Free and budget-friendly outings in California, page 2
440 listings in 38 counties. Free entry, free admission days and low-cost outings from across the site. Details can change. Check with the venue before you go. This is page 2 of 2, with 26 counties and 207 listings.
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Outings near you
Sutter County
7 picks
Section: Free and budget-friendlymuseum
Abuelita's Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories at the Sutter County Museum
On now through Nov 21, 2026FreeAges not listedIndoor
Ten grandmothers and the recipes they have passed down are the heart of this exhibit at the Sutter County Museum, which tells Mexican food stories through film, recorded voices, photographs and treasured kitchen objects.
One-stop morning at the Yuba City Senior Center with vendors covering senior housing and assisted living, food programs, transportation, legal services, Medicare and health care, plus flu shots.
Dates
Nov 5, 2026
Hours
Thu Nov 5, 9am-noon
Cost
Free and open to the community
Where
Yuba City Senior Center, 777 Ainsley Ave., Yuba City, CA
Screening of the documentary co-directed by Rajan Gill and Reaa Puri, a Yuba City story of community, resilience and celebration, followed by a panel with the director and others involved. Tickets at yubasutterarts.org.
Dates
Nov 6, 2026
Hours
Doors 5:30pm; film 6pm
Cost
$10
Where
Sutter Theater Center for the Arts, 754 Plumas Street, Yuba City, CA
Free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theaters and other cultural destinations. You must meet the library's minimum age and live in its service area.
The story of the Yuba-Sutter region, from the Nisenan people to the Gold Rush, farming, floods and the area's many cultures, plus a handmade 3D relief map of the Sutter Buttes. Now showing Abuelita's Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories, through Nov 21.
Hours
Wed-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat noon-4pm; closed Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after; occasional unexpected closures, call 530-822-7141 before visiting
Free, family-friendly open house at the Bohart Museum, home to about eight million insect specimens and a live petting zoo of hissing cockroaches, stick insects and tarantulas. UC Davis entomology students share their research. Weekend parking is free.
A talk with interdisciplinary artist Gioia Fonda about her exhibit Holding It Together, new paintings of arrangements of toys and found objects shown alongside works by her former advisor Charlie Gill.
Leok Po Cultural Burn Awareness Workshop at Cache Creek Nature Preserve
November 13th, 14th, & 15th 2026Free
The Cache Creek Conservancy's Leok Po (Good Fire) Cultural Burn Awareness Workshop and Burn Demonstration is open to both the public and fire professionals; Friday is the only day with Cultural Awareness Tables and Discussions with special guest speakers. Registration is open.
The Pence's annual Holiday Market offers hand-crafted items by more than 50 regional artists and artisans, from knit scarves and bags to jewelry, ceramics, candles and paintings. Pence members receive 10% off all Holiday Market purchases.
More than 600 acres of oak woodland, pine and riverside meadow in Cache Creek Canyon, a Wild and Scenic River. Hike the 5-mile Frog Pond loop or the steep 8-mile Blue Ridge Trail to Fiske Peak. No potable water and little cell service.
Free guided caravan along the auto tour route of more than 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands, oak woodland and native plants, with stops to watch birds. Registration required.
Hours
First Sundays, year-round, 9-11am
Cost
Free
Where
City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant, 45400 County Road 28H, Davis, CA 95616
Home of the Yolo County Historical Collection, 13,000 objects from the 1830s to the 1930s showing early county life. Current exhibition: Glass From the Past, through May 15, 2027.
Hours
Tue and Thu 12-4pm; also Sat Nov 21 and Dec 19, 8am-4pm
UC Davis art museum with rotating exhibitions, including the ongoing Together Again, 1956-2026, plus the Margrit Mondavi Sculpture Garden. Art Spark offers drop-in art-making for all ages Saturdays 1-4pm. No timed tickets.
Hours
Wed-Sat 10am-5pm through Dec 5; closed Nov 11, 14 and 26
Cost
Free
Where
UC Davis, Old Davis Road and Alumni Lane, Davis, CA
More than 100 acres of demonstration gardens and collections along the Arboretum Waterway, with a 3.5-mile main loop path, picnic tables in the Terrace Garden and Redwood Grove, and three suggested walking loops. Leashed dogs welcome.
Hours
Open 24 hours, every day
Cost
Free; campus parking free on weekends and holidays
Where
UC Davis campus, Davis, CA 95616 (headquarters: Valley Oak Cottage, 448 La Rue Road)
Free driving tour with an experienced field trip leader through flooded wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests, looking for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and wading birds. Registration required.
Hours
Third Sundays, Oct-Jun, 9am-noon
Cost
Free
Where
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, east end of Chiles Road, Davis, CA
Free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theaters and other cultural destinations. You must meet the library's minimum age and live in its service area.
A free monthly workshop for family, friends and neighbors caring for a child ages 0-5 in Yuba County, with a free take-home activity kit and guide (while supplies last) and information on First 5 Yuba County resources. No registration required.
