CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Sept. 22, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.

We update the Pioneer Calendar page every week so check back often to find out what’s going on near you.

If you’d like to submit your event to the Pioneer Calendar page, please send email to us at Calendar@pioneerpublishers.com.

In the Community

Hispanic Heritage Month. A variety of events highlighting the cultural contributions of the local Hispanic population, through Oct. 15. Sponsored by Walnut Creek Arts + Rec. For details, visit www.walnutcreekartsrec.org.

Off the Grid. Featuring food trucks and live music, 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays until October, on the lawn by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. For details, visit www.pleasanthillca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=668.

Chalk Festival. Includes a Kids Chalk Zone, balloon artists and face painters, noon-3 p.m. Sept. 29, Crescent Plaza in downtown Pleasant Hill. For more information, visit www.shopdowntownpleasanthill.com.

Creative Concord Art & Music Jam. Live local music, 16 artists creating large-scale canvas paintings and the unveiling of six public murals, plus interactive and experiential booths, noon-6 p.m. Oct. 5-6, Todos Santos Plaza and downtown Concord. For details, visit www.creativeconcordca.com.Mineral and Gem Show. Sponsored by the Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. Purchase tickets at www.ccmgsclub.com/show.

Concord Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays year-round and 4-8 Thursdays through Sept. 26, ,Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Oktoberfests

Walnut Creek. Traditional food like pretzels and brats, live music, dancing, a Kids Zone and a Biergarten featuring local brews, 4-10 p.m. Sept. 27 and noon-9 p.m. Sept. 28, Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr. Sponsored by the Walnut Creek Downtown Association. For more information, visit https://walnutcreekdowntown.com.

Clayton. German biergarten, food, arts/craft vendors, live music and a carnival, downtown Clayton. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. Carnival: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. Free parking and admission. Hosted by the Clayton Business & Community Association. For more information, visit www.claytoncbca.org/oktoberfest.

November Election

Pros and Cons of Ballot Measures Webinar. 4 p.m. Sept. 26 via Zoom. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley. Register at https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/66ac026442fa12abcec8afcb.

For the Military

Women Marines Association. The Bay Area chapter meets 11:30 a.m. every third Saturday, usually at Harry’s Hofbrau, 14900 E. 14th St, San Leandro. For more information, visit https://wmaca3.org or contact Janet Johnson at 925-890-4583.

Halloween

Halloween Home Tour. Tour five Clayton homes with décor ranging from whimsical to truly frightening, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Proceeds benefit the Clayton Historical Society. Purchase $40 tickets in advance at the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St.; R & M Gardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road; or online at claytonhistory.org. Tickets for children 10-15 are $20, and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No children under age 10 admitted. Tickets will be $45 on tour day.

Trunk or Treat. Games, candy, bounce houses and live entertainment, plus a community Ofrenda where families can add handmade mementos for those who have passed as part of the Día de los Muertos holiday, 2-5 p.m. Oct. 25. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For details, visit www.walnutcreekartsrec.org.

For the Holidays

St. Agnes Holiday Boutique. Crafts, vendors and raffle prizes to get you in the mood for the holidays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28, Cauchi Hall at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. For more information, email cmwoodmk@comcast.net or call 925-529-2360.

Holiday Craft Fair. Unique items, collectibles and gifts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 16-17, Elks Lodge, 200 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg. For details, visit www.elks1474.org/craft.

Light Up the Night. Family event to launch the holiday season, including music, dancing, crafts, train rides, Christmas tree lighting, visits with Santa and hot chocolate, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Crescent Drive in downtown Pleasant Hill. For more information, call 925-671-5229 or email ggillette@pleasanthillca.org.

Community Concerts

Music & Market. Farmers Market begins at 4 p.m. Thursdays, final concert featuring Annie Sampson begins 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For details on the band, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/11424/Music-and-Market-Postcard-2024.

Clayton Library

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information on any of these events, call 925-673-0659 or visit ccclib.org/events.

Insiders. Fun activities for adults with disabilities to build confidence while navigating the library and accessing library services and resources, 1-2 p.m. Sept. 24 and every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall.

Camp Clayton: Afterschool Explorers. STEAM-related skills with crafts and activities for children, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 25.

Lapsit Storytime. For children aged 0-3, 11-11:15 a.m. Thursdays. Children must attend with caregiver.

Toddler/Preschool Storytime. For children ages 2-5, 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays. Children must attend with caregiver. Stay and play toys available afterward.

Animals of the World. Children’s program presented by Conservation Ambassadors, 2-2:45 p.m. Oct. 2. Animal ambassadors from five different continents will share their personal stories. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Teen Thursday: “Bleeding Heart” Cakes. Those aged 9 through 12th grade can whip up deliciously macabre cakes that are sure to delight and fright, 4-5 p.m. Oct. 3. Registration required. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

The Arts

“Arsenic and Old Lace.” Center Rep’s new version is a gender-bender with two men in the lead roles, through Sept. 29, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“The Daughter of the Regiment.” Livermore Valley Opera presents one of Gaetano Donizetti’s most popular comic operas, which includes the memorable aria that crowned Luciano Pavarotti as “King of the High Cs.” Sung in French with English supertitles, Sept. 28, 29 and Oct. 5, 6, Bankhead Theater, 2400 1st St., Livermore. For details, call 925-373-6800 or visit LVOpera.com.

Valley Art Gallery 75th Anniversary Celebration. Silent auction, refreshments and live music, plus a new fall show of more than 300 paintings, noon-4 p.m. Sept. 29, 1661 Botelho Dr., Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org.

East Bay Gallery Tour. Visit 13 galleries, including new options in Benicia, in October. Get your postcard stamped at all the galleries and enter for a chance to win $300. Find a gallery map here.

“9 to 5 the Musical.” Clayton Theatre Company presents the show with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, Oct. 18-27, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Get tickets at www.claytontheatrecompany.com or 925-334-0880.

“Radiant Visions.” Featuring the work of Bay Area sculptor Patty Taylor and San Francisco surrealist Yijun Ge, through Oct. 27, JOR Fine Art Gallery, 1026 Oak St., Suite 102, Clayton. For more information, visit https://jorfineartgallery.com.

“Nothing to Fear.” Contralto Sara Couden and pianist Derek Tam perform works of Schubert, Strauss, Wieck, Weill and more, 4 p.m. Oct. 27, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. Part of Festival Opera’s Recital Series. For more information, visit festivalopera.org.

“The Nutcracker Suite.” Diablo Ballet presents a newly expanded, full-length production of Julia Adam’s smash holiday hit, Nov. 15-16, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Get tickets at 925-943-7469 or www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Muses & Musings of an Impresario.” Baritone Zachary Gordin and pianist Daniel Lockert perform works of Schumann, Mahler, Reynaldo Hahn, Jake Heggie and more, 4 p.m. Nov. 17, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. Part of Festival Opera’s Recital Series. For more information, visit festivalopera.org.