As you scrounge up every last cent for a Coachella travel budget, you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of free things to do in LA this April. From the return of a Griffith Park outdoor market to Earth Day volunteer opportunities, these are the best ways to make the most of your month without breaking into your wallet.
Apr 2-30
Wake Up with the Waves; Santa Monica Pier
Start your weekends with this kid-friendly concert series every Saturday morning this spring.
Until Apr 3
Chips, Crisps & Wafers; iam8bit
Rediscover your love of potato chips with more than 50 flavors from around the world.
Apr 5-Aug 28
In Focus: Electric!; Getty Center
Peruse a mix of historic images and recent photographs that express the allure and unease about life tethered to the grid.
Apr 9
Eastside Handmade; Shopclass
Stock up on must-haves (not free) and support local artisans at this indie pop-up market.
Apr 9
So Cal Corgi Beach Day; Huntington Beach
Hit the beach with fellow devoted dog owners at this adorable corgi meetup.
Photograph: Michael Juliano
Apr 9, 10
Festival of Books; USC
Feed your bookworm tendencies with two days of lectures, signings and performances from the likes of Buzz Aldrin, Padma Lakshmi and Henry Winkler.
Apr 11
Downtown LA, Re-envisioned + Revitalized; A+D Museum
Find out what Downtown's revitalization should focus on next at this multidisciplinary discussion panel.
Apr 15
Odd Nights at the Autry; Autry National Center
Head to the return of this monthly market, a nighttime dance party, happy hour and shopping extravaganza.
Apr 16
Record Store Day; Various locations
Catch pop-up concerts around the city at this annual celebration of independent brick-and-mortar music shops.
Apr 16
Public Star Party; Griffith Observatory
Admire the moon and constellations up close with the help of local star enthusiasts and their telescopes.
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Jesus Salas
Apr 16, 23, 30
The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp; Various locations
Do your part in restoring the river with this coordinated cleanup effort across 15 different spots.
Apr 22
Earth Day LA; Grand Park
Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Park, the Music Center and DWP with green living demos and activities.
Apr 30
A Street Af(fair); West Hollywood
Hang out in WeHo's Design District during this Parachute Market-curated ode to European-inspired Hollywood glamour and California Modernism.
Ongoing
Free concerts; Various locations
Listen to some tunes without breaking the bank with free shows at the Echo, the Satellite, Grand Park and more.
Ongoing
Free museum days; Various locations
Make the most of free days at LACMA, the Natural History Museum and more, plus always-free museums like the Hammer, Getty and Broad.