This is the last standard events round-up of the year, and covers The Town happenings through Dec. 26. Stay tuned for The Oaklandside’s special New Year’s Eve events round-up that will have lots of options for ringing in 2026 with music, drinks and revelry.
This week, there’s a dance party at Eli’s Mile High Club where East Bay Yesterday’s host Liam O’Donogue, along with Dan Gentile, a senior culture editor at SFGate, will be spinning nothing but funky vinyls. There’s also a special winter solstice celebration at OMCA, and even a bakery pop-up on Christmas Eve to get the bread and pastries you need for your holiday feast.
If you would like us to consider an event for this weekly list, please email me at azucena@oaklandside.org. You can also use the self-submission form on our events page to add events to our calendar for free.
Liam O’Donogue and Dan Gentile playing funky beats at Eli’s
The journalist and podcast host known for his history and culture reporting is also a DJ. Credit: courtesy of Rudy Cruz
The two journalists known for their history and culture reporting are teaming up for a special “funky beats, all vinyl” dance party at Eli’s Mile High Club where they will both be behind the turntables. You can expect an eclectic mix of funk, disco, house, and more.
Thursday, Dec. 18, 9 p.m., free, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Kitka’s Wintersongs show
The women’s vocal ensemble is playing several shows in Oakland to promote their new album “Kolo.” Credit: courtesy of Vita and Bryan Hewitt
Kitka, the women’s vocal ensemble known for their winter concerts featuring Eastern European ethnic and spiritual music, is back for three shows in Oakland. The ensemble will play songs from its new album “Kolo,” featuring music from Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia. The choir’s repertoire also includes songs from the Balkans, the Baltic region, the Mediterranean, and the Slavic lands.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 – 20, 8p.m., $30-$56, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave.
Christmas Carols on Strings
“Carols on Strings” is one of the Candlelight concert holiday special. Credit: courtesy of Fever
The Listeso String Quartet will be the featured group leading this holiday candlelight show. “12 Days of Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” and “Deck the Halls” will be part of the night’s repertoire of seasonal classics.
Saturday, Dec. 20, 8:45 p.m., $46+, First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway
Winterfest at Chabot Space & Science Center
Sock skating is one of the activities families can partake at WinterFest. Credit: courtesy of Chabot Space and Science Center
The space and science center is kicking off winter with a two-day celebration filled with special activities that “blend holiday cheer with cosmic exploration.” Families will get the chance to chat with Chabot’s science and astronomy experts and learn about icy worlds and planetary missions. The event will also include live music and other special activities.
Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free to $24, 10000 Skyline Blvd.
A Yalda Night of Song and Poetry at OMCA
OMCA still has a various events on its calendar to check out the museum before the end of the year. Credit: courtesy of Matthew Millman
Oakland Museum of California is celebrating the winter solstice with Yalda night. This ancient Persian holiday marks the longest night of the year. The event will include performances by Iranian, Bay Area-based singers Mahsa Vahdat and Marjan Vahdat, accompanied by musician and writer Atabak Elyasi. Following the musical performances, attendees will be able to share their wishes and intentions for the new year.
Sunday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m., sliding scale tickets from $1 to $30, 1000 Oak St.
Base Camp Bakery Christmas Eve pop up at Oken
Base Camp Bakery is hosting a special pop-up ahead of the holiday season. Credit: courtesy of Lorena Ramos
Base Camp Bakery, a queer Korean Chicana-owned artisanal bakery that sets up shop at the Grand Lake Farmers Market on Saturdays, is hosting a one-day pop-up with another small bakery called Calmsa. The bakeries will be selling tres leches cake, cookies, kabocha squash coffee cake, apple hand pies, and mole-topped, blueberry rye and lemon poppyseed conchas. The bakers will also be selling sourdough baguettes and sourdough bagels, ready for your holiday table.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or sold out), Oken 6200 Claremont Ave.
Christmas Eve candlelight services at Resurrection Oakland Church
The church in downtown Oakland is hosting services with “a message about the hope of Christmas.” Credit: courtesy of Resurrection Church
For those looking for a religious Christmas celebration, the Resurrection Oakland Church is hosting two services with readings, singing, and “a message about the hope of Christmas.” Attendees can join in singing “Silent Night” by candlelight inside the century-old church. Childcare will be provided at the 4 p.m. service.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., free, 1701 Franklin St.
Hot Tickets in The Town this week: DJ Quik with a band at Yoshi’s
DJ Quik is a rapper and record producer from Compton. Credit: courtesy of DJ Quik
The rapper and producer from Compton is doing a series of six shows with a live band.
Friday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Dec. 28, see website for times, $69-$119, 510 Embarcadero West
Coming soon to The Town: A Conversation with Kamala Harris at the Henry J Kaiser for the Arts
Vice President Kamala Harris on a visit to Oakland in 2022. Credit: Amir Aziz/The Oaklandside
The former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris just extended her “107 Days” book tour to include a stop in Oakland early next year.
Tuesday, March 3, 7 p.m., $75+, Henry J. Kaiser for the Arts, 10 10th St.
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