Dates
Third Thursdays: November 19 and December 17, 2026, and January 21, 2027
Hours
9-10:30am
Ages
Caregivers of children ages 0-5
Cost
Free
Where
Youth For Change - Plumas Lake Room, 1128 Yuba St, Marysville, CA
Guided tours of the Warren P. Miller house, a Gothic Revival landmark, tracing Marysville from trading post to Gold Rush city through exhibits, artifacts and period furnishings. Free street parking nearby.
Hours
Tours Sat 1-4pm (the museum's FAQ also lists Fri 1-4pm) or by appointment; call (530) 743-1004 to confirm
Birding hotspot 227 ft below sea level with over 400 species recorded; the Rock Hill unit has a self-guided trail, observation tower and picnic areas. Free; visitor center usually open November to April.
Hours
Refuge sunrise to sunset; visitor center usually open Nov-Apr, 6 days a week
California's State Regional Indian Museum, with exhibits on Native American cultures of the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin and Southwest. Wheelchair accessible.
Hilltop museum of art from the Middle Ages to today amid modern architecture, gardens and city views; admission is free with a timed-entry reservation.
Hours
Tue-Fri and Sun 10am-6:30pm; Sat 10am-9pm; closed Monday
Ancient Greek and Roman art in a re-created Roman country house, with tranquil gardens and ocean breezes. Admission is free with a timed-entry reservation.
Hours
Wed-Mon 10am-5pm; closed Tuesdays, New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free admission with a timed-entry reservation; parking $25 per car ($15 after 3pm)
Where
17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Free-admission observatory on Mount Hollywood with telescopes, exhibits, Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows and views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Building and grounds are accessible for all visitors.
UCLA's art museum in Westwood Village, where admission is always free and no reservation is needed. Accessible parking is on level P1 of the garage under the museum, and groups of 10 or more can register for a self-guided tour.
Hours
Tue-Sun 11am-6pm; closed Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Cost
Free admission; garage parking $9 first 3 hours with validation
Brentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Hours
Tue-Fri noon-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mondays; box office check-in closes 4:30pm; also closed Nov 11, Nov 26, Nov 27 and Dec 25, 2026
Cost
General $20; seniors, full-time students and children 2-17 $15; free to all on Thursdays; free on-site parking
Downtown contemporary art museum with free general admission; Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room requires advance reservations. During expansion construction the pedestrian bridge over Hope St. is closed and Hope Street is closed near the museum; reach the garage via Grand Ave to the 2nd St. entrance.
Wild Tales: A Halloween Adventure (Upper Newport Bay)
Fri, Oct 30, 2026Free
OC Parks preschool nature program (ages 2-5, all welcome) with story time, an age-appropriate hike and a craft about the spooky critters of Upper Newport Bay; costumes encouraged. Advance registration required (opens Oct 23); not stroller friendly.
Dates
Fri, Oct 30, 2026
Hours
10:00-11:00am
Cost
Program and parking free
Where
Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, Upper Newport Bay
Volunteer-led OC Parks nature hike of 2.5-3 miles through Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, one of Southern California's key coastal wetlands. Minimum age 6; not stroller friendly; walk-ups welcome, registration recommended.
Dates
Sun, Nov 1, 2026
Hours
9:30-11:30am
Cost
Program and parking free
Where
Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach, CA (directions shared on registration)
The 118th Christmas Boat Parade, one of the country's oldest running holiday traditions, organized by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce; you can view the parade from almost any place on the shore free of cost.
Dates
Wednesday, December 16 - Sunday, December 20, 2026
San Clemente's gated off-leash dog park with a drinking fountain; city parks may be used without charge or reservation, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hours
Daily 6am-sunset; closed Tuesdays until 1pm for maintenance
Cost
No charge
Dogs
Off-leash inside the gated enclosure; leash outside it; max 3 dogs per owner; no puppies under four months.
Historic Spanish-style estate with museum exhibitions, ocean views and botanical gardens, plus Wednesday storytime and children's activity booklets; free for all on the first Sunday of every month. Currently closed: the Amphitheater & Woodland Garden and the Native Bowl.
Hours
Tue-Thu 10am-4pm; Fri-Sun 10am-2pm; closed Mondays and federal holidays
Cost
General $8 ($10 starting January 2027); 12 and under and active military free; free for all on the first Sunday of each month
Laguna Beach art museum on Cliff Drive, wheelchair accessible with an elevator between floors; free on First Thursday evenings. Nov 5 First Thursday: free 5-6pm for one gallery only; after 6pm registered attendees only
General $15; students 20+, seniors and military $10; 19 and under free; free first Thursday of each month 6-9pm; Nov 5: free 5-6pm only (one gallery); after 6pm registered attendees only
Seal and sea lion rescue center in Laguna Canyon; visit the Bob Barker Visitor Yard, rehabilitation pools and interactive displays with volunteer docents. Free, reservations encouraged.
Hours
Daily 10am-4pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day
One of the world's largest inland seas, with about 130 miles of shoreline, popular with campers, kayakers, bird-watchers and photographers. Open day and night.
Hours
Day use and campground open all day and night
Cost
Vehicle day use $7; seniors (62+) $5
Dogs
Dogs allowed in developed areas such as roads and campgrounds. Dogs not allowed on beaches or trails.
