Free events in Scranton, PA

Enjoy the Scranton Jazz Festival, a three-day celebration that turns downtown Scranton into a lively music hub. Over the weekend, more than 80 musicians perform across 20-plus venues, with styles ranging from jazz and blues to swing and world beat. A highlight is the free Jazz Walk, where you can stroll through downtown and catch live sets at local restaurants, lounges, and other venues along the route. The festival also kicks off with a First Friday-style celebration that includes artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and live music around the city.

Pack a lunch and settle in for a relaxed picnic on the lawn at the Lackawanna County Children’s Library. Blankets will be available to borrow. Families with kids of any age are welcome. Because this is outdoors, it runs only in suitable weather.

Come join a free, no-registration film discussion after the summer film festival. This session is facilitated by Ronnie Harvey, and it’s a chance to talk about the movies’ content and significance, share your reactions, and ask any questions about the festival films you’ve seen.

Enjoy Rogue Chimp with free admission. There is no entry fee for this event.

Move Your Body with Karen Ritter delivers a welcoming workout set to upbeat music and a playful vibe. The session focuses on improving flexibility, joint mobility, strength, balance, and endurance without floor exercises or jumping, and a chair is available for support. Gentle resistance is added with simple tools like loops, weights, and blocks. The class may be held indoors or outdoors, so wear layers and bring water and sunglasses. New participants with OAOA can try one class for free. General drop-ins are supported by a $5 donation or $25 per month for unlimited sessions. OAOA members, ages 55 and up, receive rates of $4 per class or $20 per month. Walk-ins are welcome with sign-in on arrival. Sponsored by Age Friendly Lackawanna, The Greenhouse Project, and SMRA.

Running for more than a decade, this free open mic at The V-Spot in Scranton is recognized as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s longest-running and most popular nights, drawing diverse lineups and enthusiastic crowds. Emerging and established local musicians, comedians, actors, performance artists, magicians, and others share the stage, and touring bands occasionally drop in between gigs. The evening also offers a chance to connect with fellow artists while gaining added exposure through a live stream and event photos. Sign-ups occur before the show, and a limited number of late sign-ups may be accepted, so early arrival helps secure a spot. Each act typically receives 10 to 15 minutes, adjusted based on turnout, and original material is encouraged. All performers are featured on live streams across Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, though copyrighted tracks can prevent some sets from appearing online. Photos of every act are later shared in the NEPA Scene Open Mic Facebook group for artists to download and use in their own promotion. Participants must be 18 or older. Those who are 18 to 20 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and valid identification is required for both. The venue provides a lit stage, a soundboard, two microphones, a pair of standard instrument cables, and a Mapex five-piece house drum kit. Full bands can take the stage, and performers using backing tracks may plug in a phone or laptop directly to the soundboard with provided audio cables. Any additional gear should be brought by the artist.