THURSDAY
3
SEPTEMBER
The Ember List · San Jose, CA
Free things to do in San Jose, CA
We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources to pick the 23 best free things to do in San Jose, CA between September 3 and September 9. Updated daily.
Highlights for September 3 – September 8
Bay Area Comics and Comix Exhibition (King Library, San Jose)
A showcase of comic‑book history from the 1840s to the 1960s, featuring original titles and Bay Area contributions. Thursday, September 3 – Wednesday, September 9, all day. Free. Teens and adults; open daily.
Tiny Art for Kids & Teens (Evergreen, Community Room, San Jose)
Paint a small canvas to be displayed in the Evergreen Library’s Tiny Art Show. Friday, September 4, 4:30 pm–5:30 pm. Free. Ages 5‑18; supplies provided, wear clothing you don’t mind getting paint on.
Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend (SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF ART ASSOCIATION)
Free general admission to the San Jose Museum of Art for eligible Bank of America cardholders. Saturday, September 5, 10 am. Free. Bring an active Bank of America, Merrill, or Private Bank card.
CHCP Doors Open Tour: Gilded Altars and Lost Chinatowns of San Jose (Chinese Historical & Cultural Project)
Guided tours of historic sites, including Gilded Altars and lost Chinatowns, with talks and behind‑the‑scenes access. Saturday, September 5, 10 am–2 pm. Register in advance; historic‑architecture enthusiasts.
NorCal Bats (Santa Teresa, Community Room, San Jose)
Live California bats are presented with a talk on their ecology and common myths. Saturday, September 5, 11 am–12 pm. Free. Ages 5‑10, Pre‑Teens.
STEM Saturday: Robotics Adventure Workshop (Pearl Avenue, San Jose)
Hands‑on robotics challenge where kids program robot cars to navigate mazes and learn coding basics. Saturday, September 5, 12 pm–1 pm. Free. Ages 5‑12; bring curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
Line Dancing for Beginners/Improvers (West Valley, Community Room, San Jose)
Beginner line‑dancing class with music and guided steps, suitable for all skill levels. Tuesday, September 8, 1:30 pm–3 pm. Free. Adults and seniors; first‑time participants must sign a waiver.
Our best picks: free things to do in San Jose, CA — September 3–9
Join us for socializing, finding new friends, networking, making jokes, learn to play Dungeons & Dragons, and having fun with art! INSIDERS programs are geared towards teens and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Caregivers are welcome to join. Snacks will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome! ADA Ac…
Every now and then, libraries need a little extra love from the communities they serve. Volunteer away your library fines at a rate of $20 per hour while helping the library maintain a clean and welcoming environment. Volunteers are needed to help with: Tables and Chairs Cleaning – Wipe down crucial furniture used for…
FRIDAY
4
SEPTEMBER
A well-crafted resume is vital for standing out to potential employers. Our volunteer will help you learn the essential elements of a successful resume and prepare for interviews. Gain expert tips on highlighting your accomplishments, showcasing transferable skills, and mastering the STAR framework to ace your next int…
Get crafty and relax at a jewelry-making night just for adults.. Supplies will be available to create whatever you like. Make something for yourself or a gift for a friend. Better yet, bring a friend! Not sure where to start? We’ll have project ideas and examples to help you get inspired. Come be creative, unwind, and…
Paint a tiny canvas for display in our Tiny Art Show! Tiny Art will be admired by our community throughout Evergreen Library's 20th Anniversary during the month of September. All materials for painting Tiny Art will be provided, while supplies last. Note: Paint is not washable, so dress for mess. Recommended for kids a…
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a hands-on Chinese calligraphy workshop. Participants will learn about holiday traditions, write characters such as “中秋” (Mid-Autumn) and “喜樂” (Joy) with a brush, draw cute moon rabbits, and craft their own glowing paper lantern to take home. Additional Details Space and supplies…
SATURDAY
5
SEPTEMBER
Join us for an exciting, informative program about bats! Learn about the importance of bats to the environment and the harmful myths that tend to surround them. Live bats, native to California, will be safely presented for viewing. NorCalBats is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of bats throughout No…
