Free things to do in Danville, CA
Free events and places in Danville, CA, from library classes to festivals: 16 listed, checked by a local editor.
Everything in Danville →Saturday, October 24
Full Moon Pumpkin Patch: 100 jack-o'-lanterns for charityNightly from 6pm through Nov 6 · Full Moon Pumpkin Patch · FreeA yard lit by about 100 jack-o'-lanterns (carved pumpkins with lights inside), a little graveyard and singing pumpkins, raising money for charity. Not scary. A private home listed on FrightMaps; please be polite and stay on the sidewalk.
Scarecrow Stroll in downtown DanvilleThrough Nov 1 · Downtown Danville · FreeMore than 50 downtown shops each put up a scarecrow. Grab a map, walk the route and vote for your favorite.
Haunted Light Show: Halloween lights, music and fogEvenings through Halloween; hours not posted · Haunted Light Show · FreeA Halloween light show set to music, with fog, that runs over an hour. Not scary. A private home listed on FrightMaps; please be polite and stay on the sidewalk.
Flannel & Foliage: Gilmore Girls fall fan weekend10/23/2026, 12:00 AM – 10/25/2026, 11:59 PM · Historic Downtown Danville · Free general admissionA three-day fall fan weekend in downtown Danville inspired by Gilmore Girls, the TV show set in a cozy small town. Expect cast panels (actors talking on stage), live music, trivia, scavenger hunts and artisan markets. General admission is free; a limited number of paid All-Access tickets are also sold.
Danville Farmers' Market9:00 AM – 1:00 PM · Railroad Avenue Municipal Parking Lot · FreeAn open-air market where local farmers sell fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods directly from their stalls, every Saturday morning all year in the Railroad Avenue parking lot in downtown Danville. Run by PCFMA (Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association); free to walk in.
Friends of the Danville Library Book Sale10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Danville Library · FreeThe Friends of the Danville Library hosts book sales which are an opportunity to find many exciting titles. Peruse a wide variety of cookbooks, children's books, non-fiction and other fun reading to cover almost every interest.
Boo Bash: Halloween party at Danville Livery12:00 – 3:00 PM · Danville Livery Shopping Center · FreeA free Halloween afternoon for families at the Danville Livery shopping center: a hayride (a ride in a wagon full of hay), a petting zoo, pumpkin carving, face painting, a DJ, and a map of shops that hand out candy to kids in costume. Early arrivals in costume get a free Boo Bag while supplies last.- Flannel & Foliage Reading Challenge1:00 – 3:00 PM · Danville Library · FreeCalling readers of all ages! Inspired by the book-loving world of a favorite quintessential 2000s TV show, join us Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, from 1–3 pm for the Flannel & Foliage Reading Challenge!
Sunday, October 25
- Full Moon Pumpkin Patch: 100 jack-o'-lanterns for charityNightly from 6pm through Nov 6 · Full Moon Pumpkin Patch · FreeA yard lit by about 100 jack-o'-lanterns (carved pumpkins with lights inside), a little graveyard and singing pumpkins, raising money for charity. Not scary. A private home listed on FrightMaps; please be polite and stay on the sidewalk.
- Scarecrow Stroll in downtown DanvilleThrough Nov 1 · Downtown Danville · FreeMore than 50 downtown shops each put up a scarecrow. Grab a map, walk the route and vote for your favorite.
- Haunted Light Show: Halloween lights, music and fogEvenings through Halloween; hours not posted · Haunted Light Show · FreeA Halloween light show set to music, with fog, that runs over an hour. Not scary. A private home listed on FrightMaps; please be polite and stay on the sidewalk.
- Flannel & Foliage: Gilmore Girls fall fan weekend10/23/2026, 12:00 AM – 10/25/2026, 11:59 PM · Historic Downtown Danville · Free general admissionA three-day fall fan weekend in downtown Danville inspired by Gilmore Girls, the TV show set in a cozy small town. Expect cast panels (actors talking on stage), live music, trivia, scavenger hunts and artisan markets. General admission is free; a limited number of paid All-Access tickets are also sold.
Coming up
Family Story Hour: library storytimeWed Oct 14 & 21, 11:15–11:45am · Danville Library – Children's Reading Room · FreeA free 30-minute storytime where a librarian reads picture books and leads songs, rhymes and finger plays (little rhymes acted out with hand motions) in Danville Library's Children's Reading Room. Best for ages 3–5, but all ages are welcome; just drop in, no sign-up.
Fratello Marionettes: Halloween puppet showTue Oct 27, 4–4:45pm · Danville Library · FreeA free Halloween puppet show at Danville Library, where string-operated marionettes play friendly ghosts, Frankenstein and a not-so-scary witch. Aimed at ages 3–9 and costumes are welcome; Halloween craft and activity bags are handed out from 10am that day while supplies last.- Paws to ReadOct 14 – Nov 18, 8 dates · Danville Library · FreeStudents in grades 1-5 have fun and improve their literacy skills while reading to a therapy dog certified by the Valley Humane Society. Bring a book, or choose one of ours!
- Saturday StorytimeSat Oct 31, 11am–11:45am · Danville Library · FreeJoin us on the last Saturday every month (unless it is a holiday or otherwise indicated) at 11:00 to kick off your weekend with Saturday Storytime!
Legos & ListeningThu Nov 5, 4pm–4:45pm · Danville Library · FreeDanville Library's popular Legos and Listening program is designed to hone listening skills and explore creativity. Children ages 4-9 listen quietly to recorded stories and then briefly discuss the books while building with Lego.
Writer Series with Local AuthorsTue Nov 10, 6pm–7:30pm · Danville Library · FreeWriting Series with Local Authors Program 2: Character and Building a Writing Habit A panel of local authors will engage in a moderated, conversational discussion followed by audience Q&A, with time afterward to meet the authors and purchase signed books.
Tri-Valley Ice Cream TrailOpen year-round · FreeA free ice cream check-in passport: collect all the stops and redeem an ice cream scoop.- Tri-Valley Beer TrailOpen year-round · FreeA free mobile beer passport: check in to earn points and redeem them for swag.