Lake Merritt Today tracks what is happening around the lake, from Oakland Public Library programs and Grand Lake anchors to markets, arts, books, music, and neighborhood happenings.
Fresh Lake Merritt events, local notes, and useful finds from nearby neighborhoods.
Main Library
Unleash your inner maker at our Open Art Lab! This is your dedicated space and time to bring your creative projects to life. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you'll have access to professional tools like:
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Wednesday guitar bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
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Piedmont Avenue Branch
Chair yoga is designed for those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor due to arthritis, knee injury, back pain or any other reason.
Oakland Tech Week '26 Virtual Funders Salon is listed on Oakland Tech Week's public Luma calendar.
Main Library
In this four part series facilitated by Everyone On participants will learn Windows basics, including, but not limited to:
Mad Oak Bar
Hey Gang!
Main Library
Maggie Tokuda-Hall is the author of numerous award winning, best-selling children’s and young adult books including Love in the Library, The Mermaid the Witch and The Sea, Squad, and The Worst Ronin. She has been called “... one of the…
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Main Library
Practice speaking English with other learners and Library staff. New topics every week. All levels are welcome!
Kingfish Pub & Cafe
Let's go on a short but challenging run from Kingfish to the gate of Mountain View Cemetery and back.
Atmospheres is our weekly excursion into the outer reaches of sound with resident selectors GAHR and LUCAS curating a mix of electronic, ambient and experimental records. Every Thursday at 9p.
Old Oakland Historic District
Fridays from 8am to 2pm at Old Oakland Historic District.
OMCA Great Hall
from
OMCA campus
Live Music by Ashley Mehta, DJ set by BRIIZA, Locking Dance Lesson with Chaz, and Gallery Chats
Yoshi's Oakland
GLENN JONES W/ A SPECIAL DEDICATION TO PEABO BRYSON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
OMCA Garden
from
Yoshi's Oakland
KEITH WASHINGTON W/A SPECIAL DEDICATION TO PEABO BRYSON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Yoshi's Oakland
RBL POSSE VS RAPPIN' 4-TAY W/ LIVE BAND performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Snow Park
Hi y'all! Are you craving more local connection? Want a space to share, listen, cry, laugh, and reflect? This is a low key circle to relax, be real, and make authentic connections. You’ll have the choice to share or just listen quietly. You’re welcome to lay down & stretch or sta
Yoshi's Oakland
RBL POSSE VS RAPPIN' 4-TAY W/ LIVE BAND performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Fluid510
#Oakland #Richmond #SF 🏳️🌈 ERICA MASON IS COMING TO THE OUT + EXCELLENT WEEKEND | Sat. Aug. 15th | OAKLAND CA 🏳️🌈
Main Library
Unleash your inner maker at our Open Art Lab! This is your dedicated space and time to bring your creative projects to life. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you'll have access to professional tools like:
Piedmont Avenue Branch
Explore the beauty and benefits of California Native Plants in this engaging talk led by a UC Master Gardener.
The Sound Room
His resumé reads like a "Who's Who in The Blues." Over the past three decades, Danny Caron recorded and performed with Zydeco King Clifton Chenier, Charles Brown, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, and on and on. He was the featured guitarist on the Van Morris
400 Perkins Street
Join us rain or shine, 52 weeks a year! Sundays at 9:00 am, meet at 400 Perkins Street before venturing out in the neighborhood, to the lake, and beyond.
James Moore Theater
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Fluid510
✨ Oakland Pride Getaway Giveaway 🌈 ✨
See the official event page for details.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Sunday evening piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Yoshi's Oakland
WORSHIP & HIP-HOP feat. LARRY AUSTIN, ANTHONY WASHINGTON, BROOKLYN FIELD, BENNY BLESSED & HOST PASTER MU performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
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Main Library
Come to the library and have fun! Zumba Jam with instructor Tabitha Pulliam on the first, second and third Monday of the month.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Main Library
Alameda Health System mobile dental and medical services on the third Tuesday of the month.
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Piedmont Avenue Branch
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years.
See the official event page for details.
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Lakeview Branch
A volunteer computer tutor is available to help you with basic tasks during your visit in the library. The volunteer can help you set up an e-mail account, make a resume, search job listings, internet surfing and more.
