COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 3, 2025) — 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

Picnic on the Green. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Concord Pavilion with live music and sweet treats from Alpine Pastry, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 11, Concord Historical Society Museum, 1928 Clayton Road. Free museum tours noon-1 p.m. Get tickets at www.visitconcordca.com/events/visit-concord-presents-picnic-on-the-green.

Hike for Hope. A benefit for Hope Hospice, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. May 17, Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore. Register by April 14 for an early bird T-shirt at thehikeforhope.com.

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NAMI Mental Health Awareness Fair. Community partners will join the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to offer mental wellness resources, 9:30 a.m.-noon, May 17, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, visit https://namicontracosta.org/news/2025/nami-in-motion-2025.

Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival. Wine, beer, music, artisan vendor, food trucks and a new Agricultural Area, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 17-18, downtown Pleasant Hill. For more details, visit www.pleasanthillchamber.com.

Concord’s Got Talent. Residents 50 and up can display their talents, 5-9 p.m. May 17, Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Proceeds support recreation scholarships for Concord senior citizens. For more information, go to www.visitconcordca.com/events/concords-got-talent-senior-center.

Bay Area KidFest. Three days of family fun including entertainment, attractions, rides, a food court and free activities, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 24-25 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 26, Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord. For more information, visit www.kidfestconcord.com/bay-area-kidfest.

Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival. Arts and crafts, live music, plus wine and beer gardens, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 31 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 1, Civic Park (note new location), 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.walnut-creek.com/art-wine-festival-2025.

Juneteenth Celebration. The event marks the end of slavery in the United States, 5-9 p.m. June 19, Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. Includes entertainment by the Joint Chiefs Band and Off the Grid food trucks. For more information, visit www.phillca.gov/1608/Juneteenth-Celebration-2025.

Off the Grid. Food trucks and music, 5-9 p.m. Thursdays at the lake by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. (No events July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 due to the Downtown Merchants Summer Concert Series.) For more information, visit www.phillca.gov/888/Festivals-Events.

Concord Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays year-round, 4-8 p.m. Thursdays June 5-Sept. 25 in conjunctions with Music & Market, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Summer Concerts Series

Concerts in The Grove. 6-8:30 p.m. Saturdays, The Grove Park, downtown Clayton. May 17: Leo Vigil & The Rockin’ Horns. May 31: The Houserockers. June 14: The Cheeseballs. June 28: The Bell Brothers. July 12: Take 2 Band. July 26: Camp Jeff Band. Aug. 9: The Sun Kings. Aug. 23: Pride & Joy. For more information, visit https://claytonca.gov/our-city/annual-events/concerts-in-the-grove.

Sunset by the Lake Summer Concerts. 6-8 p.m. Sundays, outside Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. May 25: the Billy Martini Show. June 8: the Great Space Coaster. June 22: Dakita. July 6: the Bell Brothers. July 20: the Uninvited. Aug. 3: Johnny and June Forever. Aug. 17: Dirty Cello. Aug. 31: the Big Jangle. Family Fun Zones on May 25, June 8, July 5 and July 20. For details, visit www.phillca.gov/summerconcerts.

Concord Music & Market. Farmers Market 4-8 p.m. Thursdays, music begins at 6:30 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. June 5: Tom Rigney and Flambeau. June 12: The Sun Kings. June 19: Pop Rocks. June 26: 2Z. July 3: The New Frantics. July 10: David Martin’s House Party. July 17: Ronstadt Retrospective. July 24: Quattro. July 31: Twist on Taylor. Aug. 7: The Bell Brothers. Aug. 14: Zepparella. Aug. 21: Maya Latin Roots. Aug. 28: Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings. Sept. 4: Native Elements. Sept. 11. Strange Daze. Sept. 18: Annie Sampson. Sept. 25: The Purple Ones. For more information, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/13117/Music-and-Market-2025?bidId=.

Downtown Merchants Summer Concerts. 7-9 p.m. in the plaza in front of Jack’s Restaurant and Bar, Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill. June 20: Neon Velvet. July 17: Patron Latin Rhythms. Aug. 21: The Cheeseballs. Sept. 18: Foreverland. For more information, visit https://shopdowntownpleasanthill.com/events/downtown-pleasant-hill-summer-concert-series-11974a13-0c78-455e-8b8c-51ff0afee145.

In the Garden

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW Garden Tour. The “Escape to Serenity” fundraiser, featuring six gardens, supports college scholarships for local women, STEM camperships for middle school girls and educational programs in the community, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 9-10. Ticket prices go up April 29. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://daw-ca.aauw.net/2025-garden-tour.

