CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Nov. 26, 2023) — 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.

For the Holidays

Concord Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-along. Visit from Santa, plus fun projects for kids with the Concord Art Association, 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 1, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For details, visit www.visitconcordca.com/events/concords-annual-tree-lighting-mayors-sing-along.

Super Holiday Boutique. One-of-a-kind holiday gifts and stocking stuffers, plus canned food collection benefiting Monument Crisis Center. Two days, two locations: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 2, Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. And, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 3, Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord. Free admission and parking. For details, visit www.SuperHolidayBoutique.com.

Santa at Buchanan Field. Kids can get their photos taken with Santa, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 2, Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord. Monetary donations accepted for Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Sponsored by Contra Costa County Public Works. For more information, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/9944/Santas-Jolly-Landing-at-Buchanan-Field.

Light Up the Night. Includes music, dancing, crafts, train rides, Christmas tree lighting, visits with Santa and hot chocolate, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Crescent Drive in downtown Pleasant Hill. For more information, visit www.pleasanthillca.org/888/Festivals-Events.

Clayton Tree Lighting. Carols at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2, tree lighting at 6:30 p.m., plus horse-drawn trolley rides and a visit from Santa, The Grove park, downtown Clayton. For details or to volunteer, visit https://claytoncbca.org/events/holidays-in-the-grove.

Hospice Trees of Lights. 5 p.m. Dec. 5, John Muir Medical Center Parking Lot, East Street and Almond Avenue, Concord. For more information, contact Jyoti at 925-887-5678 or jyotig@hospiceeastbay.org.

Winter Holiday Festival. Crafts, live performances, train rides, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus the Astro Botanical Illuminated Art Exhibit Experience, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6, Community Center, 320 Civic Dr., Pleasant Hill. Sponsored by Pleasant Hill Rec & Park. For more information, visit pleasanthillrec.com/35.

Christmas Homes Tour. Sponsored by the Clayton Historical Society, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 10, beginning at the Clayton Historical Society Museum, 6101 Main St. Tickets $35 in advance; $40 day of tour. For more information, call 925-567-6079 or email museum@claytonhistory.org.

Wreaths Across America. Purchase a wreath for $17 in support of VFW Post 1525’s memory garden. Volunteers also needed to lay wreaths, 10 a.m. Dec. 16, 2011 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord. For details, visit https://vfwpost1525.org.

In the Community

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

For Your Health

Grief during the Holidays. One-hour Zoom workshop sponsored by Hope Hospice, 2-3 p.m. Dec. 14. Register at 925-829-8770 or www.hopehospice.com/services/grief/grief-support-inquiry.

At the Clayton Library

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

Homework Help. For grades K-5 in all subjects and in select subjects for those in grades 6-9, 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Call to make a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated on space-available basis.

Book Club. “Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole, 6-7:45 p.m. Nov. 28. January. Book will be “Following Atticus” by Tom Ryan.

Pigeon Make and Take Craft. Children can make a hat in honor of Pigeon’s 20th anniversary, all day Nov. 29.

Lapsit Storytime. Children ages 0-3 can explore the joys of movement, books and songs while building early literacy skills you can practice at home, 11-11:15 a.m. Thursdays.

Toddler/Preschool Storytime. Children ages 3-5 can explore the joys of movement, books and songs while building early literacy skills you can practice at home, 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays.

Bingo Schmingo Music. Join musician/storyteller Kathleen Rushing for lively, interactive songs and stories and dances, suitable for the entire family, 2-2:45 p.m. Dec. 6. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Teen Thursday: If You’re Board, Switch it Up. A variety of Switch and tabletop games for those in 6th-12th grades, 3:30-5 p.m. Dec. 7. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

The Arts

Valley Art Gallery. Unique gifts from East Bay artisans, through Dec. 30. Also, glass and silver jewelry, Dec. 7-9 and mixed fiber art, Dec. 15-17. 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For details, call 925-935-4311 or visit valleyartgallery.org.

“Laurie Sings a Song for You Christmas.” Featuring the music of Karen Carpenter plus Andy Williams, 7:15 p.m. Nov. 30 and 2:15 and 7:15 p.m. Dec. 1, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Once Upon a Christmas.” With the Ballet School, Dec. 1-2, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“A Christmas Carol.” Center Rep’s traditional story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim, Dec. 7-21, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Frozen Jr.” From Pittsburg Theatre Company, 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 2 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Tickets at www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.

“Nutcracker.” From Black Diamond Ballet, Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17, El Campanil Theatre, 602 E. 2nd St., Antioch. For tickets, call 925-757-9500 or visit www.blackdiamondballet.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show.” From Pittsburg Theatre Company, 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Also, 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. Tickets at www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.