Become a movie club member.
Movie chain loyalty programs can provide value. The lowest tier of the AMC Stubs loyalty program is free and includes waived online ticket fees for some purchases. The free tier of Cinemark’s rewards program gives you an extra discount on Tuesdays and lets you earn points redeemable for movie tickets. At Regal, the free membership earns you discounts on candy on Mondays, popcorn on Tuesdays, and redeemable credits.

Enjoy free outdoor concerts.
There’s likely more going on than you realize with free summer concerts. Sign up for the mailing list from your town’s (and surrounding ones’) recreation department to learn about free community events, says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance specialist with NerdWallet. You might also find out about outdoor movies, food festivals and other events slated for the summer months.

Buy at the box office.
Online ticket platforms make their money through fees, so sometimes you can cut them out by purchasing your concert or other event tickets directly. Verify this by phone or online first; then if the venue is local, go by the box office to make the purchase. While you’re there, ask if there is a senior discount, which might cut the cost even further.

Take in a weekday MLB game.
Matinees can cost less than night games, and weekday games are even cheaper. Plus, you may enjoy a less crowded stadium. An analysis by TicketCity last year found that average prices for Wednesday games were about $56, compared with almost $80 for a Saturday game.

Or visit a minor league park.
The average cost of a ticket at a minor league ballpark is less than a third of that for a Major League Baseball game. For less than $30, you can likely not only purchase a ticket but also park and enjoy a hot dog and a beer—and have a chance to see future stars. Plus, many stadiums offer a senior discount.

Look for deals through your credit card.
Many rewards credit cards offer additional discounts to specific events purchased through their shopping portal, says Andrea Woroch, who writes about budgeting. Some cardholders might get access to presale events, which allows them to snag tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

Join fan clubs.
Get access to presale tickets through the performers themselves. Artists including Rod Stewart and Melissa Etheridge offer fan-club members a limited number of presale tickets. Snag seats that way and avoid the secondary market—and the markup that can come with it.

Look for museum discount days.
Museums often have days when they offer free or discounted admission. The Brooklyn Museum, for example, has free admission for some hours on the first Saturday of every month except September, and the Santa Monica History Museum has free admission on the first Sunday of the month.