FREE Things to do This March 2024 in Los Angeles

There Will Be Blood: A Symposium (March 1-2) –> The Getty Museum and USC’s Center for the Premodern World are teaming up for a two-day symposium on the cultural, religious, and symbolic significance of blood during the medieval period, all tied into The Getty’s new exhibition Blood: Medieval/Modern. Both days are free to attend.  https://www.getty.edu/visit/cal/events/blood_symposium.html

GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/73: An Exhibition of Photographs from Gordon Matta-Clark (March 1 through April 13) –> BEYOND THE STREETS and CONTROL Gallery debut a new exhibition highlighting the photography of Gordon Matta-Clark, who documented the New York City graffiti scene in the early 1970s through over 2,000 images. GRAFFITI ARCHIVE 1972/73: An Exhibition Of Photographs From Gordon Matta-Clark includes over 200 carefully selected photographs, many of which have never been revealed to the public. There will be an opening celebration on March 1 and the exhibition is free to attend during normal gallery hours through April 13. https://beyondthestreets.com/

Giant Robot Biennale 5 Opening Celebration at JANM (March 1 through September 1) –> Giant Robot and the Japanese American National Museum have teamed up for a fresh edition of the recurring, collaboration exhibition series that celebrates GR’s impact/ethos of Asian American alternative culture. Giant Robot Biennale 5 features contributions from Sean Chao, Felicia Chiao, Luke Chueh, Giorgiko, James Jean, Taylor Lee, Rain Szeto, and Yoskay Yamamoto. The opening party will be held on March 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring free to access to the galleries, DJ sets, and onsite food trucks. The exhibition will run through September 1. https://www.janm.org/events/2024-03-01/giant-robot-biennale-5-opening-celebration

Chinatown First Fridays (March 1) –> L.A.’s Chinatown stays open late for an evening of exploring the unique small businesses and contemporary art and culture spaces that make up the historic neighborhood. West Plaza and Chungking Road will activate with local pop-up vendors, DJ-spun music, and area galleries with extended hours. The March edition of First Fridays runs from 6 to 10 p.m., and is co-presented. by KCUNG Radio. Free to attend. https://www.instagram.com/chinatownfirstfridays/

Plant Day at Central Library (March 2) –> Central Library celebrates the greener side of things with a day-long celebration of all things plants. Expect interactive workshops, keynote speakers, and gardening tips, all free and open to the public. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Though no reservations are not required, seating is limited.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-day-a-celebration-of-plants-tickets-848958958097

What Water Wants Tour 2 – Fast and Slow (March 2) –> A new collaboration between artist Rosten Woo and Clockshop puts L.A.’s waterways in focus, investigating issues of water treatment, water modeling, and habitat creation through a set of in-person tours and conversations with conversations with local watershed experts. On March 2, the series pops up along the river bike path in Frogtown to examine how the L.A. watershed interacts with the cultural and ecological histories of the surrounding neighborhoods, and the future of the LA River might hold. Runs 1 to 4 p.m., and free to attend. https://clockshop.org/event/what-water-wants-tour-2-fast-and-slow/

Lunar New Year Night Market in K-Town (March 3) –> L.A.’s Department of Cultural Affairs will hold a special Lunar New Year Night Market at Koreatown Plaza featuring local vendors and live entertainment including a Hwarang Nanta Drum, Vocal Seoul (Korean American acapella group), traditional Chinese Lion Dance, and a Lunar Fashion Show. Runs 5 to 8 p.m., and free to attend. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6241046

Music off the Wall (starting March 5) –> A new augmented reality art exhibition is coming to The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza from March 5 to May 4. There will be 16 digital artworks on display, including the world premiere of Bloomscapes by Pandakero, made under the creative direction of EyeJack’s founder and renowned digital artist Sutu. Visitors can access musical accompaniments via their smartphone as they explore each art work. Open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. https://www.musiccenter.org/experience-learn/experience-learn/for-all-ages/digital-innovation-initiative/the-music-center-presents-music-off-the-wall/

DTLA Art Night (March 7) –> DTLA Art Night runs every first Thursday of the month, activating 25+ galleries along Downtown’s Historic Core all free to attend. https://dtlaartnight.com/

Pasadena ArtNight (March 8) –> The spring edition of Pasadena ArtNight offers free admission and special activations at 20 of the city’s arts and culture institutions. Participants include the Pasadena City Hall, Gamble House, Norton Simon, USC Pacific Asia Museum, and the Armory Center for the Arts. https://www.cityofpasadena.net/artnight/

The Prose Bowl: A Night Of Spoken Word with Get Lit (March 8) –> LAist and Get Lit team up for an evening of poetry and spoken word performances, along with drinks, music, and bites from Shappy Pretzel. Start at 6 p.m. and the begins at 7 p.m. Free to attend, or you can get preferred seating for $15. https://laist.com/events/the-prose-bowl-a-night-of-spoken-word-with-get-lit-mar-2024

Venice Heritage Museum Grand Opening (March 9) –> The Venice Heritage Museum is hosting a Grand Opening celebration, featuring the debut of their inaugural exhibition This Is Some Place. Expect live entertainment, music, food, and drinks as part of opening night. Runs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free to attend. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/venice-heritage-museum-grand-opening-tickets-806045753547

