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, May 30, 2026 | ||
 As the Bay Area Book Festival (BABF) enters its 12th year, it stands as both a cultural celebration and a critical gathering space where activists, authors, and audiences can unite around more... | ||
| 8:30 am | Healing Hearts Day 2026: Walk/Run/Move for Suicide Prevention (Oakland) | FREE*
*Free Event Suggested Donation $35
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| 10:00 am | Free SkyJam Fun: Music + Play for Kids (Richmond) | FREE*
*FREE
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| 2:00 pm | FuelFest 2025: 700+ Cars + Drifting Action (Pleasanton) | $35*
*Kids 12 and under are FREE
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| 2:00 pm | FuelFest SF Bay: Live Drifting + Concert (Pleasanton) | $35*
*Kids 12 and under FREE
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| 7:00 pm | Barbara Lee Lecture Series feat. Tony Lowden (Oakland) | FREE*
*FREE
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| 7:00 pm | R&B and Afrobeats Singles Cruise (Oakland) | $24*
*Presale available now
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| 7:00 pm | Zither Celebration: Asian Identity Through Music (Oakland) | FREE*
*Sliding Scale from $0-$35
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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... | ||
| 11:00 am | Explore Modern Thrillers: Cults + Corruption (The Marsh) | FREE*
*No catch, just come!
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| 11:00 am | 2026 Bay Area Book Festival + “Bookworm” Block Party (Downtown Berkeley) | FREE*
*Most events are free, but a few are ticketed
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| 12:00 pm | “Free Oakland Up” Market: Shop for Free Treasures (Every Friday-Sunday) | FREE*
*All outdoor items are free; one free indoor item per person per day, additional items for donation. Some plants and select treasures for sale.
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| 1:00 pm | Step Into Austen’s World: Regency Ball + Show (Berkeley) | $20*
*$20 (showcase only) $30 (social dancing only) $40 (full event)
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| 1:30 pm | 2026 Vets in Vans’ Pet Wellness Fair (Berkeley) | FREE*
*Free entry. There will be local makers selling pet and non-pet-related items within the fair, and opportunities to donate to local nonprofits
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| 2:00 pm | Free Art Reception: Mystery Exhibition Unveiled (Berkeley) | FREE |
| 4:00 pm | Bean to Bar: Craft Chocolate Tasting in the Park (Oakland) | $65*
*Only 6 Seats Available
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Monday, June 1, 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, June 2, 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, June 3, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Thursday, June 4, 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, 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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland) | FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
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| 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, June 6, 2026 | ||
 Come to historic Downtown San Leandro on June 6th for the San Leandro Cherry Festival! Check out live music, vendors, local food, fun zone, and most of all… Cherries! The San Leandro 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 |
| 10:00 am | Downtown Martinez Summer Kickoff: Free Outdoor Festival + Market (2026) | FREE |
Sunday, June 7, 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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| 12:00 pm | “Free Oakland Up” Market: Shop for Free Treasures (Every Friday-Sunday) | FREE*
*All outdoor items are free; one free indoor item per person per day, additional items for donation. Some plants and select treasures for sale.
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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, June 8, 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, June 9, 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, June 11, 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, June 12, 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 | “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland) | FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
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| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | ||
| 9:00 pm | “FirstClass: Departure” DJ Saturday Nights | Oakland | FREE |
Sunday, June 14, 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... | ||
| 7:00 am | Free National Parks Day: Muir Woods + Yosemite for Flag 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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| 12:00 pm | “Free Oakland Up” Market: Shop for Free Treasures (Every Friday-Sunday) | FREE*
*All outdoor items are free; one free indoor item per person per day, additional items for donation. Some plants and select treasures for sale.
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Monday, June 15, 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, June 16, 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, June 18, 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, June 19, 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 | “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland) | FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
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Saturday, June 20, 2026 | ||
 Montclair Beer, Wine & Music Festival Returns June 20, 2026 A Full Day of Craft Tastings, Live Music, Local Food, and Family Fun in Montclair Village Oakland, CA, The Montclair Beer, Wine & more... | ||
| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
Sunday, June 21, 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... | ||
| 12:00 pm | “Free Oakland Up” Market: Shop for Free Treasures (Every Friday-Sunday) | FREE*
*All outdoor items are free; one free indoor item per person per day, additional items for donation. Some plants and select treasures for sale.
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Monday, June 22, 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, June 23, 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 | Bôa First New Music in 20 Years (The UC Theatre) | $32.50 |
| 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, June 25, 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, June 26, 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 | “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland) | FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
|
Saturday, June 27, 2026 | ||
 Get ready for the Bay Area’s ultimate summer destination! The 7th Annual LakeFest Oakland is back at Lake Merritt! Join 20,000+ neighbors for a massive celebration of music, art and the more... | ||
Sunday, June 28, 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... | ||
| 12:00 pm | “Free Oakland Up” Market: Shop for Free Treasures (Every Friday-Sunday) | FREE*
*All outdoor items are free; one free indoor item per person per day, additional items for donation. Some plants and select treasures for sale.
|
Monday, June 29, 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, June 30, 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... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Cymande | $35 |
| 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, July 1, 2026 | ||
| 7:30 pm | Hometown Free Comedy Night & Happy Hour | Emeryville | FREE*
*Free with an RSVP
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Thursday, July 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
|
Friday, July 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... | ||
| 7:00 am | Free National Parks Admission for Independence Day Weekend (July 3-5, 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.
|
| 5:00 pm | “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland) | FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
|
| 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, July 4, 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... | ||
| 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.
|
| 10:00 am | “Healthy Parks Healthy People”: Monthly Nature Walks | Bay Area | FREE |
Sunday, July 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... | ||
| 7:00 am | Free National Parks Admission for Independence Day Weekend (July 3-5, 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.
|
| 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
|
| 3:00 pm | Cuban Rumba Jam: Play, Sing, Dance & Enjoy | Berkeley | FREE*
*Free, but donations are encouraged.
|
Monday, July 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, July 7, 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 | First Tuesdays Free Comedy Showcase & Happy Hour | The Layover | FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
|
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | ||
 Mark your calendars for an epic street festival series, once a month on Wednesday evenings in July and August. Join us for these 2 vibrant street festivals in the heart of more... | ||
Friday, July 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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland) | FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
|
| 6:00 pm | 2nd Friday Art Walk | Oakland & Alameda | FREE |
| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
