Updated every Thursday morning. This is the curated list — not everything happening in the Town, just what's worth leaving the house for.
I go to a lot of these. The rest come from tips, flyers, and y'all hitting reply.
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This Weekend in the Town
Weekend of August 6-9, 2026.
FEATURED EVENT
East Bay Rowing Club wants to teach your kid to row
Next week, the East Bay Rowing Club is opening the boathouse for a drop-in info session on their upcoming fall student programs. The club offers a variety of free and paid programs teaching kids in grades 8-12 rowing. No experience necessary, and OUSD high school students can even earn PE credit. Come get info, touch a racing shell, and meet the coaches. | Next Saturday 8/15, 9am-12pm. Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero. See Details →
Thursday, August 6
Meet an actual Monster Jam truck on Fourth Street
Five Little Monkeys is parking a real Monster Jam truck outside the shop. Raffles, prizes, crafts, and hands-on toy testing. Which truck? You’ll have to show up to find out. | Thursday, 3-6pm. Five Little Monkeys, 1810 Fourth St, Berkeley. See Details →
Friday, August 7
It’s a First Friday in Downtown Oakland
This month's theme is Oakland Rides & Town Vibes. Come for classic cars and a special back-to-school Youth Fest. | Friday, 6-9pm. Telegraph between Grand and 27th. Free. See Details →
The Full Monty opens at Woodminster Theater
You’ve seen the movie, now watch the Tony-nominated musical under the stars in Joaquin Miller’s Woodminster Theater. Runs Aug. 7-9 and 13-16. Only partial nudity. Don’t get too excited. | Friday-Sunday. Times vary. Woodminster Amphitheater, Joaquin Miller Park. Get Tickets →
Saturday, August 8
The Laurel StreetFair World Music Fest turns 25
Over 17,000 people are expected at Laurel’s 25th annual World Music StreetFair. Enjoy 8 blocks of music, vendors, craft beer, a kid’s carnival, and roller skating from Black Cultural Zone. Free. | Saturday, 11-7pm. MacArthur Blvd. between 35th Ave. & Maybelle. See Details →
Oakland Spiders host the West Division Championship
The Spiders, Oakland’s pro ultimate frisbee team, are playing for the West title at home. Food trucks, vendors, and a DJ before first pull — that’s what they call the start. Kids 12 and under get in free. | Saturday, pre-game @ 4pm, first pull @ 5:10pm. Fremont High School. See Tickets →
Creative Growth Studio is having a sale
The 24th Street studio is clearing out ceramics, paintings, prints, fashion, and merch from its archive and current artists. Free, no RSVP, and you get to wander around a working art studio while you're there. | Saturday, 12-5pm. 355 24th St. See Details →
Support your local punk band at Oakland Secret
Six Bay Area bands are taking the stage this Saturday during Minor Chord’s seasonal showcase. Good reason to check out the artist-owned venue, too. All ages, $10 at the door. | Saturday, doors @ 6pm. 577 5th St. See Details →
Sunday, August 9
Free Shakespeare in a Piedmont park
The Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park troupe closes out its free summer run of Richard III at Piedmont’s Dracena park. Bring a blanket and some strong wine. If you know Dracena, you know parking is limited so plan accordingly. All ages and free. | Sunday, 4pm. Dracena Park, Piedmont. See Details →
Silent Sunday at Bar Shiru: Charles Bradley's “Changes”
Unplug to plug in. Every Sunday, Bar Shiru spins select albums front to back, and nobody talks. It’s about the music, people. This week: it’s Charles Bradley’s “Changes.” Doors @ 4pm, album starts @ 4:30pm, zero conversation until 5:30pm except to order. They won't even shake cocktails. Free, 21+. | Sunday, 4-5:30pm. Bar Shiru, 1611 Telegraph Ave. See Details →
On the radar…
Oakland Pride is next Sunday
We’ll be sharing a special lineup of Pride events next week, but for now put the big event down on your calendar for next Sunday. Oakland Pride will take over downtown Oakland and Ogawa Plaza. Adult GA to the festival is $20, kids 12 & under free. Parade is free. | Next Sunday (Aug. 16), parade @ 10am, festival @ 12pm. See Details →
Town Standbys
The stuff that's always good, whenever you're reading this.
Oakland First Fridays — the Telegraph street festival, first Friday of every month, 6-9pm. Free. See Details →
Silent Sunday at Bar Shiru — a full album, start to finish, no talking. Every Sunday, 4-5:30pm. Free, 21+. See Details →
