Free things to do in San Ramon, CA
Free events and places in San Ramon, CA, from library classes to festivals: 40 listed, checked by a local editor.
Everything in San Ramon →Saturday, October 24
San Ramon Farmers Market9:00 AM – 1:00 PM · City Center Bishop Ranch · FreeAn open-air market where farmers and food makers sell fresh produce and food from stalls, every Saturday morning all year at City Center Bishop Ranch. Food-assistance benefits are accepted: SNAP/CalFresh EBT (government food-aid card) and Veggie Rx (produce vouchers).
Chess Hour11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · San Ramon Library · FreePractice your chess skills and meet other chess players for games at the library. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Chess boards are provided, or bring your own.
Diwali craft: paint your own Ganesha or diya11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Dougherty Station Library · FreeA free kids' craft at Dougherty Station Library for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights: kids ages 3–12 paint a figurine of Ganesha (the elephant-headed god of new beginnings) or a diya (small clay oil lamp) and learn what each means. No registration needed.
Trick or Treat on the Farm11:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Forest Home Farms Historic Park · FreeA daytime Halloween outing: kids come in costume and walk around the historic Forest Home Farms collecting treats and doing activities at stations. Free for all ages, no registration needed.- All Ages, All Moves: Chess and More3:00 – 4:30 PM · Dougherty Station Library · FreeJoin us for family friendly games at Dougherty Station Library! Drop in and challenge your family and friends with one of our games or bring your own.
Sunday, October 25
Howl-O-Ween: Halloween pet costume parade2:00 – 3:00 PM · City Center Bishop Ranch – Alexander Square · FreeA Halloween parade for pets in costume ("Howl-O-Ween" is a dog-themed play on Halloween) at Alexander Square in City Center Bishop Ranch, with treats, a selfie station and a mini dog obstacle course. Free for everyone.- Orangefest: trunk-or-treat and fall fun in San Ramon3:00 – 5:00 PM · Brave Church San Ramon · FreeTrunk-or-treat, a DJ, bounce houses and food trucks. Trunk-or-treat means kids in costume collect candy from decorated car trunks in a parking lot.
Coming up
- Dungeons & DragonsMondays 4pm–5:30pm (Oct 19 – Nov 23) · San Ramon Library · FreeJoin a Dungeons & Dragons® adventure with other teens. Our teen volunteers will create the one-shots. D&D at the San Ramon Library plays at level 5.
Family Storytime at San Ramon LibraryMon Oct 19 & 26, 6:30–7pm · San Ramon Library · FreeA free 30-minute evening storytime at San Ramon Library with songs, picture books and stories. Best for ages 3–5, but everyone is welcome; just drop in, no sign-up.- Musical Storytime and Stay & Play for little kidsTue Oct 20 & 27, 10:15–10:45am · Dougherty Station Library · FreeA free library storytime full of songs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at Dougherty Station Library, followed by open play time with early-learning toys. Just come; no registration needed.
Chair Yoga for seniors and adultsOct 20 & Nov 17, 12:15pm–1:15pm · San Ramon Library · FreeExperience the benefits of traditional yoga in a more accessible format. The library offers a free chair yoga class for seniors and adults on the third Tuesday of the month, during lunchtime.- Totally TuesdaysOct 20 – Nov 24, 7 dates · Dougherty Station Library · FreeHey middle and high schoolers! Come hang out at the library after school. Different activities will be offered each week, including (but not limited to) watching anime/cartoons or movies, video games, button making, crafts, and much more!
- San Ramon LEGO ClubOct 21 & Nov 18, 4pm–5pm · San Ramon Library · FreePlaying with LEGO® blocks encourages creativity, problem solving and teamwork. Join us and learn while having fun!
- Verses & Voices Poetry WorkshopWednesdays 5:30pm–6:30pm (Oct 14 – Nov 25) · San Ramon Library · FreeDiscover the power of words with Verses & Voices! Join us for a dynamic poetry program led by the City’s Poet Laureate, Jaz Sufi. Dive into the beauty of poetry, engage in a thought-provoking discussion, and unleash your creativity through guided writing.
- Evening Family Storytime and CraftWed Oct 14 & 21, 6:30–7:30pm · Dougherty Station Library · FreeAn evening storytime at Dougherty Station Library for kids 1 to 5, using a felt board (stories told with cut-out felt pieces), followed by a craft at 7pm. Older siblings are welcome. Free, no registration.
- Preschool Storytime at San Ramon LibraryEvery other Thu, 10:15–10:45am (Oct 22, Nov 5 & 19, Dec 3) · San Ramon Library · FreeA free storytime for 3- to 5-year-olds at San Ramon Library with longer picture books, songs and early-literacy activities (games that build pre-reading skills), every other Thursday. Kids under 3, or with younger siblings, should go to the 11:15am storytime instead.
- StorytimeThursdays 11:15am–11:45am (Oct 22 – Nov 26) · San Ramon Library · FreeRead! Talk! Sing! Play! Join us for Storytime and enjoy books, songs, fingerplays, movement and fun. Attending Storytime is a wonderful opportunity for young children to develop language, early literacy and social skills.
- Pop-Up CrafternoonOct 22 & Nov 23, 3pm–4pm · San Ramon Library · FreeJoin us in the children's area for a fun craft!
- The Barcodes Book Club for KidsThu Oct 22, 4:30pm–5:30pm · Dougherty Station Library · FreeThe Barcodes Book Club at the Dougherty Station Library is for kids currently in grades 3 to 5. Enjoy lively book discussions and fun themed activities with prizes.
