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
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... | ||
| 12:00 am | 420 Bash: Yoga, Bingo, Music & Prizes (Richmond) | FREE |
| 12:00 am | 420 Bash: Yoga, Bingo, Music & Prizes (Richmond) | FREE |
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 |
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Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | ||
| 7:00 pm | East Bay Speed Dating for 30s/40s (Emeryville) | $30 |
| 7:30 pm | Pretty Good Stories: Stand-Up + Music (Oakland) | $20*
*earlybird tickets available while they last
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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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | Earth Day Fest: Animals, Demos & Food Trucks (East Bay) | FREE |
Friday, April 24, 2026 | ||
 Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland) | FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
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| 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 | Earth Night Oakland at Nido’s BackYard (2026) | $22*
*Entrance includes one drink ticket and small donation
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| 7:00 pm | “The Ayo Brame Experience” Live (Oakland) | $30 |
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 2:30 pm | Kinks and Quirks: Beethoven’s First Symphony (Berkeley) | $40*
*Tickets: $40 - $125 and $20 for Under 30s
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| 7:00 pm | “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland) | FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
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| 9:00 am | Earth Day 2026 Volunteering with East Bay Regional Parks | FREE |
| 9:00 am | Orinda’s Free “Earth Care Carnival” (2026) | FREE*
*Register for Free at the Eventbrite link
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| 10:00 am | Montclair Village Art Walk | FREE |
| 11:00 am | Free AI Workshop: Future Insights + Safety Tips (Oakland Main Library) | FREE*
*Please register at link provided
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| 12:00 pm | Free Spring Family Day (Richmond) | FREE |
| 2:00 pm | Prescott Circus Showcase: Free Youth Circus Performance (Oakland) | FREE*
*Free; donations accepted
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| 7:00 pm | Tapestry: Weaving the Community of Dance | FREE*
*Reserve tickets on website
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Sunday, April 26, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 6:00 pm | “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland) | FREE*
*Free with RSVP
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Monday, April 27, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Oakland’s Free “Town Biz” Comedy Night w/ HellaFunny (Mon + Tue) | FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Food/drink for purchase
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Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for 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 | 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 29, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 5:30 pm | Oakland’s “Taste of Temescal” (2026) | $60*
*$60 for adults, $25 for youth under 15
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| 7:00 pm | “Moonchild” Live: Genre-Defying R&B + Neo-Soul Trio (The UC Theatre) | $40 |
Thursday, April 30, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Oakland’s Free POC Comedy Night (Temescal) | FREE*
*Free with RSVP
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Friday, May 1, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland) | FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
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| 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, May 2, 2026 | ||
| Bay Area Dance Week is a 10-day celebration of movement and dance, where the vibrant and diverse Bay Area dance community offers free classes, workshops, performances, open rehearsals, and more for more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland) | FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
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| 10:00 am | 41st Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival (Hayward) | FREE |
| 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 |
| 11:00 am | Berkeley Bay Festival 2026: Free Boat Rides, Live Music & Activities | 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.
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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, May 4, 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, May 5, 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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| 11:59 pm | Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower | 2026 | FREE |
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 | ||
| 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, 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... | ||
| 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, 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 |
| 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 | ||
| 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, May 12, 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, May 14, 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, 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... | ||
| 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, 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... | ||
| 10:00 am | 43rd Annual Berkeley “Himalayan Fair” (May 16-17) | FREE*
*Donations encouraged at the door
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| 11:00 am | “Science@Cal”: Renowned Scientist Lecture | UC Berkeley | FREE |
| 11:00 am | Pleasant Hill’s Art, Wine & Music Festival 2026 (May 16-17) | FREE*
*Free admission; food/drinks for purchase
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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... | ||
| 10:00 am | 43rd Annual Berkeley “Himalayan Fair” (May 16-17) | FREE*
*Donations encouraged at the door
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| 11:00 am | Pleasant Hill’s Art, Wine & Music Festival 2026 (May 16-17) | FREE*
*Free admission; food/drinks for purchase
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Monday, May 18, 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, May 19, 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, 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... | ||
Thursday, May 21, 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, 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... | ||
| 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, 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 | ||
| 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 Memorial 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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Tuesday, May 26, 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.
|
| 8:30 pm | $6 Drive-In Movie Night in Concord & San Jose | $6*
*$6 for adults on Tuesday nights. Kids are $2
|
Thursday, May 28, 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... | ||
