Things to do in Oakland

21 activities, venues and outings in Oakland, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Children's Fairyland
Mixed seasonal hours, almost always open on weekends. Amazing, dynamic playground and destination for children, right on Lake Merritt. Fairyland was one of the earliest themed amusement parks, and was an inspiration for everything from Disneyland to the Jejune Institute. Please note that only adults with children can enter. Make sure you get a Magic Key to activate audio stories on the various displays.
Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM
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Fox Theater
A former movie theatre, the Fox was built in 1928. It closed its doors in 1970 and stood empty until 2009, when it reopened as a 1,500-2,800 seat music venue, following a two-year, $75-million renovation. One block from the 19th St BART stop, it is in the heart of Oakland's Uptown neighborhood, which is also being re-named the Arts and Entertainment district.
Do
Grand Lake Theater
This beautiful Art Deco theater (built in 1926) shows first-run movies. It has a spectacular neon sign that is lit on weekends, and is famous for the ultra-liberal (and sometimes conspiracy-minded) weekly sign proclamations from the theater owner. At Friday and Saturday evening shows, an organist plays standards in the main theater.
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Museum of Children's Arts
MOCHA
A hands-on art workshop aimed at kids ages 6-15, covering topics like illustration and architecture and sculpture and even DIY art to wear!
Wed-Fri 10AM-1PM, Sat Sun private events only
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Pan Theater
An improv theater that offers acting classes as well as live comedy performances.
$15 door, $14 online
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Paramount Theater
This gorgeous Depression-era theater, completed in 1931, has been completely restored and is maintained in almost mint condition. It's worth just looking at the sculpture, the paintings, even the carpets. Shows include classic movies, concerts, and other live performances.
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Piedmont Theatre
The oldest still-operating theater in Oakland (built in 1917), completely restored and renovated in 2010 shows first-run movies. Saturdays are frequently marked by the showing of art-house and independent films.
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Port of Oakland Harbor Tours
Free Harbor Tours
The Port of Oakland offers once a month a 90-minute free harbor tour of the Oakland harbor. A free reservation must be made online, reservation opens on the first Monday of each month at 8PM. Harbor tour dates for 2023 are: June 9, July 21, August 11, September 15, October 13.
free
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Regal Jack London Stadium 9
Very large theater that shows first run movies, and usually has weekly rebate days that tend to lead to the place being full of kids.
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The New Parish
Live performing artists, DJs and readings abound at this venue a stone's throw away from the Financial District.
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The New Parkway Theater
A second-run movie theater, the Parkway does not have screens in the traditional sense. Movies are projected at the flat white concrete walls, with large comfy couches to sit on. Best of all, they serve pizza, salads, and beer that you can eat and drink while you watch a movie.
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Día de Los Muertos Annual Festival
An outdoor festival that draws 100,000 people to celebrate Hispanic history and culture in the Fruitvale neighborhood. Live music, family-friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the altar artistic installations created by community members. October 31.
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Eat Real Fest
A celebration of food and food culture, especially locally-grown ingredients. A combination county fair, food festival and block party, by their own admission.
Second weekend in SeptemberEntry is free, no food item over $5
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Halloween On Piedmont
The entire length of Piedmont Avenue from West MacArthur Blvd. to Pleasant Valley Ave. including Mountain View Cemetery participates in this event. Trick-or-treating is allowed at many of the stores, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, special movies at Piedmont Theater and so on. Security handled by a local biker group.
Last Saturday in October
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Oakland Art and Soul Weekend
Four stages worth of live music, in a city with a long history in the arts. Blues, Jazz, Rap, R&B and Indie performances abound.
Third weekend in August$50-60 at the gate
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Oakland Chinatown Streetfest
A celebration of many cultures. Local bands, singers, demonstrations by local acrobats and even the Shao Lin monks, Taiko drumming, Polynesian dance, all reflecting the amazing diversity of Oakland.
Last weekend of AugustFree
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Oaktoberfest
The Dimond District's answer to Oktoberfest; biergartens, stuff from local breweries and even a root biergarten for those who want to celebrate without alcohol.
Last weekend of September$20 and up - see website
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Oakland Symphony Chorus
1440 Broadway, Suite 405
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The Oakland Symphony
Check website for performance dates, venues and tickets.
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Oakland Gay Men's Chorus
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Oakland Youth Orchestra
1440 Broadway, Suite 405

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oakland (CC BY-SA 4.0).