Want to go on an East Bay adventure? With so many offerings in the region, we’ve curated some of the top events this October so you don’t have to. Here are the best things to do in the East Bay this October. Less researching and more enjoying your time in the area. Enjoy!
Featured photo: Oaktoberfest, photo by D.Ross Cameron.
2025 Dates TBD
Toast to good brews and good times in the Town at Oaktoberfest. This year the free event returns to Oakland in Bavarian style with live music, traditional German food fare, hundreds of vendors and the best of Bay Area craft beer. The event is free and held in Oakland’s Dimond District.
2025 Dates TBD
Oakland’s looking good at this style-themed week of fashion shows, gastronomy and art events. Get treated to a fashion show while sipping tea and cocktails, or meander through art galleries as part of a special Oakland Art Murmur event. Make a trip out of it: Eight Oakland hotels are offering deals and discounts in conjunction with Oakland Style, making mid-October a great time to plan your trip to the East Bay.
2025 Dates TBD
For three evenings, the Gardens at Lake Merritt come alive with backlit, colorful sculptures and creative light displays created by dozens of artists. There’s also an art festival each evening by the same artists who created the light installations. Proceeds from the event go to support the gardens and enable them to stay free all year.
2025 Dates TBD
Jack London Square in Oakland is about to go to the dogs… literally. DogFest is all about canines and their human companions, with a Halloween-themed, family-friendly day packed full of pet-centric activities and entertainment, tricks and treats and a canine costume contest.
2025 Dates TBD
The Harvest Festival signs up tens of thousands artists and craft makers each year for its mega arts & crafts events, making it arguably the largest event of its kind on the West Coast. It makes a stop at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton — and along with all that shopping, it features live music and a dynamic kid zone play area.
2025 Dates TBD
The Oakland Museum of California is one locale that welcomes visitors for the Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. For 30 years, OMCA’s celebration has combined food, dancing and authentic Mesoamerican traditions for a celebration of ancestors, loved ones and Mexican culture. Another celebration will take place in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood on Nov. 3, for the Unity Council’s annual free event. There will be world-class live music, games, rides, traditional Latin American artisans and stunning ofrendas created by community members paying homage to those who have passed.
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!