Vast desert preserve between I-15 and I-40; roads, campgrounds, restrooms and trails are open 24/7 unless adverse conditions affect access. No entrance pass required. Kelso Depot Visitor Center is currently closed for renovations.
Hours
Roads, campgrounds, restrooms and trails open 24 hours, 7 days a week unless adverse conditions
Free, family-friendly three-day celebration with more than 40 altars (ofrendas), folkloric dancers, papel picado and sugar-skull craft stations, and a candlelit procession from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery on Monday evening. Free parking at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset Street.
Dates
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
Hours
Oct 31 and Nov 1 10am-5pm; Nov 2 10am-7pm (candlelit procession 6pm)
Cost
Free
Dogs
Leashed dogs in outdoor areas; not inside museums or buildings.
The City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival fills Balboa Park with the lights, the sounds, the attractions and the amazing food. Family friendly; the San Diego Museum of Art is free 5-9pm and the Japanese Friendship Garden's upper garden is free 3-9pm.
About 80 lavishly decorated, lit-up boats parade along the bayfront toward Coronado in this 56th annual holiday tradition, themed "Liberty Lights the Bay" this year. There is no cost to watch; arrive early for the best spots.
Free Sunday Organ Concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free
Free year-round Sunday concerts on the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, played by San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez. The pavilion seats 2,400 with wheelchair access.
Hours
Sundays 2-3pm
Cost
Free
Where
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Balboa Park museum whose Entry Level is always free; the Exhibitions Level is free for everyone on the third Tuesday of each month. Elevators and loaner wheelchairs are available.
Hours
Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; Fri 10am-8pm; closed Mon and New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Cost
Entry Level always free; Exhibitions Level adults $15, seniors 65+ $10, $5 after 5pm; free for all every third Tuesday
City park that is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country: over 4,235 acres of land and water with 27 miles of shoreline and lifeguard stations in designated areas.
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs allowed only in outdoor areas like the plaza. Dogs not allowed inside museums or buildings.
The free "jewel box" of Balboa Park, a calm, contemplative art museum where no tickets are needed. Wheelchairs, electric scooters and other mobility aids are welcome.
Hours
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mon, Tue and New Year's Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Fully accessible mainland visitor center with exhibits on each island, a marine life display and a 25-minute park film; rangers give free programs at 11am and 3pm on weekends and holidays.
Hours
Daily 8:30am-5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25
Cost
Free (no entrance pass required for Channel Islands National Park); free ranger programs weekends and holidays at 11am and 3pm
Adults: Game Night at the Merced Main Library, held in the Gracey Meeting Room on three Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Free; library contact 209-385-7484.
Dates
Wednesdays November 4, November 18 and December 2, 2026
Hours
5:30 pm–7:30 pm
Ages
Adults
Cost
Free
Where
Gracey Meeting Room, Merced Main Library, 2100 O St., Merced, CA 95340
One of the Central Valley's few remaining intact native grassland, wetland and riparian woodland habitats, along the San Joaquin River, with bank fishing and a boat launch for personal watercraft.
Hours
8am-5pm
Cost
Free
Where
Highway 165, 1 mile south of Highway 140, Stevinson, CA
Exhibits on Merced County history in the county's three-story 1875 Italianate courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Current exhibits include The MAC at 30: A Canvas of Community and America 250 Merced County.
More than 15 miles of auto tour routes and over 10 miles of nature trails through wetlands, grasslands and riparian woodlands, with tule elk viewing and a visitor center exhibit hall.
Hours
Daily, half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; visitor center daily 8am-4:30pm except holidays
Weekly 30-minute story time with picture books, fingerplays and music for ages 3-6 and their grown-ups, followed by a craft. Takes a break in May and December.
Four days of carnival rides, a hay maze, VR haunted house, Halloween market, kids activities and Dia de los Muertos programming, with trunk-or-treat car shows Fri-Sun nights and fireworks Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
Dates
Oct 29, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026
Hours
Oct 29-Nov 1, 3pm-10pm daily (last entry 9pm)
Cost
Free admission; reserve a free ticket online. Rides, games, food and concerts extra
Where
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206
The Mountain House Public Safety team and the library host the annual Spooky Safety Stroll at Town Hall. Come in costume; kids get a treat bag (one per child, while supplies last) and safety tips for trick-or-treating. You don't need to register.
Dates
Friday, October 30, 2026
Hours
3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the library; the City lists 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at Town Hall
Ages
Children
Cost
Free
Where
Town Hall Main Lobby, 251 E. Main Street, Mountain House, CA 95391
The 28th annual festival celebrates the cranes' return to the Delta with presentations, workshops, an art show, vendors and conservation exhibits, plus guided tours to crane-viewing sites (tour prices vary). Opening events Friday evening.
2nd Saturdays For Families: Tube Shadow Theater at the Haggin Museum
Saturday, November 14, 2026Free
Families create a shadow theater using a paper roll tube and craft paper, read "Lights! Camera! Action!" by Mara Rocklift, and learn how a camera obscura works and how images travel. Free; RSVP.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
1-3pm
Cost
Free
Where
Haggin Museum, 1201 N Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA 95203
Astronomy in the Park at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park
Nov 14 – Dec 12, 2026Free
Stargazing through giant telescopes provided by the Stockton Astronomical Society: Saturn, Mercury, the Moon and M13 in November; the Andromeda Galaxy, Saturn and the Moon in December. Bring a flashlight and something to sit on. Free event; $6 cash parking.
