CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Oct. 8, 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

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. Details at https://walnutcreekdowntown.com/marquee-events/oktoberfest.

California Writers Club-Mt. Diablo Branch. Writing and editing teacher Constance Hale will lead a workshop, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 14. The event includes lunch at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. To join online, visit https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

Art and Music Jam in the Park. Artists will paint large-scale original works, plus live music, a spoken word poetry showcase, public art tours and large, lighted sculptures, Oct. 14-15, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For schedule of events, visit www.creativeconcordca.com.

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.

Harvey Milk Remembrance. Speakers including Harvey Milk’s nephew will talk about the San Francisco supervisor’s role in protecting LGBTQIA+ rights, 6 p.m. Oct. 16, Northgate High School gym, 425 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek. The event will also feature the unveiling of a plaque honoring Milk’s historic debate in the gym 45 years ago.

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. For details and tickets, visit https://www.festivalopera.org/costume-ball.

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.

Peace & Justice Awards Dinner. Sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center, 5-9 p.m. Nov. 4, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. For tickets, visit www.ourpeacecenter.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.

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, visit https://offthegrid.com/event/pleasant-hill.

Halloween

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

Bay Area Crisis Nursery Costume Drive. Donate gently used or new Halloween costumes through Oct. 20. For more information, visit https://bayareacrisisnursery.org.

Floating Pumpkin Patch. Children 2-11 can float around, pick out the perfect pumpkin, and bring Halloween costumes to wear for arts and crafts and games, 1:30-3 p.m. Oct. 14, Concord Community Pool, 3501 Cowell Road. Registration required at www.cityofconcord.org/328/Recreation-Services.

Mummy & Me Halloween Fun Fest. Come in costume for a musical performance by the Andy Z Trio, 10 a.m. Oct. 15, Fountain Pavilion Park, Veranda shopping center on Diamond Boulevard, Concord. Get tickets here.

Halloween at the Community Youth Center. Pumpkin painting, little kids and scary haunted house, plus trunk or treat, 4-8:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 2241 Galaxy Court, Concord. Purchase tickets here.

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 Trick or Treat. 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.

Trunk or Treat and Woof-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest. Clayton Community Church and the Clayton Business & Community Association will pass out candy from decorated cars, 4-6 p.m. Oct. 28, 6055 Main St., Clayton. Bring your dog to join the parade and costume contest sponsored by the Pioneer, starting at 4:30 p.m. For details, visit https://claytoncc.com/upcoming-events.

Pixieland Amusement Park Spooktacular. Dress in costume and ride the ghost train and other spooky rides, plus kids 1 to 8 years old can collect treats, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 29, 2740 E. Olivera Road, Concord. Get more information at www.pixieland.com/halloween-spooktacular.

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

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.

ABC Pumpkin Patch. Hosted by ABC Tree Farms and includes inflatables and paint ball, through Oct. 31, 1765 Galindo St., Concord. For hours and other information, visit https://abctreefarms.net/pumpkin-patches/locations/solano-way-concord.

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.

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.

Into the Shadows: Secrets of Writing a Mystery. Adult program with authors Karen Phillips and George Cramer giving examples of plotting, as well as delving into traditional vs. self-publishing, 3-4 p.m. Oct. 13.

Aqu؜íles Va Un Cuento. Cascada De Flores presents a bilingual children’s program that combines dance, storytelling and the music of Mexico, 2-2:45 p.m. Oct. 18. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Halloween Potion Charm. Those in sixth through 12th grades can create their own potion necklace charm, 4-5 p.m. Oct. 19. Registration required. 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

“Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein the Musical.” Presented by Pittsburg Theatre Company, through Oct. 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.

“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.