25 Fabulous Ways to Enjoy Fall for Free

Treat Yourself

Free beauty and wellness samples. Who doesn’t love a good sample? Freshen up your skincare and wellness routines with free products from popular brands. Current samples include La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo, Exederm Flare Control Cream, Extra Strength Breathe Right strips and more. Find additional beauty, skincare and wellness freebies at Freeflys.com.

Free makeup and skincare consultations. Give your beauty routine a seasonal update with a complimentary consultation or makeover. Some department stores, beauty retailers and cosmetics counters provide free services, ranging from skincare advice and makeup tutorials to mini makeovers and express treatments. Look for services from brands such as MAC Cosmetics, Lancôme and bareMinerals, as well as retailers including Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. You may even score complimentary samples to take home.

Free personal styling. Looking for a closet refresh? Retailers including Lane Bryant, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, J.Crew and Macy’s offer complimentary personal styling or shopping services. Depending on the store, you can get personalized fit and fashion advice, outfit recommendations or help pulling together a look for a special occasion.

Free gym passes. Finish the year strong with free trials and guest passes from fitness chains including 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Chuze Fitness, Crunch, Gold’s Gym, LA Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness and Planet Fitness. Your YMCA or neighborhood gym may have trial passes, too.

Vaccination bonuses. Get a little something extra when you receive qualifying vaccines this season. Pharmacy chains including Albertsons, CVS and Walgreens provide coupons, store rewards or discounts toward a future purchase — in some cases worth as much as $20.

Home Sweet Home

Free decorating advice. Ready to cozy up your space? Furniture and home decor retailers including Crate & Barrel, Ethan Allen, Raymour & Flanigan, Anthropologie and West Elm provide complimentary design services ranging from virtual consultations to in-home visits.

Free home maintenance workshops. Prep your home and garden for cooler weather with expert tips and tutorials from Ace Hardware, The Home Depot and Lowe’s. Offerings include in-person workshops, online classes and on-demand videos covering DIY projects, fall lawn care, home maintenance and more.

Free home essentials. Get a little help tackling seasonal projects with these sign-up perks. The Home Depot gives you a $5 coupon when you sign up for emails, and you can earn a $10 bonus by joining Ace Rewards and linking your account in the Ace app.

Free fall gear. Before buying a tool or gadget you may use once and then stash in a closet, head to your library. Many now have a “Library of Things,” where you can borrow unexpected items, from gardening tools and bird-watching kits to drills, sanders and other handy equipment. Inventory varies, so browse your library’s website or ask what you can borrow beyond books.

Free seeds and plants. Grow your garden without spending a dime. Some libraries and community gardens give out free seeds through seed libraries, swaps and giveaways. Buy Nothing groups are another place to find neighbors passing along plants, flowers, seeds, pots and other gardening supplies.

Fall Adventures

Free fall entertainment. Cooler temperatures bring plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the season without opening your wallet. Think leaf-peeping walks, festivals, farmers’ markets, outdoor concerts, community celebrations and more. Eventbrite, Meetup and AARP’s Virtual Community Center are good places to find no-cost events. You can also search “free fall events” along with your city, town or state to uncover happenings close to home.

Free local walking tours. See your hometown — or your next getaway — through fresh eyes. Historical societies, visitor centers, libraries and community organizations often host guided neighborhood, architectural and historical tours. Prefer to wander on your own? Look for downloadable maps and self-guided routes that let you explore at your own pace.

Free national park admission. Take in the changing leaves at a national park without paying an entrance fee. In 2026, U.S. citizens and residents can visit participating National Park Service sites for free on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, and November 11, Veterans Day. Parking or other fees may still apply.

Free scenic drives. Grab some snacks, queue up a good playlist and hit the road. State tourism offices provide online guides to scenic routes and foliage drives across the country. Visit NC features seven North Carolina byways known for autumn color, while New Hampshire promotes more than 1,000 miles of designated foliage drives and cultural byways. Travel Wisconsin highlights 11 fall foliage routes, and Visit Maine offers road-trip guides to scenic byways such as the 40-mile Acadia All-American Road. Check your state tourism website for recommended routes, foliage reports and maps before heading out.

Free museum admission and cultural passes. Before paying full price for your next outing, explore the many ways you may be able to get in for less — or nothing at all. If you receive SNAP benefits, Museums for All provides free or reduced admission at participating institutions. The Museums on Us program gives eligible Bank of America cardholders free admission to participating cultural attractions on select weekends. Some museums, including most Smithsonian museums, charge no admission, while many others have pay-what-you-wish hours, resident days or other specials. Your library may also lend passes to museums, zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens. And if you already belong to a museum, zoo or science center, see whether your membership includes reciprocal admission while traveling.

Free movies and TV. Grab a blanket and settle in for a cozy movie night without adding another streaming subscription. AARP’s Movies for Grownups hosts free screenings, while your public library may give you access to platforms such as Hoopla and Kanopy, where you can stream movies, documentaries, TV shows and more. Availability varies by library.

Free photography and tech classes. Want to capture better foliage photos or finally master a few features on your phone? Today at Apple offers complimentary in-store sessions covering photography, video, drawing, Apple Intelligence and other creative and tech skills. Classes vary by location.

Free fun with the kids and grandkids. Looking for an easy outing with the little ones? MyLowe’s Rewards Kids Club has projects scheduled throughout the season. The Home Depot also hosts free in-store kids workshops on the first Saturday of each month, while supplies last. For at-home fun, sign kids up for a free printed LEGO Magazine subscription.