TUESDAY
27
OCTOBER
Free things to do in San Jose, CA
We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources and found 156 free things to do in San Jose, CA between October 27 and November 2. Last updated October 27, 2026.
All free things to do in San Jose, CA — October 27 – November 2
Virtual reality program at Tully lets teens learn equipment, try first-time VR experiences, then explore immersive games and puzzles, ages 12–18.
Teen voiceover challenge at King Library’s TeenHQ mezzanine lets participants record a Frankenstein‑inspired script in a recording studio, free for ages 12–18.
Admit Hero presents a free one‑hour virtual workshop on college applications, covering admissions reading, academics, activities, SAT/ACT timing, essay strategies, with live Q&A, for ages 10+, registration required.
Vineland Community Room offers free crafting with markers, paper, vinyl, fabric, yarn, sewing machines and Cricut tools for adults 18+, no registration required.
One‑on‑one tech mentoring at Edenvale, San Jose, offers free drop‑in computer help in English or 中文, no registration required, for ages 12 and up.
Personalized tech assistance at Biblioteca Latinoamericana, offering one‑on‑one help with email, Wi‑Fi, Chromebooks, Zoom, library services, and internet searches, free, registration required, ages 18+.
Gentle low‑impact Tai Chi and chair yoga sessions in Calabazas Library’s community room, ages 18 and up.
Taiwanese Mahjong lessons and play sessions in Tully Community Room, teaching tile setup, game flow, set making, and winning strategies for ages 18 and up.
Volunteer tech mentors offer assistance with printing, Word, Excel, email setup, security tips, and SJPL eResources at King Library’s 3rd‑floor service desk, free, for ages 18 and up.
Weekly English conversation practice led by a trained facilitator in the library’s Rose Garden Group Study Room, ages 18 and up.
Free webinar at San José Public Library where a Career Librarian teaches resume and cover letter elements, highlighting accomplishments and transferable skills, for ages 18 and up.
Farmers' market on the Kaiser Permanente San Jose medical campus offers berries, stone fruit, potatoes, corn, bakery items, dumplings, tamales and falafel.
One‑On‑One Tech Help (Santa Teresa Internet Cafe, San Jose) — Volunteers assist with email setup, Microsoft Word/Excel basics, web searches, app downloads, printing and more, free, ages 12+.
Vietnamese computer help via Zoom at San José Public Library, covering Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email setup, Facebook and Zalo basics; free, 18+.
English speaking and listening practice in Village Square’s Group Study Room 2, led by a library volunteer, free, for ages 18 and up.
Yarn enthusiasts gather in Vineland Library’s Community Room to share projects, refine techniques, and learn knitting or crochet, all hand‑needle crafts welcome, free for ages 12+.
Virtual English conversation club via Zoom, led by a volunteer instructor, lets adult learners practice speaking, listening, and vocabulary through current‑event discussions, free with registration for ages 18+.
Free ESL class at Seven Trees Branch Library offers basic reading, writing, speaking, and listening instruction for adults 18+, requires placement test, led by instructor Miriam Sachs Martin.
Weekly yarn gathering in Willow Glen Library Community Room where knitters share projects, exchange tips, and receive advice from experienced crafters, free, ages 18 and up.
U.S. Citizenship Mock Interview Practice (Edenvale, San Jose) — In‑person practice of N‑400 civics, reading, writing and interview strategies. Free, ages 18+.
Civic Literacy: Vocabulary for Voting (San José Public Library) — Workshops reading an Easy Voter Guide, defining civic terms, and reviewing ballot propositions; free, registration required, ages 18+.
Open rehearsal showcases Erhu with a Q&A on preparation, inviting instrument enthusiasts to observe and discuss, free, for ages 18 and up.
Book sale in the first‑floor lobby of Seven Trees Library, with all proceeds supporting library events and programs, cash only, for ages 5 and up.
One‑on‑one tech help at Evergreen Library’s information desk offers personalized assistance with Wi‑Fi, email, documents, e‑books, and device basics, free, ages 18 and up.
WEDNESDAY
28
OCTOBER
Teen Craft & Connect (Calabazas, San Jose) offers weekly crafts like trinket trays, tote bags, mini pumpkins and bedazzling with free supplies while they last, ages 12–18.