Lakeview Branch
Join us the third Tuesday of the month for a book discussion. We
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Tuesday guitar bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Yoshi's Oakland
THE STYLISTICS performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lakeview Branch
Come and get creative with us here at Lakeview! We will be doing a different craft every week. Crafts are geared towards ages 6-11 but younger kids are welcome with an adult present.
The Sound Room
Desi Comedy Fest is the Biggest South Asian Comedy Festival in America. The mission is to showcase the funniest South Asian comedians from around the world & create a unique live comedy experience for the South Asian diaspora.
Two Pitchers Brewing Company
We'll meet before the run starts near the bike racks (just outside of their outdoor seating area).
Atmospheres is our weekly excursion into the outer reaches of sound with resident selectors GAHR and LUCAS curating a mix of electronic, ambient and experimental records. Every Thursday at 9p.
OMCA campus
Live Music by Sabrina Shauna, DJ Set by Zaynub, Live Figure Drawing with Sketchboard Co., and Gallery Chats
Circuit Launch
Our monthly Circuit Launch Oakland "Open House" evening for everyone, fun for the whole family! Join us every third Friday evening of the month:
Circuit Launch
Our monthly Circuit Launch Oakland "Open House" evening for everyone, fun for the whole family! Join us every third Friday evening of the month:
The Sound Room
Led by Jazz Mafia co-founders Adam Theis and Eric Garland, this special concert celebrates more than 25 years of the collective’s futuristic jazz roots. The program revisits the music that shaped Jazz Mafia’s identity in its earliest days, drawing from the first five years of the
Pittman Green at Lake Merritt
Monthly fourth-Saturday volunteer cleanup at Pittman Green by Lake Merritt.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
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Lakeview Branch
Back by popular demand!
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Piedmont Avenue Branch
Join us outdoors for a joyful gathering of our community at the Piedmont Ave Branch Community Potluck! This all-ages event is open to everyone—library patrons, families, friends, neighbors, and community members from near and far.
The Sound Room
Guitarist and composer Guinga is a popular songwriter in Brazil: his songs have been recorded by the likes of superstar Elis Regina and he's a favorite of musicians around the world like Michel Legrand and Sergio Mendes. But Guinga is less well-known in the U.S. (he rarely comes
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Saturday piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Continental Club
THE FURRY RAVE
400 Perkins Street
Join us rain or shine, 52 weeks a year! Sundays at 9:00 am, meet at 400 Perkins Street before venturing out in the neighborhood, to the lake, and beyond.
See the official event page for details.
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano CompanyJAZZ PIANO MASTERS SERIES
Yoshi's Oakland
KEYON HARROLD performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
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Piedmont Avenue Branch
Join us every second and fourth Monday of the month for a delightful early afternoon of yarn, needles, and good company at our Adult Knitting & Crochet Circle!
Yoshi's Oakland
BERKELEY MT ZION 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
See the official event page for details.
Piedmont Avenue Branch
Friends of the Piedmont Branch Library invite you to our Monthly Meeting!We invite you to our monthly meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month Our Friends group has been an active and engaged team, consistently supporting and…
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Tuesday trivia for teams of up to six at The Alley.
Yoshi's Oakland
KEIKO MATSUI performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lakeview Branch
Come and get creative with us here at Lakeview! We will be doing a different craft every week. Crafts are geared towards ages 6-11 but younger kids are welcome with an adult present.
The Sound Room
In the mood for a good, true story? How about four?
Lakeview Branch
Come join us Thursday mornings at 10:15am for songs, rhymes and stories!
Mad Oak Bar
Hey Gang!
Mad Oak Bar
Hey Gang!
Temescal Brewing
Let's meet at Temescal Brewing and go for run to Piedmont Ave and back. The route is approximately 2.6 miles. Feel free to run as much or little as you'd like.
Atmospheres is our weekly excursion into the outer reaches of sound with resident selectors GAHR and LUCAS curating a mix of electronic, ambient and experimental records. Every Thursday at 9p.
Old Oakland Historic District
Fridays from 8am to 2pm at Old Oakland Historic District.
