Free events in Alameda County, CA

Karaoke Night at The New Parkway offers a relaxed, low-pressure way to sing, cheer, and spend time together. Take the mic or sing along from your seat, with a welcoming atmosphere for every voice and comfort level. Songs are selected from YouTube, giving you a wide range of choices. Performances can be heartfelt, silly, loud, or shy, and there is no expectation of perfection. First-time singers are just as welcome as regulars, with a friendly crowd that supports everyone. Food and drinks are available for purchase, including beer, wine, and nonalcoholic options. Arriving a little early can help you find a seat and add your pick before the list fills. It is a come-as-you-are space to choose a tune and enjoy an easygoing evening of music and community.

Dave "Ouzo" Land brings live music to Union City Farmers' Market, adding an upbeat soundtrack to a bustling scene of tasty food and fresh, locally grown produce.

Explore Sahaja Yoga Meditation in an eight-week guided course in Pleasanton, CA. Sessions take place at the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center and focus on reaching a state of thoughtless awareness while building a simple daily practice in just a few minutes. The series covers the seven chakras and three nadis, balancing the left and right sympathetic channels, and practical ways to meditate at home and steady attention. Topics include self-realization, staying present with peace and satisfaction, opening the heart for clearer communication and a sense of collectivity, and the power of forgiveness. Participants also learn about the energy centers, receive an introduction to foot soaking and its benefits, and take part in workshops. Free one-on-one meditation is available during or after the course. All classes are free, and a separate 21-day online meditation course is also available.

CASA, NCRA, Mission Blue San Francisco Bay Hope Spot, DOER Marine, and Alameda Recreation and Parks Department collaborate on a monthly shoreline cleanup at Alameda Point. Participants convene at the Sea Plane Lagoon Promenade to take part in the cleanup effort along the waterfront.

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.

This free, drop-in gaming session at The New Parkway centers on Super Smash Bros. Melee and a variety of board games. Choose from the collection on site or bring a favorite to share. Come solo or with friends, stay for a quick round or make an afternoon of it. Chef Tyler will be available to host board games, explain rules, and help get tables started if you would like guidance, and you are equally welcome to play independently. The atmosphere is friendly and flexible, and food and drinks are available for purchase.

Weekly trivia takes over Dog Haus Biergarten Berkeley every Tuesday. The game begins promptly and runs for about two hours. It is free to play and no registration is required. Prizes are awarded to top teams, with a soft limit of seven players per team for prize eligibility. Larger groups are welcome to participate, though top prizes may be reserved for teams within the size limit. Bring friends to form a team, or if you are coming solo, check in with the host before the game to be connected with other players. There are no games on major holidays. For last-minute updates or cancellations, see @playtriviaca on Instagram.

Dragon Gate in Jack London Square, Oakland hosts a weekly Monday trivia night that is free to play with no registration required. Bring friends to form a team, with a soft limit of seven players for prize eligibility. Larger groups are welcome, though top prizes may be reserved for smaller teams. Winners take home prizes. Solo players can check with the host before the game to be matched with a team when possible. Arrive early to enjoy signature Taiwanese dishes and cocktails while you get ready to play. There are no games on major holidays. For last minute updates or unexpected cancellations, check @playtriviaca on Instagram.

Author Asale Angel-Ajani presents Fugitive Archives: An American Family and the Myth of Belonging in a launch conversation that explores one family's history while challenging American narratives about race, violence, and belonging. She will be in conversation with Carvell Wallace, who describes the book as courageous, impressive, and deeply powerful. Co-presented with Pegasus Books. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 to $15.

Experience an eight-week guided meditation course in Fremont designed to help calm the mind and support everyday well-being. Hosted at the Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center, this free program introduces Sahaja Yoga Meditation, a simple practice that cultivates thoughtless awareness so distractions fade and a sense of ease can grow. Across the series, participants explore guided sessions, learn how to meditate at home, and discover ways to balance the left and right sympathetic channels. The course delves into the seven chakras and three central channels, offers an introduction to self-realization, and shares practical methods to improve attention, stay present with peace and satisfaction, and open the heart for clearer communication and a stronger feeling of collectivity. Workshops and hands-on elements such as foot soaking are included to deepen understanding of the body’s subtle energy centers. Highlighted benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and fear, enhanced creativity and learning, increased self-motivation, dignity, and confidence, support for overcoming addictions, and an overall lift in health and well-being. Free one-on-one meditation support is also available. Multiple weekly session options are offered.

Meet new people in a relaxed, low pressure setting that takes the awkwardness out of introductions. A New Parkway staff member hosts and keeps the flow moving with light guidance so participants always know what to do next. The group starts together with a simple icebreaker that uses conversation prompts to spark natural conversation, then everyone rotates through brief, casual chats that make it easy to connect with several people without stressing about when to begin or wrap up. The atmosphere is intentionally laid back, friendly to anyone who feels nervous in social settings, and there is no expectation to be outgoing. Attend solo or with friends, choose your own pace, and take part as much or as little as feels comfortable. Food and drinks are available for purchase in the lobby throughout the evening. Whether the goal is to make friends, broaden your circle, or try something new, this gathering centers on being yourself and seeing what connections develop.

This free, drop-in gathering blends conversation and listening with artists from the Bay Area jazz scene. This session features trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader Christopher Lowell Clarke, who leads his own groups and has worked as a side person with Eddie Marshall and Holy Mischief, the Marcus Shelby Big Band, the Howard Wiley Quintet, and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, then studied jazz and studio music performance at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His festival appearances include Umbria, Fillmore, and Monterey, and he teaches with SFJAZZ, Oaktown Jazz Workshops, and the Oakland Public Conservatory. Attendees may bring lunch or order in advance from the JazzCaffè by calling 510-654-0148.

Headlands Brewing on the UC Berkeley campus hosts a free trivia night with prizes and teams of up to six players. Seating is first come, so arriving early is recommended. During student break periods, contact the venue to confirm the event is running. Expect a friendly, competitive atmosphere that rewards quick thinking and wide-ranging knowledge.

A free, relaxed tabletop role-playing night at The New Parkway brings Dungeons & Dragons fans together for simultaneous games led by multiple Dungeon Masters. Newcomers and veterans are equally welcome, with beginner-friendly tables and a supportive community that includes regulars and first-timers alike. Participation is flexible, so try a single session or return week after week with no long-term commitment and no prior experience required. Arrive on your own or with friends, choose a table that fits your style, and dive into a collaborative story filled with creativity, cooperation, and fun. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and arriving a little early makes it easier to get settled before play begins. Roll some dice, find a seat, and start the adventure.

Enjoy a cozy, low pressure night of team trivia at The New Parkway Theater in Oakland, built around friendly competition, good food, and a welcoming community feel. It is free to play and no team is required, whether attending solo or with friends. Prizes are handed out during the event, such as a movie token equal to one movie ticket at The New Parkway and a peso worth one dollar off food at concessions. The theater offers classic concessions alongside a full food menu, beer and wine, with plenty of vegan options. The space tends to fill up, so arriving a little early can help you find a table, get settled, and pick up food and drinks before the questions begin. This event is open to everyone, from trivia regulars to first timers.