The best things in life are free, indeed. Welcome to the first installment of "Free Stamp," a monthly roundup of free #CLE events that get our "stamp" of approval. Got a free event you want us to feature? Drop us a line here.

Our October listing runs the gamut from MOCA's fifth-anniversary free-for-all to luxury cars lining Public Square to haunted hikes at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

No Wood for MOCA

Traditionally, fifth anniversaries are marked by gifts of wood, but MOCA's got a better idea: a free community day. On Saturday, October 6, help fete the five-year anniversary of MOCA's Farshid Moussavi-designed building with family-friendly activities, artist lectures, the opening of two new exhibitions, live music on the plaza courtesy of Studio-A-Rama, and more surprises throughout the day. Doors are open from noon to midnight, but the party continues until the wee hours at Happy Dog Euclid Tavern.

In the Driver's Seat

Pimped-out rides in Public Square? Must be Cars in Cleveland. This free event will spotlight $30 million worth of exotic vehicles—from LeBron James' private collection to rare vehicles from the Western Reserve Historical Society's Crawford Collection. Also on the laundry list of luxury vehicles assembled by Bernie Moreno Companies is Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and more. Live music, food, and drink will round out the freewheeling fest.   

The Heights Are Alive With the Sound of (Unusual) Music

Since early September, the "Sound and Vision" exhibit at Heights Arts has been taking Clevelanders on a musical journey outside their respective comfort zones. The brainchild of guest curator Christopher Auerbach-Brown, the exhibit aims to expand the traditional definition of music by highlighting modern instruments like the telharmonium and fire organ—along with offbeat instruments from around the globe. Catch "Sound and Vision" before it concludes with a free gallery concert by Trepanning Trio on October 14 at 7 pm.

Celebrating a Century

Shaker Heights certainly has no shortage of stately homes, a number of which are considered "Century Homes." That’s why the Shaker Heights Society is pulling out all the stops for a big birthday bash on Sunday, October 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy cake and ice cream along with a hearty helping of history surrounding the area’s centennial homes. Please RSVP no later than Friday, October 13 by calling 216-901-1201.

Let CVNP Light the Way

October is a rich time for storytelling, and what better place to hear ghost stories than deep in the woods of Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join CVNP's free Lantern Walk on Saturday, October 21, for a haunted moonlight hike replete with costumed characters, and learn all about the National Park Service's legends and lore. Hikes depart every 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m; tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/cuva, or call 330-657-2752.

Who Says Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees?

Because it does at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. You’ll find the 23-foot-tall money tree showcased in all its Instagram-worthy awesomeness at the Learning Center and Money Museum. It’s part of a free interactive experience where families can dive into all things money. Discover how the barter system works, try to identify counterfeit bills, and inspect the art that’s been printed on our money through the years. This fun and educational experience is open to the public every Monday-Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (with a few exceptions, like bank holidays).