Free events in Rohnert Park, CA

Lincoln Park in Rutherford hosts a recurring farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A full schedule of participating vendors is available to help plan a visit.

Sonoma Land Trust celebrates 50 years of conservation, and this gathering explores that history through weekly readings from the organization’s story. This session focuses on the environmental threats from overdevelopment in the 1970s and how those challenges helped ignite a conservation movement in Sonoma County. There will be time to reflect on personal experiences, gather thoughts, and share with the group. The group meets at the Lone Tree on the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway at the south end of Albert Drive. Bring a camp chair or blanket and a sun hat. Registration is free.

Dungeons & Dragons at The New Parkway offers a relaxed, welcoming tabletop role playing night with several Dungeon Masters running games at once. Newcomers and longtime players alike can find a table that fits their style, and the community includes regulars as well as people who began as players and now serve as Dungeon Masters. Getting started is simple, with beginner friendly options, no prior experience or long term commitment required, and the flexibility to drop in for a single session or return regularly. Participants may attend solo or with friends, then settle into a collaborative story full of creativity and fun. Food and drink are sold, and arriving slightly early makes it easier to get situated before gameplay begins. Pick up some dice, take your seat, and dive into the adventure.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms brings tastings and sales of extra virgin olive oils, heirloom apples and pears, citrus, apple cider vinegars, fresh cider, and more to the AIM Chef's Market. Due to the Marin County Fair, this week the market moves to the Northgate Shopping Center in San Rafael. It is typically held at the Marin Civic Center.

A free Senior Expo at the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds brings together local organizations that support older adults and their loved ones. Attendees can discover community resources, talk with representatives, and enjoy prize drawings, refreshments, and health screenings.

Enjoy a free outdoor performance by Quinteto Latino, a Bay Area wind ensemble with a clear purpose to expand equity in classical music. The group centers composers of Latin American heritage and builds community through performance and advocacy. With the bright blend of flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon, their concerts highlight the color and drive of Latin American traditions, weaving cherished folk melodies with contemporary works. Programs often feature music by Gabriela Lena Frank, Orlando Jacinto García, and Paquito D’Rivera, including pieces commissioned for the quintet. Presented as part of Yerba Buena Gardens Festival’s Thursday Lunchtime Concert series. Supported in part by the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University.

Sharpen your fly casting skills at a free, public clinic led by RRFF volunteer instructors at Galvin Community Park. These Thursday evening sessions during Daylight Savings Time are weather dependent and do not take place when it is raining. Beginners can learn the essentials and get answers to common questions about tackle and gear, knot tying, fly selection and tying, and techniques suited to both freshwater and saltwater species. Experienced casters can work on advanced skills such as the double haul, shooting heads, quick casting for saltwater, and spey casting. Instruction follows approaches from Fly Fishers International and the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club, incorporating the FFI Fly Casting Skills Development Program along with GGACC levels from beginning through advanced. The clinics emphasize consistent practice to develop feel and control with the line and rod. Outside clinic hours, the RRFF Casting Pond is available for individual practice during regular Dan Galvin Park hours.

Enjoy free live music upstairs at the Second Story as Calvin Love and Shannon Lay share the stage. Shannon Lay crafts gentle, empathetic songs focused on comfort and transformation, shaped by years of writing, recording, and performing with intention at the center. Her solo albums, including Geist, August, Living Water, and All This Life Goin’ Down, have drawn praise from outlets such as Pitchfork, The Guardian, SPIN, and Uncut for their tender reflections on life’s big questions. Calvin Love blends psych folk and classic rock with a nostalgic noir touch, recognized for a distinctive vocal style and minimal, mood-driven arrangements. His catalog leans into introspective songwriting, cinematic tones, and a strong DIY ethos, with a sound often likened to a haunting, near-escape soundtrack that nods to Chris Isaak in a Lynchian world. Admission is free, no RSVP is needed, and seating is first come, first served with entry based on capacity.

