🌟 East Bay Seasonal Highlights This Week
From cozy craft fairs and neighborhood concerts to lighted boat parades and festive family activities, this week brings a brand-new round of seasonal magic across the East Bay. Whether you’re planning a date night, a family outing, or a quick after-work adventure, here’s everything new worth jumping into.
📅 This Week at a Glance
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🌊 Lighted Boat Parade – Oakland/Alameda Estuary
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🎺 Holiday Jazz Night – Walnut Creek
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🎭 A Christmas Carol – Livermore
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🧵 Handcrafted Holiday Market – Benicia Arsenal
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🎶 Downtown Tree Concert Series – Martinez
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🐾 Pet Photos With Santa – Pleasant Hill
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🎬 Holiday Movies at the Orinda Theatre
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🕯 Candlelit Choir Concert – Berkeley
Scroll for full details 👇
Spotlight:
🌟 Lighted Yacht Parade – Oakland & Alameda
📍 Oakland/Alameda Estuary
🗓️ Saturday, Dec 7th | 5:30 PM
💵 Free
Best viewing spots:
● Jack London Square (Oakland)
● Encinal Yacht Club (Alameda)
● Waterfront promenade at Shoreline Park
Bring a warm drink, bundle up, and enjoy one charming holiday sights of season.
🎨 Events This Week
🎺 Holiday Jazz Night – Walnut Creek
📍 Lesher Center for the Arts
⏰ December 7 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ $39
Trade the chill for the smooth sounds of seasonal classics and soulful jazz. This is the coziest evening show of the season! Top Bay Area musicians bring the brass, ballads, and joy live to the Lesher Center for the Arts on Dec 7th. Get ready to swing into the holidays!
🎭 A Christmas Carol – Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
📍 Bankhead Theater, Livermore
⏰ December 6-8 | Start at 3PM
🎟️ $49
A heartfelt, beautifully staged production of the Dickens classic — complete with Victorian costumes, carolers, and a moving message of generosity and second chances. Great for families or a holiday date night.
🧵 Benicia Arsenal Handcrafted Holiday Market
📍 Arsenal District, Benicia
⏰ December 7-8 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Free
Artisans fill the historic Benicia Arsenal with handmade ceramics, textiles, jewelry, candles, baked goods, and small-batch gifts. It’s the best place to find meaningful, locally crafted presents while exploring one of Benicia’s hidden gems
🎶Martinez Downtown Tree Concert Series
📍 Main Street Plaza, Martinez
⏰ December 8 – 12 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Free
Each night features a different musical group — from school choirs to acoustic trios — performing under the city’s glowing downtown tree. Simple, heartwarming, and perfect for a spontaneous stop-in with hot cocoa.
🎬Holiday Classics at Orinda Theatre
📍 Orinda Theatre
⏰ December 6 – 12 | Start 8:00 PM
🎟️ $48
Beloved movies return to the big screen — think “Elf,” “White Christmas,” “Home Alone,” and more — shown in one of the East Bay’s most beautiful retro theaters. Holiday popcorn buckets encouraged.
🐾Pet Photos With Santa – Pleasant Hill
📍 Pleasant Hill Community Center
⏰ December 7 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ $10 donation
Cute overload! Bring your fur babies (dogs, cats, bunnies welcome) for festive Santa photos. Bonus: proceeds support local animal programs.
🕯 Candlelit Choir Concert – Berkeley
📍 St. Mark’s Church, Berkeley
⏰ December 6 | 7:00 pm
🎟️ Adults $30 & Seniors $20
Soothing carols and choral harmonies performed in a candlelit sanctuary — a peaceful antidote to the busy season.
🍽️ Local Flavor: Something Different This Week
📍760 Hearst Ave. Berkeley, CA 94710 |⏰ Everyday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM | 🎟️ Estimated Lowest Price $3.00
Café Réveille focuses on serving high-quality coffee and a menu that is specific to each of its locations. The atmosphere is consistently modern, bright, and airy, featuring clean designs, wooden accents, and indoor plants. It is designed to be a comfortable and welcoming space for daily visits.
They serve coffee, indicated by the focus on the barista and latte art featured on their site. Their menus vary by location, suggesting a range of breakfast, lunch, and cafe items. They offer the option to “Order Ahead” and purchase gift cards, emphasizing convenience for their customers.
❤️ Give Back This Week
All-new ways to support your community
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Holiday Stocking Drive – Alameda Point Collaborative
Fill a stocking with essentials or drop off small gifts for kids and teens. -
Warm Coat Collection – Concord
Donate gently used coats at community drop points to keep neighbors warm this winter. -
Volunteer Pet Care – Martinez Shelter
Spend an hour walking dogs or socializing cats — high impact, low time commitment.
🏠 Just Listed: East Bay Homes You’ll Love
705 Danrose Dr, American Canyon, CA 94503
4 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,544 SQFT
Welcome to 705 Danrose Drive, a beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offering 1,544 sqft of living space on a 6,200 sqft lot. View photos & details
947 Burlwood Ct, Los Banos, CA 93635
3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,666 SQFT
A charming property on a quarter-acre lot in Los Banos! The main house boasts 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. View photos & details
2100 Laguna Circle D, Concord, CA 94520
1 BED | 1 BATH | 664 SQFT
Motivated Seller! Tucked away in a peaceful, gated community, this charming 1-bedroom View photos & details
💚 Twin Oaks Corner
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Looking for someone who loves coaching, developing agents, and building community. -
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🌟 Catch You Next Week…
Hope this edition brings you fresh ideas, new places to explore, and a few warm pockets of joy this week. From lighted boats to candlelit music, the East Bay has a way of making December feel magical.
Stay local & stay inspired,
Ryan DeAmaral
Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider
