Summer in Oakland is a true celebration of community, culture, and creativity. This week offers a snapshot of the Town’s vibrant spirit. From downtown to Deep East Oakland, the Town is buzzing with activity. The best part? You don’t have to spend a dime to be a part of it.
This curated list of free events is your invitation to explore the diverse experiences Oakland has to offer, whether you’re looking to dance, discover local artists, enjoy fresh food, or simply connect with your neighbors.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Town Bizness First Fridays
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Place: Telegraph Avenue in the KONO District
Oakland First Fridays shifts to the second Friday of the month for “Town Bizness,” a special edition celebrating Independent Business Month. The event will transform Telegraph Avenue into a bustling marketplace featuring local vendors, food purveyors, and live performances by Oakland artists. The celebration is designed to put a direct spotlight on the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and creative economy. More information here.
Friday Nights at OMCA with Raye Zaragoza
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Live music and activities)
Place: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St.
The Oakland Museum of California continues its free Friday Nights series with a full schedule of outdoor performances. The evening will feature a headlining set from singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza on the Garden Stage, an Afro Dance lesson in the Amphitheater led by Tomiko Iyalla, and a live music set by DJ Moteef. While special evening access to the galleries for “Gallery Chats” requires a paid museum ticket, all outdoor music, dance programming, and access to the Off the Grid food trucks are free to the public. More information here.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
East Bay Front Runners & Walkers
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Camron-Stanford House, 1418 Lakeside Dr.
Community members can join a free weekly 3.1-mile walk or run around Lake Merritt, with a 6.2-mile option available for runners. The recurring event starts at the Camron-Stanford House and offers clear views of the lake and city skyline. More information here.
Grand Lake Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Place: Splash Pad Park, Grand Ave & Lake Park Ave
One of the East Bay’s largest farmers markets, the Grand Lake Farmers Market is open Saturday at Splash Pad Park. The market features over 40 local farmers and 30 specialty food purveyors, serving as a weekly hub for fresh produce and local commerce. More information here.
Civic Love Block Party
Time: 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Place: 2270 Broadway
Lot 2270, Oakland’s newest public space, will be transformed for community use this Saturday with “Civic Love,” a new public block party. Organized by local resident and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Ilana Lipsett as a direct, citizen-led response to recent city budget cuts affecting arts and culture, the event is being framed as a “love letter to the city.” The celebration will feature a diverse musical lineup, including the activist singing group Wildchoir, the renowned Jazz Mafia collective, and the Prospect Band from the Oakland School for the Arts, alongside interactive activities. Organizers emphasize the event is not a commercial market but a free celebration designed to showcase community resilience. More information here.
Temescal Street Fair
Time: 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Place: Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal District
The popular Temescal Street Fair returns this Saturday, closing a stretch of Telegraph Avenue for a full day of activities. The fair will feature multiple stages of live music and dance, a dedicated children’s area, an artisan marketplace and food from local restaurants. Information here.
Seminary Millsmont Block Party
Time: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Place: Seminary Ave & MacArthur Blvd, Oakland
The Urban Peace Movement is hosting “That’s Oakland, Baby!” community block party in the Millsmont-Seminary district this Saturday. The all-ages event is set to feature a dedicated Kid Zone with jumpers and face painting, as well as a “Scratch & Fade” Wellness Zone offering free services like massage, acupuncture, and Reiki from local practitioners. More information here.
BANDALOOP presents Somewhere to Oakland: Circlesinging
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: The Rotunda at Oakland City Hall
As part of its public art series, the vertical dance company BANDALOOP will host a “Circlesinging” vocal workshop led by renowned vocalist and facilitator Destani Wolf. The session invites people of all skill levels to create spontaneous music through guided improvisation, focusing on collective creativity without sheet music. Wolf, a former lead singer with Cirque Du Soleil and a member of Bobby McFerrin’s MOTION, will facilitate the one-hour event inside the City Hall Rotunda. To RSVP and more information here.
BANDALOOP presents Somewhere to Oakland: Live & In-Process
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Oakland City Hall / Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
The public is invited to witness the vertical dance company BANDALOOP in an open rehearsal on the facade of Oakland City Hall. Spectators will get an in-process look as the dancers work on their latest piece, “FLOCK,” fine-tuning the performance ahead of its West Coast premiere later this month. This event offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the company’s creative process. To RSVP and more information here.
Saturdays in the Zone: BCZ Community Skate!
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Place: Liberation Park, 7101 Foothill Blvd.
The Black Cultural Zone invites the community to its “Roll into Community” skate series at the outdoor wooden rink in Deep East Oakland. The event, part of the organization’s mission to foster cultural enrichment, offers an afternoon of music and roller skating. The Umoja Outdoor Skating Rink at Liberation Park is usually open on the first and fourth Saturdays of each month, but the skate session is scheduled for this second Saturday in July. Free tickets and information here.
Waterfront Flicks: Space Jam
Time: Dusk (around 8:30 p.m.)
Place: Marina Lawn near Heinold’s: First and Last Chance Saloon, Jack London Square
Jack London Square will host a free outdoor movie night this Saturday, with a screening of the film “Space Jam.” The public is invited to bring blankets and chairs to the Marina Lawn for the dusk showing. Information for this screening and more here.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
One-Year Anniversary of Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Place: Jack London Square (Oakland side) and Boho Circle Immigrant Park (Alameda side)
The Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle will celebrate its one-year anniversary of service with a public party this Sunday. The celebration is set to take place simultaneously at both the Jack London Square dock in Oakland and at Boho Circle Immigrant Park on the Alameda side. Attendees can enjoy music, free treats, and Woodstock-themed giveaways at both locations. More information here.
Jack London Square Farmers Market
Time: 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Place: Jack London Square
The weekly Jack London Square Farmers Market, operated by the Golden State Farmers Market Association, returns this Sunday with local produce and artisan products along the waterfront. Visitors can enjoy free public activities at the market, including a yoga class. This class, led by instructor Nadia, will take place on the lawn near Scott’s Seafood from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. More information here.
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