- John Legend at the Paramount Theatre | December 9
- Joy to The Town! | December 5-7
- Jolly Jack London! Holiday Bar Crawl | December 11
- Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker | December 21
- Candlelight: Best of Hip-Hop | December 20
- WinterFest at Chabot Space & Science Center | December 20-21
- Fairy Winterland | Multiple Weekends in December
- Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo | Through January 2025
- More Holiday Events
John Legend at the Paramount Theatre | December 9
Grammy Award–winning artist John Legend returns to Oakland’s Paramount Theatre to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Get Lifted. Fans can look forward to soulful performances of his iconic hits like “Ordinary People” and “Used to Love U,” along with the smooth charisma that has made him one of music’s most beloved voices. Don’t miss this special anniversary tour stop in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful venues. Get tickets today!
Let Us Break Bread Together: A Tribute to Whitney Houston | December 14
An “inspired, multifarious, musical bash!” raves San Francisco Classical Voice of the Oakland Symphony’s Let Us Break Bread Together. Kedrick Armstrong and the Orchestra are joined by the region’s top talent for this annual celebration; this year paying a special tribute to Whitney Houston. GET TICKETS TODAY!
Jolly Jack London! Holiday Bar Crawl | December 11
Mark your calendars for Jolly Jack London!, a brand-new holiday-themed bar crawl that celebrates Oakland’s waterfront nightlife scene. Explore your favorite neighborhood bars and restaurants, enjoy holiday-inspired cocktails, beers, and bites, and take in the twinkling lights and creative décor as each venue shows off its unique holiday spirit.
Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker | December 20
Experience the magic of The Nutcracker with Oakland Ballet! Join Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on a fantastical journey, accompanied by the Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir. Get Tickets!
Candlelight: Best of Hip-Hop | December 20
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Oakland. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Hip-Hop at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland under the gentle glow of candlelight. GET TICKETS NOW!
WinterFest at Chabot Space & Science Center | December 20-21
Join us for a two-day celebration that marks the launch of Winter at Chabot! The Center comes alive with festive energy. Enjoy live music, face painting, and special activities that blend holiday cheer with cosmic exploration. Meet Chabot’s science and astronomy experts as they share real research about icy worlds, planetary missions, and the search for life beyond Earth. From sparkling décor to hands-on discovery, WinterFest is the perfect start to a season filled with imagination, science, and family fun. GET TICKETS NOW!
Fairy Winterland | Multiple Weekends in December
Fairy Winterland returns in Dazzling Splendor! An Oakland tradition for 20 years, this multicultural event brings families together to share in the season’s many festivities and enjoy a twinkling landscape under the evening skies. This Year’s Theme: United by Light! GET TICKETS NOW!
Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo | Through January 2025
Glowfari is a wildly popular, family-friendly experience that features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the zoo. This year's experience includes new themes -- explore the future of Oakland, learn about coexisting with wildlife, swim through the reef to see colorful underwater creatures, go on a safari through the savanna to spot iconic African animals, meet some interesting bugs that are all around us, and end the night by taking the train through the reptile world. GET TICKETS NOW!
