Finding Free Events in Your City

How to Find Fun Outings that Cost Little  

Most cities offer several events and places to visit where the whole family can have fun. This is especially true for young children.

Finding free events and fun activities requires a little bit of diligence and being aware of what is going on in the city. There are many places to find enjoyable things to do for the whole family, and there are many that are very inexpensive, some even free!

Check the Local Paper

Most local newspapers have weekly events listings, some list the top ten; others will list a lot more than that. And if the city has more than one paper, be sure to check both of them! Often these can be found online, as well. The listings will give the time, place, cost and any details that are necessary to find and attend the event. Almost every city will have several inexpensive or free events going on every weekend during the warmer months.

Check Festival Listings and Schedules

While most festivals have a cost to them, such as admission fees, some festivals have special events that are available for a lower cost, even free. Often these events are held at a special site and not widely advertised, but are in the program or on the event websites. Edmonton Fringe Festival, for example, has weekend plays and events for young kids that are free. While paying for most plays is the intent of the festival, this special venue is definitely worth checking out. Other Fringe Festivals tend to offer something similar, as well as the street performers that flock to these events.

Parks, City and Community Sponsored Events and Places

Most cities also have specific places and parks that are available free of charge for public use. If the kids are into getting wet on a warm day, most medium to large sized cities have several different water parks that kids can go and play at (with supervision, of course). Of take a ball or Frisbee and head out to a nice park and just enjoy that time in the good weather! In winter time, many community leagues offer free sleigh rides and community barbeques for minimal cost. Pay attention to the community newsletter to know when these are happening.

Some cities offer a small booklet that lists the regular events and places that available. This can usually be picked up at city venues, such as city hall, continuing education centres, sports centres, swimming pools, arts centres, and so forth. Also pay attention at these venues, sometimes they have free (or very inexpensive) events that they sponsor to introduce people to different activities.

Be inventive and look wherever there are bulletin boards or community notices. Local fliers, newspapers, and even the grocery store sometimes have surprising information on events and things to do!

Tags: cheap ideas for fun, finding frugal things to do, free fun, free things to do, Frugal fun, fun family outings