We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources to pick the 33 best free things to do in the Bay Area between August 15 and August 21. Updated daily.
to see a personalized list by location, interest, and age group.
Highlights for August 15 – August 22
Family Movie Morning (Dimond Branch, Community Room, Oakland)
A morning screening of Pixar’s *Elio* with popcorn and blankets in the Dimond Branch community room. Saturday, August 15, 11 AM–1:30 PM. Free. Ages: families, kids, teens; bring blankets and popcorn.
African Rhythm Sticks & Movement (Dougherty Station, San Ramon)
Kids learn the Maculelê stick‑and‑rhythm dance tradition with live drumming. Saturday, August 15, 11 AM–12 PM. Free. Ages 6–9; space limited, register if required.
K-Pop Dance Class (Santa Teresa, Community Room, San Jose)
Beginner‑friendly K‑Pop dance lessons led by VietSteps. Saturday, August 15, 11 AM–12 PM. Free. All ages welcome; no registration required.
LEGO Club (Rose Garden, 2nd Floor, Teen Room, San Jose)
Drop‑in LEGO and Duplo building session for kids 5 and up. Saturday, August 15, 11 AM–12 PM. Free. Small pieces may be choking hazard for younger children.
Tai Chi with Nelson Ng (Rinconada Library, Embarcadero Room, Palo Alto)
Slow, gentle Tai Chi practice for balance and flexibility. Sunday, August 16, 10 AM–12 PM. Free. Ages 6–11 and adults; beginners welcome.
Summerween Crafts and Fun! (Mt. Pleasant, San Jose)
Spooky‑themed crafts, STEM activities, and a scavenger hunt for kids. Monday, August 17, 10 AM–11 AM. Free. Ages 0–10; no registration required.
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts (Downtown Palo Alto, CA (University Avenue))
Open‑air arts festival with live music, food, and interactive art demos. Saturday, August 22, 10 AM–6 PM. Free admission, free parking. All ages; bring a blanket for lawn seating.
Our best picks: free things to do in the Bay Area — August 15–21
Saturday, August 15
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Sunday, August 16
1,000 Ways to Hold is the culmination of a year-long participatory project by Stanford Arts’ 2025–26 Visiting Artist Erika Chong Shuch, rooted in conversation and clay. Developed in response to a moment shaped by loneliness, fragmentation, and uncertainty, the project proposes a tender, human-scale intervention: two pe…
Join Oakland Public Library in downtown Oakland for a full day of celebration. More than a single event, Oakland Pride reflects the city's culture, resilience, and creativity with a vibrant parade, local artists, and community programming. Pride is rooted in connection, health, and inclusion while supporting LGBTQ+ Oak…
Students will use Google's Teachable Machine to train and test an artificial intelligence (AI) model to identify items as compost, recycling, or trash, demonstrating how AI can be used to promote sustainability but may also make mistakes. This workshop is presented by a teen volunteer with project-based experience appl…
Join us for a family friendly movie. Bring a blanket to watch on the floor the movie Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. "The Madagascar animals fly back to New York City, but crash-land on an African nature reserve in Kenya, where they meet others of their own kind, and Alex especially discovers his royal heritage as prince…
This women’s big band swings at the Doyle Street Park, celebrating Black women musical geniuses Melba Liston and Mary Lou Williams . Bring your chair, hat, --and your dancing shoes!
Monday, August 17
This special exhibit will be on display on the first floor of the Fremont Main Library from August 2 to August 31. Loyal Americans: The Story of Eden Area Japanese Americans During World War II Relocation. Evacuation. Internment. Imprisonment. Incarceration. These are all words used to describe the forced removal of Ja…
Express your creativity by painting your own 3D-printed design! A new design will be featured each week and pre-printed using our 3D printer at the front desk. During the program, watch the following week's design being printed live, learn how 3D printing works, and ask the staff your questions while you paint. All sup…
Rescue Readers is a one-hour program for all readers, where participants read to the animals at the SJ Animal Care Adoption Center. Readers provide soothing company to dogs, cats, and critters as they await adoption. As a bonus, new readers gain confidence and improve their reading skills. Registration is Required. ADA…
Join us for a creative and relaxing evening at our Paint & Sip on Monday August 17th at 5:00pm in the Mount Diablo Room, a perfect blend of artistry and enjoyment! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just looking to try something new, this event is all about unwinding, expressing yourself, and having fun. We’ll provide…
Tuesday, August 18
Alameda Health System mobile dental and medical services on the third Tuesday of the month. Dental services for all ages including cleaning, assessment and creation of care plan. Medical exam, blood pressure, vaccinations, connection with other health services for adults. Referral to other services, and financial couns…
This program is for teens and kids ages 10 and up . Learn the science behind making lip balm! In this hands-on class, each group will make their own customized lip balm using beeswax, coconut oil and fun flavors while learning about the properties of materials and what each ingredient contributes.
