Free events in Foster City, CA

Celebrating two decades of live music and community, Downtown Redwood City’s Music on the Square fills Friday nights with a family-friendly mix of rock, reggae, funk, Latin, and soul across a fourteen-week run of free concerts. Performers arrive from around the Bay and beyond, with the season kicking off with a high-energy Santana tribute by Carnaval and wrapping up with the crowd-pleasing pop and soul of Pride & Joy. Pick up a bite from acclaimed nearby restaurants, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and settle in at Courthouse Square to enjoy the show. Please note that glass bottled beverages are not permitted and this policy will be enforced.

Crybaby is hosting Life of the Party for Oakland’s First Friday, featuring DJ sets from Cutso, EDDY, and HVFF, plus a patio takeover by Bussdown Collective. Expect hip-hop, rap, and high-energy club tracks with a hype dance floor. Admission is 21+ only, and doors open at 10:00 PM, with drink specials during the first hour. There’s also free entry available for the first 25 with RSVP, and a ticket option for general admission at the door.

As the Peninsula's longest-running farmers market, it traces its beginnings to 1979, when four civic-minded organizers, led by John S. Hensill, Ph.D., brought it to life. Their goal was to lift up independent farmers in the region and make fresh produce readily available to the community. Rooted in that mission, the market reflects a tradition of community support and local agriculture.

Peninsula Open Space Trust and the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory host a hands-on stewardship day at the Bair Island unit of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. With guidance from SFBBO staff and POST volunteers, participants will remove invasive plants and plant native species that strengthen the island’s habitat and support biodiversity in Redwood City. All tools are provided, and no experience is needed. Brief interpretive moments will share the history of Bair Island, the dynamics of tidal wetlands, and the importance of native versus invasive plants. This is a physically active project that will involve lifting, digging, carrying, bending, kneeling, and walking on uneven terrain. Preparation details about what to bring and wear will be sent by email. The activity is best suited for ages 14 and up, and minors must remain with a supervising adult throughout. Because the site is a protected preserve, dogs are not allowed.

The San Mateo County History Museum transforms the Old Courthouse into a glimpse of Victorian California with free admission for all. Under the museum’s grand stained glass dome, children can enjoy hands-on crafts inspired by the era and set off on a scavenger hunt through the museum. In the restored courtroom, a Victorian fashion show features adults and children in period attire, highlighting styles from the sweeping skirts of the 1850s to the bustles of the 1870s to the Gibson Girl look at the turn of the century. Along the way, discover stories of the Peninsula’s nineteenth-century millionaires connected to these fashions. All garments are part of the museum’s education collection, used for fashion shows and reenactments, creating a family-friendly way to see history come to life.

Learn the ABCs of basic bike repair in this hands-on workshop where you’ll practice key maintenance skills with your own bike. Topics include Air, Brakes, the Chain/Cassette, and how to fix a flat. This in-person class is free and includes parking, with doors opening at 12:50 PM.

OmniSwing is a weekly progressive West Coast Swing program in Oakland designed to take dancers from their first steps to confident social dancing. Newcomers and those returning to the dance floor are welcome, and a partner is not required. Each month centers on a focused module so skills build steadily across Levels 1 through 3, with a supplemental class available from Level 2 to help meet assessment benchmarks before moving up. The night typically starts with an intermediate session, then beginner and advanced classes run at the same time, followed by a short demo with announcements, and it all wraps up with a practica and a social where everyone can practice and connect. First-time participants receive their class free. Pricing options include a $25 drop-in class with a $5 pre-sale discount, $15 for the social only, and $35 for the class plus social payable at the door. The Omni Movement supports financial accessibility through an ambassador volunteer program offering 50 percent and 100 percent discounts, and the Omni Promise, which reserves a portion of spots each class for community pricing at 50 percent off.