Clayton Valley Garden Club Plant Sale. Drought-tolerant perennials, succulents, tomatoes, vegetables and California natives, plus gently used garden items, garden art and friendly gardening advice, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 10, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. For more information, visit www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org or call 925-276-2299.

Clayton Gardens Tour. A variety of garden styles featured in a benefit for the Clayton Historical Society & Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16-17, rain or shine. Purchase tickets in advance for $40 at www.claytonhistory.org; at R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton; or at the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St., 2-4 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. To purchase by mail, send a check to the Clayton Museum, P.O. Box 94, Clayton, CA 94517. Tickets are $45 on tour days. For details, call the Clayton Museum at 925-672-0420 and leave a message.

Clubs

California Writers Club-Mt. Diablo Branch. “What We Can Learn from Reality TV,” with guest speaker Allison Landa, 10:30 a.m. check-in, meeting 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 10, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. Register for the meeting online at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops. Also, the club is taking reservations for a luncheon with author, comedian and actor Brian Copeland, 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. June 14 at Zio Fraedo’s. No walk-ins. Copeland will discuss his career and debut mystery novel, “Outraged,” along with its sequel, “Shadow of Justice.” Get tickets at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/june-meeting-with-brian-copeland.

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.

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.

Wonderful Wednesdays: Laya Arts. The Laya Arts Collective will present “Classical Performing Arts of India,” including storytelling from mythology and a dance demonstration, 2-2:45 p.m. May 7. Best for children 5 and up. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

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.

iPad Basics and Beyond. Mike Matthews, an experienced Apple consultant, will guide adults through the basics of iPad navigation and features, 2-3 p.m. May 9. A limited number of devices will be provided. No registration required. Held in partnership with Clayton Valley Village and sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Teen Thursday: Japanese Bracelet Making. Kumihimo means “Joining Threads Together” in Japanese and has a history spanning more than fourteen hundred years. Teens can learn the basics of this ancient art, 4-5 p.m. May 15. All supplies provided. Registration required. Supported by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Clayton Community Library Foundation Book Sale. Most books $1 and most children’s books 50 cents, May 16-18. Members-only preview 4-7 p.m. May 16; you can join at the door. Public sale 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 17 and noon-4 p.m. May 18, with a $5 bag sale 2-4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit claytonlibrary.org.

The Performing Arts

“The Importance of Being Earnest.” B8 Theatre Company presents Oscar Wilde’s classic satire, through May 18, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. For tickets, go to www.campbelltheater.com.

“Spring Rep.” Contra Costa Ballet presents a tribute to its directors, Richard Cammack and Zola Dishong, May 9-10, Hofmann Theatre, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or visit www.lesherartscenter.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/18708/3094?npage=3.

“Chicago.” Pittsburg Theatre Company presents the hit musical, May 9-18, California Theatre, 350 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For tickets, visit www.tickets831.com or call 925-427-1611.

“Alice in Wonderland” and “Reflections.” Diablo Ballet’s new production of “Alice” with choreographer Brian Enos plus Gerald Arpino’s work created in 1971 for the Joffrey Ballet, May 16-17, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Meet and greet with the cast after the 2 p.m. May 17 performance. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

“2025: A Space Rhapsody.” The Diablo Women’s Chorale concert features songs like “Age of Aquarius,” “A Space Oddity” and “Defying Gravity,” 7 p.m. May 16 and 3 p.m. May 18, San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, 902 Danville Blvd., Alamo. For tickets, visit diablowomenschorale.org.

Exhibits

“Ceramics & Glass.” Artwork from College Park High School students, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through May 10, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311

“Joy of Color.” An art exhibit showing how color enriches our lives, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through May 10, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“Elements.” Concord Art Association (CAA) show, through June 26, Concord Visitor Center, 2151 Salvio St, Suite T. Regular hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Art is available for purchase. Artists’ reception 4-6 p.m. June 6. For details, visit www.concordartassociation.org.

“Art Passages.” Arts Contra Costa County features work from four organizations, Arts of Point Richmond, Lamorinda Arts Alliance, Valley Art Gallery and aRt Cottage, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through July 8, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar St., Martinez. For more information, visit www.artsccc.com.

“Clayton’s General Store.” Step back in time and visit the 19th century store owned by Clayton pioneer Charles Rhine, 2-4 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. For more information, visit www.claytonhistory.org.