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
Thursday, April 24, 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... | ||
| 5:30 pm | Wines of Sicily Tasting | FREE |
Friday, April 25, 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... | ||
| 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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| 5:30 pm | Lynne Arriale Trio | $30 |
| 6:00 pm | Exodus 40 Years of Blood | $42 |
| 6:30 pm | Black Love + Laughter | $5*
*Sliding Scale Tickets ($5-25)
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| 9:00 pm | You Never Dance Alone: House Music At Brix | FREE*
*No cover!
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Saturday, April 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... | ||
| 10:00 am | Oakland’s Free Art Walk Festival 2025 (April 26-27) | FREE |
| 10:00 am | “The Wardrobe Project” Flea w/ $1 + $5 Bins (Rockridge BART) | FREE |
| 11:00 am | Berkeley Bay Festival + Free Boat Rides (2025) | FREE |
| 12:00 pm | Bay Area Craft Beer Festival: Boots & Brews | $50 |
| 2:00 pm | Downtown Hayward’s “Lit Hop” Literary Festival | FREE |
| 6:00 pm | 51st Anniversary Party w/ Live Auction and Short Program (Berkeley) | $100*
*closing auction festivities with food, drinks, music, live and silent auction, and a short program
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| 7:00 pm | Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s Annual Free Spring Concert (2025) | FREE |
| 7:00 pm | Tapestry: Weaving the Community of Dance 2025 at Temple Hill (Oakland) | FREE |
| 7:00 pm | The Birds & The Bees Art and Poetry Event (San Leandro) | FREE*
*Free to Attend. Seating is Limited
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Sunday, April 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... | ||
| 1:00 pm | Brooklyn Basin Small Dog Meetup “National Pet Parents Day” (Oakland) | FREE*
*NO RSVP REQUIRED BUT APPRECIATED
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Monday, April 28, 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, April 29, 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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Thursday, May 1, 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... | ||
| 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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| 12:30 pm | San Francisco Opera “Bohème Out of the Box” (City Center Bishop Ranch) | FREE*
*FREE
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Friday, May 2, 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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival | FREE |
| 6:00 pm | “Oakland Art Murmur” 2024 (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
Saturday, May 3, 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... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2025) | 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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| 11:30 am | Fiesta Saturdays / Cinco De Mayo (Oakland) | FREE |
Sunday, May 4, 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... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2025) | 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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| All Day | Free Comic Book Day 2025 (San Francisco + Bay Area) | FREE |
| 3:00 pm | Oakland Ballet: Angel Island Project | $48*
*Adult price. Discounts are available with codes, also senior/student ticket discounts avail.
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| 11:59 pm | Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower | 2025 | FREE |
Monday, May 5, 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, May 6, 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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Thursday, May 8, 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... | ||
Friday, May 9, 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... | ||
| 7:45 pm | Win Tix: Drag Superstar “Trixie Mattel” Live at the Fox Theater (Oakland) | FREE*
*ENTER TO WIN
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| 7:30 pm | East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday) | FREE |
Saturday, May 10, 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... | ||
| 11:00 am | Hayward’s Hawaiian May Day Festival 2025 (May 10-11) | FREE |
| 5:00 pm | Keep Oakland Bee-autiful: Earth Day Celebration 2025 | $15*
*Keep Oakland Beautiful is committed to creating an inclusive event. If the ticket price is prohibitive, please contact kob_fundraising@keepoaklandbeautiful.org to discuss alternative options.
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Sunday, May 11, 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... | ||
| All Day | Free Bay Area Rose Gardens Open for Mother’s Day (2025) | FREE |
| 11:00 am | Mother’s Day at City Center Bishop Ranch (2025) | FREE*
*Free
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| 11:00 am | Mother’s Day Celebration at City Center Bishop Ranch (2025) | FREE |
| 11:00 am | Hawaiian May Day Festival 2025 (Hayward) | FREE |
Monday, May 12, 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, May 13, 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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Thursday, May 15, 2025 | ||
| HellaFunny, the Bay Area’s most popular comedy collective joins forces with Funcheap to take over Bay Street Emeryville’s newly reimagined dining terrace for a brand new FREE monthly outdoor comedy festival featuring some of the more... | ||
| 7:00 pm | Free “HellaSecret” Comedy Night @ Secret Bar (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 | Eve’s Eden Closing Party | FREE |
Friday, May 16, 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, May 17, 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 | Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival 2025 (May 17-18) | FREE*
*Free admission. Food, drinks, and goods for purchase.
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| 10:00 am | SkyJam Family Festival (Richmond) | FREE |
| 1:00 pm | Oaklash Drag Festival (May 16-18) | FREE*
*$20 Suggested Donation • NOTAFLOF
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Sunday, May 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... | ||
| 8:00 am | Celebration of Old Roses (Albany) | FREE |
| 12:00 pm | 3rd Annual “Printing in The Park” Free Letterpress Printing (Emeryville) | FREE |
Monday, May 19, 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, May 20, 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... | ||
| 6:00 pm | “Undefeated” The Wrongful Conviction of Pierre Rushing Movie Premiere (Grand Lake Theater) | FREE*
*Donations welcomed
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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, May 22, 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... | ||
Friday, May 23, 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, May 24, 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, May 25, 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, May 26, 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, May 27, 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
|
Thursday, May 29, 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... | ||
Friday, May 30, 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 | Beerkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra Spring 2025 Concert | FREE |
Saturday, May 31, 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... | ||
| 11:00 am | 2025 Bay Area Book Festival in Downtown Berkeley (May 31 – June 1) | FREE*
*Most events are free, but a few are ticketed
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| 7:00 pm | Kash Doll | $67 |
Sunday, June 1, 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... | ||
| 11:00 am | 2025 Bay Area Book Festival in Downtown Berkeley (May 31 – June 1) | FREE*
*Most events are free, but a few are ticketed
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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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Monday, June 2, 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, June 3, 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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Thursday, June 5, 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... | ||
| 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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| 7:00 pm | Book Launch: Shaken Free with Author Ilana DeBare | FREE |
Friday, June 6, 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... | ||
| 5:00 pm | “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival | FREE |
| 6:00 pm | “Oakland Art Murmur” 2024 (First Fridays Art Walk) | FREE |
Saturday, June 7, 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... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2025) | 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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Sunday, June 8, 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... | ||
| All Day | Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2025) | 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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