OMCA campus
Live Music by BULULÚ, Afro Dance Lesson with Danaite Gebremeskel, DJ Set by TIEDYE, and Gallery Chats
Yoshi's Oakland
RICHARD ELLIOT performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
Mads Tolling is the recipient of the 2016 DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star Award for violin. A former long-time member of Stanley Clarke’s band and the Turtle Island Quartet, Mads is currently touring with Bob Weir & Wolf Bros. He has performed his violin concertos with the late
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Friday piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
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Piedmont Avenue Branch
Take your story outdoors! Join us at the Piedmont Branch Library for a relaxed community walk through our beautiful neighborhood — sometimes all the way to the Morcom Rose Garden.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Continental Club
The countdown to DAYFADE begins.. 🌆
Continental Club
HEY BAY AREA‼️
Yoshi's Oakland
SIMON PHILLIPS & PROTOCOL 6 performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Continental Club
COME GET FADED‼️ @dayfadebayarea
The Sound Room
If you are a fan of Latin Jazz, this is a DON'T MISS EVENT!
400 Perkins Street
Join us rain or shine, 52 weeks a year! Sundays at 9:00 am, meet at 400 Perkins Street before venturing out in the neighborhood, to the lake, and beyond.
See the official event page for details.
Continental Club
Four creatives of the Bay Area have teamed up to bring you this unique entertainment experience.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Monday piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Yoshi's Oakland
MARK HUMMEL'S BLUES ALL STARS W/ ANSON FUNDERBURGH & JUNIOR WATSON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Yoshi's Oakland
HALEY REINHART performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Yoshi's Oakland
AVERY WILSON PRE SHOW VIP EXPERIENCE (SHOW TICKET NOT INCLUDED) performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lakeview Branch
Come join us Thursday mornings at 10:15am for songs, rhymes and stories!
Yoshi's Oakland
AVERY WILSON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Kingfish Pub & Cafe
Let's go on a short but challenging run from Kingfish to the gate of Mountain View Cemetery and back.
Yoshi's Oakland
SHEENA EASTON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
Formed by a pair of former Cal Berkeley students who shared a love of early jazz and barroom blues, the band began as humbly and seemingly incongruous as possible, with the pair dragging their Wurlitzer spinet around to busk on street corners around San Francisco and the East Bay
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Thursday piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Yoshi's Oakland
KIRK WHALUM performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
The big guy from out West (he’s 6’5’) performer, guitarist, singer, banjoist, songwriter, composer, entertainer, musical historian and teacher Mitch Polzak teams up with Pam Brandon, vocalist and bass player extraordinaire and Timothy Orr on drums to play a wide range of American
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Snow Park
Want to relax, meet new people, and send care to one another? All are welcome at this Reiki Practice Group: absolute beginners, Level 1, Level 2, and Reiki Masters. This is a welcoming and warm space to get to know one another and enjoy the beauty of tuning in with Reiki.
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Lakeview Branch
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play chess? Or are you a pro and want to play with other folks in the neighborhood? Join us at the Lakeview branch every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from noon to 2pm. The Lakeview Chess Club is all…
Edoff Memorial Bandstand, Lake Merritt
Hello fellow body workers! This is a group for massage therapists of all modalities. We will meet to practice skills, offer free trades, and build community. More information to come.
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
The Sound Room
One of the great alto saxophonists, Cannonball Adderley , is known for playing with such greats such as his younger brother, coronetist Nat as well as Miles Davis, and John Coltrane in the classic recordings of Milestones and Kind of Blue. For this show, the Jazz Mafia – an eclec
400 Perkins Street
Join us rain or shine, 52 weeks a year! Sundays at 9:00 am, meet at 400 Perkins Street before venturing out in the neighborhood, to the lake, and beyond.
OMCA campus
from
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Yoshi's Oakland
SONS OF CHAMPLIN W/ BILL CHAMPLIN performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Sunday karaoke at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Yoshi's Oakland
MATT SCHOFIELD TRIO performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Queer First Fridays
DRAG & STORIES & TAROT & BOOKS & JEWELRY & CRAFTS & FAMILY & OAKLAND PRIDE
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Yoshi's Oakland
LISA FISCHER & ORRIN EVANS TRIO performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Wednesday guitar bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Mad Oak Bar
Hey Gang!