Team trivia at The New Parkway Theater offers a cozy, low-pressure evening of friendly competition, laughter, and community. It is free to play, and there is no need to arrive with a team. Come solo, bring friends, or connect with new people once you get there. Complimentary prizes appear throughout the night, including a movie token redeemable for one ticket at The New Parkway and pesos that take $1 off food at concessions. The space often fills up, so arriving a bit early can help secure a table, get settled, and order food and drinks. Expect classic theater snacks alongside a full food menu, plus beer and wine, with plenty of vegan options available. Open to everyone, whether it is your first trivia night or you are a regular.

Enjoy a free guided meditation designed to gently support mental steadiness and clarity while fostering uplifting states of mind. This session focuses on Empathetic Joy, the practice of celebrating your own and others’ happiness and strengths. The intention is to balance attention by recognizing not only challenges but also the good in daily life and in the people around you. Participate seated on cushions, in a chair, or lying down. The practice welcomes all experience levels. Please arrive a few minutes early to settle in before class begins.

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.

Rutherford Farmers’ Market takes place at Lincoln Park in Rutherford on Saturdays, and there is also a market held on Wednesdays. A complete schedule of participating vendors is available online so you can see which sellers are scheduled for each market day.

Saturday Harvest Markets at Sonoma Garden Park feature organic produce, fresh flowers, and vegetable starts grown in a 6.1 acre sustainable garden. Shoppers can also find locally sourced olive oil, honey, and farm fresh eggs from Sonoma neighbors. The market accepts credit cards and Apple Pay, and visitors are encouraged to bring a reusable shopping bag.

This SFUR trail and habitat dig day focuses on caring for the Laguna Honda Community Trail System. Participants meet at the SFUR container, then head into the field to improve trails and support habitat. The group returns afterward for pizza, beverages, and conversation to celebrate recent efforts.

Presented by the Downtown Novato Business Association, this long-running celebration turns Downtown Novato into an open-air car showcase. Seven blocks of Grant Avenue are closed to traffic for a full day so enthusiasts can explore hundreds of vehicles, including classic cars, hot rods, trucks, and customs. Free admission welcomes thousands who take in the sights to a soundtrack of classic rock, with rockabilly sets by Mitch Pollzak and The Royal Deuces. The afternoon wraps up with awards across multiple categories, plus cash prizes for Best in Show and the People’s Choice. Ahead of the main showcase, a police escorted Hot Rod Cruise rolls through downtown and draws cheers from local families.

Excelsior Community Food Pantry distributes free groceries to families in need every week, rain or shine. Volunteers are always needed, and people of all ages are welcome, including children with supervision. First-time helpers can plan to arrive a little early for introductions and orientation. Individuals and small groups do not need to sign up in advance. Groups of about seven or more can coordinate a visit by emailing foodpantry@missionbaycc.org. The pantry operates outdoors in the parking lot at San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living, so dressing for the weather is recommended. Drivers should use street parking since on-site lots cannot accommodate volunteers. Those who need verification for service hours can bring a personal paper form to be signed by a Captain after clean-up. Digital tracking is also available through a pilot volunteer platform currently in development.

The Petaluma Pride Festival is returning as a celebration that welcomes attendees of every age, with free admission for all. More information will be shared as plans are confirmed.

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.

Follow the Music builds on its 2023 launch with an emerging artists festival that spotlights young talent and advances arts education across the Bay Area. Set within the Gardens as part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival’s Weekend Sessions series, the gathering connects families and young people with a living legacy of local culture and the next generation carrying it forward. Performers ages 14 to 25 appear from the San Francisco Community Music Center, Oakland School for the Arts, SFJAZZ, GLIDE Memorial Church, Blue Bear School of Music, Elevate Oakland, Enriching Lives Through Music and additional organizations. The program reflects the region’s diversity with sounds that span classical, jazz, soul, rock and Latin jazz, and it includes guest speakers from music, sports and popular culture. A community resource fair offers families and students direct access to Bay Area music education programs, along with information on classes and scholarships. Oakland Rising, created in partnership with Follow the Music, serves as the program’s anchor and features B. Deveaux, August Lee Stevens and Naima, three up-and-coming artists continuing Oakland’s vibrant musical and cultural lineage. The event affirms that creative journeys take many forms, and Follow the Music works to keep every path open.

