Best events in
Stanford

Events and things to do in Stanford, CA are shaped by both the university's cultural calendar and the distinct character of the surrounding towns. The scene blends major performances on campus with more intimate, neighborhood-focused gatherings in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City. Activity is often centered around early evenings, with a culture that favors good food and conversation over late-night revelry.

Find a relaxed evening atmosphere along Palo Alto's California Avenue, where local-serving restaurants and the monthly 3rd Thursdays on Cal Ave music series create a neighborhood vibe.
Catch major touring acts at Stanford's own Frost Amphitheater or discover local and national bands at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park and Club Fox in Redwood City.
Experience stand-up comedy at Rooster T. Feathers in Sunnyvale or listen to live jazz and swing at Cafe Borrone in Menlo Park during its seasonal performances.

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Popular in Stanford

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Getting Started with Zotero for Citation Management

Tomorrow • 4:00 PM

Spilker 232 Engineering & Applied Sciences Building

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Neil Thompson | Forecasting AI's Impact on Human Expertise + Future of Work

Monday • 12:00 PM

Gates Computer Science, Room 119

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Community Carbon Removal Challenge

Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 AM

Press Building (Sustainability Accelerator)

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Energy Transition Summit: Powering the Next Era of Energy Abundance

Mon, Oct 19 • 9:00 AM

Stanford University

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Revolutionizing Privacy and AI with Meredith Whittaker

Mon, Oct 26 • 5:00 PM

Computing and Data Science (CoDa), Simonyi Conference Center, 4th Floor

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Stanford Liu Lecture with Llisa Demetrios

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:00 PM

Stanford d.school

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CRC CoP Day of the Dead Event

Wed, Oct 28 • 11:00 AM

Stanford Center for Academic Medicine

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Weintz Art Lecture Series: Elizabeth Dospěl Williams

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:30 PM

Oshman Hall, McMurtry Building

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Getting Started with Zotero for Citation Management

Tomorrow • 4:00 PM

Spilker 232 Engineering & Applied Sciences Building

Check ticket price on event

Neil Thompson | Forecasting AI's Impact on Human Expertise + Future of Work

Monday • 12:00 PM

Gates Computer Science, Room 119

Check ticket price on event

Community Carbon Removal Challenge

Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 AM

Press Building (Sustainability Accelerator)

Check ticket price on event

Energy Transition Summit: Powering the Next Era of Energy Abundance

Mon, Oct 19 • 9:00 AM

Stanford University

Check ticket price on event

Revolutionizing Privacy and AI with Meredith Whittaker

Mon, Oct 26 • 5:00 PM

Computing and Data Science (CoDa), Simonyi Conference Center, 4th Floor

Check ticket price on event

Stanford Liu Lecture with Llisa Demetrios

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:00 PM

Stanford d.school

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CRC CoP Day of the Dead Event

Wed, Oct 28 • 11:00 AM

Stanford Center for Academic Medicine

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Weintz Art Lecture Series: Elizabeth Dospěl Williams

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:30 PM

Oshman Hall, McMurtry Building

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Online Events

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Today • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Congreso Internacional de Dirección de Proyectos - Tour PMI Buenos Aires

Wed, Nov 11 • 6:00 PM GMT-3

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Today • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Congreso Internacional de Dirección de Proyectos - Tour PMI Buenos Aires

Wed, Nov 11 • 6:00 PM GMT-3

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Science & Technology events

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Neil Thompson | Forecasting AI's Impact on Human Expertise + Future of Work

Monday • 12:00 PM

Gates Computer Science, Room 119

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Capital Variation comes to Silicon Valley

Thu, Oct 15 • 3:00 PM

Stanford University

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Revolutionizing Privacy and AI with Meredith Whittaker

Mon, Oct 26 • 5:00 PM

Computing and Data Science (CoDa), Simonyi Conference Center, 4th Floor

Check ticket price on event

Stanford Liu Lecture with Llisa Demetrios

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:00 PM

Stanford d.school

Check ticket price on event

Neil Thompson | Forecasting AI's Impact on Human Expertise + Future of Work

Monday • 12:00 PM

Gates Computer Science, Room 119

Check ticket price on event

Capital Variation comes to Silicon Valley

Thu, Oct 15 • 3:00 PM

Stanford University

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Revolutionizing Privacy and AI with Meredith Whittaker

