Free things to do in Palo Alto, CA

10 AM – 12 PM·Rinconada Library, Embarcadero Room, Palo Alto

Preserve photographs, home movies, records, and cassettes with assistance from a skilled volunteer in the Rinconada Library’s Embarcadero Room, ages 18 and up.

7 PM – 8 PM·Sapp Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 376 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305 · Palo Alto

Dr. Alexandra Mitchell explains how LIGO detects minuscule spacetime ripples and recent discoveries, in a hybrid lecture at the Sapp Center for Science Teaching and Learning, all ages.

9 AM – 5 PM·Encina Hall, 616 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305 · Palo Alto

The Future of Decision-Making Conference (Encina Hall, Stanford) — Scholars, practitioners, and experts present research on AI‑enabled decision systems, cognitive surrender, and military decision‑making; free, registration required.

1 PM · 3 PM·Mitchell Park Library, Palo Alto

Preserve photographs, home movies, records and cassettes with a volunteer’s help during a two‑hour appointment at Mitchell Park Library; bring laptop and media, ages 18 and up.

11 AM – 12 PM·Palo Alto City Library

Online English conversation session via Zoom, small groups with volunteer tutors discuss Halloween and Day of the Dead, registration required; for ages 18 and up.

12:30 PM – 2 PM·Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305 · Palo Alto

Cello students of Christopher Costanza perform at Braun Music Center for the Noon Concert Series, offering a vibrant showcase of emerging talent; free admission, parking permits required.

9 AM – 12 PM·O'Donohue Educational Farm, 175 Electioneer Rd, Stanford, CA 94305 · Palo Alto

Volunteer at O'Donohue Educational Farm, performing weeding, planting, irrigation, composting, mulching, and flower deadheading; closed‑toed shoes required, gloves provided, ages 10+ (10‑14 need guardian).