Best events in
Palo Alto

Events and things to do in Palo Alto, CA range from community arts to a sophisticated, but early-to-bed, nightlife. The city's social scene is split between the energetic, college-town feel of Downtown's University Avenue and the more relaxed, neighborhood vibe along California Avenue. Further from the main commercial drags, community centers in South Palo Alto serve as hubs for local performances, classes, and cultural gatherings.

Find a more relaxed night out on California Avenue, where innovative cocktail bars like Bar Underdog sit near quality dining spots.
Catch local productions and performances at community hubs like the Lucie Stern Community Center in Downtown or the Cubberley Community Center in South Palo Alto.
Browse locally grown produce and artisanal foods at the year-round Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market or the California Avenue Farmers' Market.

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Popular in Palo Alto

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Stanford Center for Digital Health 2026 Annual Symposium

Thursday • 8:30 AM

Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center

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HALEH LIZA GAFORI presents RUMI: GOLD & WATER A night of music and poetry

Friday • 7:00 PM

Dinkelspiel Auditorium

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Night Hike at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Fri, Oct 30 • 5:30 PM

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

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Halloween Event - CalColor Mountain View

Fri, Oct 30 • 7:30 PM

612 San Antonio Rd

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5th Annual Research Symposium

Tue, Nov 3 • 8:30 AM

Berg Hall, Li Ka Shing Learning and Knowledge Center

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What Do We Owe Each Other in the Age of AI?

Thu, Nov 5 • 5:00 PM

Paul Brest Hall

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SoulSearch Palo Alto Enlightenment Expo Psychic & Healing Fair

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM

Crowne Plaza Palo Alto by IHG

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16th Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Sima Bina

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM

Stanford Memorial Auditorium (MemAud)

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Stanford Center for Digital Health 2026 Annual Symposium

Thursday • 8:30 AM

Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center

Check ticket price on event

HALEH LIZA GAFORI presents RUMI: GOLD & WATER A night of music and poetry

Friday • 7:00 PM

Dinkelspiel Auditorium

Check ticket price on event

Night Hike at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Fri, Oct 30 • 5:30 PM

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Check ticket price on event

Halloween Event - CalColor Mountain View

Fri, Oct 30 • 7:30 PM

612 San Antonio Rd

Check ticket price on event

5th Annual Research Symposium

Tue, Nov 3 • 8:30 AM

Berg Hall, Li Ka Shing Learning and Knowledge Center

Check ticket price on event

What Do We Owe Each Other in the Age of AI?

Thu, Nov 5 • 5:00 PM

Paul Brest Hall

Check ticket price on event

SoulSearch Palo Alto Enlightenment Expo Psychic & Healing Fair

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM

Crowne Plaza Palo Alto by IHG

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16th Bita Prize for Persian Arts: Sima Bina

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM

Stanford Memorial Auditorium (MemAud)

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Online Events

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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Beyond 1066: the legacy of the Norman Conquest

Friday • 2:00 PM GMT+1

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Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Saturday • 11:30 AM GMT+4

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(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas

Sat, Dec 5 • 12:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

Beyond 1066: the legacy of the Norman Conquest

Friday • 2:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Saturday • 11:30 AM GMT+4

Check ticket price on event

(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas

Sat, Dec 5 • 12:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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An Evening of Cabaret - A Gala Fundraiser

Saturday • 7:00 PM

First Congregational Church of Palo Alto

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Silicon Valley Whisk(e)y Festival 2026

Saturday • 3:00 PM

Palo Alto Elks Lodge #1471

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Kiran and Nivi Carnatic Vocal Concert

Saturday • 4:00 PM

EVGR, Building C - Theater

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PACO-Ghana Fundraising Concert

Saturday • 5:00 PM

St Mark's Episcopal Church

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Earthwise welcomes Adam O’Farrill’s Elephant

Sunday • 3:00 PM

Lucie Stern Community Center

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Jazz and Chocolate Backyard Benefit Concerts, 2026!

