Not everything fun has to take place in San Francisco! Here’s our picks for affordable fun events in Oakland, Berkeley and the rest of Alameda and Contra Costa counties
Don’t want just the East Bay?
Show Me: San Francisco | Editors’ Top Picks | All Bay Area Events
Sunday, December 14, 2025 | ||
 Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
| 1:00 pm | Free LEGO Mini-Winter Wonderland in San Leandro (Dec. 14-Jan. 10) | FREE |
| 1:00 pm | A Very Merry Brooklyn Basin Small Dog Meetup (Oakland) | FREE*
*FREE FOR SMALL DOGS & THEIR PEOPLE
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| 2:00 pm | Santa Photo Experience | $39.99 |
| 5:00 pm | Larry Fuller Trio | $25 |
| 6:00 pm | Free “Celebration of Christmas” High School Choir Concert (Oakland) | FREE*
*free and tickets required
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Monday, December 15, 2025 | ||
 Get ready for TownBiz Comedy Night in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood—a celebration of Oakland comedy and culture with a series of pop-up live shows across the Bay by HellaFunny. This HellaFunny comedy night takes place at more... | ||
| 6:00 pm | Profs & Pints Alameda: Dickens’s Christmas Myth | $13.50*
*Advance tickets: $13.50. Door: $17, or $15 w/ student ID
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Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | ||
 Get ready for the return of HellaFunny comedy night to Temescal with a series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. This HellaFunny comedy show takes place at the just-opened Mesa more... | ||
| 2:00 pm | Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday | FREE |
| 8:30 pm | $6 Drive-In Movie Night in Concord & San Jose | $6*
*$6 for adults on Tuesday nights. Kids are $2
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
| 7:30 pm | Yo-Ho-Ho, Not Ho-Ho-Ho: Sea Shanties Lead a Full Holiday Carol Mutiny (Oakland) | FREE*
*Free - but we pass the hat before we PASS OUT!
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Friday, December 19, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
| 8:00 pm | Bad Art: Creative Misery Loves Comedy | $15*
*$15 online; $20 at the door
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Saturday, December 20, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
| 10:00 am | WinterFest 2025: Cosmic Fun + Science Talks (Chabot Space & Science Center) | $24*
*$19 youth, Chabot Members get in FREE
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| 10:00 am | Chabot Space & Science Center’s Winter Fest | FREE*
*FREE for Members, $24 Adults, $19 Children (2-12) and Seniors (65+)
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| 10:00 am | The Wardrobe Project Flea (Rockridge BART Plaza) | FREE*
*Free for all ages!
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| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
| 1:00 pm | 2025 Holidays on Fourth Street: SF Chorus Carolers | Berkeley | FREE |
| 1:00 pm | Faction Winter Market w/ 35+ Vendors + Craft Beer (Alameda) | FREE |
| 2:00 pm | Livermore SantaCon | FREE |
Sunday, December 21, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
| 10:00 am | Chabot Space & Science Center’s Winter Fest | FREE*
*FREE for Members, $24 Adults, $19 Children (2-12) and Seniors (65+)
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| 1:00 pm | 2025 Holidays on Fourth Street: Fratello Marionette’s Holiday Shows | Berkeley | FREE |
| 1:00 pm | Free Workshop: Break Relationship Patterns w/ Science (Uptown Oakland) | FREE*
*RSVP required
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| 3:00 pm | Winter Wonderland Concert (Oakland) | FREE*
*Free Admission; Donations Accepted
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| 4:00 pm | Free Winter Solstice Celebration at Cesar Chavez State Park (Berkeley) | FREE |
Monday, December 22, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for TownBiz Comedy Night in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood—a celebration of Oakland comedy and culture with a series of pop-up live shows across the Bay by HellaFunny. This HellaFunny comedy night takes place at more... | ||
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for the return of HellaFunny comedy night to Temescal with a series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. This HellaFunny comedy show takes place at the just-opened Mesa more... | ||
| 8:30 pm | $6 Drive-In Movie Night in Concord & San Jose | $6*
*$6 for adults on Tuesday nights. Kids are $2
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Friday, December 26, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
Saturday, December 27, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
Sunday, December 28, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get more... | ||
Monday, December 29, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for TownBiz Comedy Night in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood—a celebration of Oakland comedy and culture with a series of pop-up live shows across the Bay by HellaFunny. This HellaFunny comedy night takes place at more... | ||
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | ||
| Get ready for the return of HellaFunny comedy night to Temescal with a series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. This HellaFunny comedy show takes place at the just-opened Mesa more... | ||
| 8:00 pm | Last Tuesdays Comedy at The Layover | Oakland | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is requested.
