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
April 1 - 5, 2026
Make & Take Thursdays
Date: 4/2/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Join us for this free, drop-in art space every Thursday, starting March 5th (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! Also 4/9, 4/16/ 4/23/ and 4/20/26
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
First Fridays: Art on Main
Date: 4/3/26 • 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
Philippine Dance Workshop
Date: 4/3/26 • Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Host: Parangal
Description: Join us to learn new dances to expand our program! Collectively, we will be focused on calling spirits through various actions and women warriors.
Dances learned will be part of our upcoming performance and tour season.
Location: Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, 275 Wattis Way, Studio 2, South San Francisco
Cost: Free but registration is required
650 Fridays!
Date: 4/3/26 • 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 Sunday Open Studios
Date: 4/5/26 • Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: Art Bias
Description: Over 18 artists will open their studios. Join us for an afternoon filled with creativity, inspiration and engaging conversation! Always FREE and everyone is welcome. Easter egg painting for kids with Pettina Velez Pop up: Artisan jeweler Denise Peacock, founder of Delisch, creates beautiful beaded jewelry, sought after for its' unusual color palettes and artistic style. And from 2:00 – 3: 00 - Live, classical viola by Jaydon Li.
Location: 1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos
Cost: Free
April 6 -12, 2026
Melanated Women Read: Happy Land
Date: 4/6/26 • Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Host: Menlo Park Library
Description: Join us for this book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month we will discuss Happy Land, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
Location: On Zoom
Cost: Free but registration is required for the Zoom link
Improv Tuesday
Date: 4/7/26 • 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
Global Language Storytime
Date: 4/10/26 • Time: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Host: Menlo Park Library
Description: Join us for a special storytime full of fun and Japanese culture—conducted all in Japanese! For children ages 2-5, with their grown-ups: whether you understand the language or not, you’re sure to enjoy this fun program from Poponta Children's Cultural Society, featuring picture books, finger plays, puppets, kamishibai panel theater, and more.
Location: 800 Alma St., Menlo Park
Cost: Free
Burlingame High School Play-A-Thon
Date: 4/11/26 • Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Host: Burlingame High School
Description: Come support BHS Music Department with a full day of live performances, community spirit, and fun in the park.
Location: Washington Park, Burlingame
Cost: Free
Creative Multi-Hyphenate Summit
Date: 4/11/26 • Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Host: BraveMaker
Description: Join us for this immersive summit where filmmakers step into every role, build unexpected skills, and spark collaborations that last a lifetime. Writers. Actors. Directors. Producers. Creative Entrepreneurs. Learn outside your lane, create across disciplines, and discover the power of collaboration. The future of storytelling has no lanes — only possibilities. The future of film is multi-hyphenate.
Location: Sobrato Center for Nonprofits 330 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City
Cost: Tickets required, see website for pricing
Hawaiian Music with Faith Ako
Date: 4/12/26 • Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Host: Belle Haven Library
Description: Be whisked away to the islands, during a concert of Hawaiian classics, original compositions, and more! Celebrated award-winning artist Faith Ako has released four albums of Hawaiian music and has been known for over thirty years as the Bay Area’s premier female artist in Traditional/Contemporary Hawaiian music.
Location: 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park
Cost: Free
Music for the Youth Mind
Date: 4/12/26 • Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hosts: San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture and Youth Arts Fellow, Jaydon Li
Description: Join us for this wellness workshop to help teens discover how music can promote calm and relax. The workshop blends live classical music with breathing exercises, meditation and dance therapy. It concludes with a sharing session on the importance of mental health, encouraging participants to reflect on how music can support their well-being.
Location: Art Bias, 1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos
Cost: Free but registration is requested
Erik Jekabson’s Stringtet
Date: 4/12/26 • Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
Description: Join us for an all-star chamber-jazz ensemble of top Bay Area musicians, comes together to celebrate the music of Duke Ellington just in time to celebrate Duke’s birthday! Joining the band is special guest vocalist Jackie Ryan whose rich, expressive voice adds a stunning dimension to Ellington’s timeless works.
Location: 311 Mirada Rd, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Adults $40-$50, Students $12-$23
April 13 - 19, 2026
Crafting in Community
Date: 4/15/26 • Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Host: San Mateo County 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 to get the Zoom link
Banned Book Club
Date: 4/16/26 • Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Peninsula Book Collaborative
Description: Third Thursday of each month. Bring yourself and we will provide coffee, snacks and conversation! First Five registrations will receive a free copy of the book! April 16:The sun and her flowers by Rupi Kaur
Location: 441 Westlake Center, Daly City
Cost: Free, but registration is requested
Art in Community
Date: 4/17/26 • 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!
Time Travelers Vintage Expo
Date: 4/18/26 • Time: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Host: Time Travelers Vintage Expo
Description: Join us the most diverse traveling vintage market in the US
Location: San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr, San Mateo
Cost: $10 advance* / $12 day of* *PLUS APPLICABLE CREDIT CARD FEES* Kids 12 and under free (no ticket needed)
Music at Kohl Mansion Presents Beo String Quartet
Date: 4/19/25 • Time: 7:00 PM
Host: Music at Kohl Mansion
Description: Join us for this unforgettable concert featuring Beo String Quartet with guest Michel Taddei.
Location: 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame
Cost: Tickets: $30-$62
Website
Artist Reception
Date: 4/19/25 • Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Host: M Stark Gallery
Description: Half Moon Bay artist Audrey Tulimiero Welch layers feelings, memories, and impressions in her daring abstract paintings.
Location: 727 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
April 20 - 30, 2026
Tatreez 101: The Art of Palestinian Embroidery
Dates: 4/23/26 • Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Host: Little Green Plant Bar
Description: Amanne Sharif is back for another Tatreez workshop! Whether you’re new to the art or stil practicing, there’s plenty to get out of this hands-on class. Learn about the art’s long and rich history while learning the fundamentals of the falahi stitch
Generously supported by Dragon Fly Community Arts Foundation.
Location: 1101 Main St, Redwood City
Cost: $75
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
Date: 4/25/26 • Time: 7:30 PM
Host: Pacifica Performances
Description: From the first note, you’ll want to jump out of your seat! Orquesta La Moderna Tradición bursts with the sweet yet powerful sound of the Afro-Cuban charanga orchestra, which features violins and woodwinds interlocking with driving afro-Cuban rhythms.
Location: 1220A Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica
Cost: $25
Closing Artists Reception
Dates: 4/26/26 • Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Host: Center for Creativity
Description: Join the artists and community as we celebrate the closing of our March–April exhibitions!
Location: 800 Main Street, Redwood City
Cost: Free
Junk Poetry
Dates: 4/29/26 • Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Host: Peninsula Book Collaborative
Description: Blackout poetry meets junk journaling! Materials will be provided. Presenter: Dina Klarisse
Location: 441 Westlake Center, Daly City
Cost: Free