NOTE: Items are clearly marked “In Person” if they are happening live in the East Bay. If not marked, click the link to register for or attend the event online.

If you have a local in-person event that you’d like to see listed on this page, please send it (by the 25^th of the month for the following month) to debra@splashpad.org

Monday, 12/1, 5-7:55 pm

AARP: Movies for Grownups: Rent. This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in late 1980s East Village, New York, USA. 

Tuesday, 12/2, 3:30-5:30 pm, *In Person*

Berkeley Library: Fiber Arts: Laura Tandeske and the Art of Embroidery. 2090 Kittredge St.

Tuesdays in December, 12/2, 4-5 pm *In Person* (also 12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30)

Lake Merritt Anti-Trump Vigil, every Tuesday. Gather in front of the Grand Lake theatre to give visibility to the opposition to the current administration’s cruel and destructive policies. Bring a sign, or pick from the stash.

Tuesday, 12/2, 5-7 pm

AARP Theater: John Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew. The perfect ballet for the whole family, danced by the Stuttgart Ballet. 

Tuesday, 12/2, 6-7:30 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Library: Adult Arts and Crafts: Draw a Bird! With lellobird. 5366 College Ave., Rockridge Branch.

Wednesday, 12/3, 6:30 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Public Library: Shaken Free.  Ilana DeBare will talk about her new book with Sue Fishkoff. Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave.

Thursday, 12/4, 3-8 pm (also Friday, 12/5, Saturday, 12/6, and Sunday, 12/7, 10 am-4 pm), *In Person*

Max’s Garage Press: East Bay Print Sale. Features ~200 local + international print artists and independent presses, showcasing over 15,000 handmade prints. 1006 Pardee St., Berkeley.

Thursday, 12/4, 7 pm

KQED: Kimchi and Culture: A Korean Culinary Experience

Friday, 12/5, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, *In Person*

Save Mount Diablo: 12th Annual Dr. Mary Bowerman Science & Research Colloquium. Named for the woman who co-founded Save Mount Diablo in 1971 and was a student of the flora of Mount Diablo for over 70 years. Learn about ongoing projects and discoveries. 2150 Allston Way, David Brower Center, Tamalpais Room.

Friday, 12/5, 6-8 pm (or Saturday, 12/6, 10 am-4 pm), *In Person*

Creative Growth: Opening Party for the Holiday Show.  Exhibit on view through Saturday, 1/24 (gallery hours Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm). 355 24th St., Oakland.

Friday, 12/5, 7-8:30 pm

Rotary Nature Center Friends: Oxygen for Lake Merritt – A 2025 Update. Speaker: Eli Kersh, a Certified Lake Manager, limnologist and President the LakeTech corporation, working on the Lake Merritt Water Quality Management Plan. 

Saturday, 12/6 and Sunday, 12/7, 11 am-5 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Art Murmur: East Bay Open Studios Weekend 1. See artist directory and location map at link.

Saturday, 12/6, 12-6 pm (and Sunday, 12/7, 11 am-4 pm), *In Person*

The Crucible: Gifty: Annual Craft Fair & Open House.  Featuring 50+ local vendors, hands-on activities, live demonstrations, food, drinks, class discounts, and more. 1260 7th Street, Oakland.

Saturday, 12/6, 2-3 pm, *In Person*

Berkeley Library: An Independent Man: Ed Roberts and the Fight for Disability Rights. Scot Danforth will talk about his book. 2090 Kittredge, Berkeley.

Saturday, 12/6 (or Sunday, 12/7), 7 pm (and on-demand viewing through 12/31)

Playground: A Very Hitchcock Christmas. The Birds is Coming; Dial M for Merry; Fool Proof; How the Bates (Almost) Stole Christmas; Shadow of an Uncle Nick.  

Sunday, 12/7, 4-6:30 pm, *In Person*

Piedmont Avenue Merchant Association: Tree Lighting Celebration. Music from a local jazz trio, The 3 Elements, and the Piedmont Middle and High School Orchestras. Santa will light the tree at 5:15 pm. Light refreshments provided. Key Route Plaza, 41st and Piedmont Ave., Oakland.

Monday, 12/8, 7-9 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Temple Hill: US Air Force Band of the Golden West Presents: “Home for the Holidays”. 4780 Lincoln Ave., Oakland

Tuesday, 12/9, 11 am-12 pm

Santa Clara County Library: Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space. Smithsonian curator Paula J. Johnson will talk about her book. 

Tuesday, 12/9, 5-6 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Library: Underpainting Collective – Artist Talk. Lakeview Branch—550 El Embarcadero, Oakland.

Tuesday, 12/9, 6-7:30 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Library: Adult Arts and Crafts: Victorian Decorations Made from Old Books. Rockridge Branch — 5366 College Ave., Oakland.

Tuesday, 12/9, 6-7:30 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Library: One Village, One Book: Flavors of Oakland. Packed with recipes from Oakland citizens and their stories. We’re hoping to turn this meeting into a potluck with foods from the book – stay tuned for details! Montclair Branch—1687 Mountain Blvd., Oakland.

