Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum
January 2
Get FREE admission every first Thursday of the month to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive! See the BAMPFA’s stellar exhibitions which showcase contemporary and centuries-old art. If you go in January, you can catch their exhibit “What Has Been and What Could Be,” a presentation of diverse holdings from the museum’s collections.
More info: bampfa.org
Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
Through January 26
Not ready to give up the bright lights of the holiday season? Oakland Zoo’s massively popular Glowfari is back with a new group of its giant, glow-in-the-dark animals. A lantern show like no other, you and the family can walk among towering animals in fantastic glowing worlds.
More info: oaklandzoo.org
NorCal Reptile Expo
2025 Dates TBD
Whether reptiles fascinate or scare you, you’re bound to have a memorable experience seeing these lizards, snakes, chameleons and more at the Alameda Fairgrounds. At $15 a ticket for adults and $7 for kids 12 and under, this expo can be a unique way to spend an afternoon with the family. Maybe you’ll even come home with a new pet!
More info: norcalreptileexpo.com
NOIR CITY Film Festival
January 24–February 2
Cinephiles unite! The 21st annual film noir festival will host ten days of double-features at Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland. Each night will feature an English-language film followed by an international noir pick. A whole-festival pass is available for $200, or you can buy tickets per screening. Proceeds will go toward the continued preservation and restoration of classic film.
More info: noircity.com
Lunar New Year Bazaar
January 18–19
Every year, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce puts on a bazaar to celebrate the new year. Join us in the year of the dragon and enjoy all the food and shopping that Oakland Chinatown has to offer!
More info: oaklandchinatownchamber.org
Ring in the Year of the Snake at Fairyland
2025 Dates TBD
Gung Hey Fat Choy! Celebrate Lunar New Year with traditional Lion Dancers and listen to the folk stories of Clara Yen at Fairyland! Bring the kids and celebrate the Year of the Snake, free with admission.
More info: fairyland.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!