Creative Communal Market (March 9) –> Creative Communal Market brings 30+ local vendors and artisans to Runway Playa Vista for a day of shopping fun. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. https://www.runwayplayavista.com/events2/creative-communal-march

Festival of the Kite in Redondo Beach (March 10) –> The 50th Festival of the Kite brings a colorful day of activations to the Redondo Beach Pier, including contests with category-specific kite flying prizes, DJ’d tunes, live music, and even a hot dog on a stick eating contest. Runs noon to 5 p.m. Free to attend. https://redondopier.com/festival-of-the-kite/

Smorgasburg LA Art Fair (March 10) -> The Smorgasburg LA Art Fair, curated by Art Share L.A., is a quarterly event featuring artisan vendors, live performances, and live painters. For March, the market spotlights Women’s History Month edition with participating female-identifying creatives. Free to attend. Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. https://artsharela.org/event/smorgasburg-la-art-fair/

The Nowruz Family Festival (March 10) –> Head to UCLA for a huge Nowruz celebration hosted by the nonprofit Farhang Foundation in Los Angeles. Nowruz, translating to “new day,” commemorates the vernal equinox, symbolizing universal themes of rebirth and renewal. This daylong, free program is suitable for all ages and encompasses traditional music, arts and crafts, dance, food, children’s activities, stilt walkers to a Grand Haft Sîn display. https://farhang.org/nowruz/14th-annual-celebration-of-nowruz-at-ucla

Netflix Is A Joke Radio Presents: Are You Still Listening? (March 12) –> Netflix’s free monthly stand-up series returns to Dynasty Typewriter with host Gianmarco Soresi plus a lineup that features Dicey, Eagle Witt, Mohamed Kheir, Nacya Marreiro, Rachel Scanlon, Ryan Goodcase, and Sam Morrison. No cost to RSVP for admission, but seating is first-come, first-served and not guarantee entry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and show starts an hour later. https://www.squadup.com/events/netflix-is-a-joke-radio-presents-are-you-still-listening-8

Seoul2LA at The Hammer (March 13) –> Seoul2LA is a is public party at The Hammer that celebrates Korean music, culture, and art, and the cultural connection between the cities of Seoul and Los Angeles. The evening includes sets by DJs Mindspray, Zo, and Dwoo, with the party kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend, but admission is first-come, first-served.  https://hammer.ucla.edu/programs-events/2024/seoul2la

Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 16) –> The City of Hermosa Beach celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a parade and special activities set up at the Hermosa Beach Pier including live music on multiple stages and an LA Rams Experience. https://www.hbchamber.net/parade/

Something to Crow About at ESMoA –> Performers and puppets from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater head to the Experimentally Structured Museum of Art (ESMoA) in Lawndale for a special live performance in gallery space. Free to attend, and all ages welcome. Runs 3 to 4 p.m. https://esmoa.org/event/something-to-crow-about-show-with-bob-baker-marionette-theater/

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities at The Original Farmers Market (March 17) –> The annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at The Original Farmers Market is a day-long event featuring Irish fare from select vendors, drink specials and traditional Irish musical performances including a strolling Bagpiper! https://farmersmarketla.com/events/st–patrick-s-day-celebration

César Chávez Family Day at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (March 17) –> Celebration activist and labor leader, César Chávez with a day of dance and art, culinary and garden workshops and guest performances by the Tierra Blanca presenting a theatrical presentation of the life of César Chávez, the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra, Y Arriba Mexico and DJ Ani and DJ Sol. Free to attend. https://lapca.org/event/cesar-chavez-family-day-free-2/?event_date=2024-03-17

The SoCal Museums Free-For-All (March 23) –> SoCal Museums annual free admission day will see some thirty museums participating, including over two dozen in the Greater Los Angeles area. The free tickets in most cases will have to be reserved through each individual museum’s website.  See my list of free museum day. https://www.welikela.com/the-socal-museums-free-for-all-returns-in-march/

Reading and Listening by Moonrise (March 24) –> Clockshop’s Listening by Moonrise returns to mark the closing of artist Rodrigo Valenzuela’s the underpinning at Los Angeles State Historic Park. The afternoon affair will include performances by poet Cynthia Dewi Oka, musician Nailah Hunter, and DJ Xica Soul. Free to attend. Runs 3 to 5 p.m. https://clockshop.org/event/listening-by-moonrise-cynthia-oka-nailah-hunter-and-xica-soul/

Downtown Santa Monica Easter Celebration (March 24) –> Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) hosts an Easter Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. along the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade. The family-friendly event includes free Easter Bunny photos, live music, face painting, balloon twisters, arts and crafts, games, and more. The first 200 kids who arrive will receive a special surprise. https://www.downtownsm.com/

Easter in the Park (March 30) –> La Canada Flintridge hosts their 26th annual Easter in the Park celebration featuring multiple egg hunts, kids entertainment, a dance contest, petting zoo, raffle, and more. Runs 10 a.m. to noon. Free to attend. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/27th-annual-easter-in-the-park-tickets-831148215687

Egg”straordinary Pancake Breakfast & Egg Hunt (March 30) –> The City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Kiwanis Club are hosting the 79th Annual Egg”straordinary Pancake Breakfast & Egg Hunt on Saturday. The event includes a morning of family-friendly activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Runs 7 to 11 a.m. Free to attend. https://sangabrielcity.com/1404/Eggstraordinary-Spring-Celebration