Each month we highlight performances, poetry readings and open mics, arts and culture classes for children, teens, adults, and seniors, arts exhibitions and arts-related holiday celebrations. Our goal is to promote the essential and joyful events that our artists and arts/culture organizations provide for our community! ENJOY!
Submit events by the 20th of each month to:
https://bit.ly/SMCArtsandCultureEventsCalendar
May 1 - 3, 2026
Philippine Dance Workshop
Date: 5/1/26 • Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Host: Parangal
Description: Join us to Celebrate vibrant cultures during Bay Area Dance Week. Workshop will be based on Ifugao immersion in 2020 Amganad, Ifugao.
Location: Bay Area Ballet Conservatory , 275 Wattis Way, Studio 2, South San Francisco
Cost: Free but registration is required
650 Fridays!
Date: 5/1/26 • Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Hosts: City of East Palo Alto & Dynasty Movements, LLC
Description: Join us for a fun afternoon and evening of music, food, community and a night market for families.
Location: East Palo Alto City Hall, 2415 University Ave, East Palo Alto
Cost: Free
First Fridays: Art on Main
Date: 5/1/26 • Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Host: City of Half Moon Bay
Description: Join us for First Fridays, a vibrant celebration of local art, culture, and community spirit! This monthly event invites art enthusiasts and visitors to explore the charming historic downtown area, where galleries and unique shops showcase a diverse array of creative works.
Location: Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
Writing Bridges
Date: 5/3/26 • Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Host: San Mateo County Youth Arts Fellow Program
Description: Join us to connect to writers of all ages (12+) with a theme-based workshop led by local writers! Hear about their experiences, then collaborate on a flash writing collection inspired by prompts centered on ecosystems and interconnection. You’ll gain not only creative pieces but also spark connections with other writers and learn about how to make space for writing in your life.
Location: Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont
Cost: Free but signup requested
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Julius Caeser
Date: 5/3/26 • Time: 2:00 PM
Host: City of San Bruno Culture and Arts Commission
Description: Join us for this powerful blend of drama, emotion, and political insight. At the end of the hour-long performance all are invited to stay for a short Q&A session with the cast! Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets.
Location: San Bruno City Park, 251 City Park Way, San Bruno
On the Lawn - Near the Gazebo
Cost: Free
Music at Kohl Mansion Presents
Date: 5/3/26 • Time: 7:00 PM
Host: Music at Kohl Mansion
Description: Join us for this unforgettable concert featuring Calidore String Quartet,. For more than a decade, the Calidore has enjoyed performances and residencies in the world’s major venues and festivals, released multiple critically acclaimed recordings, and won numerous awards.
Location: 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame
Cost: Tickets: $30-$62
Legacy Exhibit: Artists of Asian Heritage
Date: 5/3/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Host: Na Omi Shintani
Description: Artists of Asian Heritage: Join us for the opening reception and artists talks to kick off a month of exciting activities to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in Half Moon Bay. See website for other events happening during the months of May and June.
Location: Kitsune Community Art Studio & Gallery, 514B Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
Pre-Mother's Day Market on 25th Avenue
Date: 5/3/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Host: San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join us on 25th Avenue for a Pre-Mother's Day sidewalk pop-up sale. Shop for the special mom or mother figure in your life. There will be a selection of gifts from local artisans such as candles, jewelry, artwork and other crafts.
Location: 25th Avenue, San Mateo
Cost: Free
First Sunday Open Studios
Date: 5/4/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: Art Bias
Description:
Location: 1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos
Cost: Free
May 4 - 10, 2026
Improv Tuesday
Date: 5/5/26 • Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hosts: City of Belmont
Description: Join us for an evening of fun improv games (no performing/no audience) at Twin Pines Manor. This event will be held every month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 6-8pm. Bring snacks to share.
Location: 10 Twin Pines, Belmont
Cost: Free
Make & Take Thursdays
Date: 5/7/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Join us for this free, drop-in art space at the Center for Creativity in downtown Redwood City. Join us every Thursday, 12–2 PM (lunch session) for fun, 30–45-minute creative projects. All experience levels are welcome, with supplies and guidance provided. No registration required—just stop by, create, and connect!
