South Bay and Peninsula
Dec. 5
MACLA Exhibition Opening — from Their Hands to Ours: In partnership with Montalvo Arts Center, this new exhibition highlights how ancestral wisdom and childhood experiences shape identity. Debuting new work by Estefania Ajcip, Miguel Arzabe, Rafa Esparza, Edra Soto and Arleene Correa Valencia, the exhibition weaves together stories of tradition, trauma and growth through painting, sculpture, textile art and video. 5 p.m., MACLA, 510 S. First St., San Jose. bit.ly/48f8snf
South First Fridays — Art Walks: Have an evening filled with live performances and exciting new exhibitions from the creative community at the SoFA District. Admissions are free. 5 p.m., 450 S. First St., San Jose. bit.ly/4piYoB7
Gamble Garden’s Festival Marketplace: Get ready for the holidays at the Winter Festival Marketplace! Enjoy free coffee and one-stop shopping for holiday gifts, greenery and décor in the festive Gamble Garden atmosphere. Admission is free for kids 12 and youner. 10 a.m., Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. bit.ly/4rh9IyQ
Dec. 6
Garden Workshop — Edible & Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Walk: Join forager and herbalist Ciny Li for a guided walk to discover edible, medicinal and poisonous plants and mushrooms in the area. Learn to identify the different species and uncover their uses. The workshop is free for residents in East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks and Belle Haven. 9 a.m., 525 Alma St., Palo Alto. bit.ly/3K8F1LG
Dec. 7
38th Annual Christmas Creche Nativity Displays: Come view the nativity displays from around the world this holiday season. There will also be special musical events and activities every day. Children can enjoy activities at the dedicated children’s room. The displays will last until Dec. 10. 12:30 p.m., 3865 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. bit.ly/43P3s7u
“Georgiana and Kitty — Christmas at Pemberley”: Watch this play in the “Christmas at Pemberley” series from Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon about Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennet. Darcy is an accomplished pianist but wary of romance, while Kitty is a bright-eyed optimist and perfect best friend. Follow the adventures of these two young women in life and love with the arrival of an admirer and secret correspondent. 2 p.m., Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. bit.ly/4oebaz6
Dec. 8
The Muppets Christmas Carol Trivia Night at Dr. Funk: There’s magic in the air, and probably chaos too, because the Muppets are taking over Dr. Funk for a holly, jolly night! 7 p.m. Dr. Funk, 29 North San Pedro St., San Jose. bit.ly/4rk6cUr
“But Often It Rhymes — Suppression, Resistance and Solidarity in San Jose”: This exhibition spotlights the intersectional community organizing of the greater San Jose area from 1965 to 2005 in response to American imperialism abroad and authoritarianism at home. The exhibition features materials from the Fred Hirsch Ephemera Collection, the Ted Sahl Social Justice Collection, the Harry Meserve and Marilyn Scronce Collection and the San José Peace and Justice Center Collection. 12 p.m., King Library, Special Collections Reading Room, fifth floor, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. bit.ly/3M3HOWU
Dec. 9
Brown Bag Book Club: Join the Brown Bag Book Club, which meets monthly on the second Tuesday and reads a mix of fiction and nonfiction titles. This month’s book is “Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese. Registration is required. 12 p.m., virtual event. bit.ly/49E6hMo
Mindfulness Meditation: Join this session and gain clarity, discipline and perspective as well as improving your mental and physical health. Join this online session with Phuong Pham, a Buddhist nun experienced in meditation. Each session is 45 minutes of meditating together, followed by 15 minutes of group sharing and a Q&A led by Pham. Registration is required. 7 p.m., virtual event. bit.ly/48aqRD3
Dec. 10
Figure Drawing Workshop: Pick up a new skill and learn figure drawing in this two-hour session. There will be one model in various timed gestures and poses. Participants are required to bring their own art materials. Advanced registration is required. 6 p.m., MACLA Castellano Playhouse, 510 S. First St., San Jose. bit.ly/3Kou20D
Dec. 11
Art Making at The Foster Museum: Find inspiration from Tony Foster’s watercolor wilderness journey. Bring your own art supplies and spend time in the galleries, looking closely at Foster’s masterpieces and making your own! Advance registration is suggested; walk-ins are welcome. 1 p.m., The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial St., Palo Alto. bit.ly/3LXPQAG
East Bay
Dec. 5
Teen TTRPGs @ North: If you haven’t tried a tabletop role-playing game such as Dungeons and Dragons, this would be a great opportunity to do so. Head over to learn the different rules of tabletop role-playing games in these guided sessions. Materials will be provided to registered participants with the option to use a premade character. Middle and high schoolers are invited! 3 p.m., 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley. bit.ly/48ybMuU
A Positive Approach To Care With Teepa Snow: Join this webinar with Teepa Snow and Beth Nolan as they discuss personal care for individuals at different stages of dementia, promoting well-being and wellness after a dementia diagnosis and making moments joyful for those living with the disease. This is a free webinar. 8 a.m., virtual event. bit.ly/4pyecQ4