Native Plant Trail Nature Walk at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park
Sunday, November 15, 2026Free
An easy 45-60 minute walk with Nature Center docents exploring the sights, sounds and seasonal changes of fall in the Oak Woodlands. Families welcome; please no pets. Free event; $6 cash parking.
DIY Butter Candle & Bread Board at the Escalon Library
Tuesday, November 17, 2026FreeAges Adults
Make your own butter candle, then decorate a bread board to keep or give as a gift. This free program is just for adults; registration is required and opens 2 weeks before the event.
Downtown Lodi Lighting Ceremony and Free Carriage Rides
Nov 28 – Dec 19, 2026Free
Downtown Lodi holiday events: Small Business Saturday with free carriage rides from noon to 4pm and the Downtown Lighting Ceremony at 5pm. Free carriage rides return on Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19.
Dates
Saturday, November 28, 2026; carriage rides also December 5, 12 and 19
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi's 29th annual parade fills downtown with more than 80 lighted floats, marching bands and dance troupes, ending with Santa on a Lodi fire truck. Arrive early; parking fills quickly.
Tree Lighting and Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade
Dec 5, 2026Free
Snowfall, cookies and hot chocolate, live performances and local vendors at Weber Point, with the tree lighting at 5:30pm and the Lynn Hahn Memorial Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade around 6:30pm. Bring blankets and lawn chairs; no pets, alcohol or bikes. Parking is on-street or in paid city lots.
Dates
Dec 5, 2026
Hours
3-7pm; tree lighting 5:30pm; boat parade about 6:30pm
Cost
Free
Where
Weber Point Events Center, 221 N. Center St., Stockton, CA 95202
Old-growth valley oaks along the Stanislaus River protect one of California's last riparian oak woodlands, with hiking and fishing. Parts of the park are currently closed due to flood damage and debris.
Hours
Daily 8am to sunset
Cost
$10 per vehicle ($12 peak and weekends); seniors $9
Where
Caswell Memorial State Park, Austin Rd., Ripon, CA
Hands-on play exhibits for young children in downtown Stockton. Adults must be accompanied by a child, and children by an adult. Guests with an EBT card and ID get 50% off admission for up to four people.
Art and local history in Victory Park, now showing an exhibit celebrating the Stockton Symphony's 100 years. Free for everyone on the first Saturday of the month. Next free first Saturdays: Nov 7 and Dec 5.
Hours
Wed-Fri 1:30-5pm; 1st and 3rd Thursdays 1:30-9pm; Sat-Sun noon-5pm; closed Mon-Tue, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Cost
$8 adults; $7 seniors 65+ and military; $5 ages 10-17 and students; under 10 free; Free for all on the first Saturday of the month
Where
Haggin Museum, 1201 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton, CA 95203
Ghost Hunting 101: Central Valley Haunts at the Salida Library
Tuesday, October 27, 2026FreeAges not listed
A local paranormal investigator hobbyist explains ghost hunting: try EMF detectors, learn where to find the best haunted spots and share ghost stories.
A trick-or-treat costume parade around the library with candy from the Friends of the Riverbank Library, then a slime craft and a snack while supplies last.
Dates
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Hours
2:00 pm
Ages
Ages not listed
Cost
Free
Where
Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe Street, Riverbank, CA 95367
Meet other Pokémon fans: trade or battle on your Nintendo Switch, bring trading cards for a friendly game, or hunt for shinies in Pokémon GO. Children under 4 need direct adult supervision.
Dates
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Hours
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Ages
All ages
Cost
Free
Where
Turlock Library, 550 Minaret Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380
Backyard Orchard Fruit Trees with the Master Gardeners at the Empire Library
Saturday, November 7, 2026FreeAges not listed
The UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County explain the Fruit Bush Method, which keeps newly planted apple, apricot, peach, plum, cherry and other trees under 5 feet tall while still producing lots of fruit.
Children's Nintendo Switch Party at the Newman Library
Monday, November 9, 2026FreeAges 8–13
Nintendo Switch play plus board games and puzzles, with refreshments while they last. For children ages 8 to 13; some games are rated E10+. Sponsored by the Friends of the Newman Library.
Faux Insect Taxidermy for Adults at the Ceres Library
Tuesday, November 10, 2026FreeAges 18 and over
Paint a plastic insect model and its wall mount in your own colors to make a personalized faux insect taxidermy piece for your home. For ages 18 and over. Registration required; register online or call 209-537-8938.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament at the Denair Library
Thursday, November 12, 2026Free
A friendly Super Smash Bros. competition on the library's Wii, with all equipment and light refreshments provided. The game is rated E10+. Registration is required: call 209-634-1283.
Dates
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Hours
4:00 pm
Cost
Free
Where
Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road, Denair, CA 95316
Faux Insect Taxidermy for Adults at the Patterson Library
Saturday, November 14, 2026FreeAges Adults ages 18 and over
Choose a plastic insect model, then paint it and its wall mount to make a personalized faux insect taxidermy piece for your home. For adults 18 and over; registration is required (opens Oct 26).
