Free events in San Rafael, CA

Presented by Music in Place and the City of Sonoma, Sonoma Sundays On the Plaza delivers free live music at the Sonoma Plaza Grinstead Amphitheater. This installment spotlights Robert Dehlinger’s Alpha Rhythm Kings, established in 2017 and led by Dehlinger on trumpet and vocals. The band has drawn notice from music fans and received acclaim from outlets including No Depression, the Washington Post, and Jazz Corner. Performances have spanned the United States, with appearances in places such as Idaho and Indiana, and abroad in Budapest, and the group was invited to represent the United States as performers at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. The series is free and open to all, made possible by the Sonoma Community Center, The Dawn Redwoods Trust, and the McNeely Family Foundation. Picnics and dancing are encouraged on the Plaza.

Now in its 44th season, Free Shakespeare in the Park presents Antony and Cleopatra, directed by Katja Rivera. No tickets are required, and no prior Shakespeare experience is necessary. Set across the Roman Empire and Egypt, the production explores the pull between duty and desire and how personal relationships can influence political power. The performance runs about 90 minutes with no intermission.

A nightclub event centered on community and the dance floor, with DJs playing house, techno, deep house and tech house. The focus is on connection and fun. Entry is free all night, and a free RSVP guest list runs the whole way through. Part of San Francisco nightlife, this weekly gathering brings electronic music fans together.

Dog Haus Biergarten Berkeley hosts a free trivia night with prizes for the top teams. No registration is needed. Teams of up to seven are eligible for top prizes, and larger groups are welcome though they may not qualify for the highest prizes. Bringing friends is encouraged, and solo players can check in with the host before the game and may be matched with others. Arriving early is a good idea if you want to settle in with food and drinks. There are no games on major holidays.

Speed Meeting Mondays offers an easygoing way to connect with new people without the usual awkward moments. A New Parkway staff member hosts and gently guides the flow so participants always know what to do next. The evening starts with a simple icebreaker that uses conversation prompt cards to help conversations begin naturally. After that, attendees rotate through brief, casual chats, meeting several people without needing to guess when to start or move on. The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed and welcoming for those with social anxiety. There is no expectation to be outgoing, and you can arrive solo or with friends. Everyone sets their own pace and engages as much or as little as feels comfortable. Food and drinks are available for purchase in the lobby. It is a friendly setting for making friends, broadening your community, or simply trying something new while showing up as yourself.

Pop-In Playtime is a monthly drop-in for babies and toddlers, featuring toys, sensory bins, cozy play mats, and plenty of free play for exploration and discovery. Caregivers can relax and connect while little ones enjoy a safe, welcoming space. For ages 6 months to 4 years. Caregivers must stay with their child. In the Doña Benicia Room. Funding for this event is provided by the Friends of the Benicia Library.

The class takes place in the Petaluma Meeting Room at the Petaluma Regional Library and offers an introduction to Empowerment Self Defense 101, presenting IMPACT Bay Area’s approach to personal safety. It looks at self-defense as a continuum, starting with the first signals that something may be unsafe, moving through practical physical responses when needed, and including strategies for caring for yourself afterward. Participants build skills in tuning into intuition, assessing situations, and using confident body language. You will practice a clear self-defense voice to alert yourself, a potential aggressor, and bystanders, and you will work on setting and holding boundaries through inner awareness, posture, and words. The class also teaches two simple, powerful strikes aimed at the face and groin, and explores how to manage adrenaline and set boundaries early in both acquaintance and stranger situations. Open to all genders ages 16 and up. There is no cost to attend, advance registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome.

Test your knowledge at Head Games Trivia Night at Headlands Brewing On Campus at UC Berkeley. Teams can include up to six players, prizes are available, and there is no fee to participate. Enjoy something to eat and drink while working through the questions. Plan to arrive early for the best seating. During student breaks, contact the venue to confirm the event is taking place.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms brings a tasting and market booth to the AIM Farmers Market’s Chef’s Market, showcasing extra virgin olive oils, heirloom apples and pears, citrus, apple cider vinegars, fresh cider, and more. Due to the Marin County Fair, this week’s edition is temporarily relocated to the Northgate Shopping Center in San Rafael, set up in the lot in front of Macy’s.

Singo puts a music themed twist on bingo. In each round, 35 second song clips play, and players mark their cards when they hear a match. The first person to complete five in a row wins a prize. It is free to play and plenty of fun.

