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Fourth Street will host its annual Winter Holiday Fest and Craft Party on Dec. 13, featuring live music, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, and craft activities. Credit: Fourth Street Berkeley
🎶 The New Century Chamber Orchestra and the San Francisco Girls Chorus presents “In Winter’s Glow,” a program featuring more than 10 musical pieces ranging from the Renaissance to present-day that reflect on the winter season. Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. 2345 Channing Way. $35-$80
🎶 A family soul band from West Point, Mississippi, Annie & The Caldwells are a powerhouse unit inspired by classic 1970s acts like The Gap Band, Chaka Khan, and Bootsy Collins, a sound they delivered with panache on the acclaimed 2025 Luaka Bop album “Can’t Lose (My Soul).” Thursday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. The Freight. $39-$44
🥁 Berkeley drummer Neil Sachs leads The Standards, a trio with bassist Harry Grey and pianist Michael Schuler that plays jazz standards from the late 1950s through the 1960s, and often invite guest sax and trumpet players to join in the swinging fun. Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Jupiter. FREE
🎶 Featuring Juan Carlos Reynoso on bajo sexto, Charles De Castro on diatonic accordion and Patrick Morrison on bass, Carlos y Charlos are a Los Angeles combo that earned an avid following playing Norteño classics at parties and social gatherings. Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. La Peña Cultural Center. $30.95
🎥 Kicking off with a screening of “Mary Poppins,” Luna Dance & Creativity’s inaugural Family Dance Film Festival is a free all-day event featuring more than 20 classic and contemporary films exploring the disciplines of choreography and cinema. Saturday, Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Luna Dance & Creativity. FREE (registration required)
🎄 Alongside its weekend farmers market, downtown Berkeley will host a holiday bazaar at Civic Center Park with live music and caroling, gifts and goodies for sale, and free photos with Santa. Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE
🎄 Presented by the North Shattuck Association, the pop-up, all-ages Joy Holiday Bazaar brings a welter of activities to the old Books Inc. space, with music, collage, crafting, sipping, shopping, snacking, cookie decorating by Masse’s Books and readings with Friends of Berkeley Public Library. Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. Former Books Inc. space. FREE (sign up encouraged)
🥂 Rain or shine, the Kiln, Cork, and Keg street market hosted by three West Berkeley businesses will feature over 80 artists, food and drinks, and live music. Saturday, Dec. 13. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Camelia and Fourth Street. FREE
🎅 Fourth Street’s Winter Holiday Fest and Craft Party will feature a wreath making workshop at Paraiso Plant Studio, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, live music, craft activities, and a stained glass garden. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m. Delaware and Fourth streets. FREE
❤️ Need someone to kiss under the mistletoe? Join a speed dating event that aims to connect those who are in solidarity with Palestine and challenging systems of oppression worldwide. Dabke lessons will follow. All proceeds will go towards PalEire, an organization helping Gaza students evacuate to Ireland. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m. Starry Plough Pub. $25 suggested donation
🏠 The Berkeley Art Center presents their latest exhibition, “[Obstructed view of the house through the trees with the road visible on the left side in the foreground.] or black point reinterpretive site.” The installation is an immersive, life-sized recreation of a 19th-century Victorian “period room” — which functioned to display wealthy families’ exotic and opulent treasures. Opening reception is on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 3-5 p.m. Exhibition runs from Dec. 13-March 29. 1275 Walnut St. FREE
⚢ With a new home in Oakland, the Bay Area Lesbian Archives presents an evening of music, stories, and community with Nancy Vogl, Suzanne Shanbaum, Woody Simmons, and others to raise funds supporting its historical work. Learn about the future of the Archives and the new generation taking the helm. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. La Peña Cultural Center. $20-$30
🎶 Pacific Edge Voices and recently appointed music director Nicolas Dosman celebrate the holiday season with a program of choral music including Schubert’s “Magnificat,” Rosephanye Powell’s gospel-inflected “Still I Rise,” traditional carols (with audience participation) and a chamber ensemble of instrumentalists. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. First Church of Christ Scientist. $15-$50
🇻🇪 The Latin holiday dance party Gaita y Guaracha features an opening set of Venezuelan gaitas (holiday dance music), guaracha, and salsa by Bululú, a dynamic combo led by Maracaibo-born percussionist Lali Mejia, followed by DJ Mike V spinning a set full of surprises. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Ashkenaz. $35-$45
🌿 The Berkeley Herbal Center will have a Winter Wellness and Craft Fair, selling herbal body care, teas, jewelry, and other gifts. Reiki, bodywork, tarot readings, and complimentary seasonal soup will be offered. Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1250 Addison St, Ste G. FREE
🎁 The One World Folk Art Market will have textiles, figurines, jewelry, nichos (small, Latin American display boxes featuring patron saints or other important figures), Christmas ornaments, and more handmade art available for sale. Music will be performed by Ballet Folklorico and “Corazón y Raiz” performing Son Jarocho (traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico). Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hillside Club. FREE
🎨 Bay Area artist Janelle Blarg will host her first open studio event, featuring a vintage sale, custom hand-drawn portraits by her, and free hand-drawn maps of her favorite holiday lights across Berkeley and El Cerrito (while supplies last). Sunday, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 2470 Fifth St. FREE
🎻 An unusual world jazz combo featuring the formidable frontline of saxophonist Doug Pet and Swiss-born violinist Michèlle Walther, the Alchemist Quintet focuses on original pieces that draw on a global array of styles and idioms. Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. The Back Room. $25
🗓️ See more things to do in Oakland and Richmond. And check out our big list of affordable things to do anytime in Berkeley.
If there’s an event you’d like us to consider for this roundup, email us at the-scene@berkeleyside.org. If there’s an event that you’d like to promote on our calendar, you can use the self-submission form on our events page.
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