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Arte en Comunidad: Clases de Arte Gratuitas para Adultos en Español
Patrocinadas por Dragonfly Community Arts
Date: 5/8/26 • Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Host: Madrone Arts
Description: La serie de clases de Arte en Comunidad está diseñada específicamente para adultos (18+) de la comunidad Latina del área de Pescadero-La Honda-San Gregorio-Loma Mar que estén interesados en explorar su creatividad y hacer nuevos amigos.
Con artistas experimentados como guía, podrá crear una obra de arte con instrucciones paso a paso. Conocerá gente nueva, disfrutará de una gran conversación y se divertirá en una animada clase de arte de 2,5 horas.
Lienzos, pinturas, pinceles y delantales estarán incluido para cada participante. ¡Pre Inscríbete con antelación para asegurar tu asiento!
Location: 216 Stage Road, Pescadero
Cost: Free
SVOS: Silicon Valley Open Studios
Date: 5/9 & 5/10/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Host: Art Bias
Description: Over 34 artists will open their studios. Join us for an afternoon filled with creativity, inspiration and engaging conversation! Always FREE and everyone is welcome. On May 10, Mother's Day, moms can pick up a complimentary glass of white wine at check-in, generously donated by our neighbor, boutique winery Domenico Winery!
Location: 1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos
Cost: Free
Hungarian Heritage Festival
Date: 5/9/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Host: Hungarian Heritage Foundation of the San Francisco Bay Area
Description: Join Eszterlanc Folk Ensemble and other Hungarian performers for this family celebration. Enjoy Hungarian food, live folk dancing and music, cultural exhibits, puppet show and crafts for children and more.
Location: Belmont Twin Pines Park, Twin Pines Lane, Belmont
Cost: Free
Taylor Eigsti
Date: 5/10/26 • Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
Description: Join us on Mother's Day when two‑time Grammy Award–winning pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti returns to the Bach with a unique trio, featuring vocalist and bassist Casey Abrams—his collaborator on the GRAMMY®‑winning album Tree Falls—with Marta Bagratuni playing cello and Jason Lewis on drum.
Location: 311 Mirada Rd, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Adults $50-$60, Students $12-$23
Silent Book Club
Date: 45/10/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: Peninsula Book Collaborative
Description: Choose your own book and come read quietly alongside others at our shop. We’ll get settled and do intros, read silently for an hour, then chat for a bit (if you like). We will have some snacks and drinks, but feel free to bring your own as well.
Location: 441 Westlake Center, Daly City
Cost: Free
May 11 - 17, 2026
Speaker Series: Love Your City: Why It Matters and How to Make It Happen with Author Peter Kageyama
Date: 5/13/26 • Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Host: Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation
Description: Join bestselling author and urbanist Peter Kageyama for an inspiring conversation about the power of emotional connection to the places we live. In “Love Your City: Why It Matters and How to Make It Happen,” Kageyama explores how communities thrive when people care deeply about their city—and shares ideas for how residents, leaders, and organizations can help create places people truly love.
Come be part of an engaging evening that will leave you seeing your city in a new light and feeling inspired to play a role in shaping its future.
6:15pm - Doors open
6:30pm - Program begins
There will be time for Q&A after Mr. Kageyama's presentation.
Location: Chan Zuckerberg Community Space, 801 Jefferson Ave, Suite 100, Redwood City
Cost: Tickets $15
Community Event: Yelp's Taste on the Square
Date: 5/14/26 • Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Host: Redwood City Events, Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, Yelp
Description: Discover local flavor with Yelp, the City of Redwood City, and the Redwood City Parks & Arts Foundation for tastes, and drinks from beloved local businesses, plus interactive activities and live music from Sound Union!