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
1:00 pm
Ages
Adults ages 18 and over
Cost
Free
Where
Patterson Library, 46 North Salado, Patterson, CA 95363
Celebrate the people and things you're thankful for: pick a card from the library's collection and write a note for yourself or someone special. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oakdale Library.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
11:00 am
Ages
Ages not listed
Cost
Free
Where
Oakdale Library, 151 South First Avenue, Oakdale, CA 95361
Curator's Crisis: An Escape Room Adventure at the Hughson Library
Tuesday, November 17, 2026FreeAges 3rd grade and up
A newly discovered dinosaur fossil has vanished just before the museum gala: uncover the clues and find it before it's too late. Best for 3rd grade and up; arrive promptly at the start of a session.
Dates
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Hours
Sessions every 30 minutes: 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00 or 5:30 pm
Ages
3rd grade and up
Cost
Free
Where
Hughson Library, 2412 A Third Street, Hughson, CA 95326
A family screening of Disney's Frozen (G). Kids may come in pajamas; bring a picnic dinner and a blanket, and the library provides a beverage and popcorn.
Relax and get creative making a junk journal, with materials available while supplies last. Children 8 and under need supervision from a parent or guardian.
Dates
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Hours
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Ages
Children 8 and under will need supervision from parents or adult guardians
Tuesday, December 8, 2026FreeAges Adults 18 and over
Turn a small skeleton figure into a whimsically creepy fairy specimen with provided craft items, or bring dried leaves and flowers from home. For adults 18 and over; registration is required (opens Nov 17) as space is limited.
Relax, color and socialize over a cup of coffee from the library's Keurig, or bring your own; coloring materials and coffee are provided. Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Dates
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Hours
11:00 am
Ages
Recommended for ages 18 and up
Cost
Free
Where
Oakdale Library, 151 South First Avenue, Oakdale, CA 95361
Family Movie Night: The Polar Express at the Salida Library
Tuesday, December 15, 2026Free
A family screening of The Polar Express (G). Kids may come in pajamas; bring a picnic dinner and a blanket, and the library provides a beverage and popcorn.
A family-friendly community drum circle in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden. Bring a drum, percussion or found sound, or use one of theirs. Everyone welcome.
Dates
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Hours
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Ages
All ages
Cost
Free
Where
Modesto Rotary Music Garden, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Mummified Fairies for Adults at the Patterson Library
Saturday, December 19, 2026FreeAges Adults 18 and over
Turn a small skeleton figure into a whimsically creepy fairy specimen with provided craft items, or bring dried leaves and flowers from home. For adults 18 and over; registration is required (opens Nov 21) as space is limited.
Dates
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Hours
1:00 pm
Ages
Adults 18 and over
Cost
Free
Where
Patterson Library, 46 North Salado, Patterson, CA 95363
New Year's Eve Family Game Day at the Empire Library
Thursday, December 31, 2026FreeAges All ages
Celebrate the New Year in the library's community room with a large assortment of games for all ages, from chess to a rowdy round of Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Free for children 12 and under with an adult and for SNAP EBT cardholders plus up to 3 guests. Now showing Prism Play: A Full Spectrum of Art Quilts (through Jan 2), 62 works by Studio Art Quilt Associates members, and Our Sierra: Works by David & Vivian Patton (through Jan 23).
Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Cost
$7; $5 seniors and students; children 12 and under free
Stanislaus County Library Discover & Go museum passes
Free with library card
Stanislaus County residents 18+ with a full-access library card can reserve free and discounted passes to museums and cultural attractions online. Passes can't be canceled once printed or downloaded, and photo ID is required.
Cost
Free and discounted passes
Where
Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Restored and reconstructed buildings of the California town founded, financed and governed by African Americans, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield. The buildings are not open to the public, but you can view the interiors through the windows.
Hours
Park daily 9am-4pm; visitor center daily 10am-4pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day)
Repair Fair at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Saturday, November 14, 2026FreeAges not listed
The museum's first ever Repair Fair: learn how to darn socks, fix zippers, repair your bike, and revive your toaster from community experts. Free, no registration required.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
10:00 am–2:00 pm
Ages
Ages not listed
Cost
Free
Where
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
A free, holiday-themed lighted parade on Main Street in Downtown Salinas, with entries from families, neighborhood groups and businesses. Free for all ages.
Three loop trails covering about 5 miles through salt marsh, woodland and grassland, plus a visitor center. The slough is home to more than 100 southern sea otters and over 340 bird species.
Monterey Public Library Discover & Go museum passes
Free with library card
Monterey and Pacific Grove library cardholders can reserve printable passes to museums and cultural institutions around the San Francisco Bay Area. Most passes are free and some are discounts; two active reservations at a time.
A year-round Tuesday market, rain or shine, filling 3½ blocks of Alvarado Street with organic produce, flowers, pastries, international food, and arts and crafts. During the holidays, carolers in Dickens costume.
