WEDNESDAY
30
SEPTEMBER
The Ember List · the Bay Area
Things to do in the Bay Area
We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources to pick the 32 best things to do in the Bay Area between September 30 and October 6. Updated daily.
Highlights for September 29 – October 6
Family Fun Night: Astro Everywhere (Castro Valley, Chabot Canyon, Castro Valley)
An inflatable planetarium show that takes visitors on a space journey, with three 25‑minute presentations. Tuesday, September 29, 6 pm–7:30 pm. Free. All ages; registration required.
2026 Carmel International Film Festival (Various locations in Pacific Grove)
An international film festival showcasing competition entries and filmmakers, with panels, parties, networking, awards, and screenings. Thursday, October 1, 12 am–5 pm.
Teen Hangout (Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road Santa Clara, California 95051)
Weekly teen hangout with crafts, maker activities, video and board games, plus a monthly teen leaders meeting. Thursday, October 1, 4:30 pm. Ages 13+; free.
Fist Up Film Festival: Opening Night – Culture Keepers (La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA)
Opening night of a free, volunteer‑led, all‑POC film festival showcasing independent films. Thursday, October 1, 7 pm–9 pm. All ages; free.
Zippy Visits Pleasanton Palooza! (Exact parking location TBA)
A free street fair Kids Zone with books, recreation, live music, vendors, entertainment, and a BMX Bike Fest. Saturday, October 3, 11 am–4 pm. Free. Ages 2–18; family‑friendly.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana: Celebrating 50 Years of Community (Biblioteca Latinoamericana, San Jose)
A celebration honoring the library’s 50‑year history with guest speakers and commendations. Saturday, October 3, 11 am–4 pm. Free. All ages; open to public.
CSA’s Annual Golden Harvest Gala Fundraiser (Center for Spiritual Awakening / The Mindshop, 522 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA)
An autumn evening gala featuring live music, food, drinks, and a charitable auction in a private barn. Saturday, October 3, 4 pm–8:30 pm. Adults; ticketed event.
Banned Books Week: Teen Read-a-thon (Main Library TeenZone, Oakland)
A drop‑in read‑a‑thon where teens can curl up with banned books any time during library hours. Tuesday, October 6, 12 am–11:59 pm. Free. Ages 12–17.
Our best picks: things to do in the Bay Area — September 30 – October 6
All middle and high schoolers are invited to come to the North Branch every Wednesday for video games, board games, snacks, and crafts. Bring your friends and meet new friends! Drop in any time between 2:00-4:00. No Teen Hangout during BUSD school breaks.
Create your own virtual pet at this special edition of Teen Crafternoons for National Sewing Month! Drop by the Main Library TeenZone on Wednesday, September 2nd between 3:00-5:00pm. We'll have all the materials you need to make your own handmade felt tamagotchi. Hand sewing lessons included! For youth in 6th-12th grad…
Take a break and have some fun after school at the Brentwood Library every Wednesday! This program, open to tweens and teens in grades 6-12, features a mix of games, crafts, snacks and opportunities to meet new friends. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Looking to make new friends and have fun at the same time? Teen Craft & Connect (ages 12–18) is a welcoming weekly program created to help teens hang out, get creative, and build real connections in a friendly, relaxed setting. September 16 - Bedazzling mirrors September 23 - Decorating tote bags September 30 - Jewelry…
THURSDAY
1
OCTOBER
The 2026 Carmel International Film Festival is taking place October 1-4, 2026 and features international competition and filmmakers from around the world. Four days of celebrity filmmaker panels, parties, networking, awards, and amazing films from around the world. All Access Day Passes and Four-Day All Access Passes a…
Come kick off October and wake up your inner weird scientist by making some delightfully squishy and spooky slime with us! Registration required.
Need a place to chill after school? Teens 13+ are invited to join us for Teen Hangout at the Central Park Library, weekly on Thursdays, starting October 1, 4:30 –6 p.m.! Hang out with friends, try fun crafts and maker activities, play video games and board games, and enjoy a different activity each week. The first Thur…
The 17th Annual Fist Up Film Festival returns! A good film can change your life. Free, volunteer-led, 100% POC-run. Oct 1–4, Berkeley, CA Join us at La Peña Cultural Center […]
FRIDAY
2
OCTOBER
Doors 3 PM / Show 3 PM OUTDOORS RAIN OR SHINE Please be sure to select the lowest available price level first. There are a limited number of tickets available at each price level. All tickets for this show are general admission, standing. GA: Ages 18+ w/ valid physical copy of goverment issued photo ID Access to the fu…
Join us at the Opening Gala for the Celebration of the Arts!When: Friday, October 2, 2026Where: Public Market, 5959 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA 94608Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
8-hour naturalist-led whale watching expedition from San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. Expert naturalist on board. $320/person.
