Special Events in Berkeley for more information on events, visit cityofberkeley.info

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April

Berkeley Bay Festival
Location: Marina, Berkeley, CA. Cost: Free | All Ages
Shoreline Cleanup 9 - 11 a.m. Festival 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Spend a day by the Bay listening to music, taking free sailboat and Dragon boat rides, eating tasty food, and exploring the Berkeley Marina. Visit booths sponsored by fun and educational organizations from throughout the Bay Area to learn about exciting things you and your family can do locally. Pick up a Passport to the Bay and get it stamped as you move from activity to activity in each booth. The day starts with a shoreline clean-up and continues with education, entertainment, and fun for all ages.

Earth Day/Open Garden Day
Saturday Time: 9am - 1 p.m. Location: MLK Jr., Berkeley, CA. Center/YAP Cost: Free | All Ages
Come join us as we plant seeds, spread mulch, build garden beds and compost organic materials in our garden. We will host a program honoring this day of service and celebrating the planet through music, poetry, art and spoken word. There will be food, fun and games for everyone! Call 981-6670 for more info.

Community Yard Sale and Craft Fair
Saturday Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: James Kenney, Berkeley, CA. Cost: $5/per space | All Ages
Get ready for summer by cleaning out your closets and garages and join with neighbors for a community yard and craft sale! One table, two chairs and space will be provided for all participants registered to sell your previously used items and unique crafts. Pre-registration is required. Setup begins at 9:30 am. Call 981-6651 for more information.

May

Annual Kids Triathlon
Saturday Time: 8 a.m. Location: King Pool, Berkeley, CA. Cost: $35 | Ages 4-18
Celebrating youth health and fitness! All kids are encouraged to join the fun, and take the challenge of this swim-bike-run event, to be held at King Pool, surrounding park and middle school. The race benefits the City of Berkeley's youth swim team. For more info call event director at 235-7018.

June

Annual King Carnival
June 25 | Saturday Time: 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Location: King Pool, Berkeley, CA. Cost:
$4.50 youth/seniors/disabled; $6.50 adults
Fun for the whole family! Carnival games, water activities, barbecue. Bring your swimsuit and towel. Don't miss it!

July

Berkeley International Kite Festival
July 28 & 29, 2012
Saturday & Sundays, 11 am to 6 pm.
Cesar Chavez Park - Berkeley Marina
Berkeley CA
(510) 235-5483

Kite making, contests, exhibitions and kite dancing. Festival hours: 11 am to 5 pm.

November - December

Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios

100+ Artists and Craftspeople open their Studios & Galleries to the public.
West Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 845-2612

April 21, 2012

Neighborhood UC Berkeley campus

UC Berkeley campus opens its doors to the community. Performers, sports events, exhibits & tours. Event hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Caltopia X

UC Berkeley Campus

Berkeley, CA 94720

(510) 643-8036

August 19 & 20, 2012

Neighborhood UC Berkeley campus

A festival of fun, music and Cal spirit. Open to students of U.C. Berkeley, faculty, staff and the community.Recognized as the largest experimental college lifestyle festival in the nation! 10 am to 4 pm.
Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival

North Shattuck Avenue area

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 548-5335

June 11, 2012

Neighborhood Gourmet Ghetto

The sidewalks along North Shattuck Ave. in the Gourmet Ghetto are the "canvas" of artists young and old, professional and greenhorn during the 15th annual CHOCOLATE & CHALK ART FESTIVAL on Saturday, June 4. With no fees to artists, areas of sidewalk will be assigned to participants to create their own fanciful chalk drawings. And, artisan gourmet chocolates, too.
Crabby Chefs Seafood Competition

1919 Fourth Street

Berkeley, CA 94710

(510) 845-7771

September 25, 2011

Neighborhood Fourth Street

Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto presents its annual Crabby Chefs Seafood Festival. Iron Chef-style culinary competition that culminates with a Crabby Chef being chosen. Outdoor food booths. Free public viewing.
Downtown Berkeley Music Fest

Downtown Berkeley

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 549-2230

August 2012. Please check back for actual date.

Neighborhood Downtown

At various venues throughout Downtown Berkeley District. Produced by the Freight & Salvage. This downtown event is your ticket to a foot-tapping or thought-provoking evening.
Earth Day

Civic Center Park @ MLK Jr. Way

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 654-6346

April 21, 2012

Neighborhood Downtown

Performers and activities.
Himalayan Fair

Live Oak Park

Berkeley CA

(510) 869-3995

May 19 & 20, 2012

Neighborhood North Berkeley

Authentic Himalayan arts, antiques, modern crafts, live music and dance. Festival hours: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. .
Holiday Crafts Fair (Saturday Farmers' Market)

MLK Jr. Civic Center Park (Center & Milvia Sts.)