Hours
4-7pm (October-April); 4-8pm (May-September)
Cost
Free
Where
Alvarado Street between Del Monte and Pearl, Monterey, CA 93940
An overwintering site for western monarch butterflies, which typically arrive in mid-October and leave in February; peak viewing is November through January. Museum docents are often there 11am-3pm, October through February, weather permitting. No pets.
A free monthly breakfast lecture series for the local creative community: free coffee and goodies, a short talk, and time to connect. Free tickets on the MAH page; come in costume.
A weekly hands-on STEAM project at Felton Library, this week making a Gnomevember peg doll gnome or fairy. Best for children 6+; under-6s need an adult to help. Expect to get messy!
Dates
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Hours
3pm-5pm
Cost
Free
Where
Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton, CA 95018
Meet the Young Female Innovators of the Invention Convention
Saturday, November 14, 2026Free
Local students from the California Invention Convention share how they turn everyday problems into inventions, with Executive Director Brenda Payne. Free.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
10:30am-12pm
Cost
Free
Where
Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Winter Sowing Native Plants with Raven Ridge Homestead
Saturday, November 14, 2026Free
Raven Ridge Homestead walks through winter sowing native plants and perennials step by step: simple containers, no grow lights, and which seeds to start when. Free.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
10:30am-12:30pm
Cost
Free
Where
Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton, CA 95018
A monthly family movie matinee in the Felton Library Community Room with the California Film and Cultural Center. Bring your own snacks; it's absolutely free.
Dates
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Hours
3pm-6pm
Cost
Free
Where
Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton, CA 95018
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Free
Free holiday admission to the Boardwalk: a tunnel of lights, festive decor, free light shows every 15 minutes from 5 to 8pm in the Main Plaza, photos with Santa and 10-15 rides (weather permitting), with $2 rides after 5pm.
Dates
Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Hours
12-7pm: Nov 26-29; Dec 5-6 and 12-13; daily Dec 19-Jan 3
The official kickoff to the holidays downtown, with about 1,200 participants from Santa Cruz County schools, youth organizations and local nonprofits, and over 3,000 spectators. Rain or shine.
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's 39th annual parade of 50 decorated power and sailboats through the harbor, rain or shine. Hot drinks and snacks are available around the south harbor.
Dates
Dec 5, 2026
Hours
5:30pm
Cost
Free
Where
Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
A free monthly community gathering, modeled after the Death Cafe movement, led by end-of-life educator and death doula Jessica Lee, RN, CHPN, with informal conversation about aging, caregiving and living a meaningful life.
Dates
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Hours
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
Ages
Adults 18+
Cost
Free
Where
Branciforte Branch Library, 230 Gault Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
A free noon-time concert in the monthly Munching with Mozart series: "All Roads Lead to London" with Scott Wilkinson on recorder and Penny Hanna on viola da gamba.
Dates
Friday, December 18, 2026
Hours
12:10pm-12:50pm
Cost
Free
Where
Downtown Branch Library, 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
A free Master Composter workshop on improving soil and cutting landfill waste with compost, on the library's back patio or in the community room. Advance reservation required.
Dates
Saturday, January 30, 2027
Hours
10am-12pm
Cost
Free
Where
Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton, CA 95018
California's oldest state park, founded in 1902, preserving ancient coast redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains as the forest regrows after the 2020 fire. Parking reservations are highly recommended. No dogs. All campgrounds are currently closed, and no oversized vehicles or trailers can park for day use. See the biggest trees on the 0.6-mile Redwood Loop Trail; several trails and fire roads have reopened.
Hours
8am-sunset
Cost
Parking $6 + $2 reservation fee, or $10 without a reservation
A 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods on a flat 0.8-mile loop, where the tallest tree stands about 277 feet. Step inside the hollow Fremont Tree, then explore river, sandhills and grassland trails. Guided Redwood Grove walks are on the park's event calendar.
Wave-carved sea arch, a family-friendly beach and tide pools on the edge of Santa Cruz. From late fall into winter, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the park's Monarch Grove. No dogs.
Hours
8am-sunset; visitor center daily 11am-4pm through Jan 31
Small natural history museum founded on Laura Hecox's collections, with exhibits and fossil collections near the East Cliff shore. Free for everyone on the first Friday of every month.
Hours
Tue-Fri 11am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Cost
Adults $5; seniors 60+ and students $3; under 18 free; Free for everyone on the first Friday of each month
Swimming and picnic beach with a long stretch of sand below the bluffs, covered picnic areas and a visitor center. Just offshore sits the S.S. Palo Alto, a concrete ship built in 1919 (closed to the public). Dogs allowed.
Second- and third-growth redwood forest rising from near sea level into steep coastal mountains, with picnic spots by Aptos Creek and 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Dogs are allowed below Porter Picnic Area.
Coastal park just north of Santa Cruz with early California ranching history: a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse. Guided coastal walks and ranch history tours are on the park calendar; bikes are allowed on all trails and roads. No dogs.
The 3rd annual Witches Walk brings live music by Triple Threat (4-7pm), the dancing Witches of West Point, food, games, crafts, face painting, a vendor fair, shopping and a 5pm costume contest in the auditorium with categories for adults, children and dogs.
A free, family-friendly Friday evening with live music from Green Broke, Italian Brothers Pizza and wines from the outdoor bar. Kids' activity table; picnic tables first come, first served. RSVP requested.
