25 Free Things to Do in L.A. This Spring

Los Angeles is a glamorous city. It's where the movies are made and the superstars live, which means everything is inevitably expensive. Unfortunately, not everyone that lives in L.A. is making the big bucks. Many of the folks you see on Sunset Strip are barely making ends meet. L.A. is why the term "struggling artist" exists.

Just because you aren't fortunate enough to be a Hollywood superstar (or rich enough to at least floss like one) doesn't mean you need to sit in your apartment alone, crying. Fake it until you make it with these 25 Free Things to Do in L.A. This Spring.



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Date: Every Saturday
Time: 9 p.m to 2 a.m.
Location: The Room
Perfect For: Socializing with new people
Website: theroomsm.com

Though getting into The Room isn't easy, on Saturday nights it's definitely worth the trouble. With no designated dance floor, people dance wherever they like (drinks in hand). The chances of meeting someone new are high, so bring your best conversation and be prepared to mingle.

Date: Sunday, April 21
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Downtown L.A. through Venice
Perfect For: Actually being able to ride your bike on the streets of L.A.
Website: ciclavia.org

For the sixth year in a row, CicLAvia has been responsible for allevitating L.A.'s famously terrible traffic and allowing people to safely bike and/or skate the streets. Though it only lasts for one day, the results are astounding. Thousands gather on the day to walk, run and bike to promote healthy living in L.A..

Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Location: The Music Center
Perfect For: Appreciating a forgotten form of entertainment
Website: musiccenter.org

Considered to be the foremost puppeteer in Taiwan, Liao Wen Ho is presenting his acclaimed puppet theater performance at The Music Center. The performance aims to promote the awareness of Taiwanese culture throughout the world. You will be amazed as Ho voices over twenty puppets while also manipulating the puppets' movement.

Date: Tuesday, April 16
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Renoir Theatre
Perfect For: Knowing another French film besides Amour
Website: colcoa.org

The ColCoa Film Festival was created to promote new French films in the United States and showcase the diversity of French cinema in Hollywood. The festival has brought out Hollywood stars like Charlize Theron and Halle Berry and gives viewers a first look at successful films that have yet to be released. Though the festival itself requires tickets, ColCoa offers free screenings of the films with events such as the Blind Date With a French Film.

Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 2 p.m to 3 p.m.
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Perfect For: Getting a workout and visual inspiration
Website: nps.gov

Offering over 500 miles of hiking trails, the Santa Monica Mountains can seem a bit intimidating. Luckily for you, the chance to explore its great views isn't as daunting as it seems. Join a ranger on a moderate, 1-mile round trip hike to Inspiration Point and be in awe of the inspiring view of the Las Virgenes Valley.

Date: Every Sunday
Time: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: Cat & Fiddle
Perfect For: Showing off how sophisticated you are
Website: thecatandfiddle.com

Initially the premise of movie studio wardrobes in 1929, Cat & Fiddle holds some serious history. The restaurant and pub is a favorite among locals for it's great happy hour, votes one of the best in Hollywood. With all those accolades, how can you not be eager to attend a free night of jazz?

Date: Third Wednesday of every month
Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Downtown Culver City
Perfect For: Free drinks. Need we say more?
Website: downtownculvercity.com

Downtown Culver City is one of the most social places in LA. Third Wednesdays just gives people an excuse to be even more social. With live music, and free drinks and appetizers, you couldn't ask for a better way to spend Hump Day.

Date: Thursday, April 4
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Hammer Museum
Perfect For: Reminiscing on the olden days of Super 8's and VHS tapes
Website: hammer.ucla.edu

In LA, you either want to be in films, or write them. If you fall into the latter category, Open Projector Night is the perfect place to showcase your work. These nights tend to be raucous, so make sure you come prepared for some harsh criticism.

Date: March 28 - April 21
Time: Varies
Location: Project Gallery
Perfect For: Appreciating some of the greatest rockers ever
Website: projectla.net

In celebration of the rock legends Rolling Stones' 50th Anniversary, Project Gallery presents their rock and roll retrospective. The exhibit will feature never before seen photographs of the rockers in concerts and on the road. Die-hard fans of the legendary group are sure to be in complete bliss because of this exhibit.

Date: Sunday, April 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Broadway and W. 1st St.
Perfect For: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo the right way
Website: fiestabroadway.la

According to their website, Fiesta Broadway is the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world. And based on their previous record of over 500,000 people consuming a 12-block radius, we'll take their word for it. Be prepared to deal with a large crowd where more than half might of had a few tequila shots.

Date: April 20 - 21
Time: Varies
Location: University of Southern California
Perfect For: Surrounding yourself with other bookworms
Website: latimes.com

Perhaps the biggest festival of books in the nation, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books features hundreds of the most popular authors and publishers. Along with hosting several workshops with best-selling authors, the festival also has a ceremony to celebrate the best books of 2012. If you consider yourself an avid reader or just admire the medium, this celebration of the written word will be the place to be.

Date: Sunday, April 3
Time: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Thai Town, Hollywood Blvd.
Perfect For: Learning about the Thai culture
Website: thainewyear.com

Being that the largest population of Thais (outside of Thailand) reside in the county of L.A., it's no surprise that this fair brings out a large crowd. Thousands gather to celebrate Thai arts and culture with live performances and, of course, Thai food. You and your stomach will be glad you stopped by.