An all-ages open mic takes place at The Magic Flute on the second Saturday of each month. Admission is free and performers of every experience level are welcome to step on stage. There is no advance signup, sign in when you arrive and the order will be selected at random from names placed in a hat or djembe. Performers must sign in to be eligible to play. The venue provides professional sound and lighting, creating a safe and supportive setting for singers and musicians to share their work with a live audience. It is an opportunity for music lesson students to meet, collaborate, and perform together. Students, customers, friends, and family are invited to perform or simply enjoy the show.

YBG Dance Day brings a free outdoor celebration of movement to Yerba Buena Gardens. Produced by Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in partnership with Rhythm & Motion, the day offers a sequence of one hour classes spanning a variety of dance styles, guided by Bay Area teachers and welcoming every level, from first timers to seasoned pros. Comfortable shoes and a water bottle are recommended, and attendees can sample a single class or spend the entire day exploring. This year honors Rhythm & Motion founder Consuelo Faust (1953 to 2025). After the classes, a celebratory music and dance performance pays tribute to her vision and to the SF Bay Area dance community she helped nurture. Part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Weekend Sessions series.

Kick off the 10th season of the Inner Sunset Flea in San Francisco, featuring vintage treasures, locally made crafts, live music, food, and activities. Each month introduces a new theme to keep the market fresh.

Explore the roots and evolution of SOMA's leather and queer culture on a free, in-person walking tour led by David Hyman. Retrace paths once taken by LGBTQ community members in pursuit of freedom, learn how leather bars emerged in the 1960s, and hear lively tales from the 1970s when motorcycles filled the streets outside popular spots. Discover how the neighborhood grew into a worldwide destination for queer and leather communities, and see how today's bars and clubs connect to their past, including a former venue that featured a swimming pool. The tour sets off from 9th and Ringold at the Ringold Leather History Walk and runs about 1.5 to 2 hours.

This free community walk in Napa supports the effort to end polio. There is no registration required, and participants sign a waiver at the event before walking. Donations can be made through a Napa Rotary Club and will go directly to the Polio Plus Fund, which receives a two to one match that triples each contribution.

A celebration of San Francisco Indigenous Peoples Day at Yerba Buena Gardens brings together Native American art, live music, and vendors, highlighting the wide-ranging talents of Indigenous artists from the Bay Area, California, and the Americas. Presented on Yelamu, Ramaytush Ohlone Territory in partnership with the International Indian Treaty Council, the gathering follows the Annual Indigenous Peoples Day Sunrise Gathering on Alcatraz. The schedule will be announced. The program features a special performance by Jeremy Dutcher, a conservatory-trained tenor, composer, and musicologist from the Neqotkuk First Nation in Eastern Canada, now based in Montréal. His debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, sung entirely in the endangered Wolastoqey language and built around archival recordings of his ancestors, earned the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and the Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year the following year. He has collaborated with artists including Yo-Yo Ma and Feist. His 2023 release, Motewolonuwok, also received the Polaris Music Prize, making him the first artist to win it twice. His work blends classical and jazz influences with traditional songs and engages with themes of queerness, Indigeneity, language revitalization, and fashion. Presented as part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Weekend Sessions and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Svane Family Foundation. This is a free outdoor experience.

A community-centered dance night in San Francisco brings people together for house-driven rhythms and electronic club sounds. DJs steer the vibe across house, tech house, deep house, techno and EDM, creating an upbeat space for connection on the dancefloor. Admission is free, and an RSVP guest list is available.

A free weekly open mic spanning multiple art forms invites performers to share poetry, music, comedy, theater, storytelling, visual art and more in a cozy SOMA studio. Presented by the community arts nonprofit Decentered Arts, each slot is limited to three minutes, and in-person signups stay open throughout the night. The space supplies a guitar, a piano, a projector, and a full PA with inputs for multiple instruments, phones, and laptops. Supportive hosts are available to help, and select sets may be recorded for a YouTube channel. The venue, Decentered Studio, also showcases rotating art exhibitions and other community gatherings during the week. Accessibility note: the studio is up a flight of stairs.

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.

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.