Looking for fun, budget-friendly ways to enjoy time with your family? The North State offers plenty of free events perfect for all ages. From outdoor adventures to local festivals and creative workshops, there’s something for everyone. Check out this list to plan your next family outing without spending a fortune!
Gridley Museum
601 Kentucky St, Gridley
Tues-Fri 11am - 3pm
(530)846-4482
Free local gem offers a glimpse into Gridley’s rich past through exhibits, artifacts, the offices of dentists, doctors, and attorneys preserved just as they were nearly a hundred years ago.
Grey Wolf Lodge Wildlife Area
3207 Rutherford Rd, Gridley
Daily sunrise to sunset.
(530)846-7500
Requires CDFW Lands Pass for 16+, $5.56pp. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals.
Manuel Vierra Park
194 Washington St, Gridley
Open daily 7am - 7pm
(530)846-3264
Free. With a summer splash pad, plenty of playground equipment, and public fields and courts, there’s plenty to keep the young ones occupied.
Lake Oroville Visitor Center
917 Kelly Ridge Rd, Oroville
Daily 7am - 5pm
(530)538-2219
Free. Overlooking both Lake Oroville and the dam, explore interpretive displays, an audio-video room and ascend the 47-foot viewing tower for panoramic views through high-powered telescopes. Pair your visit with a hike on one of Lake Oroville’s trails for the full experience!
Movies at the Oroville State Theater
1489 Myers St, Oroville
Check event calendar for movie times and dates.
(530)538-2470
info@orovillestatetheatre.com
$5 movies, classic and contemporary. Reasonable ticket prices for special events. The Oroville State Theater is a cultural landmark that offers a glimpse into the 1920s with its restored interior, vintage marquee, and authentic Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Riverbend Park
50 Montgomery St, Oroville
Daily 7am - 5pm
(530)533-2011
Located along the scenic Feather River, offers an abundance of free activities for the whole family. Splash around on a sandy beach, climb the playground equipment, stroll paved trails, host a BBQ, and even play a few rounds of disc golf.
Chico Air Museum
165 Ryan Ave, Chico
Thurs-Sun 10am - 3pm
(530)345-6468
Free. Aviation enthusiasts will love the collection of aircraft and exhibits that showcase the region’s aviation history. A host of decommissioned planes — some of which children can even climb inside.
National Yo-Yo Museum
Inside Bird in Hand
320 Broadway, Chico.
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm
(530)893-0545
info@birdinhand.com
Features the world’s largest public display of yo-yos, memorabilia, and competition awards. Also home to BIG-YO, the 1982 Guinness Book of World Records holder for World’s Biggest Working Wooden Yo-Yo. Stop by on Saturdays at 2pm for a free yo-yo lesson.
Bidwell Park
Chico
Daily 5am to 11pm
(530)899-1500
Free. From the mild Lower Bidwell Park to the wilder Upper Bidwell Park, there’s plenty to do for every level of ability and outdoor desire. Swimming holes, trails, picnic areas and paved bike trails throughout the park.
Bille Park
501 Bille Rd, Paradise
(530)872-6393
Free. Surrounded by a redwood grove, this serene natural space is perfect for picnics, leisurely walks, and reconnecting with nature. Features expansive views of the Butte Creek Canyon.
Paradise Lake
Paradise
paradise-lake
(530)877-4971
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Paradise Lake, where outdoor enthusiasts can fish, hike, and appreciate the scenic surroundings. All it costs is a $3 parking fee. Paradise Lake provides paddling, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and other activities.
Chico Children’s Museum
325 Main St., Chico
Tues-Sun 10am-4pm
(530)809-1492
Lots of fun activities for children and families. Free for Members and children UNDER 2. $12 for adults and children. $10 for Military, Grandparents, Seniors 60+, Teachers & First Responders. $6 with ACM Reciprocal Network Benefits from a participating Children’s Museum. $3 with EBT card for SNAP benefits through Museums for All, up to four people.
