THURSDAY
1
OCTOBER
The Ember List · San Jose, CA
Free things to do in San Jose, CA
We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources to pick the 31 best free things to do in San Jose, CA between October 1 and October 7. Updated daily.
Highlights for September 30 – October 6
Teen Craft & Connect (Calabazas, San Jose)
A weekly teen program offering guided crafts like mirror decorating, tote bag design, and jewelry making with free supplies while they last. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 5:45–6:45 pm. Free. Ages 12–18; no registration required.
Spooky Season Scavenger Hunt (Biblioteca Latinoamericana, Children's Area & Teen Room, San Jose)
Visitors pick up a clue card and search the library for hidden spooky‑themed paper creations, with a prize for those who find all. Thursday, October 1, 2026, 12 am–11:59 pm. Free. Ages 5–18; no registration required.
Glass Pumpkin Festival (Santana Row, San Jose)
Thousands of hand‑blown glass pumpkins are displayed, with live glass‑blowing demos from a mobile hotshop. Friday–Sunday, October 2–4, 2026. Free. Expect crowds; arrive early.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana: Celebrating 50 Years of Community (Biblioteca Latinoamericana, San Jose)
A celebration honoring the library’s 50‑year history with speeches from city officials and community members. Saturday, October 3, 2026, 11 am–4 pm. Free. Open to all ages.
Freedom to Read: Scavenger Hunt (Vineland, Information Desk, San Jose)
Kids, teens and adults explore the library’s Children’s Room to find clues about challenged books, with small prizes for completed hunts. Sunday–Wednesday, October 4–7, 2026. Free. Ages 5+; pick up hunt list at the Information Desk.
Teen Craft-N-Chill, Paint a Banned Book Box (King Library, TeenHQ/First Floor Mezzanine, San Jose)
TeenHQ hosts a craft session where teens create a painted box inspired by a banned book. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4–6 pm. Free. Ages 12–18; part of the Freedom to Read program.
Virtual Reality: Exploration & Experiences (Tully, San Jose)
Participants try a variety of virtual‑reality experiences, games and puzzles, learning to use the equipment under staff guidance. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4–5 pm. Free. Ages 12+; may cause vertigo, stop if symptoms appear.
Our best picks: free things to do in San Jose, CA — October 1–7
TeenHQ Theater is ready to hold its 18th open casting call for its 18th production! In acknowledgement of the chillier Fall months to come, TeenHQ wants to do a chillier production. Audition to join the cast of our first thriller! We are still narrowing down the choice for the play, but we'll have it once audition time…
Do you want to volunteer at West Valley Branch Library? Teens ages 13-18 can apply to join our Teens Reach chapter, become library volunteers, and attend monthly meetings to earn service hours for their school/club. (Note: San Jose Public Library is not a certifying organization for the Presidential Service Award.) Tho…
Teens, try your luck to win some prizes! Lotería, or Mexican bingo, is a great way to practice Spanish vocabulary while having fun. Small prizes for winners. Program for ages 12-18 years old Free. No registration required. ADA Accommodation Requests
FRIDAY
2
OCTOBER
Stroll through thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by artists from the Bay Area Glass Institute and renowned glass artisans from around the country. This once-a-year event draws large crowds, so encourage guests to arrive early to find the perfect piece. The free public event includes live glassblowing demon…
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…
Have fun and compete with others in a variety of popular games on Nintendo Switch, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Open to Teens and Pre-Teens. No Registration Required. ADA Accommodation Requests
Looking for a fun way to unwind on a Friday afternoon? C'mon over to our weekly Friday Family Game Zone. In addition to board games and card games, we'll have our Nintendo Switch hooked up for attendees to play Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario Party, and more. Free. No registration is required. This program i…
SATURDAY
3
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…
Stroll through thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by artists from the Bay Area Glass Institute and renowned glass artisans from around the country. This once-a-year event draws large crowds, so encourage guests to arrive early to find the perfect piece. The free public event includes live glassblowing demon…
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 us every 1st Saturday for an exhilarating volunteer- led Bollywood dance session! This family-friendly event is open to all ages. Get ready to move to the rhythm, learn some new dance moves, and immerse yourself in the energetic world of Bollywood. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this class is desi…
Teens and adults (ages 12+) are invited to register for this 4-session, introductory program on 3D printing and CAD (Computer-aided Design). Participants will learn the 3D modeling software Onshape and design their own MakerCoin in our 1st and 2nd sessions. Sessions 3 and 4 will cover the 3D printing software Cura and…
Enjoy an adults-only space at the library! This month, we’ll watch Pan's Labyrinth. Feel free to bring your own snacks to enjoy while we watch! This program is for adults (18+). Runtime: 2 hours Rating: R This program is sponsored by the San José Public Library Foundation . ADA Accommodation Requests
SUNDAY
4
OCTOBER
Stroll through thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by artists from the Bay Area Glass Institute and renowned glass artisans from around the country. This once-a-year event draws large crowds, so encourage guests to arrive early to find the perfect piece. The free public event includes live glassblowing demon…
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…
We welcome children, teens, adults, and families to play a variety of board games and card games at the Edenvale Branch Library, every first Sunday of the month. There will be a mix of strategy-based games and educational games. A library staff member or volunteer will be available to explain game rules, as needed. Joi…
Calling all book lovers! Let's celebrate the freedom to read. Get your button making on while spreading awareness about book banning and censorship. Drop into Hillview on designated afternoons during Banned Books Week to create buttons from a variety of designs. Participants are invited to make buttons for themselves a…
Could a prehistoric creature really have survived in Loch Ness? Is Bigfoot actually prowling the forests of the Pacific Northwest? How would a Mothman fly anyway? Get ready to explore the lore and science that lurks behind our favorite cryptids in our spooky season STEAM Sunday. After learning the history and science t…
MONDAY
5
OCTOBER
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. Learn why these books were restricted while competing for prizes. A fun way to celebrate intellectual freedom and every reader's right to choose their ow…
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…
Are you an expert at video, board, and card games? Do you want to demonstrate your skills, or just want to learn the basics? Or maybe you'd like to sink the 8 ball at a game of pool? Join us in the Teen Room at the Hillview Branch Library if you want to play video, board, and card games, play some pool, or just hang ou…
TUESDAY
6
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…
In recognition of Banned Books Week 2026, join TeenHQ for a special Teen Craft-N-Chill as part of SJPL’s Freedom to Read program. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to…
Join us every Thursday and experience the digital world like never before in our Virtual Reality program. Learn how to use our virtual reality equipment, try a virtual reality experience for the first time, and then come back again to try one of our more immersive experiences, games, and puzzles. For teens ages 12 and…
WEDNESDAY
7
OCTOBER
Stop by to leave a puzzle, take a puzzle, and exchange old puzzles for new ones. We ask that you: Limit to 3 to 5 puzzles per week to trade Trade puzzle sets of 350 pieces and up Do not trade in damaged or incomplete puzzles Puzzles are family friendly ADA Accommodation Requests
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…
Free. Recommended for ages 10+ With Lab PCs donated by our local community, you will learn: Components needed to assemble a working computer How to plan out and shop for a new/used computer components How to disassemble/assemble a PC without damaging components Class Breakdown: Students will be given a working computer…
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…
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