Free Things To Do – Free Entertainment

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. Find resources on this page for free things to do and free entertainment. As new resources are discovered they’ll be added to this page.

Free Theater, Shows, Dance, Drama, Poetry, etc.

Check the websites, calendars and campuses of local colleges, universities, high schools, churches, drama theaters, etc for free events.

Check the websites of local government for community events such as parades, especially on days celebrating history.

Often, an amateur theater company, orchestra, choir, etc. will purchase a venue to perform through sponsors or donations and offer free admission just to have an audience. Check the local paper or classified ads online for announcements.

Many major cities (especially New York, LA, and others with large populations) will have street performers that you can observe for free. (Although it may be nice to give them something since they are trying to make a living).

Volunteer to usher at local theaters to see (most or all of) the show for free.

Find free literary readings at a local bookstore.

Be part of a live studio audience for the filming of a TV show. TvTickets.com.

Free ticket to Ringling Bros. Circus for Newborns, Never expires, it can be saved for when the newborn is old enough to enjoy “the greatest show on Earth”.

Free admission to Museums, Art Galleries, Science Centers, Aquariums, planetariums, Zoos, Historical Sites, Tourist Attractions, and other educational entertainment venues.

Many libraries have a culture pass program where they give away a certain number of passes that are good for free admission to museums, zoos, etc. on a monthly basis.

Check the tourism websites of your city and state for free admissions, tours and events. Many cities have museums and zoos with free admission all the time, others may offer free admission on certain days of the year.

Go to a store where they’re selling art. The art could be as breath-taking as going to a museum, it’s just not as old or historical yet.

Go to a local pet store (its like a zoo but much smaller and free)

Even if a particular museum doesn’t have free admission, they may still offer free access to libraries containing educational materials, pictures and videos of their art. You can try contacting a museum to see if they ever check out materials.

Many historical landmarks have free tours and admissions and they don’t all have to be owned by the state. Private organizations, such as churches and historical societies maintain visitors centers with free admission.

Check the websites, calendars and campuses of local colleges and universities for tours, museums, art galleries, science centers, planetariums, etc.

Be a tourist at home. Find free guided tours at GlobalGreeterNetwork.info. Free tour guides might appreciate a tip although it’s not required.

See also Vacation Freebies.

Live Bands, Concerts and Free Music

Free Music & Radio Online

Start up bands are always looking for places to get their name out whether they get paid or not. Listen to live bands at book stores, coffee shops, airports, restaurants, community events, stores that sell music and musical instruments, school campuses, etc. Look for any local venue with live music.

Check the websites, calendars and campuses of local colleges, universities, high schools, churches, drama theaters, etc for free events.

Open mic nights at karaoke bars and coffee shops.

Memorize the numbers of local radio stations and be ready to call in the morning when they offer free concert tickets.

Find local college radio stations and be the 1st or 2nd caller to win free tickets. These are much easier to win than regular radio giveaways.

Hang out by the entrance to a concert. You might get lucky and pass by someone who can’t use their ticket so they’re giving it away. People sometimes give away tickets on Craigslist and similar sites.

Free Movies

Free Movies, TV and Video Online

Check the websites of local theaters for free summer movies, sponsored events, free previews and screenings.

Check out DVDs from the library.

Check the calendar of your local public library for free movie showings. Some libraries have movie showings in private rooms or they sponsor a movie at a local park.

Go to a film festival. Some shows charge for admission but other shows are free.

Go to free movie screenings. www.Movie-View.com, www.Gofobo.com and CampusCircle.net.

Be on the look out for movie promoters outside your local theaters for free screenings.

Scan your newspaper daily for free movie screenings or ads asking for test screeners.

Listen for free screening events on the radio.

Become a film critic by writing for a small paper or website. This may also give you press access.

Get a job at a movie theater. They often give their employees free movie passes.

Free Sports Events

Hang out outside the event. If you’re lucky you’ll run into someone giving away tickets they can’t use. People also give away tickets on Craigslist and similar sites. See also Sports Event Freebies.

Go to local parks and schools on Saturday morning and week nights to watch little league games. Go to parks, schools and bowling alleys to see adult league games for free.

Many sports events at local middle schools, high schools, community colleges and even universities are free, depending on the sport.

Some of the bigger sports equipment stores have places where you can practice batting or golf driving for free.

Free Video Games

Free Video Games Online

Play the demos at your local Target, Walmart, or other department store.

Some local libraries have events where participants can play video games. These games are usually educational in nature or they promote personal fitness, like a dancing video game.

Free Books, Free Education, Free Imagination

Long before children realize what entertainment could potentially cost, they exercise their imaginations. The same methods of entertainment that existed before movies, video games and the internet still exist now. People can entertain themselves for free by reading, writing, drawing, coloring, painting, and pretending.

Check out books for free from the library.

Read books at a local bookstore, they even have places for you to sit where you can read quietly and comfortably before deciding if you will buy a book.

Join a local book club, get involved in book discussions.

Join a pay-it-forward book club. In these clubs you pick up a book somewhere, read it and then leave it for someone else to read when you’re finished.

Check local colleges and universities for free lectures and talks. Find open courseware online.

See also Free Classes from Local Businesses.

Go Shopping For Free, Free Food

There are multiple ways to go shopping for free; that’s what this site is all about. See Free Samples, Free With Coupons, Free After Rebate, Local Freebie Scavenger Hunt, Trade Shows, Black Friday Freebies, Free Clothes, and Mystery Shopping.

For free food and restaurants see Birthday Freebies, Free Food, Free Food Challenges, Free Gardening Resources.

Other Free Things to Do

Participate in sweepstakes and contests. Try to win something.

Go on a local freebie scavenger hunt.

Make some money – Metal Detecting, Book Scouting, Donate Plasma, Make Money Online.

Play “Bigger or Better” and get free stuff through arbitrage.

Go dumpster diving.

Exercise. See Free Gym, Exercise For Free

Volunteer for a local charity or non-profit. There can be many benefits to this beyond the simple satisfaction of helping others. While most non-profits don’t compensate volunteers monetarily, they may offer other freebies such as food or even a computer.