Attractions
Wieghorst Western Heritage Museum (free admission)
Fri–Sun, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wieghorst MuseumEast County
Verified Oct 22 · wieghorstmuseum.org
No catch
Free things to do in East County, San Diego
19 free things to do and get in East County, San Diego, including 6 kids & family, 4 entertainment, 3 food.
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Attractions
La Mesa Depot Museum: historic trains, always free
Museum and docent tours Tue and Thu, noon–3 p.m.; outdoor train display open 24/7
La Mesa Depot MuseumEast County
Verified Oct 22 · psrm.org
No catch
Kids & family
Free Family Discovery Walks at Mission Trails
3rd Saturday of each month, 1–2:30pm
Kumeyaay Lake Campground, Mission Trails Regional ParkEast County
Verified Oct 22 · Mission Trails Regional Park
No catch
Tomorrow 1 listings
Classes & fitness
Free guided nature walks at Mission Trails
Wed, Sat & Sun 9:30–11am (8:30–10am in July–Aug)
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor CenterEast County
Verified Oct 22 · Mission Trails Regional Park
No catch
Coming up 11 listings
Entertainment
Free Shakespeare: the Old Globe's Macbeth at Lemon Grove Academy Middle School
Wed, Oct 28, 6:00 PM
Lemon Grove Academy Middle School (Roberto Alvarez Auditorium)East County
Verified Oct 22 · The Old Globe
No catch
Kids & family
Trick-or-treating in La Mesa Village, plus a pet costume contest
Sat, Oct 31, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
La Mesa Blvd. (Grant Ave. to Acacia Ave.)East County
Verified Oct 22 · lamesavillageassociation.org
No catch
Kids & family
Free compost at the Lakeside Pumpkin Smash
Sun, Nov 1, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Lakeside Community CenterEast County
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego County
Catch: RSVP on Eventbrite · Bring your own tools and containers for compost
Food
Free food pickup at Descanso Library
Thu, Nov 5, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Descanso Library (parking lot)East County
Verified Oct 22 · San Diego County Library
No catch
Food
Free groceries and produce at Spring Valley Library
Fri, Nov 13, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Spring Valley LibraryEast County
Verified Oct 22 · San Diego County Library
No catch
Entertainment
Sound meditation concert with singing bowls and gongs
Sat, Nov 14, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Borrego Springs Library, Community RoomEast County
Verified Oct 22 · San Diego County Library
No catch
Entertainment
Free Shakespeare: the Old Globe's Macbeth at El Cajon Library
Thu, Nov 19, 1:00 PM
El Cajon LibraryEast County
Verified Oct 22 · The Old Globe
No catch
Entertainment
Baile folklórico performance at Julian Library
Fri, Nov 20, 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Julian LibraryEast County
Verified Oct 22 · San Diego County Library
No catch
Kids & family
Santee Holiday Lighting with sledding and Santa
Fri, Nov 20, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Santee Trolley SquareEast County
Verified Oct 22 · City of Santee
No catch
Kids & family
Free photos with Santa at Santee Trolley Square
Wed, Dec 2, 4:00 PM
Santee Trolley SquareEast County
Verified Oct 22 · City of Santee
No catch
Kids & family
Holiday Lights in Downtown El Cajon with a snow zone and Santa
Sun, Dec 6, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Prescott Promenade, Downtown El CajonEast County
Verified Oct 22 · downtownelcajon.com
No catch
Always free 4 listings
Food
Free weekday lunch for 60+ at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center
Weekdays, lunch at 11:30 a.m.
City of La Mesa Adult Enrichment CenterEast County
Verified Oct 22 · Serving Seniors
Catch: Ages 60 and older
Services
Free blood pressure and glucose screenings in La Mesa
1st Thursday monthly, 10am–1pm
Grossmont Healthcare District Health & Wellness LibraryEast County
Verified Oct 21 · grossmonthealthcare-ca2.specialdistrict.org
No catch
Free items
Free street tree planted for Santee residents
Ongoing; request by phone
City of SanteeEast County
Verified Oct 22 · City of Santee
Catch: Santee residents with a parkway strip in front of their house · You water the tree · Not every parkway is suitable
Free items
Free trees for your yard (unincorporated San Diego County)
Ongoing through 2030; apply online
County Equity-Driven Tree Planting Program (pick up after approval)East County
Verified Oct 21 · San Diego County
Catch: Unincorporated County property owners only · Tree care workshop or online training required · Report planting and tree health for three years