Happy Thursday!

This week has a great mix of Alameda events, from holiday celebrations to anime fighting games and local charity gatherings. There is also a new update on Alameda Point.

And for anyone who wants to venture off the island, SantaCon is happening in San Francisco this weekend.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

FEATURED EVENTS

Alameda Point Pasko Night Market | Fri, Dec 12 | 5:00–10:00 PM | Free–$45 📍Faction Brewing - Pasko is back! Celebrate Filipino culture with live music from Drop N Harmony and KAI, plus street food, local makers, and good vibes under the lights. It’s part holiday market, part throwback concert, and fully community-powered. Entry is free if you're just shopping and eating, or grab a ticket for the show and dance the night away.

SantaCon San Francisco 2025 | Sat, Dec 13 | 12–8 PM | Ticketed 📍Mission District, San Francisco – Thousands of Santas take over the Mission for a festive holiday bar crawl with 13+ bars, drink specials, and live DJs. Check in at Soundtrack SF from 12–4 PM.

ISLAND UPDATES

The City has approved the West Midway Development Plan, with the total investment estimated to be about $500-$600 million.

The project plans to bring 478 new homes, a small commercial area, new bike and walking paths, and parks to a 26-acre site at Alameda Point. Including a $2.5M investment that will help fund a new nearby public park.

The project is one of three key housing developments the city is relying on to meet its state-mandated housing goals.

What’s in the Plan

The project includes five mini-neighborhoods of townhomes and condos, with garages tucked behind the buildings.

It also creates space for new businesses near Almanac and supports active transportation through trails and bike lanes.

Here are the details:

Today is the last day to enter because we’re teaming up with Rova to give 3 Alameda families a free 3-month access to Rova’s STEM toy rental catalog for kids ages 3–10.

Winners will get full access to Rova’s catalog of 40+ educational toys like coding robots, MAGNA-TILES, fort kits, and more. And when they’re ready for something new, you can swap toys anytime. Rova handles the delivery.

To enter the giveaway, just use the button below. We’ll announce the 3 winners tomorrow and in the newsletter next week!

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Saturday @ The Avenue: Holiday Edition | Sat, Dec 13 | 1:00–5:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Avenue – Outdoor holiday market with local vendors, live music, games, and festive fun for all ages. More info

Season of Giving at Tucker’s | Sat, Dec 13 | 12–3 PM | Free 📍Park St – Stop by Tucker’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat and support six local nonprofits. Donate and enjoy a free hot cocoa while spreading cheer in the heart of Alameda.

Menorah Lighting at South Shore | Wed, Dec 17 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Free 📍South Shore Center – Celebrate Hanukkah with live music and the ceremonial lighting of a giant menorah just after sunset. More info

Alameda Sings Winter Concert – Stories of Winter | Sat, Dec 13 | 7:30 PM | $10+ suggested 📍Veterans Memorial Bldg. – Heartwarming holiday choral concert by the Alameda. More info

Caroling with The Foodbank Players | Thu, Dec 11 | 6:30–7:30 PM | Free 📍2324 Alameda Ave – Join a lively group of costumed carolers for an evening of festive singing in the street. More info

Free Family Movie Night - The Star | Wed, Dec 17 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Free 📍Patria Alameda – Enjoy free hot cocoa, face painting, family photo ops, and glitter tattoos, while watching a movie! More info

Santa Claus at Almanac | Sat, Dec 13 | 1:30–4:30 PM | Free 📍W Tower Ave – Santa pops into the Almanac taproom for festive photos, cocoa, and holiday cheer. Family-friendly fun with beer for the grown-ups and good vibes for all. More info

Cinema Under the Stars – The Muppets Christmas Carol | Fri, Dec 12 | 5:15 PM | Free 📍South Shore Center (Neptune Court) More Show Times

Holiday Tea Time Paint and Sip Party | Sat, Dec 13 | 2:00–4:00 PM | $45 📍Julie's Coffee & Tea Garden – Create festive holiday art in the garden while sipping tea or wine at this cozy outdoor paint-and-sip. No experience needed. More info

Mini Masterpieces Art Reception | Fri, Dec 12 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Free 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works – Opening night for a mini art exhibition and holiday gift show featuring affordable works by local artists. More info

Resshoumania: Anime Fighting Game Festival | Sat–Sun, Dec 13–14 | 12:00 PM (Sat)–8:00 PM (Sun) | $35+ 📍Faction Brewing – Two-day Guilty Gear Xrd gaming tournament and community celebration. More info

Alameda Farmers’ Market | Sat, Dec 13 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free 📍Haight Ave – Year-round farmers' market with local produce and goods.

Thursday Evening Run Group | Every Thursday Night | 6 PM | Free 📍Park Station - 3-mile run, meet new running friends, cruise through the neighborhood, and stay for a drink afterwards. More info

Saturday Morning Run Group | Every Saturday Morning | 8 AM | Free 📍Kindred Running, Webster - Choose a 5k or 10k run, meet new running friends, and cruise through the neighborhood. More info

Wednesday Morning Walk Group | Every Saturday Morning | 8 AM | Free 📍Kindred Running, Webster - Good company, light movement, moderate pace. More info

City Lights Comedy at Mersea | Fri, Dec 12 | 7:00–10:00 PM | $10 📍Mersea Restaurant, Alameda – Four of the Bay Area’s best comics overlooking the SF skyline. More Info

Alameda Museum Tour with Dennis Evanosky | Sat, Dec 13 | 2:30–3:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Museum – Local historian Dennis Evanosky leads a guided tour focused on Robert Lippert and the Alameda Theater’s 1970s revival. More Info

Saturday Night Comedy at Fireside | Sat, Dec 13 | 8:00–10:00 PM | $10 📍The Fireside Lounge, Alameda – Stand-up showcase featuring local comedians. More Info

Speed Dating (Ages 44–59) | Fri, Dec 12 | 6:30–8:30 PM | $0–$43 📍Alameda Brewing Co. – Speed dating for professionals ages 44–59. More info

Let’s Glow SF 2025 | Fri–Sun, Dec 5–14 | 5:30–10 PM | Free 📍Downtown San Francisco – The nation’s largest holiday projection festival lights up eight downtown buildings with colorful animated art by 19 global artists. More info

Telegraph Ave Holiday Street Fair (Berkeley) | Sat & Sun, Dec 13–14 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | Free 📍Telegraph at Adeline, Berkeley – One of the East Bay’s biggest craft fairs. More info

Union Square Winter Walk (SF) | Daily, Dec 13–24 | 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (Thu–Sun), 11 AM–7 PM (Mon–Wed) | Free 📍Stockton St. (Union Square), SF – Open-air winter market with holiday lights and live music. More info

Have something locals should know about? 👉 Email: [email protected]

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK

I’ve seen the reviews, the articles, the long lines, but I finally got to try Fikscue BBQ for myself, and it did not disappoint!

Fikscue BBQ is a fusion of Texas BBQ and Indonesian food that has recieved awards since they opened, including from the NewYork Times.

I made a video about my experience eating there, so if you want to check it out, click below!

Want to recommend a place I should check out? Want your spot to be featured? Email us at [email protected]

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

Want your business in front of thousands of Alamedans? Email us at [email protected]

— For Frankie