CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 2, 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.

In the community

Chalk Festival. Local artists will create chalk murals, plus children can make their own chalk masterpieces and enjoy entertainment including balloon twisters and arm painters, noon-3 p.m. Oct. 8, at the Plaza in downtown Pleasant Hill. For details, click here.

Taste of Concord. Sample food, wine and beer, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 8, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For tickets, click here.

Oktoberfest. Entertainment and silent disco, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 13. German food, beer and dancing, noon-8 p.m. Oct. 14, Civic Park East, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Purchase early bird tickets: click here.

All-Ford Car Show. Sponsored by the Diablo Valley Mustang Association, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 14, Cobra Experience, 777 Arnold Dr., Martinez. For more information, visit DMVA.org.

Peace, Love & Hope Benefit Concert. A benefit for the St. Bonaventure Food Pantry, in honor of longtime patron Karen Mangini, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Organizers are also encouraging donations at https://stbonaventure.net/giving.

Women Marines Association. The Bay Area chapter for women Marines, past and present, meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of the month, usually at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Leandro. For more information, visit https://wmaca3.org or call/text Clayton resident Janet Johnson at 925-890-458.

Charity Texas Hold ’Em. Adult event that includes barbecue, poker tournament, entertainment and classes, 5:30-10 p.m. Oct. 21, Back Forty BBQ, 100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill. Sponsored by Soroptimist International. Get tickets here.

Festival Opera Costume Ball and Gala. Music, food, wine and celebration, 6 p.m. Oct. 21, Riggers Loft Winery, 1325 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Early bird discount through Oct. 5 with code FOFRIEND. For details and tickets, click here.

Hope 100 Golf Marathon. A fundraiser for Hope Hospice, Oct. 23, Castlewood Country Club, Pleasanton. For more information, visit hope100golfmarathon.com or call Marc Rovetti at 925-829-8770.

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.

Off the Grid. The popular food truck event continues 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Trelany Road in Pleasant Hill. For details, click here.

Halloween

Pumpkin Splash. A floating pumpkin patch designed for children 8 and under, plus pumpkin decorating, 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Pleasant Hill Aquatic Center, 147 Gregory Lane. Register at https://pleasanthillrec.com/35/Events.

Halloween Booo-tique Costume Donations. Drop off new and gently used costumes through Oct. 9, Concord Library, 2900 Salvio St. Booo-tique reservations are full. For details, click here.

Spooktacular Trick or Treat Trail. Includes trick or treating, scavenger hunt, costume contest and games for ages 2-11, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Baldwin Park, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. Sponsored by Concord Rec. Register at www.cityofconcord.org/trickortreattrail.

Haunted Trail. Safe trick or treating in the dark, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27, pathway behind the Teen Center, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Visit https://staypleasanthill.com/events/annual-events/haunted-trail for details.

Halloween Spooktacular. Family-friendly entertainment with free goodie bags, 3-5 p.m. Oct. 31, at the Plaza in downtown Pleasant Hill. For more information, click here.

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.

Tiny Art Show Supply Day. Adults can pick up your supplies for our third annual Tiny Art Show while supplies last, all day Oct. 3. Make your masterpiece during October, then bring it back to the library in November for our display. One winner will be randomly chosen to win a prize. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

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.

Sterling Johnson: The Bubble Experience. Children ages 5 and up will be amazed by the bubble expert, 2-3 p.m. Oct. 4. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation

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.

If You’re Board, Switch it Up. Students in 6th-12th grades can play Nintendo Switch or board games,  3:30-5 p.m. Oct. 5, and every first Thursday. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Library Book Club. For adults, 6-7:45 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month. October book is “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” by Lisa See.

Clayton Community Library Foundation Book Sale. Members-only preview, 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27. If you’re not a member, you can join at the door. Regular hours, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 28 and noon-4 p.m. Oct. 29. Most books $1; most kids’ books 50 cents. Fill a bag for $5, 2-4 p.m. Sunday.

The arts

“Art That Rocks.” Paintings by Valley Art Gallery artists, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Nov. 11, 1661 Botelho Dr., Walnut Creek. For details, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

At the Bruns Amphitheater. Notes for Hope, a breast cancer awareness concert with Michael Franti, Oct. 6. “A Midsummer Night’s D&D,” Oct. 7. 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. For tickets, go to www.calshakes.org.

“Crowns.” Center Repertory Company’s celebration of song, dance, cultural history and fabulous headwear, through Oct. 6, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein the Musical. Presented by Pittsburg Theatre Company, Oct. 6-22, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For tickets, visit www.ptcca.org/tickets.

“Working.” Clayton Theatre Company musical based on the book by Studs Terkel, Oct. 13-28, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Go to www.claytontheatrecompany.com.

“Ain’t Misbehavin.’ ” Contra Costa Musical Theatre presents the music of “Fats” Waller,” Oct. 13-29, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Medal of Honor Rag.” Part of the Black Box Series from Pittsburg Theatre Company, Nov. 10-23, Steeltown Coffee and Tea, 695 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Tickets at www.ptcca.org. “Frozen Jr.” From Pittsburg Theatre Company, Dec. 8-9, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Tickets at www.ptcca.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show.” From Pittsburg Theatre Company, Dec. 9-10, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Also, Dec. 15-16, Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. Tickets at www.ptcca.org.

“Life in Clayton 1850-1870.” 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays for the rest of the year, 6101 Main St., Clayton. Visit claytonhistory.org.