Drop by Fremont Street Eats 2026 every Friday night: May 1 through October 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Downtown Event Center and Plaza, 3500 Capitol Ave. These Friday events bring a rotating lineup of food trucks, new drink selections, local vendors, and community fun. Fremont Street Eats is produced by the Fremont Chamber of C…
SATURDAY
3
OCTOBER
8-hour naturalist-led whale watching expedition from San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. Expert naturalist on board. $320/person.
SHADOW CLIFFS – Study pond life at Shadow Cliffs while discovering the importance of this ecosystem. Then help protect it by earning 1.5 volunteer service hours of trash pickup along the trail. Ages 13-18. 1 adult registration required per teen/siblings/friends. Once registered, you will receive a link to create EBRPD…
Join us as Biblioteca Latinoamericana celebrates 50 years of serving the community. The anniversary celebration will honor the founders who established the library in 1976 and recognize Amigos de la Biblioteca with a special commendation. Guest Speakers Matt Mahan, Mayor, City of San José Anthony Tordillos, Councilmemb…
Join Zippy in the Kids Zone at Pleasanton Palooza, presented by the Pleasanton Downtown Association! Stop by for books, recreation, and family fun at this free street fair featuring live music, vendors, entertainment, and the BMX Bike Fest.
Join the Center for Spiritual Awakening on Saturday, October 3rd from 4:00 – 8:30 pm for an unforgettable autumn evening of music, community, food, and giving at CSA’s Golden Harvest Gala, held in a beautiful private Carmel luxury barn. This special fundraising celebration brings together some of our community’s favori…
Teens, ages 13+, are invited to join us on Saturday, October 3, for Firelight Frights: Scary Campfire Stories with LARPD in Sycamore Grove Park! Event requires registration, space is limited. Call 925-373-5505 to sign up.
SUNDAY
4
OCTOBER
8-hour naturalist-led whale watching expedition from San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. Expert naturalist on board. $320/person.
The City of Millbrae and its Japanese Culture Festival Committee, together with its lead sponsor, The City of Millbrae and The Millbrae Chamber of Commerce, are pleased to announce that the 21st Annual Japanese Culture Festival will be held in Millbrae on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The genesis of the event stems from a d…
This fun, family-friendly, all-ages event celebrates Banned Books Week with something for everyone! Scheduled Events : Community Center Main Hall 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Meet the Authors Tabling event with guest authors 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Banned Books Drag Bingo w/Ms. Sweet Nothing A guaranteed fun time! 2:15 PM – 2:30 P…
Teens! Do you like games that involve worldbuilding, narrative, and strategy? Come and meet other teens and play the fun Magic the Gathering (MtG) game Commander . Open to new and experienced players. All teens aged 12-18 welcome. All materials provided (including snacks!).
Join Belmont's Poet Laureate for a unique outdoor experience that combines a scenic hike at Twin Pines Lake with a poetry workshop. Participants will draw inspiration from nature, engage in guided writing exercises, and explore the connection between movement, observation, and storytelling. Whether you're an experience…
Closing night: Honoring our Ancestors. A good film can change your life. Free, volunteer-led, 100% POC-run. Oct 1–4, Berkeley, CA The 17th Annual Fist Up Film Festival returns to La Peña Cultural Center […] \n
MONDAY
5
OCTOBER
Looking for a fun activity this Halloween? Stop by the branch for our spooky season scavenger hunt! We'll have a bunch of spooky-themed (but not-that-scary) paper creations hidden between our bookshelves, think you can find them all? Drop in, grab a scavenger hunt clue card and begin exploring Biblioteca Latinoamerican…
Celebrate Banned Books Week with two fun scavenger hunts. Kids can explore the Children’s Room to uncover clues about challenged favorites, while teens and adults can test their knowledge with a banned book quest of their own. Discover stories once silenced—and the joy of finding them again. Please pick up a scavenger…
Teens will learn about Mexika day-signs from artist Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo then be guided to create their own block stamps to print their designs on cards. Registration is required, please call 925-373-5505 to register.
Join a heartfelt conversation about food, hospitality, and how the simple act of gathering around the table helps us build community and feel at home with each other.
TUESDAY
6
OCTOBER
Let Books Be: Protect the Freedom to Read Celebrate your freedom to read at the 2nd Annual Banned Books Teen Read-a-thon. From Tuesday, October 6th through Friday, October 9th, drop in to the Main Library TeenZone and curl up with a banned book anytime from opening to closing. American Library Association's (ALA) Offic…
Looking for a fun activity this Halloween? Stop by the branch for our spooky season scavenger hunt! We'll have a bunch of spooky-themed (but not-that-scary) paper creations hidden between our bookshelves, think you can find them all? Drop in, grab a scavenger hunt clue card and begin exploring Biblioteca Latinoamerican…
Play bingo with banned and challenged books during Banned Books Week. Mark off squares featuring titles that have faced censorship, from classics to modern favorites. A fun way to celebrate intellectual freedom and every reader's right to choose their own books. Pick up your bingo card at the information desk to partic…
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