Drop-in story times are a parent’s best friend. Free entertainment; a motivation to get out of the house; and exposure to books and stories you might not otherwise know about.
Relax a little while someone else tells your child a nice story with all the voices. Here’s a round-up of upcoming free storytimes in the East Bay.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Family Storytime
Location: El Sobrante Library – 4191 Appian Way El Sobrante
Join the El Sobrante on Wednesdays at 10:30 for a fun Family Storytime with themed songs, movement, rhymes, stories and literacy building activities.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
DÃa de los Muertos Storytime
Location: Centerville Library – 3801 Nicolet Ave Fremont
¡Celebra el Dia de los Muertos con una hora de cuentos bilingüe. Boletos gratis serán repartidos 15 minutos antes que comience el evento. Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a bilingual Storytime, Free tickets will be given out 15 minutes before the event begins.
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Cost: Free
Trick-Or-Treat Storytime
Location: Main Branch | San Leandro Public Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
Special edition of Family Storytime featuring Halloween-themed books, songs, rhymes, and trick-or-treating through the Library, for families with kids of all ages to enjoy. Â Wear your costume! This program takes place in the Karp room at the Main Library.
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Storytime
Location: El Cerrito Library – 6510 Stockton Ave El Cerrito
Join the El Cerrito Library for Storytime and get your wiggles out with fun songs, finger play, movement, and a couple of good books. Best suited to children ages 0 to 5 with a caregiver.
Time: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Cost: Free
Halloween Storytime & Parade
Location: Castro Valley Library – 3600 Norbridge Ave Castro Valley
Join the Castro Valley for a not-so-spooky Halloween story time followed by a costume parade to trick-or-treat around the Library! Costumes are encouraged. After the stories, they will parade around the library and collect treats, so bring a treat bag or bucket.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:15 am
Cost: Free
Mother Goose on the Loose
Location: Main | Alameda Free Library – 1550 Oak St Alameda
This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old. This program is offered twice (1:30pm - 2:00pm) on Thursdays and both programs will be the…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Storytime Junction
Location: Lafayette Library and Learning Center – 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard Lafayette
Read! Talk! Sing! Play! Join the Lafayette Library for Storytime every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. with Ms. Anastasia! Library Storytime is a great way to help young children develop their early literacy and social skills while building a lifelong love of learning. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Halloween Storytime & Parade
Location: Fremont Main Library – 2400 Stevenson Blvd Fremont
Put on your costumes and have your treat bags ready! Fremont Children’s is hosting a special Halloween themed Family storytime, followed by a costume parade with Trick-or-Treating! Space is limited. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be distributed at the ticket line located outside the…
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Cost: Free
Friday, October 30, 2026
Story Time @ Crab Cove
Location: Crab Cove Visitor Center – 1231 McKay Ave Alameda
Dive into a world of wonder and imagination followed by a themed coloring sheet after. Every Friday No registration; drop-in. For information, call (510) 544-3187.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Halloween Dress-Up Storytime
Location: Hercules Library – 109 Civic Drive Hercules
It's a not-so-scary Halloween dress-up edition of Family Storytime! Enjoy seasonal music, rhymes, flannel board stories, and book-centered Halloween fun. Costumes HIGHLY encouraged. Best for children ages 5 and younger with a caregiver, but all ages and abilities are welcome. For special accommodations, please contact the Library with 72 hours notice.
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
[Photo: Berkeley Public Library R. Friedman]
