But saving up doesn't mean resigning yourself to weekends full of nothing. Especially in London. Sure, there are countless things in the city that can very easily tempt you to part with your cash, but there are also plenty of art exhibitions, cultural festivals and annual gatherings happening this weekend that are completely free of charge. Even if you're not trying to be money conscious right now, they're worth your time.
No matter your interest, there are choices aplenty this weekend: Miami City Ballet and Palm Beach Opera; the 20th annual African American Film Festival and 40th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; comedians Hannibal Buress and Zarna Garg; Monster Jam and WWE's "Smackdown"; Terence Blanchard and Oigovision Superjam; Styx and Boy George; tributes to Johnny Cash and the Bee Gees; Riverwalk Chili Cook-off and Science of Chocolate.
Natural History Museum Los Angeles County: New: "Unearthed - Raw Beauty," an exhibit of mineral specimens displayed in their natural and uncut form, through April 18, 2027 ( https://nhm.org/unearthed-rare-mineral-exhibition). Ongoing exhibit: "Fierce! The Story of Cats," is an international traveling exhibit, from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in France, runs through Feb. 18 (this exhibit requires an add-on ticket price to the museum's general admission; nhm.org/cats). Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday (but closed on the first Tuesday of the month and some holidays).
It's a free, walkable outdoor event that blends sculpture, projection art, interactive exhibits and even giant Roaming Gnomes (more about them later) and takes place Jan. 17-Feb. 15. It's the eighth time around for an event patterned after light festivals in Europe and elsewhere (see Fete des Lumieres in Lyon, France; Berlin Festival of Lights in Germany; and Vivid Sydney in Australia), and it draws both artists and spectators from around the globe.
9:00 am Japanese Tea Garden's Free NYE Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park) FREE* *Free from 9-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; otherwise non-resident admission is $12 - $16 depending on the season. San Francisco residents are always free with valid ID 9:00 am Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum (2025) $28* *Free for Bay Area Discovery Museum members 9:30 am Free Kwanzaa & Noon Year's Eve 2025/2026 at SF's Thrive City (Chase Center) FREE*
To-Go Adult Beverages: This year, you can sip a to-go cocktail or drink from any of the participating bars and restaurants while enjoying the celebration. Live Music: Death & Taxes Swing Band will perform a rockin' holiday set. Complimentary Photos with Santa Claus Christmas Carolers and Roaming Entertainment Additional Seasonal Events: PIER 39 has many more festive activities planned this season.
WinterFest December 20th - 21st | 10AM-5PM FREE for Members, $24 Adults, $19 Children (2-12) and Seniors (65+) Step into a world of icy planets and faraway galaxies this winter at Chabot! With festive tunes and a variety of interactive activities blending science and seasonal cheer, this is a celebration you won't want to miss!
Boston will again become the epicenter for winter sports enthusiasts this November as the Snowbound Expo takes place from November 14 to 16 at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. This three-day event marks the official start of the 2025-26 snow season in New England, bringing together a vibrant community of skiers, snowboarders, and enthusiasts of other winter sports all under one roof.
The annual Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place Wednesday, December 3, 2025, during the live broadcast of Christmas at Rockefeller Center. The much-awaited annual event draws huge crowds and is broadcast on NBC's "Christmas at Rockefeller Center," airing at 8 pm ET on NBC and Peacock. Country music icon Reba McEntire, star of Happy's Place and The Voice, will host and perform. (Stay tuned for more musical performers to be announced.)
Big Fun for Our Smallest Flyers! Every Monday from Noon to 1:00 PM, kids ages 2-6 get take over nearly the entire House of Air trampoline park - no big kids allowed! The Best part? Parents can jump for free alongside their kids! Mini Mornings Mondays: Noon-1pm (Summer hours) House of Air Trampoline Park, 926 Mason Street, SFBook Here - $24 per hour (Does not include socks)For Kids 2-6 Yrs Old
Nestled in the back of the nursery in the charming North Berkeley Westbrae neighborhood, you will find a festive pumpkin patch stocked to the brim with pumpkins in all shapes, colors, and sizes. The Westbrae Pumpkin patch is a hidden gem (one of the only pumpkin patches in Berkeley!) and is an East Bay favorite. Westbrae Pumpkin Patch September 26 - October 31, 2025 1272 Gilman Ave, Berkeley, CAFREE to peruse, pumpkins for purchase
Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off on Sunday, Sept. 14, at Children's Discovery Museum with a performance by Dulce Tricolor Venezolano, a traditional Venezuelan dance group. The celebration also included the first of three visits from artists Elba Raquel (AKA BO$$), Yuky, Rox, Emoventur and Itzayana Silva, who are presenting an immersive alebrije experience to support the exhibit of alebrijes in Plaza de Cesar Chavez throughout September. Upcoming events include: Sunday, Sept. 28-ChiquyBoom!, 11:30 a.m.; Chiqlets dance group, 2 p.m.; and Alebrije Immersive Experience 10 a.m.-2 p.m.;
Sure, it's possible. It'll be even more likely to happen if your friend and her boyfriend have an honest, frank conversation about their wants and the details of their individual timetables. While it might seem obvious that, after 20 years, he should want to propose, especially considering he's already designed a dream wedding, the only way to find out what he's really thinking is talking to him about it. This is also the only way for your friend to let him know what she's thinking.
As parents in NYC, there is nothing better than finding events that are fun, age-appropriate, and not outrageously expensive. That's why Children's Day at the Brooklyn Book Festival is such a great annual event: it's free, designed with kids in mind, and has plenty to keep toddlers, big kids, and even tweens engaged. This year, Children's Day is on Saturday, September 20, from 10 am to 4 pm at its new location: Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza.
Take part in whimsical outdoor activities with Happily Ever Laughter with Salesforce Park's resident fairies! Intended for children ages 5-9 and their families. This program is free and open to the public.
Chance to see both the English and Spanish versions of the original 1849 California Constitution, displayed in partnership with the California State Archives Access to all current exhibitions at the California Museum, including a limited-time display of historic documents and artifacts highlighting select signers of the 1849 Constitution, courtesy of the California State Archives and California State Library A presentation by Professor Damien Bacich: "California's Spanish-Mexican Roots: Life Before and After Statehood"
The Danish-American Songbook: Join Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling and pianist/accordionist Colin Hogan for a concert blending Danish folk and pop traditions with American jazz and R&B. 1 p.m., Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall (Building F), 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. info@paloaltojcc.org , 650-223-8700. paloaltojcc.org/events "Terrain": In this new exhibition, Fred Aron explores the evolving dialogue between landscape and memory within the diverse and dynamic natural environments of California. 11 a.m., 883 Santa Cruz Ave., Suite 1, Menlo Park. 650-701-1018, info@themaingallery.org .
"At Brooklyn Children's Museum, all of our programming reflects the diversity of the communities of Brooklyn," said Dylan House, director of public programs at the museum.
Hosting a baby shower for my daughter included carefully selecting a venue like the Strathmore Mansion, which provided a beautiful backdrop for the event.