Join us for a wondrous bubble experience featuring bubble smith Sterling Johnson! Sterling fills the sky with bubbles of all shapes and sizes, creates clouds of bubble foam that kids can run through, and can even put kids inside bubbles. Prepare to be amazed by all you can do with bubbles!
Enchantments is a magic and circus show that celebrates wonder, illusion and those magical moments. Library staff may take photos, videos, or audio recordings at our events. Please tell us if you do not wish to be photographed, video-recorded, or audio-recorded. We will always respect your requests! An ASL (American Si…
Wednesday, August 19
The California Room’s exhibit “Bay Area Comics and Comix” presents the history of American comic books, highlighting the participation of the San Francisco Bay Area. The exhibit displays comic books and materials illustrating our journey from 1842’s The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck to the arrival of the modern comic b…
Join us for a fun afternoon of creativity with the Kids Art Club. Summer series: June 10 - Cubed Plant Collage inspired by Ellsworth Kelly June 24 - Botanical Drawing inspired by Beatrix Potter and Anne Kingsbury Wollstonecraft July 8 - Yarn Sculpture inspired by Judith Scott July 22 - Drip Painting inspired by Janet S…
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop yet! Come enjoy a family movie at the library, where we’ll be hosting an afternoon filled with fun and games, arts and crafts, and, of course, a great film to close out the evening. First, join us early at 4 PM to play giant-sized games, build your…
Text from presenter: Monarch butterflies are disappearing, and their future is in our hands! Ready to be part of the solution? Join us for an inspiring workshop with Santa Clara County Master Gardener Rebecca Schoenenberger. You’ll explore the secret life of monarchs, from their incredible migration to their fragile li…
Thursday, August 20
Hop aboard our shuttle for a guided tour of Richmond’s WWII home front sites. Deepen your understanding of life in Richmond during the war as you tread in the footsteps of those who lived and worked here. The shuttle can accommodate up to six people.
This spectacular show thrills audiences with impressive science experiments. The event includes foggy dry ice storms and demonstrates how giant beach balls can float in the air. You will be amazed by sizzling, shivering scissors and special bubbly showers!
Say hello to mixed-media artist Eric Murphy and his personal guests' panel of Oaklanders sharing Oakland history of individuals who contributed to America's history. Experience the exhibition through the eyes of Murphy, as he conducts an artist walk-thru tour. RSVP (510) 637-0200 or register here.
Spend your Thursday evening with free live music by Brad Parese , great drinks, food, and late-night plant shopping at the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery. Admission to the Plaza and live music is free . Food from D’vine Graze and beverages will be available for purchase, including fresh craft beer from our beverage spo…
Friday, August 21
Explore shapes, colors, and design as you build with Superspace tiles. From simple patterns to tall towers, this open-ended activity lets imaginations run wild. Come play, create, and discover the fun of magnetic building!
The Magic Book is an interactive performance about wonder, playfulness & the power of learning. This family-friendly show blends magic, storytelling, and circus arts to share the joy of reading, foreign languages, and other cultures with spectators. Dr. Joe Culpepper is a magician, magic consultant, and the co-editor-i…
Friday Night at OMCA sets the stage for an evening of soulful sounds as Bay Area artist Sabrina Shauna brings her signature blend of R&B and pop to the Garden Stage. Featuring powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and infectious energy, her performance showcases fan favorites, new music, and an uplifting spirit tha…
Saturday, August 22
Avast, ye saucy sailors! Come brave the perilous waters of Point Reyes and join us for a rollicking good time at Point Reyes National Seashore's Sea Chantey Sing-along. Meet at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center where we'll raise our voices together in songs of the sea. Bring your arsenal of sea chanteys and your desire to…
Volunteer with Hidden Villa's farm team and help us care for food for the local community.
Grab your D20 and come play Dungeons and Dragons at the San Pablo Library! Dungeons & Dragons® is a role-playing adventure game where you explore fantasy worlds and embark on epic quests! This is a program for teens ages 12 to 18. All experience levels are welcome. This group meets every Saturday from 9am-11am in the C…
More than 250 fine artists to browse and shop, continuous live music on multiple stages, an Italian Street Painting Expo, kids’ Chalk-a-Lot, play a piano at Chopin & Chandeliers, yummy food and drink, and new this year - Artistry in Action, in which artists will be demoing their techniques live!
Learn the basic design in Tinkercad and see your creation come to life with our 3D printer! Participants will have the opportunity to create a project that will be printed out for pickup later. Recommended ages for 8+ and older. Parents must supervise children under 8 and younger. Reminder: LIMITED LAPTOPS FOR 8 PARTIC…
Hosted by the Berryessa Branch Library. Here’s a chance for you to get up close and personal with farm animals such as rabbits, chickens, ducks, a pig, alpacas, goats, and sheep! You’ll get to pet and groom them. Afterward, browse through our library’s collection of books to learn even more about them. The Petting Zoo…