CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 13, 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

Flight Academy Open House. Learn what it takes to become an airline pilot, meet airline and FAA representatives, plus free simulator demonstrations and tours of the Pacific States Aviation facility, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26, Buchanan Field Airport, 101 John Glenn Dr., Concord. For details, visit psaflight.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.

50th Anniversary of the Clayton Historical Society. Dick Ellis, former president and one of the original founders, will give a short talk about the organization, plus wine and snacks, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, Hoyer Hall, 6125 Clayton Road. Free admission. For more information about the group, visit claytonhistory.org.

“Evening of Promise.” Dinner, plus silent and live auctions to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Contra Costa County, 6 p.m. Nov. 9, San Ramon Marriott, 2600 Bishop Dr. Keynote speaker will be Derek Clark, the “Rapping Dad.” Dan Ashley of ABC7 news will receive the Light of Hope. For tickets, visit http://bit.ly/3LgbM6s.

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.

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

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.

The 4^th annual Contra Costa Halloween Con is this Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Hilton Concord Hotel in Concord with featured guests voice actor Jim Cummings and wrestling legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts. The family-friendly Halloween comic com is open from 10 am to 4 pm with free parking at the Hilton. Kids 9 and under are free. In honor of our 10th local comic con, general admission tickets are just $10. For more information and tickets, visit here.

Day of the Dead

“Día de los Muertos.” Bring a framed 5 by 7 photo to honor your deceased loved one, plus Aztec and folkloric dancers, face painting, costume contest for kids and adults, vendors, crafts and food, 1-7 p.m. Nov 2, Oakmont Memorial Park, 2099 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. For more information, call 925-935-3311.

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. 22 and every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall.

Book Club. Adults meet 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 to discuss “Lucy by the Sea” by Elizabeth Strout. The  November book will be “Stay True” by Hua Hsu.

Camp Clayton: After School Explorers. STEAM-related skills with arts and craft projects for children , 2-3 p.m. Oct. 23.

Homework Help. For elementary school students, 3:45-5:45 p.m. Wednesdays. Some assistance also available for sixth and seven graders. 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.

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 here.

“Fall Colors.” Valley Art Gallery celebrates its 75th anniversary with a show with a range of sizes, subjects and media, through Nov. 9, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

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

“Dragon Lady.” Center Rep presents the solo cabaret musical about Sara Porkalob’s Filipino-American gangster family, Oct. 27-Nov. 24, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“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.

“Clue.” Onstage Theatre presents the classic who-done it, Nov. 1-17, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. For tickets, go to www.campbelltheater.com.

“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.