Settle in for a casual and welcoming night of Dungeons & Dragons at The New Parkway, where multiple Dungeon Masters run games simultaneously. Newcomers and seasoned players are equally supported, with tables suited to first-timers and veterans alike. The community includes regulars and familiar faces, including folks who began as players and now lead adventures. Getting started is simple. No experience is required and there is no long-term commitment, so drop in for a single session or return weekly. Come solo or with friends, pick a table that fits your style, and dive into a shared story built on creativity, collaboration, and fun. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and arriving a little early makes it easier to get settled before the games begin. Grab some dice, take a seat, and let the adventure unfold.

OmniBachata is a weekly partner dance program that builds Bachata skills from the ground up in a friendly, progressive format. It welcomes absolute beginners and those strengthening their foundation, with no partner or prior experience required. New participants can take their first class at no cost. A typical evening flows from a Level 2 session focused on dips and tricks into Level 1 work on directional changes, followed by a brief demo with announcements and time to practice capped by a weekly social. Instruction is led by a rotating team that includes Imaan Taghavi, Angela Vujkovic, Xavier Wong, Tina Wang, Helen Vazquez, Dvij Patel, and Natalie Keller. For the latest class lineup, check the organizer’s calendar. Through The Omni Promise, a portion of spots are set aside for community members who need financial support. The current discount is 50 percent, and a short form is required to receive a promo code for use during registration.

Drink & Draw at The New Parkway is a relaxed creative evening focused on sketching, sipping drinks, and spending time together in a welcoming, no-pressure setting. No prior art experience is required, and participants can doodle, experiment, or work at their own pace whether brand new to drawing or seasoned. Bring personal art supplies or use materials available there. Food and beverages are offered for purchase, including beer, wine, and nonalcoholic options. There is no formal instruction and no expectations, keeping the emphasis on creativity rather than perfection, with a laid-back mix of art, refreshments, and good company.

Over a thirteen week run, Courthouse Square transforms into a lively outdoor cinema with free back-to-back films for all ages. Featured is Lilo & Stitch, rated PG, a live action reimagining of Disney’s animated favorite that blends humor and heart as a Hawaiian girl connects with a runaway alien and finds a path toward healing her family. The cast includes Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, and Billy Magnussen, with Dean Fleischer Camp directing. The film runs 108 minutes. The series pairs family friendly selections and independent shorts with a later lineup of beloved classics and recent full length releases.

Courthouse Square transforms into an open-air cinema with free double features for all ages. Celebrating 20 years, this series pairs family-friendly selections for kids with Bravemaker independent shorts, then wraps up with a full-length feature. Select nights also bring Soccer on the Square community watch parties, including live FIFA World Cup screenings. Films are presented in high definition with immersive surround sound, and a large LED screen ensures clear views throughout the Square. Arrive early to claim a spot, spread a blanket, and enjoy take-out from nearby restaurants while settling in for laughs, thrills, and indie discoveries.

Enjoy a free, low-pressure team trivia night at The New Parkway Theater, where the focus is friendly competition, laughter, and community. No team is required, so you can play solo, bring friends, or meet new people once you arrive. Free prizes are awarded throughout the event, including a movie token redeemable for a ticket at The New Parkway and a peso worth one dollar off food at the concessions. The space can fill up, so arriving a bit early makes it easier to find a table, get settled, and order. A full range of food and drinks is available, from classic theater snacks to a complete menu, plus beer and wine, with plenty of vegan options. Trivia is open to everyone, whether you are a seasoned player or trying it for the first time.

Courthouse Square turns into a lively open-air cinema each Thursday for a thirteen-week run, offering free double features for all ages. Guests can start with family favorites or independent shorts, then stay for a showcase of iconic classics and newly released full-length films. This screening features Jurassic World: Rebirth (PG-13). Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, covert operations specialist Zora Bennett is recruited to lead a team tasked with securing genetic material from the three most massive dinosaurs in the world. When the mission intersects with a family whose boat capsizes, everyone becomes stranded on an island where a decades-old secret with sinister consequences comes to light. Starring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and directed by Gareth Edwards, the film runs 134 minutes and was released in 2025.