This is the time of the year when money starts rushing out of your pocket, and there is no relief for at least another month. That does not mean, however, that your soul must starve for art and the pretty things that soothe your soul. Following is a list of five places in Los Angeles where you can enjoy art, film, music and dance in the upcoming days at no cost to you.

Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 443-7000
Date: free every Thursday
hammer.ucla.edu

There is much to be seen at the Hammer Museum, and if you visit on Thursdays there is no entrance fee. On top of that, the museum organizes public programs that are free of charge, such as the showcase of the film “Silent Waters” Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m., which is meant to go along with the “Zarina: Paper Like Skin” exhibit. Zarina is an artist whose creations are informed by the social and political situations in countries such as India and Pakistan. The film, selected by the artist herself, delves into the same issue. Check the website for plenty of other events offered at the Hammer Museum at no cost.

Ken Gonzales-Day at Luis de Jesus Los Angeles Gallery
2685 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 838-6000
Date: through Dec. 15
www.luisdejesus.com

Until Dec. 15, the Luis de Jesus Los Angeles Gallery hosts the work of Angeleno artist Ken Gonzales-Day, entitled “Profiled|Hang Trees|Portraits.” The exhibit includes a selection of his “Searching for California Hang Trees,” which will be soon included in the Smithsonian Institution’s show entitled “Our America.” These photographs illustrate the state’s history of lynching. This show also portrays of Latino men as targets of the lynch mobs of the 19th and 20th centuries, and addresses race in the frame of art history.

Target Free Day at the Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-0414
Hours: Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.janm.org

This event is sponsored by Target and therefore free of charge all day at the museum. Here is your opportunity to create festive garlands, origami lanterns and mini snow globes for the holidays. Your family can take pictures with holiday props, learn how to decorate holiday cookies, watch a play and listen to a barbershop-harmony concert by The Santa Monica Oceanaires.

Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk
102 W. 4th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 784-2598
Date: Dec. 13, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
www.downtownartwalk.com

On the second Thursday of every month, Los Angeles welcomes hundreds of art lovers to the free Downtown Art Walk in the art galleries between 2nd and 9th streets on Spring and Main streets. Walk in and out looking at their exhibits and purchase whatever catches your eye. When you get hungry, enjoy the food at one of the local restaurants or from any of the dozens of food trucks parked nearby. You will also have the opportunity to listen to music as artists perform inside bookstores, galleries and theater entrance areas.

Related: Best Local Los Angeles Artists

Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N. Grande Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-7211
www.musiccenter.org

For the past 53 years, Los Angeles County has organized a holiday celebration Dec. 24 filled with music, dance and other forms of performing arts. It is a grand event, three hours long, open to the public without a cover charge in one of the most beautiful venues in downtown Los Angeles — the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This year the event falls on a Monday. Those who cannot attend may also watch the performances on TV on KCET, online on KCET.org or listen on 90.7 FM.

Related: Best Bizarre Art Of Public Statues In Los Angeles

Dena Burroughs is a freelance writer living in Azusa, CA. She is a CSULA graduate with specialties in Creative Writing and Communications. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.