On Thanksgiving, We Run

This Weekend: Holiday markets start, model trains, and turkey runs

Author

Kolby Hatch
November 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Weekend is in sight. Oakland Tech Week kicked off Tuesday. If you missed it, don’t worry you’re not alone, it is the first ever.

The week long event features multiple happy hours, meetups, a “ornament printing workshop” and a startup pitch competition.

Notably, many of the tech week’s events are taking place in STAK Space a new co-working space inside the new 1900 Broadway Tower, which in addition to office amenities sports a private Tesla fleet and indoor golf suite for residents. Yeah. For real.

What else is going on:

  • Your Oaktown guide to East Bay Turkey Trots

  • Jack London rolls back a lame law

  • The Holiday markets are coming

See you at the bottom.

ICYMI

The Oaktown Guide to East Bay Holiday Lights

Lights at Fourth Street, Berkeley. Nightly now through the New Year.

Last week, we shared our roundup of the best Holiday Lighting festivals in the East Bay and beyond. If you’re hankering for some nighttime twinkles and free hot chocolate, check it out →

Run Oaktown

6 East Bay Turkey Trots

src: Oakland Turkey Trot

Let’s break two sweats this year at Thanksgiving.

One after the third helping of Auntie’s stuffing, but the first… that same morning, at a local Turkey Trot. You down?

Here’s our breakdown of Turkey Trots in the East Bay, the hills, and a touch south.

All runs take place Thursday Nov. 27, specific start times below.

P.S. Berkeley did not have an organized in-person Turkey Trot that we could find. What gives Berk? If you know of one, hit reply. We’ll share on our socials.

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November 21-24

Your East Bay Event Lineup

Our curated list of events for families, couples, and everyone in-between. Got an event you’d like to promote? Send us a reply.

Friday

Walnut Creek’s Model Train Show is BAAACK

Fact: Miniature things are delightful. Case in point: 4,500ft of miniature train track spanning across 1,800 sq. ft. of miniaturized landscape. The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society is opening it’s doors for a special Holiday schedule. | Friday thru Sunday Nov. 21 - 30, See link for times. 2751 Buena Vista Avenue. See Details →

Saturday

Jack London Square Patchwork Show

Wallet up: We’re entering Holiday market season. Patchwork — a collective of market popups across CA — is hosting a makers market at Jack London this Saturday featuring local vendors and plenty of handmade gifts for sale. | Saturday, 12-6pm. Jack London Square. See Details →

Knockoff Broadway — Live Broadway Musical

As supporters of the arts, this theater has been bringing original, local improv, stand-up, sketches and more to DT Oakland for the last 5+ years. And there new space is gorgeous. Find an excuse to check it out. This week, it’s an improvised musical | Saturday, Show at 9pm. 2550 Telegraph Ave. See Details →

Sunday

Head West Marketplace @ Lot 2270

Like we said: It’s Holiday market season. Head West Marketplace, another maker market collective, is setting up shop Sunday at Lot 2270. If you’re wondering what/where that is? Us too. Apparently it’s the new “public space” in Oakland’s newest neighborhood “Northlake.” | Sunday 11am-4pm. 2270 Broadway See Details →

Monday

A Night with Macaulay Culkin

Turns out, Home Alone premiered over 35 years ago. Yikes. Watch a special screening of Home Alone with Macaulay Culkin in attendance. Followed by a live interview and audience Q&A. | Monday, Doors at 7:30pm. Paramount Theatre, Oakland. See Tickets →

Stories from The Bay

Skyline students stage walkout over unsafe conditions — Hundreds of students participated in the walkout advocating for more action from the school’s administration in response to last week’s school shooting and multiple lockdowns this year.

Piedmont almost has it’s pool… almost — Piedmont’s brand new pool and recreation center is built, but now the city must wade through rigorous testing before public use. Fun fact: it will be one of the only all-electric pools in the US. Piedmont would.

New law hopes to revive Jack London — A recently signed law penned by Oakland Senator Jesse Arreguin rolls back longstanding restrictions on the types of business that can operate in Jack London, i.e. retail. Yes, you could not have a retail business in Jack London prior. Wild.

Oakland mourns legendary football coach John Beam — A great write up celebrating Coach Beam who was shot last week on Laney campus. R.I.P.

Pat on the back, you did it.

Now, I want to say THANK YOU.

We recently crossed 500 subscribers.

You are on the ground floor of an Oakland-based media publication. Thanks for being along for the ride.

I’m working on rolling out more exclusive, subscriber-only perks soon. Stay tuned.

And as always, tell me what you think of it. Everything is WIP and your feedback is *chefs kiss*.

tyty.

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

P.S. Have you heard any local businesses dropping Black Friday deals?

Let me know, I’ll promote it next week. I’m working on a list of dealzzz.