31 free things to do and get in Sacramento and around the Sacramento area, including 12 kids & family, 9 attractions, 3 services.
Free account: save favorites and get the best picks every Thursday.Get my FreeBee list
Open 24 hours, every day
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
The UC Davis Arboretum's demonstration gardens, redwood grove and waterway trails along Putah Creek are free to visit, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Families and leashed dogs are welcome. Campus visitor parking is paid on weekdays and free on weekends and holidays.
Verified Oct 28 · arboretum.ucdavis.edu
No catch
Tue, Nov 3, 2:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Sacramento Public Library, Central Library
Drop in to the free Makerspace at Sacramento's Central Library: a Bambu Lab 3D printer, Cricut Maker 4, high-resolution scanner, a WhisperRoom sound booth, synthesizers, keyboards and electronic drums, plus Adobe, Ableton and other software. Equipment is first come, first served and staff help beginners. 3D printing is limited to one 3-hour print per person per month, minors need an adult to 3D print, and print files are no longer taken by email or drop-off.
Verified Oct 28 · saclibrary.org
Catch: 3D printing limited to one 3-hour print per person per month
Weekdays 9am–5pm; guided tours hourly 10am–4pm
California State Capitol MuseumSacramento
The State Capitol in downtown Sacramento is a free museum on weekdays, 9am to 5pm. Free guided tours run on the hour from 10am to 4pm, up to 35 people each, first come, first served: sign up at the information desk in the first-floor rotunda. Self-guided brochures are available in six languages. Expect a metal detector and bag check at the entrance; the building is closed on weekends and most holidays.
Verified Oct 28 · capitolmuseum.ca.gov
No catch
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1–4:30pm (when UC Davis is in session)
Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis
UC Davis's insect museum opens its displays and live insects and arachnids to walk-in visitors for free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1 to 4:30pm, while the university is in session. Staffing can force closures, so check before you go. It's closed Nov. 11, Nov. 25 and Thanksgiving week, and over the winter break (Dec. 19 – Jan. 3).
Verified Oct 28 · bohart.ucdavis.edu
No catch
Tue, Wed, Sat 10am–4pm; Thu–Fri 12–4pm (Sept–May)
Roseville Utility Exploration Center
The City of Roseville's Utility Exploration Center is an interactive science center about energy, water and recycling. September through May it's open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 10am–4pm and Thursday–Friday 12–4pm (closed Sunday and Monday).
Verified Oct 28 · roseville.ca.gov
No catch
Daily; parking lot 7am–3pm, raceways close about 2pm
Nimbus Fish HatcherySacramento
The state's Nimbus Fish Hatchery on the American River is free to visit, and November through February is peak season, when salmon and steelhead come up the fish ladder to be spawned. The visitor center building is closed until further notice; the hatchery lot is open 7am to 3pm and the raceways close around 2pm. Hours change with staffing and weather, so check the hatchery's Facebook page or call (916) 358-2884.
Verified Oct 28 · California Fish & Wildlife
No catch
Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, hourly 9am–3pm
North Area Recovery Station HHW Drop-Off FacilitySacramento
Sacramento County's household hazardous waste facility puts usable dropped-off products out for anyone to take free. New items go out at the top of each hour from 9am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. First come, first served, and availability isn't guaranteed.
Verified Oct 28 · wmr.saccounty.gov
No catch
Mon–Fri 7am–2pm (Wednesdays until 1pm)
Maryhouse at Loaves & FishesSacramento
Maryhouse at Loaves & Fishes is a no-barrier daytime drop-in center for women and families experiencing homelessness. Hot breakfast 8–8:45am for single women, families and single fathers with children; survival supplies, diapers and menstrual supplies 9am–1:45pm; private showers and resource counseling. Open Monday to Friday 7am to 2pm (1pm on Wednesdays).
Verified Oct 28 · sacloaves.org
Catch: For women and families experiencing homelessness
Daily 7am–5pm (Nov–Mar); 7am–7pm (Apr–Oct)
Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
Sacramento's Historic City Cemetery is open to visitors every day, 7am to 5pm November through March and 7am to 7pm April through October. Wander the gardens and the graves of Gold Rush pioneers on your own; guided tours are ticketed separately.
Verified Oct 28 · historicoldcitycemetery.org
No catch
Mon–Fri 11:30am–1pm; Sat–Sun 11am–12:30pm (closed Thanksgiving)
Loaves & FishesSacramento
Loaves & Fishes' Dining Room on North C Street serves a warm, nutritious midday meal to up to 800 adults a day, 364 days a year (closed Thanksgiving). Weekdays 11:30am to 1pm, weekends 11am to 12:30pm. The campus also has Friendship Park with breakfast, coffee, showers and survival supplies for adults experiencing homelessness.
Verified Oct 28 · sacloaves.org
Catch: Adults only (families are served at Maryhouse)
Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 8:30am–4pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)
North Area Recovery Station HHW Drop-Off FacilitySacramento
Sacramento County residents can drop off household hazardous waste free for safe disposal at the North Area Recovery Station: paint, cleaners, loose batteries and other products with caution labels. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8:30am to 4pm. Products with built-in batteries go to the e-waste program instead.
Verified Oct 28 · wmr.saccounty.gov
Catch: Households only (businesses pay)
Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm (fall 2026 hours through Dec. 5)
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of ArtDavis
UC Davis's contemporary art museum is free for everyone, with no tickets or reservations needed. Fall hours (through Dec. 5, 2026) are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. It's closed on university holidays, including Nov. 11, Nov. 26 and for a special event Nov. 14, but open the day after Thanksgiving. Campus parking is paid on weekdays and free on weekends.
