It’s May, and the East Bay is hosting plenty of fun activities, events and things to do this month. From Alameda to Contra Costa, there are cultural festivals, sporting events and museum days to keep you busy. Check out these events and make the most of your month.
We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in the East Bay including museums, cultural events, food tours, athletic events, hikes and more. Speaking of food, we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in the East Bay, and if you’re planning a weekend, the best places to stay.
Featured photo courtesy of Oakland Ballers.
May 3–4
“With Goths, By Goths, for Goths” is this quirky festival’s slogan. The World Goth Day celebration in Alameda is now four years running. Alameda’s USS Hornet Museum turns black with goth fashion, music and art, plus the accompanying Menagerie Oddities Market for all the best goth wares. Need some new taxidermy? What about a coffin-shaped shelving unit? Look no further.
May 4
“It’s a pity heroes have no way of exercising their prowess,” reads one poem etched into the wall of the Angel Island immigration station. These poems are transformed into dance in Oakland Ballet’s stirring production, Angel Island Project, part of the company’s fourth annual Dancing Moons Festival. Coming to Oakland’s Paramount Theatre, this award-winning festival celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander choreographers and their stunning new works.
May 16–18
Gather at a Byzantine church in the Oakland Hills for this yearly celebration of Greek Easter and culture. Seeing the Ascension Cathedral is reason enough to visit, with its ornate interior and curving dome roof, but the event promises even more entertainment. Get in on traditional Greek dances, cooking demonstrations and so much more this May.
May 17 & 18
The 21st annual Art, Wine and Music festival is bound to bring excitement to the streets of Downtown Pleasant Hill. Arts and crafts vendors are the selling point of this festival, lining a street with tents full of jewelry, home decor and knick knacks. And, as the name promises, there’s plenty of wine and music to go around too.
May 17 & 18
Experience a Himalayan bazaar in Berkeley’s Live Oak Park. The Himalayan Fair, now 42 years strong as an East Bay tradition, welcomes all to partake in food, crafts and music of the diverse cultures within the Himalaya Region — a place that encompasses areas like Nepal, Tibet, India, Pakistan and Bhutan. If you want to keep the Himalayan vibes going, then we recommend you walk down Shattuck Avenue and hang a right on University to get some momos (dumplings) from Café Tibet.
May 20
Though the A’s may have left, Oakland is still a baseball town through and through. The B’s — a.k.a. the Oakland Ballers — formed in 2024 in reaction to the A’s departure, and this Pioneer League team has embraced the Town as a group created by and for fans. Their first series in 2025 is against the Ogden Raptors. If you can’t make opening night, then opt for the Thursday evening game on May 22, when rapper Too $hort will make an appearance.
May 31 & June 1
Attention literature lovers: Over 100 authors are holding panels, readings and workshops in Berkeley for a weekend dedicated to the written word. Headlining events include discussions with authors like Joan Baez, Naomi Klein, Piper Kerman and others, but still more events await avid readers and writers alike. Be sure to stick around for Sunday’s (June 2) free outdoor fair with vendors, author events and a food court.
Various Dates
Ever wanted to touch the sun? What about pilot a Mars rover? You can connect with our universe at this observatory-meets-interactive-museum nestled in the Oakland hills. Along with a plethora of engaging and family-friendly exhibits, the Chabot Center also offers free telescope viewings every Friday and Saturday night. May should especially be a good month to visit, since the night sky is getting treated to a meteor shower called Eta Aquarids.
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!
More Activities in Northern California
