Good morning everyone!

It’s officially December, and as a pleasant surprise, there is a ton of holiday events going on this weekend!

I hope the Thanksgiving food isn’t weighing you down because this week is jam-packed.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

ALMANAC X ALAMEDA PULSE WINNERS

FEATURED EVENTS

Puppet Wars: Silent Night, Broken Strings | Sat Dec 6 | 6:30–9 PM | $20–$25 📍Almanac Beer Co. – Family-friendly wrestling-themed puppet show with holiday chaos and laughs.

Downtown Alameda Winter Market | Sat, Dec 6 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Free 📍Park St & Central Ave, Alameda – A festive outdoor market featuring local artisan vendors, live entertainment, and seasonal treats.

This year’s event also includes the Hot Cocoa Stroll (5–7 PM) and the Alameda Children’s Business Fair, where young entrepreneurs will sell their own handmade goods. So if you’re free, come check out the market!

Advertise with us by emailing: [email protected]

This holiday season, 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 next week!

ISLAND UPDATES

The Webster and Posey will be under construction starting in January 2026 and continuing through spring 2029, under the Oakland Alameda Access Project (OAAP).

The goal project is to make it easier and safer to get on and off the Island. The project will improve connections to I-880, reduce the heavy traffic near the Webster and Posey Tubes, and upgrade walking and biking paths. These changes are meant to cut down on crowded streets and make travel smoother for everyone.

What’s Changing:

Right now, drivers heading to the tubes are pushed through busy streets, especially in Chinatown, which creates long delays and safety concerns.

The new plan adds more direct freeway access and better pedestrian and bike routes, including improvements inside the tubes.

Once construction begins, expect some tube closures and detours at night and on certain weekends. Only one tube will close at a time, but travel may slow down, and routes may shift. All closure updates will come directly from Caltrans and the City of Alameda.

What you can expect:

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

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Alameda Point Antiques Faire (Holiday Edition) | Sun Dec 7 | 6 AM–3 PM | $10 📍Former NAS Runway, Alameda Point – Massive vintage fair with 400+ vendors, food, and holiday finds. More info

Hot Cocoa Stroll | Sat, Dec 6 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Free 📍Downtown Alameda – Sip your way through Downtown as local shops serve up hot cocoa, cookies, and sweet treats during this cozy holiday tradition. More Info with Participating Businesses

Downtown Alameda Winter Market | Sat Dec 6 | 1–7 PM | Free 📍Park St & Central – Outdoor holiday market with artisan vendors, live music, and festive treats. More info

Cinema Under the Stars (Holiday Movie Night) | Fri & Sat, Dec 5–6 | 5:15 PM | Free 📍Alameda South Shore Center – Free family-friendly holiday movie screenings outdoors with popcorn and hot cocoa. Bring chairs and blankets for a cozy evening under the stars. Show times

Winter Lights Celebration | Sat Dec 6 | 5–6 PM | Free 📍Alameda City Hall – Annual tree-lighting ceremony with dancing trees, carolers, and bands. All ages welcome; bring a toy or food donation if you can. More info

Alameda’s Angels: Christmas is a Drag | Fri Dec 5 | 7–10 PM | $20 📍Faction Brewing – Holiday drag show with hosts Summer Lynn Spears and Bay Area queens, plus tacos and beer. More info

Alameda Landing Holiday Celebration | Sat, Dec 6 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Free 📍Alameda Landing – Family-friendly fun with free Santa photos, face painting, balloon art, and treat bags for kids while supplies last. More info

Alameda Children's Business Fair | Sat, Dec 6 | 1 PM -6 PM | Free 📍Downtown Alameda Winter Market, Park St – Local kids and teens will showcase their creativity and hustle at this youth-run business fair during the Winter Market. More info

Alameda Rock & Roll Flea Market | Sun Dec 7 | 11 AM–6 PM | Free 📍Faction Brewing – Vinyl, vintage goods, live music, and food at this rock-themed holiday market. More info

Annual Wreath-Making Workshop | Sun Dec 7 | 1:30–3:30 PM | Free 📍APC Farm2Market – Outdoor holiday wreath-making class using fresh greens. Registration required. More info

Azesu – Blending Jazz & Latin Rhythms | Sat Dec 6 | 7–9 PM | $32 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works – Latin jazz fusion night led by Grammy-winning timbalero Orestes Vilató. More info

3D Movie Night at The Yard | Thurs, Dec 4 | 6:30 PM | Free Movie | 📍The Yard, Alameda - Grab a fireside seat at The Yard for a 3D movie night, free entertainment, freshly popped popcorn, and all of The Yard's favorites. More info

Alameda’s Angels: Christmas is a Drag | Fri Dec 5 | 7–10 PM | $20 📍Faction Brewing – Holiday drag show with hosts Summer Lynn Spears and Bay Area queens, plus tacos and beer. More info

Azesu – Blending Jazz & Latin Rhythms | Sat Dec 6 | 7–9 PM | $32 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works – Latin jazz fusion night led by Grammy-winning timbalero Orestes Vilató. More info

Alameda Sings! Fundraiser: Caroling with the Chorus | Fri, Dec 5 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | $25 (cash only) 📍Jim's on the Course, Alameda – Join in for caroling, cookie decorating, and cocoa at this festive fundraiser supporting Bay Area music education. More info

Outdoor Adventure Mixer | Thu Dec 4 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Free 📍Almanac Beer Co. – Social mixer for hikers, climbers, and outdoorsy folks to meet and mingle. More info

Union Square Holiday Market | Daily, Dec 4 – Dec 10, 2025 | Varies (11 AM–9 PM weekdays; 10 AM–9 PM Sat; 11 AM–7 PM Sun) | Free 📍Union Square Park – Stroll an open-air holiday market in Union Square. Over 180 local artisans sell gifts, crafts, and treats in decorated booths—named America’s best holiday market in 2023

East Bay Open Studios (Winter Tour) | Sat–Sun Dec 6–7 | 11 AM–5 PM | Free 📍Multiple studios across Oakland & Berkeley – Visit 180+ local artists during this self-guided art tour. More info

Great Dickens Christmas Fair | Sat–Sun Dec 6–7 | 10 AM–6 PM | $45 📍Cow Palace, Daly City – Step into a Victorian London holiday fair with shops, shows, and costumed characters. More info

Brian Copeland’s The Jewelry Box | Sat Dec 6 | 7 PM | $30 📍Altarena Playhouse – A funny, heartwarming solo holiday show about a young boy on a Christmas mission in 1970s Oakland. More info

Golden Gate Park 96th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting | Thurs, Dec 4, 2025 | 4:00 PM–8:00 PM | Free 📍McLaren Lodge (Golden Gate Park) – Free holiday party with rides, music, and treats. Family fun includes Santa, live performances, and lighting “Uncle John’s” 100-foot cypress tree. More info

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

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

Advertise with us by emailing: [email protected]

— For Frankie