Free events in San Mateo, CA

Downtown Redwood City's long running concert series marks 20 years of live music and community spirit, welcoming all ages with fourteen weeks of free Friday night performances. The music spans rock, reggae, funk, Latin, and soul, showcasing talent from the Bay and beyond. The season opens with the high energy Santana tribute Carnaval and concludes with the pop and soul of Pride & Joy. Plan to bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a bite from well regarded nearby restaurants, and settle in for a Friday night tradition on the Peninsula. Please note that glass bottled beverages are not permitted and this policy will be enforced.

Project Joseph Food Distribution takes place on the second Saturday of each month. Volunteers are asked to arrive to assist with the event.

The Peninsula’s longest-running farmers market began in 1979, started by four community-focused organizers led by John S. Hensill, Ph.D. It was created to champion independent local farmers and to bring fresh produce to the community.

Peninsula Open Space Trust and the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory lead a hands-on habitat care day at the Bair Island Unit of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. With guidance from SFBBO staff and POST volunteers, participants focus on removing invasive plants or planting native species that benefit the island’s habitat and support biodiversity in Redwood City. All tools are supplied and no prior experience is required. The experience includes a brief overview of Bair Island’s history and insights into tidal wetlands along with native and invasive plants. Activities involve lifting, digging, carrying, bending, kneeling, and walking on uneven terrain. This opportunity is best suited for ages 14 and older, and all minors must remain with an adult. As a protected preserve, Bair Island does not allow dogs. Additional details about what to bring and wear will be provided by email. Location is Bair Island Ecological Reserve.

Stop by for The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours, a playful public art moment where you can request a complimentary, personalized compliment. Through conversation, attentive listening, and humor, the experience turns an ordinary interaction into something thoughtful and fun, with a response tailored just for you. Live music will be played by Charline Pelloux-Gervais. This event is free, open to all ages, and RSVPs are helpful but not required.

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.

Victorian Days at the Old Courthouse transforms the San Mateo County History Museum into a window on 19th century California. Admission is free, inviting visitors beneath the stained glass dome where children can dive into hands-on crafts inspired by the era and set off on a museum scavenger hunt. In the beautifully restored courtroom, a Victorian fashion show presents adults and youngsters in styles spanning the full skirts of the 1850s, the bustled silhouettes of the 1870s, and the Gibson Girl look at the turn of the century. Along with details about the garments, discover stories of the Peninsula’s nineteenth century millionaires who would have worn them. All outfits come from the museum’s education collection, designed for fashion programs and reenactments. It is a welcoming, family friendly celebration that lets local history step into the spotlight.

CASA, NCRA, Mission Blue San Francisco Bay Hope Spot, DOER Marine, and the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department organize a monthly coastal clean up at Alameda Point. Participants come together for a community effort to keep the shoreline clean.

Second Saturday at Gamble Garden offers a morning of discovery in the historic home and garden with opportunities to learn about nature. Adults, children, and families can take part in guided tours, scavenger hunts, learning stations, hands-on crafts, storytime, and other special activities. Each month highlights a unique theme, and the event is free and open to everyone.

Bring the whole family for a FREE Touch-A-Truck event featuring a hands-on lineup of vehicles like fire trucks, police cars, and utility trucks. Kids can honk horns, push buttons, and explore how these vehicles work. It is a fun, interactive way to spark imaginations for all ages.

Join the 25th Annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival for a day of world music and community fun. The event takes place at Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival at 4222 MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland.

First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro and Rise Against Hunger are teaming up for a hands-on volunteer event to package 10,000 meals for families facing hunger around the world. Volunteers of all ages can take part in an assembly-line style effort, working alongside friends, relatives, and neighbors to help provide nutritious food to communities in need. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Registration is required to participate. Organizers are looking for meal-packaging helpers, about 3 to 5 people to assist with setup and cleanup, and a few volunteers who can help with lifting up to 50 pounds.

Join the Bay Area Quiz Club for fun trivia and friendly competition. The quiz is hosted in a welcoming, inclusive environment, and it’s free and open to everyone. Suitable for adults, seniors, and teens ages 14 to 18. For this session, it will be held in the Midtown Room at Mitchell Park Library.

Gardeners and anyone curious about growing things can connect at Gamble Garden for friendly conversation about their gardens. This free gathering welcomes all ages and offers a relaxed chance to share ideas and experiences. A plant swap is included, and participants are encouraged to bring plants, seeds, or cuttings to exchange. Any extras afterward will be shared with the community. The program takes place monthly on the second Monday. Advance registration is requested. Check in details and the exact meeting spot may vary with the weather, and updates will be shared before the gathering.

Play Cafe is a family-friendly storytime and play session designed for parents and caregivers with kids ages 0 to 5. It includes stories, songs, and a chance for little ones to play together.

Join the Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB) for the summer informational series finale, a Self-care Social for teens in grades 8–12. Learn how TLAB helps teens partner with library staff to boost outreach and peer engagement, find out about the application process, and discover how teens can get involved in library advocacy. Entry is free.

Get ready for emergencies before they happen at this free, interactive Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP) training. Participants will learn how to build an emergency go-bag, create a personalized emergency plan for themselves and their families, explore ways to reduce risks at home and at work, and take part in group discussions and hands-on activities.

Courthouse Square turns into an outdoor movie venue with two free films that welcome all ages. This screening features Lilo & Stitch (PG), a live action retelling of Disney’s 2002 story about a lonely Hawaiian girl and a fugitive alien who helps bring her family back together. The cast includes Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, and Billy Magnussen, with direction by Dean Fleischer Camp. The film runs 108 minutes and was released in 2025. The series blends early family selections and later independent shorts with a mix of celebrated classics and recent feature releases across the season.

Part of the returning Summer Concert Series, this outdoor concert features Carnaval on the lawn at the Colma Community Center. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic to relax on the grass and enjoy live music with neighbors. Free admission and welcoming to all ages.

Courthouse Square hosts a weekly outdoor movie series featuring free double features for all ages. The lineup begins with family-friendly selections, includes Bravemaker independent films, and continues with a full-length evening feature. Screenings are presented in high definition with surround sound on an LED screen that provides clear views throughout the Square. Some nights shift to Soccer on the Square community watch parties with live FIFA World Cup viewing. Arrive early to claim a spot, spread a blanket, and enjoy takeout from nearby restaurants. Celebrating 20 years, this series offers classics, new releases, and indie discoveries in Redwood City.