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October Events & Engagement

Published on September 27, 2023

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October Events & Engagement

Create, connect and celebrate together at fall favorites: Bike Palo Alto, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Halloween, Dia de los Muertos and more.

Find even more events and meetings on the City calendar.

The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch at the Palo Alto Art Center

Saturday, Sept. 30 & Sunday, Oct. 1

The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch is a free outdoor event attracting more than 5,000 people annually to the grounds of the Palo Alto Art Center. The weekend exhibit features more than 10,000 unique and one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins, gourds, and autumnal keepsakes—in countless arrays of colors and sizes—all available for purchase. Glass demonstrations, food trucks, and more will be available for the entire family to enjoy.

Bike Palo Alto

Sunday, Oct. 1

Bike Palo Alto returns on October 1, from 1–3 p.m. and the City is thrilled to be a sponsor of this annual event that gives participants the opportunity to explore new ways to get around Palo Alto. Register at Fairmeadow School at 500 E. Meadow Drive and participate in many activities before embarking from Fairmeadow.

Author Talk: Poet Antonio Lopez

Thursday, Oct. 5

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and hear East Palo Alto Vice Mayor and poet Antonio López share his work and his methods.

Palo Alto Museum & Zoo California Dinosaur Garden Grand Opening Celebration

Saturday, Oct. 7

The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ) California Dinosaur Garden roars into Palo Alto, inspiring the scientific imaginations of children at a special ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Block Preparedness Coordinator Training

Sunday, Oct. 8

Help make our neighborhoods safer places to live and be a driving force in building community, preparing for emergencies and deterring crime. Become a Block Preparedness Coordinator through this course, which also includes Neighborhood Watch training. The Block Preparedness Program is a component of the Palo Alto Emergency Services Volunteer (ESV) Program sponsored by the Office of Emergency Services (OES).

Police Equipment Community Meeting: AB 481

Wednesday, Oct. 11

The Palo Alto Police Department is hosting an annual community meeting on Assembly Bill 481, a law which governs a police agency’s possession and use of certain types of equipment and requires the City Council to provide both authorization and oversight of its use. The Department will not be seeking to acquire any new types of qualifying equipment in the coming year. Provide feedback, ask questions, and learn more.

CodeART

Thursday, Oct. 12 & Friday, Oct. 13

The City of Palo Alto Public Art Program will launch its third interactive media art festival, Code:ART, a three-evening event that re-imagines Palo Alto’s underutilized plazas, alleys, and public spaces through interactive light, sound, and motion.

Friday Unwind and Chill for Teens

Friday, Oct. 13

Ready to unwind for the week with some chill music, relaxing crafts, therapy dogs, warm tea, and comfy bean bags? Join us in the midtown room for a quiet space to calm down and ease into the weekend.

Second Saturday @ Gamble Garden

Saturday, Oct. 14

All ages are welcome to spend a beautiful Saturday morning celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and exploring nature at Gamble Garden.

Día de los Muertos: Flower Crown

Saturday, Oct. 14

In honor of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, create colorful flower crowns. Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that takes place on November 1 and 2, where communities and families come together to honor the lives of the dead through celebrations, building ofrendas, preparing favorite foods, music and more. Celebrations vary throughout regions and homes, but it is a beautiful way remember those we’ve lost and celebrate who they were, by welcoming their spirits back to visit for one night. This event is for teens and adults. Registration is required.

Electric Home Tour

Saturday, Oct. 14

See electric appliances in action and speak directly with Palo Altans who have made the switch during this year's Electric Home Tour.

Neighborhood Town Hall for the areas of Midtown and Palo Verde

Sunday, Oct. 15

Calling all neighbors of Midtown and Palo Verde neighborhood areas! Connect with neighbors, share input on neighborhood topics important to you, and hear City updates.

Master Gardeners: Fall in the Vegetable Garden

Thursday, Oct. 19

In many parts of the world, fall is the season when gardeners put their vegetable gardens to bed. Here in Santa Clara County where we grow vegetables year-round, there’s still much to do. We’ll discuss general maintenance tasks and what to grow as the weather turns from hot/dry summer to cool/wet fall and winter. This is intended as an informal discussion of what’s going on in your gardens and ours.

3^rd Thursdays on Cal Ave.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Enjoy live music and eat and shop local at 3rd Thursdays on California Avenue.

Community Threads: Halloween Accessories

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Want to make some cute and spooky accessories? Join us to make a scrunchie and some other accessories, perfect for Halloween! This is a great beginner workshop.

Jack-o-lantern Jamboree

Thursday, Oct. 26

The Library is throwing a Halloween dance party and everyone is invited. Children and their families are invited to come decked out in costume and dance the night away with us. Event will include fun crafts and light refreshments.

Jack-O-Jaunt

Friday, Oct. 27

Come jaunt through our jack-o-lantern display on Friday, October 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Lytton Plaza. Be sure to cast your vote to tell us which jack-o-lantern is the scariest, cutest, and most creative.

Family Story Time: Celebrate Halloween

Saturday, Oct. 28

Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with the Library! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome.

Sugar Skull Decorating for Teens

Sunday, Oct. 29

Celebrate Día De Los Muertos by painting calaveritas, decorative sugar skulls!

Family Storytime: Celebrate Halloween

Tuesday, Oct. 31

A special Halloween-themed Storytime at Children's Library. Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with the Library. While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Please note that this storytime is held outdoors in the Secret Garden.

Little Ones Story Time: Celebrate Día de los Muertos!

Wednesday, Nov. 1

Little Ones Storytime at Children's Library includes a variety of early literacy activities such as stories, songs, rhymes, and movement activities. Storytime is a fun and interactive experience for the whole family that promotes the joys of reading and learning for all ages. This program is targeted to children under the age of two and their caregivers.

More Online Resources

City Calendar Connect Parks, Playgrounds, Open Spaces

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Last updated on October 07, 2024