Affordable, nourishing, farm-fresh food is at the heart of the Richmond Certified Farmer's Market. Shoppers using CalFresh or EBT can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $15 for fresh fruits and vegetables through the Market Match Program. Participants in other government assistance programs may also qualify for an additional $10 each week when they spend $15 on fresh produce.

Solano County residents ages 18 and up who are working toward a GED can receive individualized, one to one support. Registration takes place in the classroom. Participants are given a free workbook and work directly with instructor Paula Landers to create a testing timeline, build a study plan, address questions, and tailor strategies to how they learn best. Guidance includes how to use GED.com and its practice activities. Everyone receives a textbook covering GED subjects, and with Paula’s direction selects the pages that matter most rather than completing the entire book. Instruction prepares learners for each subject exam, and the program typically sees one or two graduates each year. For more information, contact Paula Landers at planders@ci.benicia.ca.us or 707-746-4340.

A welcoming evening at the San José Museum of Art features after-hours gallery access and entertainment as part of First Fridays. Admission is free for this program. El Cafecito, operated by Mezcal Restaurant, offers late-night bites and a cash bar, with members receiving a 10 percent discount at the café. The Museum Store stays open for evening shopping, and members get 20 percent off purchases on First Fridays. Major support for San José Museum of Art First Fridays is provided by the Jay Paul Company.

Free community yoga takes place on the dock at The Floathouse Petaluma, scheduled on first Friday evenings and on Sunday mornings during summer. Sessions rotate through local instructors and are backed by local sponsors, bringing people together around community wellness. Participation is free, but registration is required because space is limited to 24 participants. Please reserve a spot only when you are certain you can attend. Yoga instructors interested in leading a class, and wellness-focused small businesses interested in sponsoring, can reach out at info@thefloathousepetaluma.org. Sponsorships are $50 and go directly to the instructor.

Enjoy a complimentary yoga and Pilates session on The Row with Santana Row and lululemon. Please bring a yoga mat. The class takes place in Santana Row Park near the chess board. This community workout is free and open to everyone.

At the Cavanagh Center in Petaluma, this free workshop focuses on fire-smart and water-efficient landscaping. Learn practical ways to reduce wildfire risk by creating protective buffers, and explore how rain gardens and other water-saving features can keep soil moisture up while cutting irrigation needs during the dry season. The program is helpful for anyone seeking to meet state or county fire requirements, protect their home, garden with less water, choose native plants, make better use of rainwater, or support local habitat. Guest presenter Jennifer Roberts, a local Community Education Specialist and Landscape Designer with the Resilient Landscapes Coalition, will lead the session. Registration is requested.

The 6th Annual African Arts Festival gathers the breadth of African and diasporic culture through vibrant live music and dance. Co-presented by Duniya Dance and Drum Company, the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and the Museum of the African Diaspora, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, this family friendly program features Bay Area ensembles representing traditions from across the continent and its global community. Guests can take part in interactive experiences such as dance and drum lessons, and children can enjoy face painting. A marketplace offers traditional African cuisine and a range of goods, including clothing, jewelry, and hair and skin care items. Duniya Dance and Drum Company, founded in 2007, contributes work that spans Punjabi and Guinean forms along with creative blends. Part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival’s Weekend Sessions series, the gathering fosters connection in the Bay Area by celebrating culture, joy, and Black identity.

Little Flippers is a monthly class on the first Saturday that introduces kids ages 5 to 12 to pinball. At the nonprofit PPM, participants explore the game’s history and learn practical skills and strategy to sharpen their play. No prior experience is needed, and a guardian must remain on site for the full class. The class is free with a child's regular $12 admission, and play continues for the rest of the day after the lesson.

Enjoy free, drop-in gaming at The New Parkway with Super Smash Bros. Melee and a variety of board games. Bring a favorite from home or choose from the venue’s collection, then jump into a Melee match, start a tabletop session, or relax and socialize. Chef Tyler is available to host board games, explain rules, and help get play underway if you want support, and there is no pressure to join a hosted table. Arrive solo or with friends, stay briefly or settle in for longer, the format is easygoing and flexible. Food and drinks are available for purchase for a low-key, come-and-go experience.

A two-person performance blends a folk foundation with a rock edge for a Sonoma-seasoned Americana sound. Kevin Hutchinson covers vocals, guitar, slide, mandolin, and harmonica, while Ann Hutchinson adds vocals and percussion. Tacos, beer, wine, and fair trade coffee will be available, along with a river view. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.