Teens explore library resources through an in‑person scavenger hunt in Group Study Room A, earning small prizes while supplies last, free, no registration required, for ages 12–18.
Spooky paper creations hide among bookshelves at Biblioteca Latinoamericana, where participants grab clue cards, search the shelves, and claim prizes at the information desk, ages 5–18.
Nintendo Switch console available for teens to play after school, with controllers and games checked out at the Information Desk for in‑library use, ages 12–18.
Make a Halloween‑themed stop‑motion animation on iPad at Hillview, using clay, paper and other provided items; supplies limited, first‑come‑first‑served, free, for ages 10–18.
Teens Reach meeting in Edenvale Teen Room builds leadership skills through library projects, room decorating, and volunteer planning, for ages 12–18.
One‑on‑one writing instructor helps craft and revise UC personal insight questions in Tully’s Group Study Room A, San Jose, for ages 10–18.
Fuse bead workshop in Biblioteca Latinoamericana’s community room lets participants design, pattern and heat‑fuse colorful bead art to take home, registration required, for ages 5–18.
Free 60‑minute interactive workshop at San José Public Library explores AI bias, misinformation, hallucinations, and fair use, led by nonprofit Together We AI, for ages 10 and up.
Reading on the Avenue Book Club gathers in Willow Glen Community Room for monthly discussions of selected fiction and non‑fiction titles, free, ages 18 and up.
Bring a themed book for discussion, share recommendations and reviews at the Joyce Ellington Library group study area, ages 12 and up.
Hands‑on computer assembly with donated lab PCs in Educational Park’s study room, where participants plug in components, disassemble to a motherboard, reassemble and troubleshoot, free for ages 10+.
Three‑session ukulele series in Alviso Community Room teaches chords, strumming, rhythm patterns and basic theory with provided instruments, recommended attendance all sessions, ages 18 and up.
Public speaking practice session in Bascom Study Room 2 offers prepared presentations and 1‑2‑minute impromptu speeches, in‑person or via Zoom, ages 12+.
Discussing Paula McClain’s *When the Stars Go Dark* via Zoom, with required registration; ages 18 and up.
Casual beginner crocheting classes at Alum Rock, each week adding skills toward scarf projects, ages 10 and up.
One‑on‑one tech tutoring offers Word, Excel, PowerPoint, job‑application and online‑tool help in Willow Glen’s Internet Cafe and Group Study Room, for ages 10 and up.
Puzzle swapping at Santa Teresa, San Jose, with 350‑piece and larger puzzles, limited to three to five trades per week, ages 10 and up.
Guided meditation session at San José Public Library offers practice for letting go of anxiety, led by experienced instructor Arlene Samsel, ages 18 and up.
Intermediate English learners practice speaking and listening in unscripted conversation at Seven Trees Family Learning Center, guided by a library volunteer, free, 18 and up.
One‑On‑One Tech Help (Santa Teresa Tech Center, San Jose) — Volunteers assist with email setup, document basics, printing, app downloads, using personal or library devices, ages 12+, free.
Volunteer tech mentors offer assistance with printing, Word, Excel, email setup, security tips, and SJPL eResources at King Library’s 3rd‑floor service desk, free, for ages 18 and up.
Spanish Conversation Club meets weekly in Edenvale Library’s Group Study Room A for learners to practice speaking Spanish, ages 18 and up.
Certified farmers' market in Evergreen Village Square offers local produce, eggs, meat, orchids, baked goods and prepared foods, accepting CalFresh EBT and WIC.
Knitting, crocheting, tatting, and bobbin lace enthusiasts gather in the East San Jose Carnegie Community Room to share projects, learn techniques, discuss needle crafts, ages 5 and up.
One-on-one computer help with a Tech Mentor at West Valley Branch Library’s Public Computer #14, covering Word, Excel, email setup, social media, job applications, e‑book downloads, ages 18+.
Free one-on-one tech support covering smartphones, tablets, computers, email, apps, video calls, browsing, and SJPL website navigation at Educational Park, San Jose; appointments required, ages 18+.
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