Turtle Bay First Fridays
844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding
First Friday of the Month
(530)243-8850
info@turtlebay.org
First Fridays with First 5 Shasta provides children ages 0 – 5 and their caregivers free access to Turtle Bay Exploration Park on the First Friday of every month. Reserve tickets for this day and gain access to world-class exhibitions, interactive playgrounds, animal exhibits and more. Tickets are limited, registration required.
Redding Library
1100 Parkview Ave, Redding
Mon-Thurs 10am - 8pm Fri & Sat 10am-6pm Sun 1pm-5pm
(530)245-7250
Besides storytime and many engaging activities for young children, the library is a great resource for teens for homework help and tutoring, as well as other databases and e-resources for education support. The Redding Branch offers STEAM-related technology in the Create It! Space, such as 3D printers, virtual reality devices, sewing machines, podcast studio and more. Teens have the opportunity to gain volunteer hours and participate in library programs, community service and skill-building by joining their Teen Advisory Board.
City of Redding Parks and Recreation Dept.
777 Cypress Ave. Redding
Check website for class days/times.
(530)225-4095
Many free and low cost classes and sports for adults and children of all ages and adults, too.
Shasta State Historic Park
15312 Highway 299 West, passes through the park.
Courthouse Museum and Gift shop Thurs-Sun 10am-4pm
(530)243-8194
Free. This historic park houses the remains of Shasta City, alive and bustling in the Gold Rush days and now a ghost town, with restored stagecoach, barn and courthouse.
Sacramento River Trail
Starts at 777 Auditorium Dr. near the Sundial Bridge
Open 24/7 all year round.
(530)225-4100
Free. This winding trail is popular with locals and visitors alike who want to take a casual stroll, a beautiful bike ride, or a long run. Parks, bathrooms, trailheads, and scenery along the trail make it a convenient and pleasant way to get some fresh air while enjoying Redding’s famous river. The trail is paved and wheelchair accessible.
Check their website for weekly activities, times and locations.
(530)646-3780
info@first5shasta.org
First 5 Shasta has free tumbling, storytime and other fun activities located throughout Shasta County.
Discover Siskiyou
Website has information on many natural areas to visit for free in Siskiyou County.
Karuk Tribe People’s Center Museum & Gift Shop
64236 Second Ave, Happy Camp
Mon-Sat 9:30am-5 pm, closed for lunch 1-1:30 pm.
(530)493-1600 Ext. 2201
Free. Devoted to the preservation, promotion and celebration of Karuk history, language, traditions.
Tehama County Sheriff’s PAL program
(530)-527-8282
Provides safe and convenient opportunities for community youth to participate in a wide range of fun and stimulating activities free of charge while teaching life lessons about the importance of community, leadership, education and team building.
Gaumer’s Mineral and Mining Museum
78 Belle Mill Road Red Bluff
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Free admission.
gaumer5950@sbcglobal.net
(530)527-6166
Showcases over 50 years and four generations of collecting beautiful and rare gem and mineral specimens from around the world, stone carvings, fossils, Native American artifacts. See a fluorescent mineral display and a detailed replica of an old mine tunnel complete with ore car, tracks and mining equipment.
The Orland Art Center
732 4th St. Orland
Tues-Sat Noon-5pm, during the duration of each show.
(530)865-2215
Free admission. Occupies the first floor of the handsome three story 1913 Orland Laurel Masonic Lodge building, featuring a beautifully carved ceiling, wonderful 12 foot high display walls and stately columns. The gallery features Fine Art created by local, national and internationally recognized artists.
Tehama County Library
Red Bluff Branch
54545 Diamond Avenue
(530) 527-0604
Corning Branch
740 3rd Street
(530) 824-7050
Los Molinos Branch
7881 State Highway 99E
(530) 384-2772
Check hours for each branch
Many free activities and events like Board Game & Table Top play, Crafternoons, Storytime for toddlers, Dr. Seuss Story Hour, LEGO at the Library, Mario Day and STEM Days.
Posted in: Frugal Families
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