From the heart of Chinatown to the bustling corridors of the Rockridge district, Oakland’s neighborhoods are throwing a party. Everyone’s invited. Two of the Town’s major street festivals happen this weekend in Oakland.
This curated list is your guide to experiencing the best of the Town without opening your wallet. Whether you’re looking to explore a new mural, celebrate book lovers, get a free portrait, or just enjoy the music, here are some of the best free things to do.
Friday, August 22, 2025
Friday Nights at OMCA with SambaDá
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St.
The Oakland Museum of California’s weekly celebration features the vibrant energy of SambaDá; a band blending samba, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, funk, and reggae. The evening also includes a beginner-friendly house dance lesson with Terrence Paschal and a DJ set by Gomorrah Dawn. While gallery access requires a ticket, all outdoor music and events are free.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Freedom Farmers’ Market
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: 4521 Telegraph Ave.
More than just a market, the Freedom Farmers’ Market serves as a community gathering place offering produce from Black farmers, live music, and games. This Saturday features a Connect 4 competition alongside the usual offerings of fresh fruit, vegetables, and local goods.
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 returns to Splash Pad Park this Saturday. As a weekly hub for local commerce and fresh produce, the market is held every Saturday and features over 40 local farmers and 30 specialty food purveyors.
Island Garden Volunteer Day
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Jasper P. Driver Plaza, 61st and Adeline
Join an all-volunteer effort to maintain the memorial orchard and garden at Jasper P. Driver Plaza in North Oakland. Help tend to fruit trees and flowers in a community-nurtured space. Bring your own tools if possible, or just show up to learn.
Peralta Hacienda Park Cleanup
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Place: Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 34th Avenue
Help maintain a neighborhood park by collecting litter and doing light landscaping, like weeding and trimming. The park provides tools, gloves, water, and snacks for all enthusiastic volunteers.
Oakland Chinatown StreetFest
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Oakland Chinatown, 388 9th St. and surrounding blocks
The 36th annual Oakland Chinatown StreetFest kicks off its two-day celebration, drawing thousands of attendees from across the Bay Area. The massive event features more than 90 local vendors, two stages of live cultural entertainment, and vibrant community energy.
Rockridge Rock-N-Stroll
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Place: College Avenue (from Broadway to Alcatraz)
The Rockridge District hosts a one-mile leisurely stroll featuring over 20 live musical performances from local artists dotted along College Avenue. The event also includes food tastings, craft stations, pop-up vendors, and sales from local businesses.
Jewelry and Crafts for Adults
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: Melrose Branch Library, 4805 Foothill Blvd.
The Melrose Branch Library hosts its weekly jewelry making and decorative craft project session. All materials are provided for this free, hands-on workshop for adults and teens.
The Community Portrait Pop Up
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Place: Café con Cariño, 528 8th St.
Lara Kaur Photography hosts the 5th annual Community Portrait Pop Up, offering free portraits to the community on a first-come, first-served basis. The event also includes music, local vendors, and a fundraiser for the youth organization BAY-Peace.
AAMLO Celebrates National Book Lovers Day
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Place: African American Museum and Library at Oakland, 659 14th St.
The African American Museum and Library at Oakland celebrates National Book Lovers Day with an event for the whole family. The afternoon includes book giveaways, arts and crafts, storytelling, and other fun activities.
3rd Annual George Jackson Day
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Black Panther Party Museum, 1427 Broadway
In honor of Black August, the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation hosts an event commemorating the life and teachings of revolutionary author George Jackson. The afternoon includes a film screening, a discussion, and a pop-up by Futurisme Studios.
“A Home to Learn and Grow From” Mural Reception
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: 3401 Telegraph Ave.
Celebrate a new community mural with an artist reception featuring creators Fred Padilla and Levonte Crosby. The event includes an artist talk about the mural’s themes, as well as music from DJ notlimaH and a performance by Pricilla Parchia.
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 weekly skate party at the Umoja Outdoor Skating Rink in Deep East Oakland. This recurring, family-friendly event offers an afternoon of music, movement, and community vibes.
FRESH & Lovely Day Party
Time: 1:00 p.m. – Sunset
Place: Pine Knoll Park, 1850 Lakeshore Ave.
Local DJ collectives Funky Farm and It’s a Lovely Day team up for a free house music party at Pine Knoll Park. The event is family and pet-friendly, with a taco BBQ potluck and a full lineup of DJs spinning all afternoon.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Oakland Chinatown StreetFest (Day 2)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Oakland Chinatown, 388 9th St. and surrounding blocks
The 36th annual Oakland Chinatown StreetFest continues for its second and final day, with more live cultural performances, food, and over 90 local vendors.
Jack London Square Farmers Market
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Jack London Square, Broadway and Embarcadaro
The weekly Jack London Square Farmers Market, operated by the Golden State Farmers Market Association, returns this Sunday. The market offers a variety of local produce and artisan products from vendors set up along the scenic waterfront.
Ayah Ali-Ahmad is the 2025 business reporting intern for Oakland Voices and a Dow Jones News Fund fellow. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Digital Media Studies. As a lead beat reporter for The Daily Californian, she covered housing, policy and systemic issues impacting Berkeley communities. She is passionate about community-centered journalism and is committed to telling underreported stories with depth, care, and a focus on economic equity.
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