If you’re as broke as we are from splurging on Coachella tickets and jewelry for Valentine’s Day, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of free things to do in L.A. this March. From a whale watching festival to a Pasadena-wide museum night, these are the best ways to make the most of your month without breaking into your wallet.
Through Mar 4
“Cuba Is”; Annenberg Space for Photography
More than 100 photos fill this Century City museum to tell the tale of the island nation from before the revolution to its contemporary coming out.
Mar 1–Aug 25
Olafur Eliasson: Reality Projector; Marciano Art Foundation
See the sculptor bathe the art museum’s massive first floor gallery in light and shadow.
Mar 2-Apr 1
Laluzapalooza; La Luz De Jesus Gallery
Scope out 130 pieces from 64 artists at this annual juried group exhibition housed inside of the Soap Plant/Wacko complex.
Mar 2–5
Lyrics to Life; 2143 Violet St
Watch as visual artists transform iconic lyrics into physical artwork during this music-inspired art pop-up.
Mar 3, 4, 10, 11
Dana Point Festival of Whales; Dana Point Harbor
Mark the annual gray whale migration from land with a parade, street fair and whale-themed concert.
Mar 9
ArtNight Pasadena; Various locations in Pasadena
Enjoy site-specific performances and a free evening of admission to the Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena Museum of California Art and more.
Mar 10
Smorgasburg’s Pop-Up on the Santa Monica Pier; Santa Monica Pier
Catch more than 70 Smorgasburg favorites and newcomers during this oceanfront pop-up food market.
Mar 11
Buffering the Vampire Slayer meetup; Griffith Park
Mark the 21st anniversary of everyone’s favorite vampire slayer show with this free meetup in Griffith Park, which follows a sold-out Buffy-themed ’90s prom.
Mar 11
Festival of the Kite; Redondo Pier
Go fly a kite—or help launch a 25-foot-wide communal one—at this high-flying festival.
Mar 11
Nowruz Celebration; UCLA
Celebrate the Iranian New Year and the early arrival of spring with a day of activities, performances, music and events for children.
Mar 18
L.A. Marathon; Various locations
Cheer on a friend or fellow Angelenos across 26.2 miles between Dodger Stadium and the ocean.
Mar 21–25
Bach in the Subways Day; Various locations
Wish Johann Sebastian Bach a happy 333rd birthday with performances at Union Station and across the Metro system.
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.