- Speak Up! English Language Conversation GroupFridays 10am–11am (Oct 16 – Nov 27) · Dougherty Station Library · FreePractice your English conversation skills with other adult ESL learners in an informal and friendly setting at the Dougherty Station Library!
- Intro to MeditationOct 27 & Nov 24, 12:15pm–1:15pm · San Ramon Library · FreeMeditation, it’s not what you think! Explore a variety of seated meditation techniques using visualizations and concentration objects. Each month, Mary Beth Volker introduces a different meditation technique with a brief lesson exploring its history, cultural roots, and practical benefits.
- Paws to Read: kids read to therapy dogsTue Oct 13 & 27, 5:30–6:30pm · San Ramon Library – Upstairs Program Room · FreeKids in grades 1–5 practice reading aloud to calm, certified therapy dogs at San Ramon Library, which helps them build confidence without anyone judging. Register at the information desk or call 925.973.2850; there is no online sign-up.
Whatever Wednesdays: Scary Movie NightWed Oct 28, 4:15pm–6pm · San Ramon Library · FreeJoin us for a chilling showing of insidious at the library! Scary snacks provided. Planned and hosted by the Teen Advisory Board. We will be watching "INSIDIOUS" Rated PG-13.- Storytime Halloween CelebrationThu Oct 29, 11:15am–11:45am · San Ramon Library · FreeJoin us for a special Halloween Storytime. We will have little kid friendly Halloween Stories and yummy treats! Costumes welcome! Participants are welcome to stay for a 15-minute play session at the end of Storytime.
Fun on the Farm: pumpkins, gourds and squashSat Oct 31, about 11am–2pm · Forest Home Farms Historic Park · FreeA free drop-in day at Forest Home Farms about pumpkins, gourds and squash. The farm's calendar doesn't print the year, so double-check before you go.- Yoga for adultsTue Nov 3, 12:15pm–1:15pm · San Ramon Library · FreeRecharge your body and mind, one breath at a time. Step away from your desk and onto the mat! The library offers a free yoga class for adults at lunchtime the first Tuesday of each month.
- Tinker Thinkers!Tue Nov 3, 4pm–5pm · San Ramon Library · FreeFor elementary school children in 1st-5th grades only please. STEAM activities on the first Tuesday of each month. Make, create, build and explore with our building, tinkering and craft activities!
- Writing Wonderland (Adult & Teen Writing Program)Tue Nov 3, 6pm–7:30pm · Dougherty Station Library · FreeCome join local writer and professor of writing, Rayshell Clapper, to learn the basics of writing creatively in all genres. We'll learn, write a bit together, share, and even workshop each other's works.
- Foodie Book ClubTue Nov 3, 6pm–7pm · San Ramon Library · FreeDo you love food and love to read? Join our monthly Adults Book Club where we read novels and cookbooks, try recipes, and broaden our experiences through food.
30 Years of Jazz CelebrationWed Nov 4, 3:30pm–4:30pm · San Ramon Library · FreeLet’s party like it’s 1996! Join us as we pay tribute to 30 Years of Jazz concerts at the San Ramon Library. The tradition began in 1996, when San Ramon was selected as the only California city to host a Smithsonian exhibit about Duke Ellington.- IEP 101 for Parents: Understanding Your Rights and What to Do When You DisagreeThu Nov 5, 2pm–3pm · San Ramon Library · FreeThis workshop offers parents a clear introduction to the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. It will cover how school evaluations work, what rights parents have at each stage, and questions to ask along the way.
San Ramon Library Teen Advisory BoardThu Nov 5, 4:15pm–5:15pm · San Ramon Library · FreeThe Teen Advisory Board meets on the first Thursday of each month. Teen volunteers collaborate to come up with fun and engaging teen programs at the San Ramon Library.- Friday Afternoon Library Book Club:The Fisherman's Gift by Julia R, KelleyFri Nov 6, 1pm–2pm · Dougherty Station Library · FreeFriday Afternoon Library Book Club. Dougherty Station Library Join other book lovers for monthly get-togethers and book discussions. 4.. November 6: 5.
- InsidersTue Nov 10, 11am–12pm · San Ramon Library · FreeCome hang out for fun Crafts, Hobbies, and DIY activities for adults with disabilities on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
- Bookworms: San Ramon Library Kid's Book ClubTue Nov 10, 4pm–5pm · San Ramon Library · FreeBookworms is a monthly book club for readers in 3rd through 5th grade (2026/2027 school year). We will discuss a new book each month and enjoy a book themed activity.
- Whatever WednesdaysNov 11 & Nov 25, 4:15pm–5:15pm · San Ramon Library · FreeSwing by for a session of whatever the Teen Advisory Board has planned! Open to middle schoolers and high schoolers.
- Hindi StorytimeThu Nov 12, 4pm–4:30pm · San Ramon Library · FreeJoin us for Hindi Storytime and enjoy fun stories and rhymes in Hindi. This program will be most enjoyable for children ages 2-9. All ages and abilities are welcome.
- Tai ChiOct 15 & Nov 12, 5:30pm–6:30pm · San Ramon Library · Free” In these classes, participants will learn the foundations of Tai Chi movement, the gentle and energizing Eight Brocades Qi Gong, the graceful Yang-style 24 Form, the powerful Chen-style 18 and 74 Forms, and the dynamic Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan routine.
- STEAM SaturdaySat Nov 14, 10:30am–12pm · Dougherty Station Library · FreeKids ages 3 to 12 are invited to explore STEAM learning focused stations on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Guest will have the opportunity to experiment and play with engineering, science, art, and coding toys and activities.
- San Ramon Summer ConcertsJuly – August; 2027 dates TBA · Central Park Amphitheater · FreeFree concerts at the Central Park amphitheater.