CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 6, 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

Taste of Concord. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 13, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Get tickets at the Concord Visitor Center or at www.visitconcordca.com/events/17th-annual-taste-of-concord.

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.

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, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Clubs

California Writers Club. Novelist Beth Barany will lead a workshop on how to create better fictional characters, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 12, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. Check-in at 9:30 a.m. To register for the meeting online, visit https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

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.

Hay Day Halloween Celebration/Woof-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest. Clayton Community Church and the Clayton Business & Community Association offer trunk or treating, games, plus contests for best kids costume, best decorated car and best pet outfit, 2-5 p.m. Oct. 26, 6055 Main St., Clayton. Register to participate at www.claytoncbca.org/hay-day-trunk-or-treat. The Pioneer will sponsor the pet costume contest at 2:30 p.m. Enter your pet at https://pioneerpublishers.com/woof-o-ween.

For the Holidays

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.

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. Oct. 8 and every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall.

Camp Clayton: Arts & Crafts. Children can explore STEAM-related skills with arts and craft projects, 2-3 p.m. Oct. 9.

Homework Help. For elementary school and sixth-graders in all subjects, 3:45-5:45 p.m. Wednesdays. To make an appointment, either call or stop by the library. Drop-ins welcome on a space available basis.

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.

Understanding Medicare Open Enrollment. Learn about your Medicare options with California health advocates, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct.19. Registration required. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

The Arts

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 at www.google.com/maps/@37.9087902,-122.0276852,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m3!11m2!2s5ApvGylCQqq58Z7cAY6Uqw!3e3?entry=ttu.

“iLLEGALLY BROWN.” Monument Impact presents a free production about the realities of housing and immigration from H.O.M.E.S. (Home Offers Me Escape and Safety), 7 p.m. Oct. 12, 2 p.m. Oct. 13 and 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F St., Antioch. RSVP at www.eventbrite.com.

“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.