16 free enjoyable issues to do in February in Southern California – Orange County Register

Yes, the vacations are over, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t nonetheless loads of enjoyable issues to do. And in the event you’re nonetheless paying off your bank card, you’ll respect that these 2026 occasions are all free. Head on out and revel in!

Feb. 1 — Silverado: Enjoy a household “Fossils are Fun” day in japanese Orange County’s Black Star Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. Minimum age is 8. The hike runs Sept. 11 a.m. The day begins with a fossil-making exercise, then a 2.5-mile hike looking for fossils deposited hundreds of thousands of years in the past. There’s an elevation achieve of 200 ft, which supplies views of pink rock cliffs and close by peaks. Bring water and a hat, applicable footwear. Meet up on the Canyons Staging Area, close to the Library of the Canyons, 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado. Advance registration is required right here: letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/02/01/fossils-are-fun-24/

Feb. 1 — Riverside: It’s time for First Sundays in downtown Riverside, which incorporates free admission to each the Riverside Art Museum and the adjacent Cheech Marin Museum of Chicano Art, that are open from midday to five p.m. They’re each price 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 children or simply your personal curiosity to the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair & Event Center. The tour and parking are free on Discovery Days, when “farmers” are stationed across the 3-acre working demonstration farm to reply questions. Upon check-in, you’ll obtain a map to assist you in seeing all Centennial Farm has to supply. Children can pet a chick and plant a radish seed. This is for all ages. Reservations are required for teams of 10 or extra individuals. 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 experience on paved trails alongside 10 miles of the Bay Bay Loop Trail. Bikers will find out about native ecology and historical past through the 2.5 hour experience, which incorporates interpretive stops alongside the best way. Bring your personal bike and helmet. This experience is designed for riders age 14 and up. Minors should have a dad or mum alongside. E-bikes are OK. Parking and admission are free. Rain cancels. Meet up on 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 historical past buff? Then go to the Ramon Peralta Historic Adobe in Santa Ana Canyon, which was as soon as a part of the huge Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. This is the one remaining adobe in  the world from the 18th Century. The constructing has a small historical past museum. There’s a furnished room and pictures of early settlers. The adobe is barely open on the primary Saturday of the month from midday till 1 p.m. besides in May.  6398 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim. ocparks.com/historic-sites/ramon-peralta-adobe-historic-site

Feb. 7 — Hollywood: Head as much as the Barnsdall Art Park to see the “Ancestral Dreamscapes: Asian American Film & Moving Image” exhibit from 1 to five p.m. It’s on the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, with movie, video artwork and efficiency that includes a Lunar New Year Short Film Festival, in addition to efficiency artwork illuminating what it’s to be Asian American at present. Doors open at 1 p.m. screenings and performances 2-4 p.m. adopted by a reception.  Limited free parking.  4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. Reserve a free ticket right here: eventbrite.com/e/ancestral-dreamscapes-asian-american-film-moving-image-tickets-1980349581909

Feb. 7 and 21 — Westwood: Get outside on the month-to-month Drop-In Botanical Garden Tour on the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. Join a Garden Educator for a free one-hour guided tour starting at 10 a.m. Hear tales of vegetation within the backyard. All ages are welcome. Plan to fulfill on the La Kretz Garden Pavilion on the northern finish of the backyard. Plan on arriving a couple of minutes early because the tour will go away on time. Park in UCLA Parking Structure 2 (fee required) close to 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 listening to “Echoes of China: Folk Music Traditions”  in a live performance by the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Instructors on the conservatory carry out solo and ensemble works with conventional Chinese devices such because the pipa, guzheng and erhu. There shall be a question-and-answer interval afterward, and an opportunity to come back up, attempt to see the devices up shut. 7-8:30 p.m. Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. Reserve a ticket right here: eventbrite.com/e/echoes-of-china-folk-music-traditions-through-pipa-guzheng-and-erhu-tickets-1979259061132

Feb. 7 — Irvine: Go and benefit from the Lunar New Year parade on the Irvine Great Park, sponsored by the Asian American Museum of Orange County. The parade is at 11 a.m., adopted by a pageant from midday to 4 p.m. Live performances, video games, actions, meals distributors and extra. Note: The parade is free; admission to the pageant is $2. 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. instagram.com/p/DSRHVtZEby8/

Feb. 7 — Fountain Valley: It’s time to go fishing. Families can study to fish at this free clinic at Mile Square Regional Park, and also you don’t even should convey gear, until you need to. You’ll discover ways to catch and launch fish, however you too can convey a cooler if you wish to convey any catches house. There’s no assure you’ll catch something, in fact, and anybody 16 and older should have a fishing license. You should buy one there. 8-10:30 a.m. Meet up on the south lake close to the park ranger station and Euclid Street entrance. The occasion is free, however parking is $5. 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley. Registration is required. Sign up right here: letsgooutside.org/activities/2026/02/07/fishing-clinic-2/

Feb. 15 — Los Angeles: Head over to the historic Ebell Theatre for a live performance 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. on the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 West eighth St. L.A. Reserve a free ticket right here: eventbrite.com/e/la-voices-icyola-i-too-sing-america-tickets-1980423946335

Feb. 16 — Multiple areas: Want to go to a nationwide park without spending a dime? On Presidents Day, Feb. 16, all nationwide parks shall be free to enter. This 12 months, you have to be a authorized U.S. resident to get free admission. Here are the 9 nationwide parks in California: Channel Islands (the boat experience gained’t be free), Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Lassen, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. (Note that Yosemite’s nonetheless going to be snowy in February, and possibly 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 midday. It features a tour of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) native plant backyard and a stroll alongside the spectacular Vicente Bluffs Reserve and the Ocean Front Estates properties. Learn in regards to the migrating grey whales and perhaps even see a number of from the purpose. Trained volunteers right here observe whales right here in season yearly 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 internet hosting its 127th Annual Golden Dragon Parade from 1 to 4 p.m. with lion and dragon dancers, highschool marching bands, cultural performers, floats and extra. The parade begins at North Hill Street and Ord Street and ends at Broadway and Temple Street. Warning: Streets shall be closed off beginning at 10 a.m. It’s free to look at, however you too can purchase 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 film 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 present library is even offering popcorn to munch and perhaps you can also make some new associates. 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 metropolis that’s been holding its pageant since 1993. There shall be stay performances, cooking reveals, artwork, handicrafts and extra. Hours are 9 a.m. to five p.m. on Main Street. alhambralunarnewyear.com