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 548-3333

December 3, 10 & 17, 2011

Neighborhood Downtown

The Holiday Craft Fair takes place adjacent to the Berkeley Farmer's Market on the first three Saturdays in December. For more detailed information visit the Ecology Center website. Open 10 am to 6 pm.
Holidays on Solano

Solano Avenue

Berkeley to Albany CA

(510) 527-5358

November 27 & 28; December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2011

Neighborhood Solano Ave

Christmas carolers and wonderful gift ideas.
Indigenous Peoples Day Festival

MLK Jr. Way, between Center St. & Allston Way

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 595-5520

October 9, 2011

Neighborhood Downtown

Held along side the Downtown Farmers Market. Native American PowWow & Indian Market, Inter-tribal dancing, Native American foods, culture, arts & crafts. Festival hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
International Holiday Bazaar

1317 San Pablo Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94702

(510) 525-5054

December 12, 2011

Neighborhood West Berkeley

Arts and crafts, live music and food.
Jewish Music Festival

1414 Walnut Street

Berkeley, CA 94110

(510) 848-0237

March 2012

Neighborhood Gourmet Ghetto

The Jewish Music Festival presents music that celebrates the Jewish experience and explores what it means to be Jewish in a multicultural world. The Festival produces creative and entertaining programs, challenges stereotypes, and fosters engagement with the broader community. Major productions in March and July and additional programs throughout the year.
July 4th - Fireworks at the Berkeley Marina

Berkeley Marina & Pier

Berkeley, CA 94010

(510) 548-5335

July 4, 2012

Neighborhood West Berkeley

Fireworks off the Pier@ 9:30pm. Alcohol-Free Event. Free Admission. Free Valet Bike Parking by East Bay Bicycle Coalition. No Personal Fireworks allowed. Crafts, food, kid's stuff, music. Cars in by 7pm, out after 10:30pm. Free handicapped parking available in Marina lots.
Juneteenth

Adeline Street (btwn Ashby & Alcatraz)

Berkeley CA

(510) 655-8008

June 24, 2012

Neighborhood South Berkeley

Annual celebration of the ending of slavery of all races. Event hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LastSundaysFest

Telegraph Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 520-4115

August 2012. Please check back for actual date.

Neighborhood Telegraph Ave

Berkeley's LastSundaysFest unfolds on Telegraph Avenue between Dwight and Durant Avenues (closed to vehicles) and features two stages, one spotlighting up-and-coming and well known Bay Area bands and a second outdoor cafe stage presenting smaller groups and individual performers. Shopping, strolling, and festivities. Crafts vendors and other exhibitors will line the street with a special mechanical bull ride with contests for prizes. 'Trek Telegraph,' where fair attendees can win gift certificates worth thousands of dollars from Telegraph merchants.
Live Oak Park Fair

Live Oak Park

Berkeley CA

(510) 898-3282

June 9 & 10, 2012

Neighborhood North Berkeley

Art and handmade crafts from local artisans, plus food & live music.
Lunar New Year Festival & Parade

Solano Avenue

Albany - Berkeley, CA 94709

(510) 527-5358

February 5, 2012

Neighborhood Solano Ave

Drums by Emeryville Taiko, Costume Parade, Dance by the Chinese Arts Program, Chinese Acrobatics, Gong Fu by Golden Lion, Chinese Instrumental Music, Chinese Opera, Asian Food
People's Park Annual Street Fair & Concert

People's Park (Haste & Bowditch)

Berkeley CA

(510) 642-3255

April 29, 2012

Neighborhood Telegraph Ave

An afternoon of music, memories and magic.
ProArts East Bay Open Studios

Berkeley Citywide

Berkeley CA

(510) 763-4361

June 2012. Please check back for actual date.

Neighborhood West Berkeley

Art exhibitions & self guided tours of 500+ artists and artisan studios.
Solano Avenue Stroll

Solano Avenue (Berkeley to Albany)

Berkeley, CA 94707

(510) 527-5358

September 9, 2012

Neighborhood Solano Ave

26 blocks of free fun! Over 500 vendors, non-profit organizations, food booths and entertainers. Pancake breakfast, Parade and the Stroll. This is a family event. Festival hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Spice of Life Festival

Shattuck Avenue / Gourmet Ghetto

Berkeley, CA 94707

(510) 540-6444

September 2012. Please check back for actual date.

Neighborhood Gourmet Ghetto

A day in celebration of visual artists, craftspeople, gourmet foods, and the culinary arts. Adults and children alike will enjoy the flavors of Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto", meet notable Bay Area chefs, listen to great local musicians, browse local businesses and community organizations. Festival hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair

Telegraph Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 234-1013

December 16, 17, 18, 22, 23 & 24

Neighborhood Telegraph Ave

Over 200+ street artists, handmade items, music, food and arts & crafts and much more!