upcoming Oakland events

Late with upcoming events again, but there's lots to do, starting with a variety of events tonight.

Thursday

Oakland Local Community Voices Awards - tonight, 7-9pm. Celebrate community leaders and the holidays with Oakland Local. Food, drink, music and more at Tamarindo. ($10)

Bicycle Bingo benefits Bay Area Girls Rock Camp - tonight, 7-9pm. Hosted by Actual Cafe and sponsored by Trumer Pils USA...this is our last bingo night before we take a few weeks off for the holidays, so don't miss it! Benefits Bay Area Girls Rock Camp.

Oakland Wiki - tonight, 7pm. Find out what the Oakland Wiki is doing to spread knowledge of our beloved city and what you can do to help. (free)

Friday

ZooLights at the Oakland Zoo - nightly, 5:30-9pm. The annual show of lights at the Oakland Zoo. (with admission)

Holiday soiree at Gray Loft Gallery - Friday, 6-9pm at Gray Loft Gallery in Jingletown. See and purchase the work of various Oakland artists, and celebrate the holidays. (free)

East Bay Bike Party - Friday, December 14, 7:30pm. Join the rolling party to celebrate what else? The end of the world! Ride safe and sane, use lights! (free)

Nicolas Bearde's 6th Annual Holiday Jazz and Blue Concert - Friday, December 14, 8pm. Annual holiday concert, at the Piedmont Piano Company. ($20-$25)

artist reception - Friday, December 14, 6-8pm. Local artist Soonoak Wood is releasing a new series featuring paintings of local theaters, including some Oakland favorites, the Fox and the Grand Lake. See the flyer (PDF) for more info. (free)

Saturday

planting trees in Wood Park - Saturday, 9am-noon. Join friends of Wood Park to help beautify it by planting more trees. Tools and snacks will be ready. It helps if you bring your own water bottle. We also suggest wearing long sleeves to prevent scratches while working. (free)

OPD Gun Buyback - Saturday, December 15, 10am-3pm. OPD and Youth Uprising are putting on a gun buyback. For Oakland residents only. (free)

Lake Merritt Station Area Plan Streetscape Design Open House - Saturday, December 15, 9am-noon. Join the City of Oakland to learn about the plans for the Lake Merritt BART station area plan. (free)

Laurel Holiday Stroll and Donation Drive - Saturday, December 15, 6-8pm. MacArthur between Loma and High Street. A chance to #shoplocal #shopoakland! (free)

ongoing events:

Art Murmur (1st Friday)
Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)

looking further ahead:

Celebrate the Holiday Season on Lakeshore - Friday, December 21 and Saturday, December 22 - 4-6pm. Celebrate the holidays on Lakeshore. Free Carriage Rides, Santa Visits, Face Painting and more! (free)

Oakland Ballet presents The Nutcracker - December 22, 2pm; 23, 2pm; 24 11am. Join the Oakland Ballet for the holiday classic, The Nutcracker.

Cocoa, Cookies and Christmas Lights on Xmas Tree Lane - Saturday, December 22. 7-9pm. Picardy Drive in Oakland is transformed for the holidays with lights aplenty. Neighborhood residents will have cocoa and cookies for visitors, too.