Family events in Alameda County, CA

Take a break while children enjoy a fun-filled evening. This Parents’ Night Out provides childcare for ages 3 to 11 and includes crafts, activities, and movies, with food provided. Held on the second and fourth Friday of each month, it offers an easy way for parents to enjoy time off while kids have a fun experience.

At the Ohlone College Flea & Community Market, a lively marketplace meets a Cars & Coffee gathering for a community-focused experience that blends creativity, conversation, and car culture. Explore booths from local vendors, small businesses, and neighborhood sellers offering bargains and handmade pieces, distinctive jewelry, antiques and collectibles, toys and games, clothing and skincare, tasty local treats, rare plants, furniture, tools, and more. The Cars & Coffee Meet with Ohayo Roadsters is free and family friendly, pairing great coffee with a showcase that ranges from beloved classics to eye-catching exotics. Families can enjoy a Kids Zone with a bounce house, crafts, and lawn games, and live jazz adds a smooth soundtrack to the outing. Free parking is available during the event.

Spend time with kittens and see who might be the right match at Pet Food Express (Pleasanton). The adoption fee is $150 and includes spay or neuter surgery, indoor vaccinations, deworming, and parasite and flea treatments. Each adopter also receives a sample of the kitten’s food, a printed medical record, and a 20% off coupon to Pet Food Express.

Teens can meet peers for a tabletop adventure with Dungeons & Dragons. All materials are provided, including dice, and first-time players can jump in with ready-to-play starter characters. The session is led by Dungeon Master Vic. Accessibility information is available. Actividad para adolescentes que quieran jugar Dungeons & Dragons. Se proporcionan dados y personajes iniciales para quienes empiezan. Con el Dungeon Master Vic. Hay información de accesibilidad disponible.

Celebrate the finale of the Concerts on the Plaza series at Niles Town Plaza, featuring music by The Beatles performed by local favorites, including The Collective. This no-cost event welcomes all ages. Pack lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy a day of live music in the center of Niles.

This event features no-cost, hands-on math activities for the whole family in a relaxed, drop-in format. Complimentary snacks are available, and new puzzles are introduced each month.

Fam Appreciation Night at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA features Oakland Roots SC vs. San Antonio FC, celebrating everyone who has supported the club, from families and dedicated fans to the wider community. The night welcomes both longtime followers and first-time attendees. A fireworks display after the match will bring the evening to a close.

Capture the season with a quick outdoor portrait experience in Livermore. Fall Petite Sessions are 20-minute photo shoots tailored for busy families, short enough to keep kids engaged while still allowing time for natural, keepsake images. Each session includes seven professionally edited, high-resolution digital photos, with the option to purchase additional images or the full gallery. Choose a setting that fits your style, including Concannon Vineyard, Joan’s Farm & Pumpkin Patch, or Sycamore Grove. The session fee is $295, secured by a $95 non-refundable retainer, with the remaining balance due seven days before your session. Bookings are made in advance and are non-refundable; with at least 48 hours notice, reschedules receive a credit toward a future session, while cancellations within 48 hours are not refundable. Sessions begin and end promptly to keep the schedule on track. These short sessions are intended for one immediate household; for extended family, more time, outfit changes, additional images, or a custom location, a Full Session is recommended.

Begin at the Wetmore entrance of Sycamore Grove Park, then take a half mile stroll on a paved pathway that works for strollers, scooters, and bikes. The route leads to the Hobbit Tree, where participants gather in the shade for nature themed stories and songs. Families who register receive free parking. To register, call 925-373-5505. If it rains, the program will be cancelled.

Take advantage of the Tuesday two-for-$22 deal at the museum, where two guests of any age receive admission for $22. Spend the day playing more than 100 pinball machines ranging from the 1940s through the 2020s, explore the exhibits, and enjoy free music on three jukeboxes. You can step out for breaks and local food or drinks and return as often as you like.

A weekly Pokémon Trading Card Game club for teens and tweens meets in the TeenZone at the Cesar E. Chavez Branch library. Participants learn gameplay basics, practice building decks, and open packs. It offers a friendly setting to connect with other fans, make friends, and build community around the game.

Enjoy a bilingual storytime filled with read-alouds, songs, and movement, followed by an hour of unstructured play. This program is created for children ages 18 months to 4 years and is offered in English and Spanish. Accessibility information is available.

Enjoy a flexible, do-it-yourself studio session at Pinot’s Palette, where you choose a project and create something personal without needing prior art experience. Walk in or reserve online, then settle in to paint, craft, and relax at a comfortable pace. This location welcomes creators ages 6 and up, though specific offerings, availability, pricing, and age guidelines can vary by studio. Your registration includes a choice between a candle making experience or an 11x14 canvas painting with written guidance. You can elevate your project with optional upgrades such as a 16x20 canvas with written instructions for $10, a 16x20 canvas with video instruction for $10, a tote bag upgrade for $12, a wood board upgrade for $15, a light-up wine bottle project for $10, or a set of hand-painted wine glasses for $10. For the video option, bring your own device and make sure you can access email to follow the tutorial. The studio offers wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails, and food, and water is available, while outside food and drinks are not permitted. Registration is encouraged and walk-ins are welcomed as space allows. If your group is larger than four, please reach out in advance so the team can prepare. This open studio format works well for families, birthdays, small team gatherings, casual dates, time with friends, and creative self-care. Promotional discounts and daily deals do not apply to this event.

Children can enjoy a calm, creative crafting session featuring a different project each time. Activities include painting, cutting, gluing, and plenty of hands-on fun. Esta actividad permite a niñ@s explorar su creatividad con proyectos variados, como pintar, recortar y pegar, todo en un ambiente relajado y divertido.

Explore how California Native peoples have long connected with the plants around them on a family-friendly, docent-led tour at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Berkeley. Try your hand at acorn grinding, wash your hands with soap root, and learn the staves game. See artifacts presented alongside the plants used to make them. Participants meet in front of the Botanic Garden Visitor Center, and the tour is canceled if it rains.

Lincoln Summer Nights is a recurring community gathering at Lincoln Square Park in Oakland Chinatown. Open to everyone, it brings neighbors together to celebrate, connect, learn about local happenings, and take part in community efforts. Select evenings include special features, with one night highlighting Circus Bella.

Disney On Ice brings a high-energy ice adventure to Oakland that celebrates courage, kindness, and togetherness. Moana teams up with Maui on an ocean voyage to restore the heart of Te Fiti, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf work to bring summer back to Arendelle, and Mirabel and her family from Encanto highlight the power of every unique gift. The Disney Princesses shine as you visit Ariel under the sea, step into Belle’s enchanted castle, and follow Rapunzel as she reaches for her dreams. Expect laughs with Stitch’s playful antics, all guided by Mickey and Friends throughout the show. This event takes place at Oakland Arena and Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA. Costumes are not permitted for guests 14 years and older.

Designed as a starting point for dogs older than 4 months, this introductory training class builds a solid foundation for clear communication between you and your dog. Through essential exercises, attendees learn how to develop real world skills such as coming when called, greeting people calmly, walking on a loose leash, and staying focused even in distracting environments. This is a four week course that meets once a week on the same day and time, and this listing is for the first session in the series.