Tuesday, 12/9, 9:01 pm, through Friday, 12/12, 8:59 pm

Sustainable Woodstock: Screening of 50 States of Sustainability – Regenerative Agriculture. This series of short documentaries focuses on dedicated people of all ages working hard to drive the United States towards a more sustainable future.

Wednesday, 12/10, 12:30 pm

Alta Journal: A California Family in the Swedish Wilderness. Chris Colin will explain what floating down a Swedish River has to do with life in California. 

Wednesday, 12/10, 3 pm

AARP: Screening and Discussion of Chinatown Rising (Documentary). About the Asian American movement, featuring footage that has never been seen before, followed by a moving conversation with the co-director.

Wednesday, 12/10, 7-8 pm

Friends of Alameda Library: Docent Talk: Manet & Morisot. Hear about the exhibit at the Legion of Honor (open through March 1, 2026).

Friday, 12/12, 12-1 pm

AARP: UMMA: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes. Sarah Ahn will talk about the book she co-authored with her mother. 

Friday, 12/12, 6-9 pm, *In Person*

Rhythmix Cultural Works Gallery: Reception for Mini-Masterpieces Holiday Gifts Show 2025. 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda.

Friday, 12/12, 7-9 pm (or Saturday, 12/13, 2-4 pm), *In Person*

Temple Hill: The Nutcracker. 4780 Lincoln Ave., Oakland.

Saturday, 12/13 and Sunday, 12/14, 11 am-5 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Art Murmur: East Bay Open Studios Weekend 2. See artist directory and location map at link.

Saturday, 12/13, 2:30-4:45 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Library: 50 Years Bright: Asian Disco Celebration at the Asian Branch: Chinatown Records will be spinning their signature vinyl beats and retro flair to keep the open dance floor moving all afternoon. 388 9th St., Suite 190, Oakland.

Sunday, 12/14, 1-3:35 pm

AARP Theater: La Gazetta – Rossini Opera Festival 2015 .

Tuesday, 12/16, 3-4:30 pm

Northeast Wilderness Trust: When Humans Pull Back: How Abandoned Places Recover and Rewild. Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment, will talk about places around the globe where human disturbance has diminished or vanished altogether. 

Wednesday, 12/17, 12-1 pm

SF Library: Language of Flowers in Asian Art. Discover the expressive power of flowers in the arts and cultures of Asia through objects from the Asian Art Museum’s permanent collection. 

Wednesday, 12/17, 5-6:30 pm

AARP: Movies for Grownups: Viva Verdi! (Documentary). A glimpse into the lives of the celebrated opera singers and musicians living out their ‘third act’ while mentoring international music students who live among them. 

Wednesday, 12/17, 5:30-7 pm, *In Person*

Oakland Library: Adult Arts & Crafts: Snow Globes. 125 14th St., Oakland.

Thursday, 12/18, 6:30-9 pm, *In Person*

Sarah Webster Fabio Center for Social Justice: Screening of the Documentary Evolutionary Blues: West Oakland’s Music Legacy. Oakstop, , 1721 Broadway, Suite 201, Oakland.

Monday, 12/22, 6-7:30 pm

Community Living Campaign: Boomer Music Talk with Richie Unterberger: Marx Brothers Tribute. He will share and discuss film clips from their classic movies, highlighting their comedic genius, musical numbers, and even a few rare television appearances.

Tuesday, 12/23, 4-5:30 pm

Storytelling Connections: “Home for the Holidays (Or Not)”. Share a story about what “home” means to you, whether it’s a place you returned to, a place you left, or a home you made along the way. Or just listen.

Sunday, 12/28, 9:00 am-Noon

Splash Pad Park’s California Native Garden volunteer work day. Gloves and tools are provided, or bring your own for weeding, pruning, litter pick-up, and planting. (Wear a hat and a long-sleeved shirt; bring water.) Cancelled for rain.

Sunday, 12/28, 9:30-11 am

Brooklyn Ethical: Kwanzaa 2025 Celebration – Day 3 Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility). Speaker: Dr. Myrah Brown Green, a master quiltmaker, author, independent curator, and art historian, whose studies focus on World Symbols.

Tuesday, 12/30, 8:30-11:30 pm, *In Person*

Honor Kitchen: The Honor Jazz Jam. Hosted by Oaklanders Isaac Schwartz and Chris Aschman, featuring an incredible quartet set up front and then talented musicians from the community sit in. 1411 Powell St., Emeryville

Wednesday, 12/31, 7-9:30 pm, *In Person*

SF Chamber Orchestra: Ring in the New Year with the Exuberant Music of Three Ground-breaking Composers: Louise Farrenc, Niccolò Paganini and Ludwig von Beethoven. First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley.

Sheila McCormick is an Adjunct Professor Emerita in Cal’s Department of Plant and Microbial Biology. Prior to her retirement in January 2016, she had a research lab at the USDA/ARS-UC Berkeley Plant Gene Expression Center in Albany, studying the molecular biology of plant reproduction. She has been a frequent contributor to the Splash Pad News, beginning with a series of seven neighborhood walks—posted between January and April 2017.