Free & Cheap
Family-friendly Bay Area Fun on The Cheap
Discounted admission to museums, plays, classes and other tips to discover free fun for East Bay Area children.
Upcoming Free or Cheap Events in the East Bay
Friday, May 1, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Explore Blake Garden @ Blake Garden9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Pop-N-Play @ Ruby’s Tumbling
10:00 am – 10:50 am: Preschool Yoga Class @ Yama Kids Yoga
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Wee Play: Drop-In Playtime @ Alameda Veterans Memorial Building
10:15 am – 11:00 am: Bouncing Babies Storytime @ Fremont Main Library
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Story Time @ Crab Cove @ Crab Cove Visitor Center
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Toddler Plus Storytime @ Main | Alameda Free Library
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Opera For Kids @ Central Library | Berkeley Public Library
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Cinco de Mayo Celebration @ Marina Community Center
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Free Telescope Viewing @ Chabot Space & Science Center
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
When are Lake Temescal and Lake Anza Open for Swimming?
Lake Temescal and Lake Anza are open weekends until Memorial Day, then daily all summer. But wait! Check the water quality before you go.
Open for Swimming & Recreation: Lake Temescal in Oakland
Lake Temescal is a beautiful (almost hidden) gem nestled next to the Highway 24/13 interchange, near Montclair, in Oakland.
Celebrating Women’s History Month in the East Bay
Looking for a way to celebrate Women's History Month with your family? Check out this handy list!
The Black Joy Parade Returns to Oakland on Feb 22
The Black Joy Parade in Oakland, the largest free, family-friendly event of its kind in California, celebrates the Black experience and the culture.
East Bay Summer Concert Round-Up for Families
If your family loves listening to live music, check out our round-up of outdoor concerts -- most of which are free -- to enjoy this ...
Free and Cheap Activities Scheduled This Month
Free and Cheap activities for your family this month. Some of the best things in life are FREE, right? Now go do them with your ...
Where Can New Parents Meet Each Other in the East Bay?
Looking for an opening to connect with other new mothers? Here are some resources including support groups and activity groups in the East Bay.
Free & Cheap Activities in Tilden Regional Park
Tilden Park has fantastic free and low-cost activities for families. Which one of our favorites do you love?
How to Enjoy a Campfire Without Camping
Experience a glowing campfire without the hassle of camping at EBPRD's summertime campfire programs
Get Outside at Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos Hills
About an hour from Oakland, get your family's quarantine wiggles out at Hidden Villa with friendly farm animals and lots of room to run in ...
















