WEDNESDAY
30
SEPTEMBER
The Ember List · San Jose, CA
Things to do in San Jose, CA
We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources to pick the 28 best things to do in San Jose, CA between September 29 and October 5. Updated daily.
Highlights for September 29 – October 5
Virtual Reality: Exploration & Experiences (Tully, San Jose)
A virtual‑reality session where teens learn to use VR equipment and try immersive games and puzzles. Tuesday, September 29, 4 pm–5 pm. Free. Ages 12+; may cause vertigo—stop if symptoms appear.
Teen Craft & Connect (Calabazas, San Jose)
A weekly teen program offering crafts such as bedazzling mirrors, decorating tote bags, and making jewelry trays with free supplies while they last. Wednesday, September 30, 5:45 pm–6:45 pm. Free. Ages 12–18; no registration required.
Spooky Season Scavenger Hunt (Biblioteca Latinoamericana, Children's Area & Teen Room, San Jose)
A Halloween‑themed scavenger hunt with spooky paper creations hidden around the library; participants collect clue cards and can claim a prize at the information desk. Thursday, October 1 – Monday, October 5, 12 am–11:59 pm. Free. Ages 5–12 and 12–18; no registration required; prizes while supplies last.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana: Celebrating 50 Years of Community (Biblioteca Latinoamericana, San Jose)
The library marks its 50‑year anniversary with a celebration honoring its founders and the Amigos de la Biblioteca. Saturday, October 3, 11 am–4 pm. Free. All ages welcome.
STEAM Sundays: Cryptid Art & Science? (Biblioteca Latinoamericana, Community Room, San Jose)
A STEAM session exploring cryptid lore and science, then creating monster art. Sunday, October 4, 1 pm–3 pm. Free. Ages 5–18; no registration required.
Freedom to Read: Scavenger Hunt (Vineland, Information Desk, San Jose)
A Banned Books Week scavenger hunt where kids search the Children’s Room for clues about challenged books, with small prizes for completion. Monday, October 5, 3 pm–4 pm. Free. Pick up the scavenger list at the info desk; ages 5+.
Game Zone (Hillview, Teen Room, San Jose)
A drop‑in space to play video, board, and card games, or try pool, in the teen room. Monday, October 5, 3:30 pm–4:30 pm. Free. Ages 10–18; no registration required.
Our best picks: things to do in San Jose, CA — September 29 – October 5
Our Nintendo Switch console is available for teens to play after school. Controllers and games may be checked out at the Information Desk for IN LIBRARY USE ONLY. For teens 13-18. This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Branch Library. ADA Accommodation Requests
Come and make your own movie trailer! Discover the different genres of movie trailer templates iMovie has to offer. Participants will learn how to make their own Hollywood-style trailers. We will be using iPads and iMovie software. Learn how to plan, edit, and share a short creative video project from start to finish.…
Join us for this financial literacy workshop designed to equip attendees with practical tools and knowledge for everyday money management! Learn about budgeting, credit, debt management, savings, goal setting, and scam awareness with hands-on activities. Free. No registration required. For teens (ages 13-18). ADA Accom…
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
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…
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
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…
Join us for the Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch at Santana Row, October 2nd- 4th. Stroll through thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by Bay Area Glass Institute artists and other...
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…
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
SATURDAY
3
OCTOBER
Join us at Emma Prusch for a fun and creative candle and soap making class! We will have two sessions of this class, with the first session being tailored for ages 7+ and the second session being tailored for adults ages 18+. The class will begin with a 10-minute guided tour of our Native Plant Garden, where participan…
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…
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…
Sonic Live In Concert Celebrate 35 years of one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time: Sonic the Hedgehog. This new in concert experience brings together, live on stage, the most iconic music and incredible moments of the beloved Sonic video games. A live ensemble, rock musicians, electronics, and vocali…
SUNDAY
4
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…
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…
Children, teens, and their families are invited to play a selection of board games and card games. The games included will be a mix of strategy-based games, educational games, and luck-based games. Come together to have fun with friends and family! ADA Accommodation Requests
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…
Join us every Sunday between 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the Seven Trees Library to play fun board games! We have a large selection to choose from, including new games and classic games that everyone of all ages can enjoy. No Registration Required. Thanks to the Friends of the Seven Trees Library for making this possible! ADA Ac…
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…
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…
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…
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