Two Pitchers Brewing Company
We'll meet before the run starts near the bike racks (just outside of their outdoor seating area).
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Yoshi's Oakland
DOMINIQUE FILS-AIMÉ performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
Experience the timeless sound of Paris with The Hot Club of San Francisco featuring acclaimed jazz vocalist Stella Heath. Inspired by the legendary Quintette du Hot Club de France, this ensemble brings the exhilarating spirit of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli to life whi
Old Oakland Historic District
Fridays from 8am to 2pm at Old Oakland Historic District.
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano CompanyWAA SHOWCASE
Yoshi's Oakland
ANEESA STRINGS performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
Amy D.'s innate ability to carry a lyric and capture the essence of a song can be traced back to her early years. Embodying the longing in Great American Songbook standards and the depth of Quiet Storm R&B, she's found a timeless sound entirely her own.
Pittman Green at Lake Merritt
Monthly second-Saturday volunteer cleanup around Lake Merritt.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
OMCA Great Hall
from
Yoshi's Oakland
ROSE ROYCE performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
A masterful vocalist and “the superman of the Bay Area jazz scene” (SF Chronicle), Kenny Washington is easily among the most beloved and soulful singers working today. A native of New Orleans, Kenny grew up singing gospel music in church and playing saxophone in the school band.
400 Perkins Street
Join us rain or shine, 52 weeks a year! Sundays at 9:00 am, meet at 400 Perkins Street before venturing out in the neighborhood, to the lake, and beyond.
Piedmont Piano Company
LIVE at Piedmont Piano CompanyJAZZ PIANO MASTERS SERIES
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Sunday evening piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
Yoshi's Oakland
KAMASI WASHINGTON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Yoshi's Oakland
KAMASI WASHINGTON performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Lakeview Branch
Join us the third Tuesday of the month for a book discussion. We
Yoshi's Oakland
JOHN PIZZARELLI PRESENTS "DEAR MR. BENNETT” performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Tuesday guitar bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
The Sound Room
Join us for a night where reality blurs and wonder unfolds.
Circuit Launch
Our monthly Circuit Launch Oakland "Open House" evening for everyone, fun for the whole family! Join us every third Friday evening of the month:
Circuit Launch
Our monthly Circuit Launch Oakland "Open House" evening for everyone, fun for the whole family! Join us every third Friday evening of the month:
Yoshi's Oakland
BIG DADDY KANE performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
If you are a blues fan, it doesn't get any better than this!!!
Snow Park
Hi y'all! Are you craving more local connection? Want a space to share, listen, cry, laugh, and reflect? This is a low key circle to relax, be real, and make authentic connections. You’ll have the choice to share or just listen quietly. You’re welcome to lay down & stretch or sta
Lake Merritt Sail Boat House
Please register on our website to attend our event! We host public volunteer cleanup every Tuesday & Saturday at 10am.
Piedmont Avenue Branch
Whether you're short on space or looking to expand your garden's reach, containers offer a flexible and portable solution.
Oakland Library
All are welcome at this book club! We'll meet in the library for a casual reflective discussion on major world religious traditions throughout history. Reading is encouraged but not required. You are not required to join for the full 12 month series.
Yoshi's Oakland
MOHINI DEY performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
The Sound Room
Marcus Shelby, Howard Wiley, and their amazing band return to the Sound Room to present a Centennial Celebration honoring John Coltrane.
The Alley Piano Bar & Restaurant
Weekly Saturday piano bar at The Alley on Grand Avenue.
400 Perkins Street
Join us rain or shine, 52 weeks a year! Sundays at 9:00 am, meet at 400 Perkins Street before venturing out in the neighborhood, to the lake, and beyond.
Yoshi's Oakland
MUSIC MONDAY: THE THROWBACK SERIES performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
Yoshi's Oakland
MILES ELECTRIC BAND performs at Yoshi's Oakland.
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Lakeview Branch
Join OPL and local artist Chris Granillo for a screen printing workshop in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!
Start with Main, Lakeview, and Piedmont Avenue library programs without mixing in a citywide firehose.
Track Grand Lake and nearby farmers markets, First Friday energy, and weekend plans around the water.
Make room for Adams Point, Trestle Glen, Lakeshore, Grand, books, music, food, and local promotions.