CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 29, 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

Peace & Justice Awards Dinner. The Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center honors Voices for Justice in Palestine/Rossmoor, Jewish Voice for Peace/Bay Area and NorCal Sabeel, plus a fundraiser for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, 5-9 p.m. Nov. 4, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. For tickets, visit www.ourpeacecenter.org.

California Writers Club-Mt. Diablo Branch. Author Roy Mash will discuss the power of word choice in writing, 10:45 a.m. Nov. 11, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. Register for the meeting online at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

Party for the Planet. A benefit for Save Mount Diablo with the Jim Ocean Band and Blue-Eyed Grass, doors open 6 p.m. for 6:45 p.m. show Nov. 11, Creekside Commons, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Includes “bring an item, take an item” – a fun way to upcycle. Get tickets at https://P4TP_SaveMtD.eventbrite.com.

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.

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.

Halloween

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, visit https://shopdowntownpleasanthill.com/events.

Grace Church Trunk or Treat. Kids can trick or treat at decorated car trunks, 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Grace Church, 2875 The Alameda, Concord. For details, www.gracefwb.com.

For Your Health

Grief during the Holidays. One-hour Zoom workshops sponsored by Hope Hospice, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 2-3 p.m. Dec. 14. Register at 925-829-8770 or www.hopehospice.com/services/grief/grief-support-inquiry.

For the Holidays

Hospice Trees of Lights. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Gregory Lane near Cleaveland Road, Pleasant Hill. And, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Event. Artist Rachel Palacios will demonstrate and help children of all ages with creative crafts; those 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult, 2-2:45 p.m. Nov. 1. 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.

Teen Thursday: If You’re Board, Switch it Up. For those in grades 6-12, 3:30-5 p.m. Nov. 2 and every first Thursday of the month. Play one of the library’s Switch games, including Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. or Just Dance. Plus, tabletop games such as strategy games, card games, word games and drawing games. Supported by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

The arts

“You Can’t Take It With You.” A comedy from Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble, Nov. 3-12, Edna Hill Theatre, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. For tickets, go to https://ghostlightte.org/you-cant-take-it-with-you.

“But Why Bump Off Barnaby?” auditions. Visit www.claytontheatrecompany.com to schedule an audition on Nov. 5-6. Clayton Theatre Company will perform the comedy-mystery March 1-16.

“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.

“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.

“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.