Why sit home because it’s hot? Get on out there. Here’s a list of free things to do this month that won’t cost you anything.

Long Beach Municipal Band concert >> Theme is “Music to My Ears.” 6:30 tonight, El Dorado Park West, 2800 N. Studebaker Road. visitlongbeach.com (search “municipal band”)

Norton Simon Free First Fridays >> If you’ve never been to this marvelous Pasadena art museum, you should go. It’s free on the first Friday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m. There’s a lot to see so I’d get there early. It showcases the immense collection of the late billionaire Norton Simon, including masterpieces of painting and sculpture by artists such as Picasso, Renoir, Raphael, Van Gogh and more. Free parking. 411 W. Colorado Blvd. nortonsimon.org

Free concert on the Music Center plaza >> Bring picnics, blankets and chairs. A DJ will spin tunes, and then Grammy-winning Americana artist Gaby Moreno will perform. Paid parking. 7 to 10:15 p.m. Saturday. L.A. Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles. musiccenter.org

Free National Parks Day >> Every National Park Service site will be free to visit in honor of the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, signed in 2020. (Some parks still require reservations.) The best way to enjoy these free days is to get there at the crack of dawn, enjoy a day of nature and, then, when it starts getting packed, go eat or head home. Aug. 4. nps.gov (search “free parks”)

National Night Out in San Gabriel >> Petting zoo, face painting, police dog demonstrations, bounce house, balloon artist and food trucks. Sponsored by the San Gabriel Police Department. Mission Playhouse parking lot. 5-8 p.m. Saturday, 320 S. Mission Drive. sangabrielcity.com. Check your city for National Night Out events in your area.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art >> Free to all on the second Tuesday of the month, but also free for L.A. County residents every day after 3 p.m. The largest art museum complex on the West Coast includes everything from David Hockney paintings to ancient artifacts to free arts workshops. (Note that part of the museum is under construction.) Paid parking. Aug. 13. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. lacma.org/tickets

Sister Sledge >> Disco hits of the ’70s start at 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Music Center Plaza in downtown L.A. You don’t need tickets, but RSVP in advance online. Also, free dance lessons will be offered on the plaza Aug. 16. You’ll have to pay to park. L.A. Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles. musiccenter.org

Mountain Grove Labor Day weekend concert >> Holy Crow performs 7-9 p.m. Aug. 31. 27511 San Bernardino Ave., Redlands. mtgrove.com/events

Torrance Summer Nights >> All events at Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd., unless noted. Bring chairs, picnics and blankets. 5 p.m. Sunday: Sangre Nueva Salsa Band. 5 p.m. Aug. 10: family karoake party, also “Little Mermaid” at Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive. 7:45 p.m. Aug. 17: “Kung Fu Panda 4.” Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 23-25: Tryst & Nomad Art Fair, Del Amo Crossing, 21535 Hawthorne Blvd. 5 p.m. Aug. 31: Petty Theft (Tom Petty tribute band). torranceca.gov/services/cultural-services-arts-and-classes/torrance-summer-nights

Queen Mary >> Free ship admission for “Meet Me at the Mary” Tuesdays. Happy hours 4-8 p.m. in the Observation Bar (ages 21 and up). Live music and drink specials. Parking discounted $10. Must reserve online. Long Beach. queenmary.com/whatsondeck

OC Parks Sunset Cinema >> Activities begin at 6 p.m. and movies start at sunset. Bring chairs and blankets. Tonight: “Frozen II” (2019) at Irvine Regional Park. Aug. 9: “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) at Irvine Regional Park. Aug. 16: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Aug. 23: “13 Going on 30” (2004) at Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Aug. 30: “The Goonies” (1985) at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. ocparks.com

Concerts in Orange County parks >> Live music under the stars. All ages. Sponsored by O.C. Parks. Thursday: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Mile Square Regional Park. Aug. 15: The FABBA Show (Abba tribute) at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Aug. 22: Jimmy’s Buffet at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. ocparks.com

Movies in the Park, Riverside >> Movies begin at dusk. Tonight: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra Ave. Aug. 9: “Elemental” at Orange Terrace Park, 20010 Orange Terrace Parkway. riversideca.gov (search “movies in the park 2024”)

Museum of Latin American Art >> The museum has free admission Sundays and always has interesting exhibits. Free docent-led tours are offered at 2 p.m. Sundays. Free advance tickets are recommended and can be booked online. Parking is free. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. molaa.org/visit

Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles >> The Autry is free from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday but reservations are required and limited. Parking is free, too. Learn about Native American and cowboy ways of life from historical artifacts such as stagecoaches, serapes, beaded clothing, firearms, photos and more. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org/free

Sierra Madre Movies in the Park >> Tonight: “Kung Fu Panda.” Aug. 16: “Haunted Mansion.” Movies begin at dusk. 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. cityofsierramadre.com

Whittier Summer in the Park entertainment >> Thursday: Pop Vinyl, pop and Top 40 concert. Aug. 10: Screening of the film “Jumanji” at dusk. All events at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road. whittierprcs.org (search “Summer in the park”)