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
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | ||
 The Giants FanFest Tour 2026 visits three cities across Northern California, culminating in an Open House at Oracle Park in March. The free tour will include current Giants players, coaches, broadcasters, and Lou more... | ||
| 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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Monday, January 26, 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 27, 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 | 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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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 | ||
 Tokyo Central, the much-anticipated Japanese grocery chain coming to Bay Street Emeryville (5603 Bay Street), has finally announced its opening date. The store will open on January 31, 2026, with a more... | ||
| 10:00 am | 2026 White Elephant Sale in 90,000+ Sq Ft. Warehouse (Jan. 25 – Feb. 21) | $7 |
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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| 5:00 pm | Free Piano Concert: Bach to Jazz (Oakland) | FREE |
Monday, February 2, 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, February 3, 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, 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 six 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 | ||
| Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to six Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more more... | ||
| 12:00 pm | Awesome Places to Watch Super Bowl 2026 (San Francisco + Bay Area) | |
| 2:00 pm | Big Game Sunday: Free Jumbo Screen Watch Party + Prizes (Emeryville) | FREE |
| 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 | ||
| 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, February 10, 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... | ||
| 8:30 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, 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... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Mardi Gras Carnaval: New Orleans to Venezuela Music Night (Alameda) | $36*
*$36 General / $130 for Group of 4 (All service fees included)
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| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Monday, February 16, 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 am | Free National Parks Day: Muir Woods + Yosemite for Presidents’ Day 2026 | FREE*
*The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Although the entrance fee is waved, paid parking/shuttle reservations required for Muir Woods even on free days.
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| 10:00 am | 2026 White Elephant Sale in 90,000+ Sq Ft. Warehouse (Jan. 25 – Feb. 21) | $7 |
Tuesday, February 17, 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... | ||
| 8:30 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, 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 | ||
| 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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Friday, February 27, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | “clipping” Live: Experimental Hip-Hop Night at UC Theatre (Berkeley) | $44 |
Saturday, February 28, 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, March 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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Monday, March 2, 2026 | ||
 Thanks to an optical illusion in the sky, the moon will appear bigger and brighter than normal in the San Francisco Bay Area in the night, during what astronomers call a more... | ||
Tuesday, March 3, 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... | ||
| 2:00 am | Chabot’s Solar Eclipse Viewing Watch Party & Festivities (2026) | $15*
*$15 Adults, $7 Kids, Free for Members
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| 8:00 pm | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Thursday, March 5, 2026 | ||
 The UC Berkeley Art Museum is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. Through art and film programs, collections, and research resources, the University aspires to be locally connected more... | ||
Friday, March 6, 2026 | ||
 Oakland First Fridays is an immersive art and community experience on the first Friday of each month from 5-9:30pm for five huge blocks on Telegraph Avenue between 27th Street & 22nd Street. Photography more... | ||
| 6:00 pm | Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
| 8:00 pm | Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday | FREE |
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | ||
| Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to six 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 | Free Disabilities Resource Fair + Community Meet-Up (Walnut Creek) | FREE*
*Free event for all ages
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Sunday, March 8, 2026 | ||
| Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to six Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more more... | ||
Monday, March 9, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Intro to Personal Safety & Self-Defense Class | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
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Tuesday, March 10, 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... | ||
Thursday, March 12, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | “Landslide” An Epic Fleetwood Mac Singalong (The UC Theatre) | $36 |
Friday, March 13, 2026 | ||
| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:00 pm | “Brass Against” Horn-Fueled Protest Rock at Ivy Room (Albany) | $30.43 |
| 7:00 pm | Noize MC Live: “Not All There” Rap-Rock Tour (Berkeley) | $67.50 |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | ||
| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Tuesday, March 17, 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... | ||
Saturday, March 21, 2026 | ||
 Carrier Con The USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum is proud to present CarrierCon, a convention celebrating cosplay, tabletop gaming, and Western and Japanese media. CarrierCon is an opportunity for people more... | ||
| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Friday, April 3, 2026 | ||
| Oakland First Fridays is an immersive art and community experience on the first Friday of each month from 5-9:30pm for five huge blocks on Telegraph Avenue between 27th Street & 22nd Street. Photography more... | ||
| 6:00 pm | Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
| 8:00 pm | Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday | FREE |
Saturday, April 4, 2026 | ||
| Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to six Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more more... | ||
Sunday, April 5, 2026 | ||
| Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to six Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more 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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Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 pm | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
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Friday, April 10, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | ||
| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Monday, April 13, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Intro to Personal Safety & Self-Defense Class | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
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Thursday, April 16, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Mexican Singer “Aleks Syntek” Live at The UC Theatre (Berkeley) | *
*62.67
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