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, March 29, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
| 1:30 pm | Project Hope Palestine: Photo Exhibit & Zoom w/ Photojournalists in Gaza (Albany) | FREE*
*RSVP required
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Monday, March 30, 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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | BrainStorm the Film: Local Screening | $5*
*Tickets are sold on a sliding scale of $5-$20.
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Tuesday, March 31, 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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Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Thursday, April 2, 2026 | ||
| Diversity takes center stage at HellaFunny’s brand new “People of Color” Comedy Night in Oakland Welcome to Oakland’s newest comedy night, spotlighting the vibrant humor of People of Color! RSVP for Free Tickets Prepare for 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, April 3, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 3:00 pm | Free 2026 Celebration w/ Crafts + Bunny Photos (Pleasant Hill | FREE |
| 5:00 pm | “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival | FREE |
| 6:00 pm | Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
| 8:00 pm | Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday | FREE |
Saturday, April 4, 2026 | ||
| 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 | Oakland Khmer New Year Festival (2026) | FREE*
*Free
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| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2026) | FREE*
*Free for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch Card Holders. Some venues may be closed on certain days; please confirm directly with participating museums.
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| 10:00 am | “Healthy Parks Healthy People”: Monthly Nature Walks | Bay Area | FREE |
| 10:00 am | Hunt for “Dinosaur” Eggs: 32nd Annual Egg Hunt and Learning Festival (UC Berkeley) | FREE |
Sunday, April 5, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2026) | FREE*
*Free for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch Card Holders. Some venues may be closed on certain days; please confirm directly with participating museums.
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| 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, April 6, 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, April 7, 2026 | ||
| Festively stroll with friends and family while sampling delicious bites & libations! The beloved Taste of Montclair Village returns Tuesday, April 7, from 5-8pm in Oakland’s Montclair Village, inviting guests to enjoy more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Oakland’s “Mezcal & Mole” Comedy Night (Mondays & Tuesdays) | FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Food/drink for purchase
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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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| 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, April 8, 2026 | ||
| 6:00 pm | Free Monthly Trivia Night w/ Prizes (Berkeley Library) | FREE |
Thursday, April 9, 2026 | ||
| Diversity takes center stage at HellaFunny’s brand new “People of Color” Comedy Night in Oakland Welcome to Oakland’s newest comedy night, spotlighting the vibrant humor of People of Color! RSVP for Free Tickets Prepare for more... | ||
Friday, April 10, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 12:00 pm | West Berkeley Community Print Festival | FREE |
| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Sunday, April 12, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
| 2:00 pm | 2026 Holi Festival & Color Fight at City Center Bishop Ranch (San Ramon) | $10 |
Monday, April 13, 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, April 14, 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, April 16, 2026 | ||
| Diversity takes center stage at HellaFunny’s brand new “People of Color” Comedy Night in Oakland Welcome to Oakland’s newest comedy night, spotlighting the vibrant humor of People of Color! RSVP for Free Tickets Prepare for more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Mexican Singer “Aleks Syntek” Live at The UC Theatre (Berkeley) | *
*62.67
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Friday, April 17, 2026 | ||
| 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, April 18, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
Monday, April 20, 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, April 21, 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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| 11:59 pm | 2026 Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight (April 21-22) | FREE |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | ||
| Diversity takes center stage at HellaFunny’s brand new “People of Color” Comedy Night in Oakland Welcome to Oakland’s newest comedy night, spotlighting the vibrant humor of People of Color! RSVP for Free Tickets Prepare for more... | ||
Friday, April 24, 2026 | ||
| 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, April 25, 2026 | ||
| 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, April 26, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
Monday, April 27, 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, April 28, 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... | ||
| 8:00 pm | Last Tuesdays Comedy at The Layover | Oakland | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is requested.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | “Moonchild” Live: Genre-Defying R&B + Neo-Soul Trio (The UC Theatre) | $40 |
Friday, May 1, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival | FREE |
| 6:00 pm | Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
| 8:00 pm | Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday | FREE |
Saturday, May 2, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2026) | FREE*
*Free for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch Card Holders. Some venues may be closed on certain days; please confirm directly with participating museums.
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| 10:00 am | “Healthy Parks Healthy People”: Monthly Nature Walks | Bay Area | FREE |
Sunday, May 3, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2026) | FREE*
*Free for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch Card Holders. Some venues may be closed on certain days; please confirm directly with participating museums.
|
| 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, May 5, 2026 | ||
| The Eta Aquarids will be active between April 19 and May 28, 2026, with the shower expected to peak from the late night of May 5 into the pre-dawn hours of more... | ||
| 8:00 pm | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
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Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Thursday, May 7, 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, May 8, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | ||
| 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 | Hawaiian May Day Festival 2026 at Alameda County Fairgrounds (May 9-10) | $25*
*$25 General Admission; $20 Pre-sale
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| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Sunday, May 10, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
| 11:00 am | Hawaiian May Day Festival 2026 at Alameda County Fairgrounds (May 9-10) | $25*
*$25 General Admission; $20 Pre-sale
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Monday, May 11, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Intro to Personal Safety & Self-Defense Class | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
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Friday, May 15, 2026 | ||
| 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, May 16, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||
| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | ||
| The $11M rebuilt Bay Lights installation returns to the Bay Bridge on March 20, 2026 with a Grand Lighting. Once relit, the 1.8-mile artwork will illuminate nightly from dusk to dawn. more... | ||
Friday, May 22, 2026 | ||
| 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, May 23, 2026 | ||
| 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, May 24, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
Monday, May 25, 2026 | ||
| Sometimes you’ve just got to get away from it all and clear your head with the peace and serenity of a national park. On certain “fee-free” days throughout the year, enjoy free entry more... | ||
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Brian Copeland’s The Waiting Period | FREE*
*RSVP at themarsh.org or just show up at the door!
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Friday, May 29, 2026 | ||
| 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, May 31, 2026 | ||
| Secret pop-up comedy show at a new bar in Temescal in Oakland Get ready for the return of our “HellaSecret” comedy show in Oakland. A new series of pop-up live comedy shows at more... | ||
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 pm | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
|
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
|
Friday, June 5, 2026 | ||
| 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... | ||