Free events in Union 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.

The City of Dublin is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Bray Community Room at the Civic Center. A single donation can help save up to three lives. Registration is encouraged through RedCrossBlood.org using the code “DublinCommunity” or by searching zip code 94568. For this drive, donors are entered into a random drawing with two winners receiving a four-pack of tickets to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Advanced registration is recommended, with only a limited number of drop-in appointments available.

Sunnyvale Library and Recreation Services staff host a free storytime in the all-inclusive Magical Bridge Playground. People of all ages and abilities can enjoy a story read aloud in an inclusive setting.

A lively singles social takes over the outdoor patio at Big Al’s in Milpitas, featuring a private bar, cozy fire pits, and an inviting outdoor atmosphere. The venue also includes a spacious private area toward the back left that suits meeting new people in a relaxed, high-energy setting. Entertainment options abound with arcade games, wall to wall TVs, darts, foosball, bowling, and food available for purchase. Entry is free and no RSVP or ticket is required. This event is for ages 21 and up. Wristbands are distributed at check in to help attendees identify one another, and the social continues until closing even after wristband distribution ends. Only singles receive wristbands and an icebreaker game, though friends are welcome to accompany them. To locate the group, enter and head to the left side past the arcade area, and look for team members wearing Singles Mingle sweaters. Bring a physical ID. Attendance may not match any online RSVP count. The host is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items, and is not responsible for any music or performers at the venue. Singles Mingle aims to get people off dating apps and into face to face connections, creating events where singles can meet, make friends, and enjoy a vibrant social atmosphere. Based on prior gatherings, many attendees are often between ages 30 and 65, though each event draws a diverse mix.

Head to Big Al’s Milpitas for a free Singles Mingle event for ages 21 and up, where you can meet other local singles in a fun, high-energy setting. This event takes over the entire outdoor patio with a private bar, fire pits, and a relaxed outdoor vibe. There will be plenty to do too, including arcade games, wall-to-wall TVs, darts and foosball, bowling, and food available for purchase. Entry is free, no RSVP or tickets required, and wristbands are distributed during the event’s 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM window. Bring a physical ID.

An outdoor screening of The Wild Robot anchors this installment of the Sunset Movie Series. Pack lawn chairs and blankets for comfort. Activities and snacks are offered before the feature, then the movie plays beneath the night sky.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Free, family-friendly math fun awaits with interactive games and activities. Guests may arrive at any time, enjoy complimentary snacks, and explore a rotating lineup of new puzzles each month.

The free, family-friendly Concerts on the Plaza series continues at the historic Niles Town Plaza with Jinx Jones and the Kingtones, a local favorite known for lively rockabilly. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a relaxed community concert.

This free outdoor swing dance lesson caps the summer at Niles Town Plaza. The evening begins with an outdoor concert and continues with an instructor led swing session under the evening sky. Beginners are welcome, no partner is necessary, and all levels can participate. Beyond the dancing, the location offers time to enjoy Niles, meet new people, browse local shops, and pick up food from nearby restaurants while celebrating the close of the season. Nearby parking is available.

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.

Lend a hand at a volunteer session in the park. High school students can earn service-learning hours during summer vacation, and participants ages 14 and up are welcome. For any questions or additional details, please contact the organizers.

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.

This vibrant outdoor marketplace features a range of wares, services, food items, and fresh local produce. Music fills the air as shoppers explore, creating a relaxed way to wind down the week.

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.

Test your knowledge at The Growler Pub in Danville with interactive multimedia trivia emceed by local comedians. There is no entry fee, and prizes are available. Teams of up to six players can compete.

Head to El Rio for Karaokiki, a free Thursday-night karaoke party with rotating hostesses DULCE DE LECHE, FRISCO PINK, and MOJO. Bring your voice and get ready to sing from 9:00 PM to midnight.