upcoming Oakland events

Not surprisingly there are a lot of Halloween and Day of the Dead events coming up. Many neighborhoods and churches are putting on kid-friendly Halloween parades and events. But the end of October also brings about the conclusion of the city walking tours for 2011. As always, be aware of current conditions, but doubly so for events around city hall.

'Thriller' record attempt - Saturday, October 29, 7pm. An attempt to set a new world record of people dancing to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'. The local event is at Studio One Art Center, 365 45th Street.

Dia de los Muertos - Sunday, October 30, 10am-5pm. A community celebration of the Day of the Dead in the Fruitvale. Lots of live music, rides and games for kids, Aztec dancers, and more.

OMCA Family Tour | Days of the Dead - Sunday, October 30, 12-3pm. Take a special docent-led Family Tour of the exhibition Love & Loss: Los Días de los Muertos 2011 at 1 pm. Drop into a family art-making activity from 12 to 3.

Halloween events
Piedmont Avenue Halloween Parade - Saturday, October 29, 11:45am. Head to Piedmont Ave. for the Halloween Parade, followed by Treat or Treating, music on the plazas and an annual pet contest at Paws on Piedmont.

Annual Pumpkin Festival - Saturday, October 29, 12-3pm. The 6th annual Pumpkin Festival at Mountain View Cemetery, with pumpkins, bounce houses, face-painting, and more.

Boo at the Zoo - Saturday October 29, 10am-3pm. Visit the Oakland Zoo for their annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo! Stroll the Zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train, then be part of the costume parade. Plus, you'll get to see how the animals at the Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween.

Jack O' Lantern Jamboree! - Saturday October 29 & October 30. A "More Delightful than Frightful" event at Children's Fairyland. Little kids' and bigger kids' bouncer, face painting, balloon twisting, creatively crafted environments, special entertainment, costume parades, unlimited rides, free give-aways and the spooktacular Old West Junction Ghost Town!

Children's Halloween Parade - Sunday, October 30, 11:45am. A chance for children to trick or treat and show off their costumes on College Avenue. Meet at College Avenue Presbyterian at 5951 College in Rockridge.

Lions Club Halloween Parade - Monday, October 31, 3-5pm. The annual Halloween parade in Montclair Village for kids (and pets) gives them an opportunity to show off their finest Halloween outfits.

Temescal Trick or Treat - Monday, October 31, 4-6pm. Kids can stroll Telegraph Avenue and collect treats from local vendors.

Trunk or Treat - Monday, October 31, 5:30pm-9:30pm. Trick or Treating, Pumpkin Carving, Art and Crafts, Bounce House, Carnival Games, Taco Truck and Bake Sale at Regeneration Church.

Candy Giveaway - Monday, October 31, 12-4pm. Oakland Parks and Rec will be giving away candy to kids at 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza. Call 238-3791 or 238-7275 for more info.

Plus the usual events:
Piedmont Avenue Art Walk (3rd Thursday)
Art Murmur (1st Friday)
Downtown walking tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)

Looking further ahead:
Food Justice: Honoring our Roots - Conference begins with short courses and Food Justice Tours throughout the Bay Area, and will look back to the roots of the food movement, discuss the Food & Farm Bill, and examine where the movement is heading.
Urban Paths - November 12. Secret Stairs, Fire and BART - Check out stairs, Vicente Creek and a special BART stairway along the Oakland/Berkeley borderlands.