Good morning, Oakland.

Friends and Family, a top Oakland bar known for its cocktails and fun queer events, will close on Dec.

30 at 468 25th St.—owner Blake Cole said she will bring back the bar in a new way with chef Gaby Maeda.

Forbes reported that four of the top ten richest billionaires reside in the Bay Area, with Larry Ellison of Woodside and Mark Zuckerberg of Palo Alto among them, and the top 20 had a combined net worth of almost $1.3 trillion as of October—showing the region's strong concentration of wealth.

On Sunday, Nov 2, 2025, hundreds gathered at Potrero del Sol Park to honor the dead with Dia de los Muertos festivities that combined traditional customs with political statements amid heightened immigration enforcement concerns.

In Oakland, thousands attended the 30th annual celebration at Fruitvale Village from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—enjoying music, food and art—and the event highlighted strong community resilience in difficult times.

Oakland Ballet Company celebrated its 60th anniversary last weekend with a dazzling performance at the Paramount Theatre — marking six decades of dance and community learning.

Local officials, including Mayor Barbara Lee and State Senator Jesse Arreguín, recognized the milestone — as the company works to secure funding for future shows like The Nutcracker on December 20 and 21.

In October—a month of renewed interest in local dining—several new restaurants opened across the East Bay, offering menus from bakery treats to hearty burgers and noodle soups.

The openings—featuring Starter Bakery in Albany, Ashby Eatery and Headlands on Campus in Berkeley, Sideshow Express and Hella Bees in Oakland, and Tommy’s Burger Co. in Richmond—bring fresh options to community members.

Leisure - Welcome to the Mood Tour

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Fox Theater — Win tickets — Enjoy a night with electronic music from New Zealand's Leisure.

Jagged Edge Cuffing Season Tour

7:30-9 p.m. — Calvin Simmons Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Relive your youth with 90s R&B legends Jagged Edge and special guests Eric Bellinger and Lloyd this cuffing season.

Life Drawing Session at Faultline Gallery

6-9 p.m. — Faultline Gallery — $20 online / $25 at the door — Practice your drawing skills from a live model in a creative atmosphere.

Free Your Mind: An Evening for Youth ALIVE!

7-10 p.m. — Chabot Space & Science Center — $65 General Admission, $100 VIP — Immerse in creativity and community while supporting Youth ALIVE!'s impact in Oakland.

Berkeley Youth Orchestra Fall Concert

10:30 a.m. — Temple Hill Auditorium — Free entry — Experience a delightful range of orchestrated music performed by talented youth musicians.

Reminisce Sundays Old School Day Party

4-8 p.m. — Elbo Room Jack London — Free entry — Celebrate the nostalgia with hits from the 70's, 80's, and 90's while enjoying great vibes and games.

Life Drawing Session at Faultline Gallery

6-9 p.m. — Faultline Gallery — $20 online / $25 at the door — Engage in an open life drawing session with a live model in a creative atmosphere.

Hot Mulligan Live Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Fox Theater — Check for ticket prices — Experience the lively emo band Hot Mulligan as they celebrate the release of their latest album with an energetic performance.

Sonideros VIP

9 PM – 2 AM — 7th West — Pre-sale $20 — Experience a historic cumbia event with top sound systems and DJs broadcasting live from Mexico.

35th Anniversary Screening of Home Alone with Macaulay Culkin

7:30-9 p.m. — Paramount Theatre Oakland — VIP tickets available — Celebrate the classic Home Alone with a screening and exclusive interview with Macaulay Culkin.