Dates
Oct 30, 2026
Hours
Doors and food truck 5:30pm; music 6-9pm
Cost
Free; RSVP requested
Where
D'Agostini Wines, 12557 Steiner Rd., Plymouth, CA 95669
Steiner Road wineries on Amador County's first wine trail offer festive tastings, small bites and holiday discounts, with 100% of net ticket proceeds going to the Interfaith Foodbank of Amador County. Online tickets through Dec 3; limited day-of tickets at participating wineries. Reservations may be required at some wineries.
Dates
Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026
Hours
11am-4pm (Iron Hub lists 11am-5pm at its winery)
Cost
$10 per person, per day
Where
Steiner Road wineries, Steiner Road, Plymouth, CA 95669
Self-guided digital tour of 45 historic sites along Jackson's Civil War-era Main Street, followed on your phone. Pair it with the 21 bronze plaques that mark Main Street buildings.
Home to North America's largest collection of bedrock mortars and California's largest roundhouse still used by Native Americans, with a museum and walking trails in the Sierra foothills.
Hours
Park sunrise to sunset; museum 10am-4pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Historic gold mine just north of Jackson, open on weekends and holidays through October. Admission is free; guided tours cost extra. Closed November–February; reopens in March.
Hours
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 10am-3pm, March through October
A perfectly preserved 1896 country store with dry goods, hardware, patterns and penny-candy jars still on its shelves. Free to visit; call the Sutter Creek Visitor Center ahead for a docent-led tour.
Hours
Thu-Fri 10am-4pm; Sat noon-3pm; Sun 10am-4pm (volunteer-staffed)
October Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus 2 at DeGarmo Park
Friday, October 30, 2026Free
CARD's Halloween Movies in the Park at DeGarmo Park starts at 5 PM with family-friendly activities, local food trucks and free movie theater popcorn, a Halloween Costume Contest Parade at 6:15 PM, and Hocus Pocus 2 at dusk.
Walking parade, community altar, folklorico and Aztec dance performances, a lowrider car show, face painting, a free photo booth and a scavenger hunt on the meaning of Day of the Dead.
Dates
Nov 1, 2026
Hours
Sun Nov 1, 11am-5pm
Cost
Free admission and parking
Where
Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Pavilion, 2357 Fair Street, Chico, CA
Exhibits on Chico history in the downtown Carnegie Library building, including the Mechoopda, the Bidwells, the Chico Chinese Temple and Chico's natural history.
Hours
Thu-Sun 11am-4pm
Cost
Suggested admission $5 adults; $3 seniors, veterans and students; under 5 free
Exhibits on Oroville Dam, the area's geology, wildlife, hydropower and cultural artifacts, plus a theater, a 47-foot observation tower with lake views, and access to the Dan Beebe Trail.
A temple built in 1873 that is both a place of worship and a museum, with Confucian and Buddhist temples, Tapestry Hall's embroidered art and costumes, and a garden with bamboo planted in the 1860s.
Hours
Sat-Sun 11am-3pm; other days when volunteers are available
Coast redwood parks open year-round with no entrance pass required; some day-use areas charge fees. Cell service is limited and GPS can misdirect, so carry a park map.
Hours
Open year-round; visitor centers and campgrounds keep seasonal schedules
Cost
No entrance fee (some day-use areas charge); Prairie Creek Redwoods SP charges a fee to drive to Gold Bluffs Beach/Fern Canyon; developed campgrounds $35
Free classic film screenings: The Maltese Falcon (Oct 27), Casablanca (Nov 10), Arsenic and Old Lace (Nov 24), Forrest Gump (PG-13, Dec 8) and Beauty and the Beast (G, Dec 22). Doors 5:30pm; concessions for purchase; assistive listening devices available.
Dates
Tuesdays Oct 27, Nov 10, Nov 24, Dec 8 and Dec 22, 2026
Hours
6pm
Cost
Free; donations appreciated
Where
Soper Reese Theatre, 275 South Main Street, Lakeport, CA 95453
Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Association players jam in the red barn on the first Sunday of each month; burgers, hot dogs, beer, wine and soda from the grill.
Dates
Sun Nov 1 and Sun Dec 6, 2026
Hours
Starts at noon (the calendar lists 12-1pm; the event description says the jam runs noon-2pm)
Cost
$5 (includes parking); free for Historical Society members and under 18
Where
Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum, 9921 Soda Bay Rd, Kelseyville, CA 95451
On the first Friday of each month, Visions Art Gallery spotlights its current artists with a different local musician and a featured local winery. Free to attend.
Dates
First Fridays: November 6 and December 4, 2026; January 1 and February 5, 2027
Hours
5:30-7pm
Cost
Free
Where
Visions Art Gallery, Silveira Community Center, 500 N Main St, Lakeport, CA 95453
Handel's Messiah Sing-Along with Symphony of the Redwoods
Saturday, December 19, 2026Free
Guest conductor Les Pfutzenreuter leads Symphony of the Redwoods, soloists and you through Handel's Messiah in a holiday sing-along. Vocal scores are provided; sit in the center and sing with the choir, or just come to listen; a free community rehearsal is held Wednesday, December 17 at 6pm at Preston Hall. Free and open to all.