Location: Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Cost: A suggested $20 donation will be collected at the door to benefit Redwood City Summer Events
Art in Community
Date: 5/15/26 • Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Host: Madrone Art Center
With experienced artists as your guide, you will be able to create a work of art with step-by-step instructions while meeting new people, enjoying great conversation and having fun in a high-spirited 2.5-hour art class. Canvas, paints, brushes, and aprons will be provided for all participants.
Generously supported by Dragon Fly Community Arts Foundation.
Location: 216 Stage Road, Pescadero
Cost: Free Art classes for South Coast Adults 18+ - Preregister to secure your seat!
Let's Play Hong Kong Style Mahjong
Date: 5/16/26 • Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Host: OCA San Mateo
Description: Ready to roll the dice and chow, pung, and kong your way to victory? Join us in person for a fun-filled intergenerational session of Hong Kong Style Mahjong! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newbie, come hang out, learn to play, and enjoy some friendly competition. It's a great way to make new friends and dive into an awesome tradition. Don't miss out on the fun!
Location: Foster City Community Center, Wind Room; 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City
Cost: Free but registration is required
Ragazzi Boys Chorus’ SingFest
Date: 5/16/26 • Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Host: Ragazzi Boys Chorus
Description: Ragazzi Boys Chorus’s FREE trial class and audition event, is designed to introduce boys ages 7-10 to the Ragazzi experience and help faculty evaluate them for placement in one of our ensembles. The event includes musical games, icebreaker activities, and a performance for families by SingFest participants!
Location: 178 Clinton Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free but registration requested
Website
Center for Creativity Youth Poetry & Collage Project
Date: 5/16 & 5/17/26 • Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Sign up to participate in this FREE workshop led by accomplished poets and artists! Open to grades 6-12 in San Mateo County.
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free but registration is requested
May 18 - 24, 2026
Crafting in Community
Dates: 5/20/26 • Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Host: San Mateo Pride Center
Description: A new monthly, virtual space, hosted by the Pride Center! Been working on a craft? Want to start engaging your creativity more? Need motivation or input on your projects? Stop by to decompress after work, unwind after school, work on whatever craft you have going on, learn and share new skills, and get to know folks from our community!
Location: On Zoom
Cost: Free but registration is requested
An Evening with Mads Tolling and the Mads Men
Date: 5/22/26 • Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Hosts: Stanford Jazz Workshop and Redwood City Parks & Arts Foundation
Description: Join us for an evening with internationally renowned violinist, composer, and two-time Grammy Award-Winner Mads Tolling. Celebrate the music of the 1960s Mad Men Era with Mads' own distinctive style and innovative flair. Mads has created a fun and exciting program that is at once nostalgic as well as contemporary, as he reimagines classic songs from 60s TV, film and radio. Joining Mads on this journey are his “Mads Men.”
Location: Chan Zuckerberg Community Space, 801 Jefferson Ave, Suite 100, Redwood City
Cost: $30
May 25 - 31, 2026
Mini Book Binding Workshop
Date: 5/27/26 • Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Host: Little Green Plant Bar
Description: Make your own mini book with recycled materials! Leanne of FloJo will provide all the materials and walk you through it. Feel free to bring your own cardstock, photos, or stickers to truly make it your own in this crafty hands-on class.
Location: 1101 Main St, Redwood City
Cost: $25
Nashville Honeymoon
Date: 5/30/26 • Time: 7:30 PM
Host: Pacifica Performances
Description: Born in Berkeley and nurtured in live music venues on both sides of the Bay, Nashville Honeymoon is a honkytonk band that plays free-spirited, open-hearted California country & Americana music.
Location: 1220A Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica
Cost: $25
One Book, One Coast
Date: 5/31/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: San Mateo County Libraries
Description: San Mateo County Libraries is linking up with library systems across California, Washington and Oregon for One Book, One Coast—the largest book club on the West Coast! Join us as we collectively read George Takei's graphic novel They Called Us Enemy, a groundbreaking memoir that reflects on an important piece of United States history. Make sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming One Book, One Coast programming happening at our libraries.
Location: Live Stream or virtual Watch Party at Belmont Library
Cost: Free