alcohol is not permitted. The series also presents concerts at Marina Park Community Center.

This free matinee series continues through the summer and spotlights a range of animated films for kids centered on environmental themes, with a variety of titles presented across the season.

Stop by the children’s department at Barnes & Noble for a weekly storytime. This is a free event for all ages.

Polly's Pies Restaurant & Bakery in Huntington Beach presents a free bingo night with two sessions, opportunities to win prizes, and pie. Enjoy friendly games and have dinner while you play.

Tricia Freeman & Friends present a mix of rock classics, country, and blues at Campus JAX. Groups of eight or more receive free admission, and a call in advance is required to arrange this. A live stream will be available for those who prefer to watch remotely.

This monthly no-cost open mic from Altadena Music Center, hosted by Quazar, offers a relaxed night of live performance and community. Performers may bring a song, a poem, a story, or another piece to share, while others can simply listen. Open to all ages, with sign-ups available.

Visit the Certified Costa Mesa Farmers Market at the OC Fair. Enjoy free admission and parking while you browse local farmers and vendors. The market takes place in Lot D.

Bixby Knolls Farmers' Market shares a friendly promo that spotlights taste, hinting at sip-worthy flavors with a catchy hashtag. The message draws attention to the market and encourages people not to overlook it.

Trivia is back at Deli Nerds, with Geeks Who Drink hosting lively rounds on the patio. Bring a team or test your knowledge solo and meet new people along the way. Compete for prizes and earn serious bragging rights while enjoying sliders, house-made bites, and cold drinks. It is free to play, there is no cover, and parking is plentiful.