Discover the exciting world of robotics through hands-on learning and creative problem-solving. Can a robot find its way out of a maze? How does a robot “see” obstacles and make decisions? In this interactive workshop, students will program robot cars to complete engaging challenges while exploring coding, sensors, eng…
Come join us for an introduction to 3D printing and CAD! We will learn how to use TinkerCAD and how 3D printing works. There will be a live demonstration of the 3D printer working. Free. Ages 8-14. Space is limited, no registration is required. This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Library…
¿Hablas español y quieres aprender inglés? Speak English and want to learn Spanish? Build community with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Everyone has something to contribute! Construye comunidad con personas de diferentes antecedentes lingüísticos y culturales. ¡Todos tienen algo que aportar!…
SUNDAY
6
SEPTEMBER
The California Room’s exhibit “Bay Area Comics and Comix” presents the history of American comic books, highlighting the participation of the San Francisco Bay Area. The exhibit displays comic books and materials illustrating our journey from 1842’s The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck to the arrival of the modern comic b…
Feeling stressed out? A self-care toolkit could help! These kits were assembled by West Valley Teens Reach volunteers with supplies generously sponsored by the West Valley Friends of the Library. As part of back-to-school season, tweens and teens ages 12-18 are invited to promote self-care by taking a mental health kit…
The worlds of science and art collide at STEAM Sundays! Help us clean out our closets in this project filled STEAM Sunday afternoon. We'll have mini lessons and projects at the ready for you to pick what you'd like to work on. Will you make slime or maybe create a cactus rock sculpture after learning about succulents?…
Build two different types of balloon cars for our balloon car derby where lessons learned about engineering design, and kinetic and potential energy can be incorporated to create the fastest car. Experiment with different materials and angles to create the fastest and straightest-driving car. And don't forget to make i…
MONDAY
7
SEPTEMBER
The California Room’s exhibit “Bay Area Comics and Comix” presents the history of American comic books, highlighting the participation of the San Francisco Bay Area. The exhibit displays comic books and materials illustrating our journey from 1842’s The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck to the arrival of the modern comic b…
TUESDAY
8
SEPTEMBER
Bridge is great exercise for your brain! This Bridge program is designed for adults who are passionate about Bridge and are looking to enhance their game with regular practice and social interaction. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it an ideal setting to engage with fellow Bridge enthusiasts and to refi…
Join our wonderful volunteer instructor Audrey Chen for line dancing classes. Have fun and enjoy music while performing calorie-burning dance movements! Some line dancing experience is preferred but not required. Please note this will be an indoor program. Tuesdays, 星期 二 , 下午 1:30pm - 3:00pm August: 11, 18, 25 Septembe…
This is an Open Rehearsal featuring the Chinese Erhu (the Erhu is traditional two-stringed bowed musical instrument often referred to as the "Chinese violin") . The public is invited to observe the preparation process for an upcoming performance and participate in a Q&A session. 「雅韻中樂團」以二胡為主要樂器，也誠摯歡迎其他中西樂器同好一同參與。 參加者多為…
Join us every Thursday and experience the digital world like never before in our Virtual Reality program. Learn how to use our virtual reality equipment, try a virtual reality experience for the first time, and then come back again to try one of our more immersive experiences, games, and puzzles. For teens ages 12 and…
WEDNESDAY
9
SEPTEMBER
The California Room’s exhibit “Bay Area Comics and Comix” presents the history of American comic books, highlighting the participation of the San Francisco Bay Area. The exhibit displays comic books and materials illustrating our journey from 1842’s The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck to the arrival of the modern comic b…
This program is in-person at Santa Teresa Branch Library. English Language Learners (ELL) Conversation Clubs create a welcoming and respectful environment for adult learners of English to practice their English conversation skills. Clubs meet weekly with a trained facilitator courtesy of Santa Teresa Branch Library. No…
Meeting once a week on Wednesdays at the Edenvale Library Branch. Spanish Language Learners come and practice your Spanish speaking skills. ADA Accommodation Requests
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