Date: Sunday, May 19
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Long Beach
Perfect For: Supporting the LGBTQ community
Website: longbeachpride.com

Show your opposition to Prop 8 by attending Long Beach's very popular Pride Parade. Attracting over 80,000 people, the parade has become a premiere event nationwide. With past musical guests including Jennifer Hudson and India.Arie, this year's event won't be anything less than spectacular.

Date: May 25 - 27
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Hermosa Beach
Perfect For: Stuffing your face and jamming to music
Website: fiestahermosa.com

Fiesta Hermosa is the reigning champ as the largest arts and craft fair in Southern California. Over 400 artists are featured and showcase their handmade work including paintings, ceramics, and jewelery. While you collect some handmade items, listen to live performances, and enjoy food from over 18 different countries.

Date: Second Thursday of every month
Time: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Spring Street Arcade Building
Perfect For: Finding your next favorite artist
Website: downtownartwalk.org

The Downtown Art Walk offers visitors and locals a chance to indulge in various art galleries on the main strip of Spring and Main street. The galleries host several events and activities to keep you entertained if staring at the work doesn't cut it. The walk is known to get crowded fast, so get there early if you're interested in buying some pieces for your collection.

Date: Every day
Time: Varies
Location: 19530 Ventura Blvd.
Perfect For: Finding inner peace
Website: sahajameditation.com

Sahaja Meditation offers a new method of reducing stress and increasing wellness. The practice is simple and easy to learn by attending a free introductory class. Once you get the hang of it, participate in daily classes to "awaken your inner self."

Date: Second Tuesday of each month; After 3 p.m. Mon.-Fri. for L.A. county residents
Time: Varies
Location: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Perfect For: Picking up an artsy chick
Website: lacma.org

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is kind of a big deal. As the largest museum in the Western United States, LACMA houses over 100,000 works of art. Now imagine being able to experience some—because there's no way in hell you're seeing it all in a day—without having to spend a dime.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Location: Los Angeles Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium
Perfect For: Discovering your inner feminist
Website: lfla.org

Author of The Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler, partners with Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams to host a lecture on women's activism. The two women hope to use the event to bring women together through the International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict and One Billion Rising. Join in on the event to address issue concerning women and discover new ideas.

Date: March 30 - April 27
Time: Varies
Location: WWA gallery
Perfect For: Checking out unique works of art
Website: wwagallery.com

Referred to as a "visual feast," eyeCandy is an exhibit curated by 11 new artists that exploits the medium of contemporary art. Viewers are encouraged to spend quality time with each painting to "savor" what they see. If you're annoyed with all the candy puns, just check out the event for yourself. It's sure to be sweet.

Date: Sunday, April 21
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Juan Bautista de Anza Park
Perfect For: Having an excuse to touch a stranger's dog
Website: canineclassic.org

We all know that dogs are a man's best friend. Why else would they get their own festival? The Canine Classic Dog Walk and Festival gathers hundreds of dog lovers on a 2-mile walk through the hills of Calabasas. After the walk, participants can join in on some festival fun by enrolling their dog in the Next Top Canine Model competition.

Date: April 18-21
Time: Varies
Location: 321 E La Habra Boulevard
Perfect For: Spending quality time with family
Website: citrusfair.com

This year's theme at La Habra Spring Citrus Fair is "Good Times" and that's just what you'll have at this popular event. The four-day event consists of thrilling rides, exciting stage performances, and, of course, Val the Orange mascot. Grab some relatives and prepare to have a relaxed, fun day (or days) at the Citrus Fair.

Date: Saturday, April 13
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 1955 Workman Mill Road
Perfect For: Creating a better environment
Website: lacsd.org

Along with promoting environmental issues, the Sanitation District's Earth Day event also engages participants with music and dance performances. The event features over 50 exhibitors that demonstrate ways to protect the planet. Hands-on activities will help you further understand the benefits of "going green."

Date: March 9 - April 3
Time: Varies
Location: Phone Booth Gallery
Perfect For: Pretending to understand abstract art
Website: phoneboothgallery.com

L.A.-based artist Kevin Tong is primarily known for his illustrated work for music bands like The Black Keys and movies like Transformers, but he also has a knack for fine arts. In his second exhibit at the Phone Booth Gallery, Tong showcases a new selection of never before seen work. Through the hundreds of pieces, viewers are expected to experience a first-hand look into the mind of the artist.

Date: March 28-30
Time: Varies
Location: Nokia Theatre
Perfect For: Showing off your b-ball skills
Website: lalive.com

As March Madness continues, fans are able to showcase their own talents at the L.A. LIVE College Basketball Fan Fest. Participate in basketball competitions on the regulation-sized court in Nokia Theatre and possibly win some cool prizes. You'll either work up a sweat playing ball or by watching some of L.A.'s best dance groups perform.

Date: April 13 - 14
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: San Fernando Boulevard
Perfect For: Admiring an array of artworks
Website: downtown-burbank.org

Downtown Burbank Arts Festival presents street art at its finest. Close to 100 regional artists gather on the streets of San Fernando Boulevard to display sculptures, photographs, and paintings. You'll find art all around at this festival so be sure to watch your step because there might be some right below you.