Mon, Oct 26 • 5:00 PM

Computing and Data Science (CoDa), Simonyi Conference Center, 4th Floor

Check ticket price on event

Stanford Liu Lecture with Llisa Demetrios

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:00 PM

Stanford d.school

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From nearby cities

9th Annual Santa Clara County Women’s Leadership and Policy Summit

Saturday • 9:30 AM

North Parking Garage

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Sculpt on the Runway

Saturday • 8:30 AM

Hiller Aviation Museum

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AI in Education Summit 2026 - Khan Lab School

Sat, Oct 24 • 8:00 AM

Khan Lab School - Middle & Upper School

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2026 Stanford RNA Medicine Symposium

Thu, Oct 29 • 9:00 AM

Paul & Mildred Berg Hall

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2026 Fall Plenary Session

Thu, Nov 5 • 9:00 AM

Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco

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The Golden Era

Sat, Nov 7 • 7:00 PM

College of San Mateo Theatre

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The Traveling Wilburys Revue

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:00 PM

Sunnyvale Theater

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Tech Weekend November 19-20 — Founder-VC Matchmaking |Silicon Valley

Thu, Nov 19 • 9:00 AM

Allied Arts Guild - 75 Arbor Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

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9th Annual Santa Clara County Women’s Leadership and Policy Summit

Saturday • 9:30 AM

North Parking Garage

Check ticket price on event

Sculpt on the Runway

Saturday • 8:30 AM

Hiller Aviation Museum

Check ticket price on event

AI in Education Summit 2026 - Khan Lab School

Sat, Oct 24 • 8:00 AM

Khan Lab School - Middle & Upper School

Check ticket price on event

2026 Stanford RNA Medicine Symposium

Thu, Oct 29 • 9:00 AM

Paul & Mildred Berg Hall

Check ticket price on event

2026 Fall Plenary Session

Thu, Nov 5 • 9:00 AM

Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco

Check ticket price on event

The Golden Era

Sat, Nov 7 • 7:00 PM

College of San Mateo Theatre

Check ticket price on event

The Traveling Wilburys Revue

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:00 PM

Sunnyvale Theater

Check ticket price on event

Tech Weekend November 19-20 — Founder-VC Matchmaking |Silicon Valley

Thu, Nov 19 • 9:00 AM

Allied Arts Guild - 75 Arbor Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

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Points of Interest near Stanford

Cantor Arts Center At Stanford University

Arizona Garden

Frequently asked questions about Stanford

Where are the best spots for live music events near Stanford?

The area offers a mix of large and intimate venues for live music events. Stanford's campus hosts major concerts at Frost Amphitheater, while The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park and Club Fox in Redwood City feature touring bands. For a more casual setting, The Patio at Rudy's often has local musicians.

Are there free events to attend in the Stanford area?

Yes, several recurring community events are free to the public. Redwood City's Music on the Square series presents free concerts from May through September. The Palo Alto Art Walk on the monthly of each month is another great free activity where local galleries open their doors.

What's the comedy scene like around Stanford?

The primary destination for professional stand-up is Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club in Sunnyvale. For something closer to campus, the student group Stand Up, D hosts weekly open mic nights at the CoHo, offering a glimpse into emerging comedic talent.

What are some good date night ideas in Palo Alto?

A great date night could start with dinner on University Avenue, followed by a performance. The area has many wine bars and restaurants. For entertainment, consider a show at Stanford's Bing Concert Hall or check for live music at a spot like Palo Alto Sol.

What kind of nightlife is there in Stanford and Palo Alto?

The nightlife scene is centered on early evenings and social dining rather than late-night clubs. Downtown Palo Alto's University Avenue has a concentration of pubs and restaurants that are busy until around 11 p.m. The vibe is more about conversation and craft drinks.

What are some family-friendly activities in the area?

Weekend farmers markets are a popular family-friendly outing. The California Avenue Farmers Market in Palo Alto and the Menlo Park Farmers Market both run on Sundays, offering fresh produce, food vendors, and a lively community atmosphere.

Where can I find art events near Stanford?

The monthly Palo Alto Art Walk is a fantastic way to experience the local art scene. On the monthly of the month, downtown galleries extend their hours for this special event. Stanford's own campus also features significant public art installations and museum collections.

How can I find outdoor community events?

Many community events take place in outdoor settings, especially during warmer months. The Music on the Square concert series in Redwood City is held in the open-air Courthouse Square. Additionally, the area's many weekly farmers markets are lively outdoor social gatherings.