Verified Oct 28 · manettishremmuseum.ucdavis.edu
No catch
Sat, Nov 7, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis
The Bohart Museum of Entomology opens on a Saturday afternoon for a free open house focused on UC Davis graduate and undergraduate student research. See the insect collections and live insects and arachnids, and talk with the students who study them. The museum's pages list 1–4pm and 1–4:30pm. Campus parking is free on weekends.
Verified Oct 28 · bohart.ucdavis.edu
No catch
Sundays and Wednesdays at 1pm (Nov–Mar); at 11am (Apr–Oct)
Capitol Park (meet at 13th Street and Capitol Avenue)Sacramento
Docents lead free walking tours of Capitol Park, the 40-acre garden around the State Capitol, with trees from around the world, the World Peace Rose Garden and the park's memorials. Winter tours (November–March) start at 1pm on Sundays and Wednesdays; April–October they start at 11am. Meet inside the park at 13th Street and Capitol Avenue. Registering online is recommended but walk-ups are welcome; tours are postponed in bad weather.
Verified Oct 28 · capitolmuseum.ca.gov
No catch
Wed, Nov 11, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Elk Grove Boulevard, Old Town Elk Grove
Elk Grove's 2026 Veterans Day Parade, with American Legion Post 233, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Marine Corps League #1238, steps off at 11:11am from the Cosumnes CSD building on Elk Grove Boulevard and heads to Elk Grove Regional Park via Elk Grove-Florin Road.
Verified Oct 28 · elkgrove.gov
No catch
Wed, Nov 18, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Shields Gazebo, UC Davis Arboretum
Warren Roberts, the arboretum's superintendent emeritus, leads a free one-hour midday walk through the gardens' seasonal highlights, with plenty of stories and puns. Open to everyone. Meet at Shields Gazebo. Short-term paid parking is along Garrod Drive.
Verified Oct 28 · arboretum.ucdavis.edu
No catch
Wed, Nov 25, 5:30 PM
K Street, Old Sacramento Waterfront
Old Sacramento's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony fills K Street on Thanksgiving Eve with community performances from 5:30pm, then the season's first Theatre of Lights show at 6:15pm, when St. Nick lights the 60-foot holiday tree.
Verified Oct 27 · downtownsac.org
No catch
Sat, Nov 28, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Old Town Elk Grove
Old Town Elk Grove's annual Dickens Street Faire runs 10am to 5pm with live entertainment, crafts, free kids' activities in the Old Town Plaza, a fire department demonstration of Santa's rescue and photos with Santa. After the vendors close, carols and a story with Mr. and Mrs. Claus lead up to Santa lighting the Christmas tree on Walnut Street at 6pm.
Verified Oct 28 · elkgrove.gov
No catch
Wed, Dec 2, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The Square, Downtown Roseville
Local businesses, organizations and schools decorate trees throughout downtown Roseville's Square, and the grove lights up with holiday crafts, music, visits with Santa and local vendors. It opens the city's Downtown Holiday Celebration the night before the main tree lighting.
Verified Oct 28 · roseville.ca.gov
No catch
Thu, Dec 3 · check hours
Citrus Heights City Hall
Citrus Heights' free annual tree lighting is an evening at City Hall with the City Council, city staff and Santa Claus. The start time hasn't been posted yet; there are no food or craft vendors.
Verified Oct 28 · citrusheights.net
No catch
Any day
Sacramento Public Library (online program)
Sacramento Public Library's Career Online High School lets adults earn an accredited high school diploma plus an entry-level career certificate, 100% online, at no cost. You get up to 18 months, an academic coach, and can transfer earlier high school credits. Plan on 8–10 hours a week. Start with the library's 'Are You Ready?' survey and a two-week prerequisite course.
Verified Oct 28 · saclibrary.org
Catch: Ages 19+ and Sacramento County residents only · Library card required · Must pass a 2-week prerequisite course
Any day
Sacramento Public Library (branches countywide)
Sacramento Public Library pairs adults with trained volunteer tutors for free one-on-one help with reading, writing and math, from beginner level up to GED/HiSET prep, including English language learning. Free books and learning materials are included and schedules are flexible. No ID is needed.
Verified Oct 28 · saclibrary.org
Catch: Sacramento County residents only · Ages 18+ (or 16+ and not enrolled in high school) · Commit to at least 1 hour a week for 6 months
Any day
Folsom Public Library
Folsom Public Library lends the California State Library Parks Pass year-round. It covers vehicle day-use entry (one car, up to nine people) at more than 200 state parks, including nearby Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and Folsom Powerhouse. Loans last three weeks with up to three renewals; express passes are three weeks with no renewals. It doesn't cover per-person fees or tours.
Verified Oct 28 · library.folsom.ca.us
Catch: Library card required · Vehicle day-use only: not per-person fees, tours or off-highway vehicle parks
Any day
Legal Services of Northern California (Sacramento, Auburn and Woodland offices)
Legal Services of Northern California provides free civil legal representation to low-income clients, with local offices in Sacramento (Sacramento County), Auburn (Placer and El Dorado counties) and Woodland (Yolo County). It helps with evictions and housing, Medi-Cal and health care, CalFresh, CalWORKs, unemployment and other benefits. Adults 60+ can get free advice through its Senior Legal Services program.
Verified Oct 28 · lsnc.net
Catch: Low-income clients only
