16 free fun things to do in February in Southern California

Yes, the holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of fun things to do. And if you’re still paying off your credit card, you’ll appreciate that these 2026 events are all free. Head on out and enjoy!

Feb. 1 — Silverado: Enjoy a family “Fossils are Fun” day in eastern Orange County’s Black Star Canyon starting at 8 a.m. Minimum age is 8. The hike runs 9-11 a.m. The day starts with a fossil-making activity, then a 2.5-mile hike searching for fossils deposited millions of years ago. There’s an elevation gain of 200 feet, which provides views of red rock cliffs and nearby peaks. Bring water and a hat, appropriate shoes. Meet up at the Canyons Staging Area, near the Library of the Canyons, 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado. Advance registration is required here: letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/02/01/fossils-are-fun-24/

Feb. 1 — Riverside: It’s time for First Sundays in downtown Riverside, which includes free admission to both the Riverside Art Museum and the adjacent Cheech Marin Museum of Chicano Art, which are open from noon to 5 p.m. They’re both worth seeing. Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave. and The Cheech, 3581 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside. riversideartmuseum.org/event/free-admission-first-sunday-of-every-month-in-collaboration-with-rac/2026-02-01/

Feb. 4 and 26 — Costa Mesa: Bring the kids or just your own curiosity to the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair & Event Center. The tour and parking are free on Discovery Days, when “farmers” are stationed around the 3-acre working demonstration farm to answer questions. Upon check-in, you will receive a map to aid you in seeing all Centennial Farm has to offer. Children can pet a chick and plant a radish seed. This is for all ages. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more people. ocfair.com/centennial-farm/tours-and-reservations/self-guided-tours/

Feb. 5 — Newport Beach: Bike the Upper Newport Bay from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy this guided bike ride on paved trails along 10 miles of the Bay Bay Loop Trail. Bikers will learn about local ecology and history during the 2.5 hour ride, which includes interpretive stops along the way. Bring your own bike and helmet. This ride is designed for riders age 14 and up. Minors must have a parent along. E-bikes are OK. Parking and admission are free. Rain cancels. Meet up at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Advance registration required at letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/02/05/biking-the-bay-22/

Feb. 7 — Anaheim Hills: Are you a history buff? Then visit the Ramon Peralta Historic Adobe in Santa Ana Canyon, which was once part of the vast Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. This is the only remaining adobe in  the area from the 18th Century. The building has a small history museum. There’s a furnished room and photos of early settlers. The adobe is only open on the first Saturday of the month from noon until 1 p.m. except in May.  6398 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim. ocparks.com/historic-sites/ramon-peralta-adobe-historic-site

Feb. 7 — Hollywood: Head up to the Barnsdall Art Park to see the “Ancestral Dreamscapes: Asian American Film & Moving Image” exhibit from 1 to 5 p.m. It’s at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, with film, video art and performance featuring a Lunar New Year Short Film Festival, as well as performance art illuminating what it is to be Asian American today. Doors open at 1 p.m. screenings and performances 2-4 p.m. followed by a reception.  Limited free parking.  4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. Reserve a free ticket here: eventbrite.com/e/ancestral-dreamscapes-asian-american-film-moving-image-tickets-1980349581909

Feb. 7 and 21 — Westwood: Get outdoors at the monthly Drop-In Botanical Garden Tour at the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. Join a Garden Educator for a free one-hour guided tour beginning at 10 a.m. Hear stories of plants in the garden. All ages are welcome. Plan to meet at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion at the northern end of the garden. Plan on arriving a few minutes early as the tour will leave on time. Park in UCLA Parking Structure 2 (payment required) near the Westholme Avenue entrance to campus, or at metered parking. 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles. eventbrite.com/e/drop-in-botanical-garden-tour-tickets-1978760036536

Feb. 7 — Pasadena: Enjoy hearing “Echoes of China: Folk Music Traditions”  in a concert by the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Instructors at the conservatory perform solo and ensemble works with traditional Chinese instruments such as the pipa, guzheng and erhu. There will be a question-and-answer period afterward, and a chance to come up, try and see the instruments up close. 7-8:30 p.m. Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. Reserve a ticket here: eventbrite.com/e/echoes-of-china-folk-music-traditions-through-pipa-guzheng-and-erhu-tickets-1979259061132

Feb. 7 — Irvine: Go and enjoy the Lunar New Year parade at the Irvine Great Park, sponsored by the Asian American Museum of Orange County. The parade is at 11 a.m., followed by a festival from noon to 4 p.m. Live performances, games, activities, food vendors and more. Note: The parade is free; admission to the festival is $2. 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. instagram.com/p/DSRHVtZEby8/

Feb. 7 — Fountain Valley: It’s time to go fishing. Families can learn to fish at this free clinic at Mile Square Regional Park, and you don’t even have to bring gear, unless you want to. You’ll learn how to catch and release fish, but you can also bring a cooler if you want to bring any catches home. There’s no guarantee you’ll catch anything, of course, and anyone 16 and older must have a fishing license. You can buy one there. 8-10:30 a.m. Meet up at the south lake near the park ranger station and Euclid Street entrance. The event is free, but parking is $5. 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley. Registration is required. Sign up here: letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/02/07/fishing-clinic-2/

Feb. 15 — Los Angeles: Head over to the historic Ebell Theatre for a concert by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. “I, Too, Sing America” is an homage to the Langston Hughes poem. It runs 4:30-6 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 West 8th St. L.A. Reserve a free ticket here: eventbrite.com/e/la-voices-icyola-i-too-sing-america-tickets-1980423946335

Feb. 16 — Multiple locations: Want to visit a national park for free? On Presidents Day, Feb. 16, all national parks will be free to enter. This year, you must be a legal U.S. resident to get free admission. Here are the nine national parks in California: Channel Islands (the boat ride won’t be free), Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Lassen, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. (Note that Yosemite’s still going to be snowy in February, and probably Lassen and Kings Canyon too.) nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

Feb. 21 — Rancho Palos Verdes: Take this month’s Los Serenos Nature Walk from 10 a.m. to noon. It includes a tour of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) native plant garden and a walk along the spectacular Vicente Bluffs Reserve and the Ocean Front Estates homes. Learn about the migrating gray whales and maybe even see one or more from the point. Trained volunteers here track whales here in season annually for the Gray Whale Census & Behavior Project. 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. losserenosrpv.org/nature-walk

Feb. 21 — Los Angeles: Chinatown is hosting its 127th Annual Golden Dragon Parade from 1 to 4 p.m. with lion and dragon dancers, high school marching bands, cultural performers, floats and more. The parade starts at North Hill Street and Ord Street and ends at Broadway and Temple Street. Warning: Streets will be closed off starting at 10 a.m. It’s free to watch, but you can also buy grandstand tickets. eventbrite.com/e/2026-the-127th-golden-dragon-parade-grandstand-tickets-february-21-2026-tickets-1974653557948

Feb. 26 —Chatsworth: Let’s go to a movie matinee. Visit the Chatsworth Library at 1:30 p.m. to see the comedy “The Fall Guy” with Ryan Gosling (PG-13, 2024). They’ll even provide library is even providing popcorn to munch and maybe you can make some new friends. 21052 Devonshire St., Chatsworth lapl.org/whats-on/events/thursday-movie-matinee-fall-guy-0

Feb. 28 — Alhambra: Celebrate the Lunar New Year in a city that’s been holding its festival since 1993. There will be live performances, cooking shows, art, handicrafts and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street. alhambralunarnewyear.com

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