Free events in Hayward, CA

Stop by MalDoni's Cafe at the Hayward Farmers Market for soulful, comfort-filled small-batch food inspired by Oakland-based chef Alicia Waters. Enjoy items like fried fish po'boy and steak and cheese sandwiches, served with crispy seasoned fries. The cafe is featured at the market every Saturday during the listed hours, so swing by and grab something delicious while you’re there.

First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro teams up with Rise Against Hunger for a hands-on volunteer event focused on packaging 10,000 meals for families facing hunger around the world. People of all ages are welcome, no experience is needed, and volunteers will work side by side with friends, relatives, and neighbors to assemble nutritious meals. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Organizers are seeking meal packaging volunteers, three to five helpers for setup and cleanup, and a few individuals able to lift up to 50 pounds. Registration is required.

Explore West Coast Swing with a welcoming, step-by-step program that builds skills from the ground up. Instruction follows monthly modules and spans Levels 1 through 3, with a supplemental class available to help dancers meet assessment criteria before moving up. No partner or prior experience is required, and first-time participants can take their class for free. After instruction, the evening continues with a short demo and announcements, followed by open practice and a weekly social where dancers can try new material and connect with the community. Pricing options include $25 for a single drop-in class with a $5 pre-sale discount, $15 for the social only, or $35 for the combined class and social at the door. To keep training accessible, The Omni Movement offers a work-trade Ambassador program with 50% and 100% discounts, along with the Omni Promise, which sets aside a portion of class capacity for community members in need at a 50% discount.

Experience a casual, welcoming night of Dungeons & Dragons at The New Parkway, with several Dungeon Masters leading simultaneous tables. Players of any background are invited, from first-timers to veterans, and there are options designed to make it easy for newcomers to start. The community includes regulars as well, including some who began as players and now run games themselves. Participation is flexible. Drop in for a single session or return without any long-term commitment. No prior experience is necessary. Arrive solo or with friends, choose a table that matches your style, and dive into a collaborative story filled with creativity and fun. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and arriving a little early helps with getting settled before play begins. Pick up some dice, find a seat, and begin the adventure.

OmniBachata is The Omni Movement’s weekly partner dance program designed to build Bachata skills from the ground up. It welcomes newcomers as well as those looking to reinforce their foundation, and a partner is not required. New participants can take their first class at no cost. The program features a progressive structure with a level 2 focus on dips and tricks and a level 1 focus on directional changes, followed by a short demo with announcements, then a practice session and a weekly social. Instruction is provided by a rotating team that includes Imaan Taghavi, Angela Vujkovic, Xavier Wong, Tina Wang, Helen Vazquez, Dvij Patel, and Natalie Keller. Updated schedules are available on the organization’s website calendar, and first-time visitors can reference an online access guide for the studio. Community members in need may be eligible for The Omni Promise, which reserves a limited portion of each class for discounted pricing, currently 50 percent off and accessed with a promo code after completing a brief form.

A laid back creative evening at The New Parkway invites people to make art while enjoying a drink and friendly conversation in a welcoming, pressure free setting. All skill levels are welcome, so participants can sketch, doodle, or try something new at their own pace. Bring your favorite supplies or use materials available on site, attend solo or with friends, and settle in with creativity as the goal rather than perfection. Food and drinks are available, with beer, wine, and nonalcoholic choices offered for purchase throughout the night. There is no formal instruction and no expectations, just drawing, beverages, and good company.

Settle in for a low-pressure team trivia night at The New Parkway Theater, where the focus is on fun, laughter, and friendly competition alongside good food and community vibes. No team is required. Come on your own, bring friends, or meet new people when you arrive. Participation is free and everyone is welcome. Free prizes are handed out during the event, including a movie token valid for one movie ticket at The New Parkway and a peso worth one dollar off food at concessions. The space can get busy, so arriving a bit early can help with finding a table, getting settled, and grabbing food and drinks before play begins. The theater serves classic concessions and a full food menu, plus beer and wine, with plenty of vegan options.