2025 Holiday Pop-Up Shop: Shop for your loved ones and support local artists at this Berkeley Art Studio holiday pop-up shop. Shop various handmade goodies such as paintings, prints, jewelry, textiles, pottery and more. 11 a.m., Tilden Room, fifth floor, MLK Jr. Student Union, UC Berkeley, 2495 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. bit.ly/4rkK4Jo
Black Diamond Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: This Christmas play by Black Diamond Ballet is back for its 13th year. Directed by Pittsburg native Sharon Sobel Idul, this production of more than 40 talented performers features professional ballet dancers from all over the Bay Area. Be dazzled by the choreography, costumes and dancing and celebrate the holidays with this timeless classic. Tickets are priced between $20 and $36. 7 p.m., El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. bit.ly/4aeahTT
Bay Street Emeryville Tree Lighting: Witness the annual tree lighting ceremony at City Hall, followed by a car-free parade downtown and ending at Bay Street in Emeryville. There will be various performances throughout the evening, free photos with Santa on Bay Street in Emeryville’s second floor, trackless train rides, visits from holiday characters, including the Grinch and food and drinks at restaurants and eateries, including hot chocolate and treat zones in the Pop and Shop. 3 p.m., 5616 Bay St., Emeryville. bit.ly/4p0X9X3
Dec. 6
Tatreez Workshop: Learn Palestinian embroidery with artist Amanne Sharif in this two-hour, hands-on workshop. Discover the historical and political significance of this art while learning the basics of the falahi stitch. Materials will be provided. The workshop is open to those ages 10 and above. Registration required. 3 p.m., 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley. bit.ly/3M4DaIa
Rose’s Car and Coffee: Come for the coffee and stay for the cars. Come and feast your eyes on this gathering of classic cars. 8 a.m., Loyd’s Donuts, 5200 Mowry Ave., Suite J, Fremont. bit.ly/4oeuHiY
’Believe’ Holiday Boutique!: Be spoiled for choices when it comes to your holiday shopping in this treasure trove of creativity. Discover unique treasures from local artists and crafters selling stunning home decor, housewares, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Proceeds benefit the Class of 2026’s safe and sober grad night event. 9 a.m., American High School, 36300 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. bit.ly/3MkhIPu
Dec. 7
“About Last Night …”: Participate in this two-hour immersive crime thriller that combines escape room, puzzles, role-play, and strategy to solve the mystery. Each game has between 5 and 20 players. $75 per person. Suitable for those 16 and above. Wear comfortable clothes. 8 p.m., Off the Couch Games, 555 Mowry Ave., Fremont. bit.ly/4polm9k
Family Friendly Matinee — improv comedy show: Similar to TV’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?” the cast of Laugh Track City plays a series of improvised games and scenes based on audience suggestions in this fun interactive show! The content will be family-friendly and open to all ages. Tickets are $13. Bring a toy and watch the show for free. Toy purchases should be $15 and above. 2 p.m., Made Up Theatre, 4000 Bay St., second floor, Fremont. bit.ly/48y1evR
Dec. 8
Jingle & Mingle — Holiday Light Tour & Celebration: Experience the charming streets of Alameda with a festive trolley ride. Join this private trolley tour of Alameda’s dazzling holiday lights, followed by hors d’oeuvres at Moxie Steak House. The event is in support of Alameda Family Services’ work delivering critical mental health assistance to those in need. AFS will also honor Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam at the holiday fundraiser, celebrating her support and commitment to the families and community they serve. Reserve your seat. 4:45 p.m., Moxie Steak House, 1640 Park St., Alameda. https://bit.ly/49ydihI
Dec. 9
Vegan Cooking Class — Vietnamese dishes: Learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes but with vegan ingredients. Learn how to make ban xeo (a crepe); Vietnamese vegan fish sauce; sour soup with pineapple, tamarind, vegetables and herbs; and bananas with coconut milk. 6:30 p.m., 1131 24th St., Oakland. bit.ly/3Kk0TDM
Dec. 10
Artist’s Conversation with Zeinab Saleh: London-based artist Zeinab Saleh talks about her new paintings debuting as part of “MATRIX 289/Zeinab Saleh: Signs of a softer world.” With a meditative perspective on the everyday, Saleh presents a world of slowness and quietude, offering a space of respite amid a world so often filled with confusion and chaos. 5:30 p.m., 2155 Center St., Berkeley. bit.ly/4p8npyQ
Film Screening — “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers”: Watch this new digital restoration of Lewis Milestone’s noir film. The film stars Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas as her guilt-ridden husband, Van Heflin as a gambler and Lizabeth Scott as his new girlfriend. 4 p.m., 2155 Center St., Berkeley. bit.ly/3XcUjSx
Dec. 11
Film Screening — “Recent Sorrows”: This is a movie about two heartbroken men by Jerry Ross Barrish filmed in the early 1980s in San Francisco when AIDS was not widely known about. It is narrated around an investigation, through a puzzle box of flashbacks, heartbreaks and ignored clues as it tracks two love affairs slowly going wrong. 7 p.m., 2155 Center St, Berkeley. bit.ly/3M0iGQX
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