CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (June 30, 2024) — 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.

Fourth of July

Pleasant Hill. Firecracker 5K Race/Kids 100-yard dash, 7:45-10 a.m., downtown. Parade, 9:30-10:30 a.m., downtown. Party at Pleasant Hill Park with live music, food and fun for the kids, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 167 Gregory Lane. Fireworks, 8:45 p.m., College Park High School, 201 Viking Dr. For more information, visit https://phjuly4.com.

Concord. Rotary pancake breakfast, 8 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. Stars & Stripes Kids Fun Run, 8 a.m., followed by Stars & Stripes 5K Run/Walk, 8:15 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. Parade, 10 a.m., downtown Concord. Festival gates open at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. For more information, visit www.concordjuly4th.com.

Clayton. Registration is now open for the 10 a.m. parade, with the theme “Celebrating 60 Years of Community.” Live music and patriotic displays encouraged. For details, visit cityclerk@claytonca.gov or call 925-673-7300.

In the community

Blues and Brews Festival. Beer garden, music and food, pre-party 6-9 p.m. July 19, and main event 3-9 p.m. July 20, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. Sponsored by Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. For more information, visit www.bluesandbrewsfestival.com.

Clayton Valley High School Class of 1974 Reunion. 6-10 p.m. Aug. 24, Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. For details, email Lori Fogerson Vella at lorivella1@gmail.com.

An Intimate Gathering with Author Victor Villaseñor. From struggling to read to becoming an author, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 11, Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. Sponsored by Monument Impact. Get tickets here.

“Stronger Together” Gala. A benefit from Monument Impact, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 12, Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd.  Early bird and VIP tickets on sale here.

Off the Grid. Featuring food trucks and live music, 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays until October, on the lawn by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. For details, visit www.pleasanthillca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=668.

Concord Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays year-round and 4-8 Thursdays June 6-Sept. 26, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Diablo Valley Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Shadelands Business Park, North Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Upcoming special events include Kids’ Day on July 20 and the Watermelon Festival on Aug. 17. For more information, see @diablovalleyfarmersmarket, 800-806-FARM or CAFarmersMkts.com.

Community Concerts

Veranda Unplugged. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through July 31, Pavilion Fountain Park off Diamond Boulevard in Concord. For bands and more information, visit https://shoptheveranda.com/event/Veranda-Unplugged-2024/2145581844.

Concerts in The Grove. 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Aug. 31, sponsored by the city of Clayton, downtown Clayton. July 6: Strange Brew. July 20: Nick Rossi & the Swing Six +1. Aug. 3: Pride & Joy. Aug. 17: Club 90. Aug. 31: East Bay Mudd. For more information, visit https://claytonca.gov/fc/Events/concerts-in-the-grove-2024.pdf.

Sunset by the Lake Summer Concert Series. Every other Sunday through Sept. 1, plus food trucks. July 7: The Big Jangle and Family Fun Zone. July 21: Dirty Cello. For more information, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/summerconcerts.

Music & Market. Farmers Market begins at 4 p.m. Thursdays, with music at 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 25, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 11: Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings. July 18: Zepparella, all-female Zepplin tribute band. July 25: Dirty Cello with blues, rock and Americana. For the complete schedule, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/11424/Music-and-Market-Postcard-2024.

Clubs

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.

Concord Library

The theme of the summer reading program is “Read, Renew, Repeat,” offering a wealth of activities for all ages. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. For more information, call 925-646-5455 or visit cclib.org.

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.

Summer Reading Program. Focusing on conservation, animals and getting invested in protecting the ecosystems, through Aug. 3. For all ages. Every completed entry is eligible for a free book and a chance to win prizes.

Take & Make Craft Bags for Tweens & Teens. Each bag will have everything you need to create a small keepsake box, all day July 3. For ages 9-18.

Birthday Crowns & 4th of July Fun. Children can make birthday crowns, noisemakers and other celebratory items to prepare for the 4th of July parade in downtown Clayton, 2-2:45 p.m. July 3. The city turned 60 this year and the U.S.A. turns 248. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Camp Clayton: STEAM. Children can join us for STEAM-focused events, drop-in programs and take-home activities, 2-3 p.m. July 10. No registration required. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Chair Yoga & Meditation. Low-impact chair yoga for adults followed by guided meditation, 10:15-11:15 a.m. July 11. 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.

The Arts

“Tribute to Tina.” An art exhibit in memory of Tina Turner, through July 12, JOR Fine Art Gallery, 1026 Oak St. No 102, Clayton. For more information, visit jorfineartgallery.com.

“La Voix Humaine” and “Dido & Aeneas.” A double bill of short operas from Festival Opera, 7:30 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 14, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Early bird tickets on sale now with code FOFRIEND. For tickets, visit www.festivalopera.org/la-voix-dido.

“Splendid Surroundings.” Ten artists featuring the open spaces of Mount Diablo and the surrounding foothills, through Aug. 11, Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Walnut Creek. Part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the first acquisition of open space in Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-935-4311 or visit valleyartgallery.org.

“My Place in the Sun.” Featuring oil paintings by Maria SantoStefona, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Aug. 13, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

Headliner Series. Includes a Fireside Chat with Rita Moreno Sept. 18, Mandy Patinkin in Concert Feb. 20, 2025, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem March 14-15, 2025, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For the full schedule and ticket info, visit www.lesherartscenter.org.