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| 8:30 pm | $6 Drive-In Movie Night in Concord & San Jose | $6*
*$6 for adults on Tuesday nights. Kids are $2
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Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | ||
 Glowfari returns in November 2025! This wildly popular, family-friendly experience features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, more... | ||
Thursday, January 1, 2026 | ||
| 4:30 pm | New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival | $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
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Friday, January 2, 2026 | ||
 Over 30 Oakland Art Murmur affiliate venues have coordinated openings on the first Friday of every month. Oakland Art Murmur presents a free monthly evening art walk, known as the ‘Art more... | ||
| 8:00 pm | Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday | FREE |
Saturday, January 3, 2026 | ||
 Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to eight Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more more... | ||
| 10:00 am | “Healthy Parks Healthy People”: Monthly Nature Walks | Bay Area | FREE |
Sunday, January 4, 2026 | ||
 The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) brings together collections of art, history, and natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California and its people. First Sundays at OMCA Every more... | ||
| 3:00 pm | Cuban Rumba Jam: Play, Sing, Dance & Enjoy | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free, but donations are encouraged.
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Monday, January 5, 2026 | ||
| Get ready for TownBiz Comedy Night in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood—a celebration of Oakland comedy and culture with a series of pop-up live shows across the Bay by HellaFunny. This HellaFunny comedy night takes place at more... | ||
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | ||
| Get ready for the return of HellaFunny comedy night to Temescal with a series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. This HellaFunny comedy show takes place at the just-opened Mesa more... | ||
| 8:00 pm | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
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| 8:30 pm | $6 Drive-In Movie Night in Concord & San Jose | $6*
*$6 for adults on Tuesday nights. Kids are $2
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Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Friday, January 9, 2026 | ||
| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, January 10, 2026 | ||
| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Monday, January 12, 2026 | ||
| Get ready for TownBiz Comedy Night in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood—a celebration of Oakland comedy and culture with a series of pop-up live shows across the Bay by HellaFunny. This HellaFunny comedy night takes place at more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Intro to Personal Safety & Self-Defense Class | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | ||
 One of the most socially-distant ways to have fun, The West Wind Drive-In theaters in both San Jose and Concord are open for good old-fashioned drive-in movie fun. West Wind Drive In more... | ||
Saturday, January 17, 2026 | ||
| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
| 5:00 pm | Art Comes from Art, Comes from Art: Opening Reception (Alameda) | FREE*
*RSVP
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Saturday, January 24, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | “The Runarounds” Live at The UC Theatre (Berkeley) | $37.50 |
Sunday, January 25, 2026 | ||
 The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 4:30 pm | “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival at Oakland Zoo (Final Day) | $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 pm | Last Tuesdays Comedy at The Layover | Oakland | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is requested.
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Thursday, January 29, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Friday, January 30, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Saturday, January 31, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Sunday, February 1, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 11:00 am | Oakland Museum of California’s Free First Sundays (OMCA) | FREE*
*Free admission; additional $6 fee for access to special exhibitions
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| 3:00 pm | Cuban Rumba Jam: Play, Sing, Dance & Enjoy | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free, but donations are encouraged.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 pm | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Thursday, February 5, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 11:00 am | Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum | FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
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Friday, February 6, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 6:00 pm | Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
| 8:00 pm | Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday | FREE |
Saturday, February 7, 2026 | ||
| Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to eight Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more more... | ||
| 10:00 am | “Healthy Parks Healthy People”: Monthly Nature Walks | Bay Area | FREE |
| 10:00 am | 2026 White Elephant Sale in 90,000+ Sq Ft. Warehouse (Jan. 25 – Feb. 21) | $7 |
Sunday, February 8, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Lord of the Lost & Birthday Massacre | $45 |
| 7:00 pm | Lord of The Lost & the Birthday Massacre | $35 |
Monday, February 9, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Intro to Personal Safety & Self-Defense Class | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
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Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Friday, February 13, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, February 14, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Monday, February 16, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Friday, February 20, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
Saturday, February 21, 2026 | ||
| The White Elephant Sale is Northern California’s oldest and largest rummage sale. You will find a curated selection of one-of-a kind treasures. The White Elephant Sale has almost 20 departments in more... | ||
| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
| 7:00 pm | All Them Witches: Live in Concert (UC Theatre) | $35 |
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 pm | Last Tuesdays Comedy at The Layover | Oakland | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is requested.
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Friday, February 27, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | “clipping” Live: Experimental Hip-Hop Night at UC Theatre (Berkeley) | $44 |
