Welcome to March 2, the month that daffodils bloom, before they’re all eaten by squirrels. OK, you don’t care about that, but how about this?: Here’s a list of fun things you can do this month that don’t cost anything. You like that, right?
Saturday, March 1 — Family movie and art, Bellflower: The movie “Sherlock Gnome” will screen at the Brakensiek Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Families age 5 and up. Movie is PG. Attendance is first come, first served. 9945 Flower St., Bellflower 562-925-5543 or visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/12873695
Sunday, March 2 — Celtic Festival, Santa Ana: This festival in the Bowers Museum’s Key Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature live performances, face painting, art crafts and treats. Bagpipe performance at 11:30 a.m. . Celtic band at noon and 2 p.m. Dance at 1 p.m. 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana. 714-567-3600 or bowers.org/programs/festivals/celtic-festival
Sunday, March 2 (and other dates in March) — 10,000 Steps Hikes, La Habra: Want to get into better shape? Join the guided “10,000 Steps Hikes” at the Puente Hills Preserve that will have you pumping hard for five miles. Hikes are at 3 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays. Arrive at 2:45 p.m. at the Fullerton Road entrance to Black Walnut Trail in La Habra. Park on Fullerton Road. Note: Starting time moves to 5 p.m. with the arrival of daylight saving time on March 9. meetup.com/puente-hills-preserve-hikers/events/305866622/
Tuesday, March 4 — Movie night, Lancaster: “The Greatest Showman” (2017) will axewwb at the Lancaster Library, on its 90-inch TV. The film, about the life of PT Barnum, starts at 6 p.m. and is rated PG. Lancaster Library 601 West Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. 661-948-5029 visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/12859969
Saturday, March 8 — Family movie and art project, La Mirada: “The Garfield Movie,” rated PG, will screen at 2:30 p.m. in the La Mirarada Library meeting room. The event will include an art project for kids, while supplies list. For kids age 7 and up with a caregiver present. Rated PG. The La Mirada Library meeting room. It will include an art project for kids, while supplies last. Ages 7 and up with a caregiver present. No registration required. 13800 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 562-943-0277visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/12934342
Saturday, March 8 — Artwalk, Pomona: The monthly 2nd Saturday Downtown Pomona artwalk runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The night market includes open galleries, food vendors, live music and more. 197 W. Second St., Pomona. downtownpomona.org/artwalk
Saturday, March 8 — Reptile show, Granada Hills: Here’s a fun, hands-on show from Thor’s Reptile Family featuring arthropods, amphibians, and reptiles of all sizes. The show is 3:45-4:30 p.m. at the Granada Hills Branch Library, 10640 Petit Ave. Granada Hills. 818-368-5687 lapl.org/whats-on/events/reptiles-library
Tuesday, March 11 — Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles: Visit the wonderful Los Angeles County Museum of Art for free on the second Tuesday of every month. Note that some of the complex is under construction. Paid parking or street parking — but read the signs. L.A. County residents can also enter for free weekdays after 3 p.m. with proof of residency. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-857-6010 lacma.org/tickets
Saturday, March 15 — Regency era dance class, North Hollywood: Are you a Bridgerton fan? Love to go back in time? Come learn an elegant and fun dance routine set to music from the Regency Era, when Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. 2 p.m. All levels of experience welcome, and no partner required. North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Branch Library, 5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood. 818-766-7185 lapl.org/whats-on/events/la-made-presents-regency-era-dance-class
Sunday, March 16 — So Cal Museums Free-for-All: More than 30 museums throughout Southern California will have free admission. Some require advance reservations, so if you have a favorite, better check ahead. Note that, sadly, parking and special exhibits are not free. Also, some of these museums are free all the time, so concentrate on the ones that aren’t. socalmuseums.org/annual-free-for-all-2025
Monday, March 17 — Volunteerism event at Nixon Library, Yorba Linda: Free admission to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum for the Pat Nixon Day of Service, a community involvement fair celebrating volunteerism, where guests can connect with local organizations and discover ways to get involved. The event will also celebrate what would be Pat Nixon’s 113th birthday with cake and a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Register at nixonfoundation.org/event/pat-nixon-day-of-service-2025. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda 714-983-9120
Saturday, March 29 — Original play, East Los Angeles: East West Players Theater for Youth presents “Patsy,” an original play by Alison Minami about the first Asian-American Congresswoman, Patsy Mink at 2 p.m.. This is an East West Players’ Theatre for Youth touring production intended for teen audiences. At the El Camino Real Library, 8102 East Whittier Blvd., East Los Angeles eastwestplayers.org/theatre-for-youth/
Saturday, March 29 — Bird walk, Huntington Beach: Learn about a variety of birds frombirding experts at the Amigos de Bolsa Chica Bird Walk. 8:30 a.m. Meet in the south parking lot at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, on Pacific Coast Highway, halfway between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street, across from the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Bolsa Chica provides feeding and nesting habitat for thousands of birds and is considered one of the prime birding sites in Southern California.amigosdebolsachica.org/bolsa-chica
Monday, March 31 — Disney event, Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Yorba Linda: Author Martha Blanding, a trailblazer who made history as Disneyland’s first Black tour guide and built a 50-year career at The Walt Disney Company, will discuss her new book, “Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through the Happiest Place on Earth.” She’ll be joined in conversation by her co-author and Disney historian Tim O’Day. Copies of “Groundbreaking Magic” will be available for purchase following the conversation. Register here. nixonfoundation.org/event/groundbreaking-magic/
And make sure you check out my list of things to do in Southern California that are always free!