Sunday • 4:00 PM

Private Home in Midtown, Palo Alto

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An Evening of Cabaret - A Gala Fundraiser

Saturday • 7:00 PM

First Congregational Church of Palo Alto

Check ticket price on event

Silicon Valley Whisk(e)y Festival 2026

Saturday • 3:00 PM

Palo Alto Elks Lodge #1471

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Kiran and Nivi Carnatic Vocal Concert

Saturday • 4:00 PM

EVGR, Building C - Theater

Check ticket price on event

PACO-Ghana Fundraising Concert

Saturday • 5:00 PM

St Mark's Episcopal Church

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Earthwise welcomes Adam O’Farrill’s Elephant

Sunday • 3:00 PM

Lucie Stern Community Center

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Jazz and Chocolate Backyard Benefit Concerts, 2026!

Sunday • 4:00 PM

Private Home in Midtown, Palo Alto

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Music events

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Earthwise welcomes Brandon Woody’s Upendo

Sun, Nov 8 • 2:00 PM

Mitchell Park Community Center

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Fall in Paris: Choral Music by Poulenc, Debussy, and Fauré

Sat, Nov 14 • 7:00 PM

All Saints' Palo Alto

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Winter Merit Scholar Community Concert

Fri, Dec 11 • 7:30 PM

Community School of Music and Arts

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Deck the Halls

Sat, Dec 19 • 7:30 PM

First United Methodist Church-Palo

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Earthwise welcomes Brandon Woody’s Upendo

Sun, Nov 8 • 2:00 PM

Mitchell Park Community Center

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Fall in Paris: Choral Music by Poulenc, Debussy, and Fauré

Sat, Nov 14 • 7:00 PM

All Saints' Palo Alto

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Winter Merit Scholar Community Concert

Fri, Dec 11 • 7:30 PM

Community School of Music and Arts

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Deck the Halls

Sat, Dec 19 • 7:30 PM

First United Methodist Church-Palo

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Points of Interest near Palo Alto

Hoover Tower

Byxbee Park

Baylands Nature Preserve

Elizabeth F Gamble Garden

The Museum Of American Heritage

Frequently asked questions about Palo Alto

What is the nightlife like in downtown Palo Alto?

Downtown Palo Alto offers an energetic nightlife scene centered on University Avenue. The vibe is more about conversation at restaurants and bars like NOLA or The Patio @ Rudy's than late-night clubs, as things tend to quiet down after 11 p.m.

Are there free events for the public in Palo Alto?

Yes, the city hosts several free public events, especially outdoors. The Twilight Concert Series brings free live music to city parks during the summer, and the annual May Fete Parade is a long-standing community tradition down University Avenue.

Any ideas for a date night on California Avenue?

California Avenue is ideal for a more relaxed and sophisticated date night. Start with innovative cocktails at Bar Underdog, followed by dinner at one of the area's many restaurants known for quality international cuisine and a neighborhood-centric feel.

Where can I find family-friendly events in Palo Alto?

The Palo Alto Children's Theatre, housed at the Lucie Stern Community Center, offers productions geared towards families. Additionally, the year-round farmers' markets on Gilman Street and California Avenue are popular weekend outings with live music and food.

Which Palo Alto events feature live music?

Live music is a key feature of several recurring community events. Both the Downtown and California Avenue farmers' markets often have musical acts, and the free Twilight Concert Series presents diverse bands in local parks during the summer.

How can I find art-related events in Palo Alto?

The Palo Alto Art Center is the primary hub for visual arts events and classes. For performing arts, check the schedules for the Community Theatre at Lucie Stern and the theatre at Cubberley Community Center, which host various performances.

What are some good spots for food and drink events?

Look for events at unique venues like NOLA, with its New Orleans-themed courtyard, or Bar Underdog for high-end cocktails. The city's farmers' markets are also excellent for discovering local artisanal food producers and prepared meals in a lively setting.

Is there a good place for comedy shows in Palo Alto?

Palo Alto does not have a dedicated, full-time comedy club. Instead, the scene consists of pop-up comedy nights and special events that may take place at various venues, so it's best to check local schedules for specific shows.