Free things to do in Oakland this weekend

5 listings in Oakland, CA: free events and always-free spots for the coming weekend. Each one checked against its official source, every catch spelled out.

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This weekend 5 listings

Free itemsFree (worth about $30)Eligibility applies

Borrow tools free at the Oakland Tool Lending Library

Mon–Sat (hours vary; closed Sunday)

Oakland Tool Lending Library

Skip buying a drill or ladder: the Oakland Public Library lends tools for home repair, remodeling and gardening to Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont residents, and runs repair workshops. 5205 Telegraph Avenue; closed Sundays.

Verified Oct 27 · oaklandlibrary.org

Catch: Library card required: Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont residents only

AttractionsFree (usually $25)

Free First Sundays at the Oakland Museum of California

First Sunday of each month, 11am–5pm

Oakland Museum of California

On the first Sunday of every month, admission to the Oakland Museum of California is free, now including all special exhibitions: galleries of California art, history and natural sciences, plus the garden. Open 11am–5pm. Reserve a free entry time online to skip the wait, or pick up a ticket at the desk.

Verified Oct 27 · museumca.org

Catch: Free timed ticket recommended: reserve online

EntertainmentFree (worth about $15)

Free telescope nights at Chabot Space & Science Center

Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30–10:30pm (weather permitting)

Chabot Space & Science CenterOakland

Every Friday and Saturday night, 7:30–10:30pm, Chabot astronomers open the observatory deck, 1,500 feet above the Bay, for free views through three big telescopes, including the 1883 'Leah' and the 20-inch 'Rachel' refractors. Weather permitting: domes close in rain or high humidity, so check the telescope status first.

Verified Oct 27 · chabotspace.org

No catch

AttractionsFree (worth about $25)Eligibility applies

Free museum passes with an Oakland Public Library card (Discover & Go)

Any day, by reservation

Oakland Public Library

Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont residents 14 and up can reserve free or discounted passes to Bay Area museums, science centers, zoos and theaters through Discover & Go. Log in with your library card, reserve a date and print the pass.

Verified Oct 27 · oaklandlibrary.org

Catch: Library card required (Oakland, Emeryville or Piedmont residents, 14+) · Some passes are discounted, not free · Two reservations at a time

Free itemsFree (worth about $6)

Free seeds from Oakland Public Library's seed libraries

During branch hours

Oakland Public Library branches

Pick up free seeds at Oakland Public Library's seed libraries in branches across the city, no library card needed, and come to free gardening workshops (seed starting on Nov 14, 2–3pm, at the Piedmont Avenue branch). Save seeds from your harvest and bring some back to share.

Verified Oct 27 · oaklandlibrary.org

No catch