Join Newark Library for a special storytime.

Everyone is welcome to join us for a special storytime to learn about Kwanzaa with Mrs. Jean Ficklin! Mrs. Ficklin was the first African American teacher in the Newark schools when she moved here with her family in 1963 from Mississippi.

Date: Monday, December 09, 2024

Time: 4PM – 4:30PM

Location: Newark Library-Jean Ficklin Storytime Room, 37055 Newark Blvd., Newark

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Family paths offer parenting classes.

All types of parents-mothers, fathers, expecting parents, foster & kinship care providers, adoptive parents, LGBT parents, and others involved in parenting roles are invited to learn about positive parenting, child development, and more including self-care.

Date: Every Tuesday

Time: 6:30PM – 8:30PM

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Contact: 800-829-3777

Link: Click here for more information.

This workshop is presented by BANANAS.

This class is designed to assist new parents with recovery after birth, provide a supportive community-centered environment, and awareness of self-care. With babies present, parents can focus on easing tensions, restoring alignment in the body, creating energy, and re-strengthening the core.

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Time: 10AM – 12PM

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Link: Click here to register.

Pick up free groceries from Unity Council.

Families can pick up free groceries to bring home. Operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your spot in line by obtaining a numbered ticket starting at 8 am. Bring your own bad.

Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10AM – 12:30PM

Location: Unity Council, 3301 E12th St., Oakland

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Make holiday crafts at the San Leandro Main Library.

Have fun at our Family Winter Craft Night, featuring crafts, cocoa, cookies & more! All ages welcome. Enjoy craft stations celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and winter, make hot cocoa, enjoy cookies, make holiday cards and watch a holiday movie.

Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Time: 6:30PM – 7:30PM

Location: San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Drive-thru food pantry available to Cherryland, Ashland, San Lorenzo, Hayward, Castro Valley, and Union City families.

The food pantry is available to families in the listed cities above. Families can bring home a free bag of groceries.

Date: Every Tuesday & Thursday

Time: 2PM – 4PM

Location: South Hayward Parish, 27287 Patrick Ave., Hayward

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Practice COVID-19 precautions.

Dance your heart out at Albany Library.

Get your ya-yas out! Let's all have fun together dancing to songs the little ones know and love and other music that's new to them. Parents, caregivers, toddlers and preschoolers are all welcome to hit the dance floor and move their bodies at this inclusive event.

Date: Every Thursday

Time: 10:30AM – 11AM

Location: Albany Library – Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

The Montclair Village Association (MVA) will host the Montclair Village Holiday Stroll.

Enjoy an evening filled with holiday festivities including live performances, arts & crafts area, and much more! Take a selfie at the photo booth and watch as The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees as they dance the night away.

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024

Time: 4PM – 8PM

Location: Montclair Village, Mountain Blvd. & Medau Pl., Oakland

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

It’s yoga time at Livermore’s Rincon Library.

Join the library for a yoga practice filled with stories, songs, movement, and fun for little yogis. Free sessions on Fridays at 12 p.m., indoors at Rincon Library. No registration required. Call 925-373-5540 for more info.

Date: Every Friday

Time: 12PM

Location: Rincon Library, 725 Rincon Ave., Livermore

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Make hot cocoa at Berkeley’s West Branch.

Get cozy at West Branch Library with a cup of hot cocoa! We'll have a toppings bar where you can make your drink uniquely yours, just the way you would like it.

Date: Friday, December 13, 2024

Time: 3:30PM – 5PM

Location: West Branch, 1125 University Ave., Berkeley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Meet Santa at the Firehouse!

Come down to the fire station and capture a cherished moment with Santa Claus against the backdrop of a vintage fire engine. Delicious hot chocolate and cookies will also be served.

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024

Time: 4PM – 7PM

Location: ACFD Station 28, 7550 Thornton Ave., Newark

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Celebrate the holidays at Pacific Commons Shopping Center.

Enjoy a Holiday Concert event featuring talented local high school choirs! Enjoy balloon art, face painting and photos with Santa and the Grinch!

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024

Time: 6PM – 8PM

Location: Pacific Commons-Near Koja Kitchen, 43845 Pacific Commons Blvd., Fremont

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Make art at Dublin Library.

Learn a few basic drawing techniques with charcoal! Led by a teen volunteer, these workshops are meant for kids in grades 4-6. No prior drawing experience required. Limited to the first 20 students in line the day of the program. All supplies will be provided.

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024

Time: 3PM – 4:30PM

Location: Dublin Library-Virginia Bennett Room, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

TVH provides free groceries for families.

Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry distributes free groceries to low-income Tri-Valley residents.

Date: Every Monday & Thursday

Time: 1PM – 5PM

Location: Mar Thomas Church, 418 Junction Ave., Livermore

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Practice COVID-19 precautions. Wear a mask. 

Drive-thru food pantry available to Cherryland, Ashland, San Lorenzo, Hayward, Castro Valley, and Union City families.

The food pantry is available to families in the listed cities above. Families can bring home a free bag of groceries.

Date: Every Tuesday & Thursday

Time: 2PM – 4PM

Location: South Hayward Parish, 27287 Patrick Ave., Hayward

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Practice COVID-19 precautions.

Make art at Berkeley Library.

Join the library every week for different projects with a Teaching Artist from MOCHA. Kids and family welcome!

Date: Every Tuesday

Time: 3:30PM – 5PM

Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South branch, 1901 Russell St., Berkeley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Pick up free groceries from Unity Council.

Families can pick up free groceries to bring home. Operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your spot in line by obtaining a numbered ticket starting at 8 am. Bring your own bad.

Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10AM – 12:30PM

Location: Unity Council, 3301 E12th St., Oakland

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Santa stops by Castro Valley Library for photos.

While Castro Valley doesn’t get snow in December, it is lucky enough to receive a visit from Santa Claus, who makes a special stop at the library. Bring the whole family to meet Santa and share your holiday wishes. Parents don’t forget to bring your cameras!

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Time: 10:30AM – 11:30AM

Location: Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Drive-thru food pantry available to Cherryland, Ashland, San Lorenzo, Hayward, Castro Valley, and Union City families.

The food pantry is available to families in the listed cities above. Families can bring home a free bag of groceries.

Date: Every Tuesday & Thursday

Time: 2PM – 4PM

Location: South Hayward Parish, 27287 Patrick Ave., Hayward

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Practice COVID-19 precautions.

Tri-Valley Volunteers will be at the library to distribute food.

The TCV (Tri City Volunteers) Mobile Food Pantry will be at the Fremont Main Library from 11am-12pm. Food is available for the first 80 families in attendance. Please bring your own reusable bag.

Date: Every other Thursday

Time: 11AM – 12PM

Location: Fremont Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Celebrate the holidays with Fremont Library.

This storytime is for non-walking babies 0 to 12 months and their caregivers. Be prepared to sit on the floor with baby in your lap to hear stories, sing songs, and participate in lap bounces that are tailored for this unique phase of development. Seating for storytime is on a first-come, first-served basis. A library staff member will come out to hand out tickets 15 minutes prior to the start of the program.

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024

Time: 11:15AM – 12PM

Location: Fremont Library-Fukaya Room A, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

It’s yoga time at Livermore’s Rincon Library.

Join the library for a yoga practice filled with stories, songs, movement, and fun for little yogis. Free sessions on Fridays at 12 p.m., indoors at Rincon Library. No registration required. Call 925-373-5540 for more info.

Date: Every Friday

Time: 12PM

Location: Rincon Library, 725 Rincon Ave., Livermore

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Enjoy a storytime with AAC Union City Library.

This program is designed for emergent communicators four years old and up (emergent communicators are new/existing AAC users who typically communicate with single words). Open to children of all abilities! Build your child’s communication skills through Shared Reading! “Storytime with AAC” aims to support families/caregivers of AAC users in demonstrating language on their child’s AAC device, along with developing a love for reading and building language through shared interaction and connection.

Date: Every other Saturday

Time: 10:30AM – 11:30AM 

Location: Union City Library, 34007 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City 

Cost: Free 

Link: Click here for more information.

Watch a puppet show at Berkeley's THP Library.

In this puppet show for toddlers and preschoolers, The Muffin Man travels through country, town and city delivering muffins to animal friends! Each animal has it's own song and dance and children are invited to sing and dance along! For children ages 1-4.

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Time: 10:30AM – 11AM

Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, 1901 Russell St., Berkeley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Meet Santa at the Firehouse!

Come down to the fire station and capture a cherished moment with Santa Claus against the backdrop of a vintage fire engine. Delicious hot chocolate and cookies will also be served.

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Time: 11AM – 2PM

Location: Alameda County Fire Station 25, 20290 San Miguel Ave., Castro Valley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Check out a Christmas puppet show at Castro Valley Library.

Enjoy a classic tale with a twist in this puppet show from local puppeteer Randal Metz of The Puppet Co.

Date: Monday, December 23, 2024

Time: 1PM – 2PM

Location: Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Celebrate Hannukah with Berkeley Public Library.

Join THP South branch for a vibrant and joyful Hanukkah celebration featuring the rich traditions of Jewish music and dance from around the world, led by Jewish dance master Bruce Bierman. The celebration is designed for all ages and welcomes everyone.

Date: Monday, December 23, 2024

Time: 3PM – 5:30PM

Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, 1901 Russell St., Berkeley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Sing along with Frozen at Castro Valley Library.

Join the library for a family friendly movie on the library's big screen! We'll be watching and singing along to the original Frozen movie! This movie is rated PG.

Date: Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Time: 1PM – 3PM

Location: Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

TVH provides free groceries for families.

Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry distributes free groceries to low-income Tri-Valley residents.

Date: Every Monday & Thursday

Time: 1PM – 5PM

Location: Mar Thomas Church, 418 Junction Ave., Livermore

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Practice COVID-19 precautions. Wear a mask. 

Enjoy all things Dog Man with Berkeley Public Library.

Join the library to celebrate all things Dog Man.  Howl with laughter as we make Dog Man crafts and make Dog Man buttons.  Eat some delicious kibble and play word games to test your knowledge of "The Bark Knight".

Date: Friday, December 27, 2024

Time: 3:30PM – 4:45PM

Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch, 1901 Russell St., Berkeley

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Welcome in Winter with a magic show at Fremont Library.

A magic show inspired by the most magical season of the year, a time of shorter days, colder nights, and annual celebrations of light. Come warm yourself this season with a little fun and a whole lot of wonder! All ages are welcome to come laugh, smile, and participate in this very special seasonal magic show.

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024

Time: 1PM – 2PM

Location: Fremont Library-Fukaya Room A & B, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.

Celebrate Chanukah with a grand menorah lighting.

The night is sure to be filled with mesmerizing fire performance, hot latkes & sufganiyot, hot drinks nad matza ball soup. Live music, balloon twistinng, raffles and much more.

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024

Time: 4:30PM

Location: Lake Merritt Amphitheatre, 12th Street & 1st Ave, Lake Merritt Blvd., Oakland

Cost: Free

Link: Click here for more information.