With the holiday season in full swing, December is full of exciting and festive events — from giant tree lightings to whimsical versions of The Nutcracker and breakfast with Santa on a merry go-round. Here are the best things to do in the East Bay this December.
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Jack London Square
Jack London Square Holiday Tree Lighting
December 7
Join fellow Oakland residents and see the annual holiday tree lighting at Jack London Square. It is a FREE event featuring a laser light show with snow, photos with Santa and special live performances by 11-time Grammy winner Tony Lindsay, Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Performance Ensemble, and The Lyric Performing Arts Academy.
More info: jacklondonsquare.com
Oakland Art Murmur Winter Event
Dates TBD
For nearly 50 years, East Bay Open Studios has hosted local artists and given the community an opportunity to buy art directly from artists. This event is free to attend, so you can experience an art tour while scouting holiday gifts. Bring the kids and see what your neighbors are creating!
More info: oaklandartmurmur.org
Breakfast with Santa at the Tilden Park Merry Go Round
December 7, 8, 14, 21, 22 & 23
Every holiday season, the Tilden Park Merry Go Round in Berkeley transforms into a magical winter wonderland with decorated trees and trinkets, holiday lights, seasonal treats and even a place to mail letters to the North Pole. To take it up a notch, there’s Breakfast with Santa on select days, which includes a breakfast buffet, unlimited rides on the go-round, a special gift and of course the opportunity to sit on the Big Guy’s lap and whisper into his ear.
More info: tildenmerrygoround.org
Richmond Art Center’s 62nd Annual Holiday Arts Festival
December 8
Each year the Richmond Holiday Arts Festival offers visitors a chance to shop for unique gifts from local arts and crafts vendors, enjoy food and beverages, learn about inspiring community organizations, and participate in art-making activities for the whole family.
More info: richmondartcenter.org
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair
Dates 14–15, 21–24
Enjoy some holiday shopping throughout select December weekends at the Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair. The event will feature over 200 local artisans selling handcrafted wares. Free gift wrapping will be available at the fair.
More info: telegraphfair.com
Oakland Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
December 21 & 22
Oakland Ballet’s artistic director Graham Lustig puts his own spin on the classic ballet by basing it on the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann in which a young girl named Marie receives a nutcracker doll from her Uncle Drosselmeyer. Lustig’s version of The Nutcracker is even more fantastical with beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery and imaginative costumes. Oakland Symphony along with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir bring Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score to life.
More info: oaklandballet.org
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in the East Bay? Our comprehensive list of venues below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