Dates
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Hours
3:00pm
Cost
Free
Where
Mendocino Presbyterian Church, 44831 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Grace Hudson's artwork, Pomo basketry and Carpenter-Hudson family history, the 1911 Sun House. Docent-led Sun House tours generally Fri-Sun 12-3pm. Current exhibition: Deep Valley: People, Places, Memory (through Feb 7, 2027).
Hours
Wed-Sat 10am-4:30pm; Sun 12-4:30pm
Cost
$7; $5 students and seniors; $15 families; free on first Fridays
Where
Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, CA 95482
The Mendocino Headlands visitor center in an 1854 house, with a scale model of Mendocino in 1890, historic photographs, tools and relics of the logging and lumber-shipping era, and free videos on request.
Hours
Daily 11am-4pm; 707-937-5397
Cost
Free (donations appreciated)
Where
45035 Main St, Mendocino, CA 95460 (parks.ca.gov lists 735 Main St)
An 1861 house museum overlooking the ocean. The current exhibit, Art of Resistance (through Feb 28, 2027), shows protest and activism art from Mendocino's history.
Hours
Apr-Dec: Thu-Mon 11am-3pm; Jan-Mar: Fri-Sun 11am-3pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
A community sing-along through folk, country, blues and rock, led by music director Rod Baggett. No auditions, rehearsals or singing experience needed; all ages and singing levels welcome.
Dates
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Hours
Doors 5:30pm; singing begins 6pm
Cost
$10 general admission; kids 15 and under free
Where
Miners Foundry Cultural Center, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Start Haus lead ski technician Brandon Sims leads a seven-session series, from tuning basics and waxing to edging, World Cup-level tuning and end-of-season storage. Come to one session or all; every clinic is free and no registration is required.
Dates
November 7 and 28, December 12, 2026; January 2 and 16, February 13 and 20, 2027
Hours
6-7:30pm (January 2: 6-8pm)
Cost
Free
Where
Start Haus Ski & Bike, 11351 Highway 89, Truckee, CA 96161
Buy and sell new and used winter gear for the whole family ahead of ski season, with local shop and resort reps on hand and a silent auction supporting the district's scholarship fund.
Dates
Nov 7, 2026
Hours
11am-4pm
Cost
Free for all ages
Where
Steve Randall Community Recreation Center, 10981 Truckee Way, Truckee, CA 96161
Independence Trail Moss Walk with Bear Yuba Land Trust
Saturday, November 14, 2026Free
Take a closer look at the wonderful world of moss on Independence Trail, led by Alex Lerch of Sierra Streams Institute. Bring a hand-lens if you have one, water and snacks; space is limited, so register ahead.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
10am-12pm
Cost
Free
Where
Independence Trail east entrance, Highway 49 (parking along the highway), north of Nevada City, CA
The 58th annual old-fashioned Christmas street faire turns Mill and Main Streets into a festive marketplace with twinkling lights, local artisans, seasonal treats, carolers, live music and hot cider, honoring Grass Valley's Cornish Gold Rush heritage.
More than 100 artisan vendors with handcrafted gifts, plus musical entertainment, a gingerbread house and holiday displays, a community bonfire, wagon rides, food booths and visits with Santa.
Dates
Nov 27, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026
Hours
Fri-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm
Cost
$5; children 12 and under free; free parking
Where
Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
Tahoe Donner's annual tree-lighting ceremony and celebration, with kids' crafts, cozy drinks, a raffle and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free to attend; drinks, snacks and raffle tickets are available for purchase.
Dates
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Hours
Starts 5:30pm
Cost
Free
Where
The Lodge Restaurant & Pub Outdoor Pavilion, 12850 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161
The 15th annual Nevada City Winter Craft Fair, with more than 70 local crafters, designers and artisans selling handmade home decor, apparel, bath products, stationery, art, food and drinks.
Dates
Nov 29, 2026
Hours
10am-5pm
Cost
$7
Where
Miners Foundry Cultural Center, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Site of one of California's oldest, deepest and richest gold mines, which produced 5.8 million ounces of gold before closing in 1956. See the mine buildings, the owner's home and restored gardens, and the entrance to 367 miles of shafts, plus 14 miles of trails across 856 acres.
Hours
Historic grounds daily 10am-5pm through Oct 31, then 10am-4pm Nov 1-Feb 28; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Trails and Penn Gate lot sunrise to sunset
Railroad and aviation artifacts, including Engine 5, an 1875 Baldwin that later worked as a movie engine at Universal Studios, plus wooden rail cars, an early steam automobile and docent-led tours of the museum, rail yard and restoration shop.
Hours
Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; Mon, Tue and Fri 10am-2pm; closed Wed-Thu
Free guided tours walk across the top of the dam, ride an elevator down 400 feet and pass through the dam to a view of the spillway, plus the powerplant. Up to 20 people per tour; tickets handed out an hour ahead.
Hours
Visitor center and tours Fri-Tue 8am-4pm; closed Wed-Thu; call 530-247-8500 for tour times
Section
Section: Free and budget-friendlymuseum
