CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (December 2, 2024) – The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.

We update the Pioneer calendar page every week. So check back regularly to find out what’s going on near you.

If you would like to submit your event to the Pioneer calendar page, please email us at [email protected].

“Concord Past and Present” book signing. Joel Harris’ new book features historical images and stories of important places in Concord as well as current images, December 7, 1-4 p.m., Berkshire Books, 3480 Clayton Road, Concord.

Concord Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, visit pcfma.org.

Wreaths across America. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 and its auxiliary staff will hold a brief ceremony honoring the veterans at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2011 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord, followed by the wreath-laying ceremony. For more information, email [email protected].

Women’s Marines Association. The Bay Area Chapter meets every third Saturday at 11:30 a.m., usually at Harry’s Hofbrau, 14900 E. 14th St, San Leandro. For more information, visit https://wmaca3.org or contact Janet Johnson at 925-890-4583.

Artful Giving Collection. Handcrafted ceramic, wood and glass pieces, original jewelry, holiday decorations, textiles and other unique gifts from Bay Area artists, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Dec. 28, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110 , Walnut Creek. Plus holiday trunk shows featuring woodwork by Michael J. Rizza on December 5th and 7th and ceramics by Gordon Ward on December 12th and 14th. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

Rossmoor Opera Club Holiday Concert. Festival Opera stars will perform opera classics and some holiday songs on Dec. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Event Center’s Tahoe Room, 1021 Stanley Dollar Dr., Walnut Creek. Register by email to [email protected] with your name and number of participants.

Candy Cane Lane Craft and Gift Fair. Shop for handmade items, visit Mrs. Claus to take a holiday photo with your own phone, or enjoy a hot beverage before heading to Todos Santos for the tree lighting, Dec. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m., Veterans Hall, 2290 Willow Pass Rd. Concord. A fundraiser for veterans of foreign wars. For more information, email [email protected].

Holiday walk with a little sip. Visit downtown Concord restaurants and establishments for treats and drinks, December 6, 4:00-8:30 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza. Takes place in conjunction with Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-Along. Purchase $20 tickets on Eventbrite or at the Concord Visitor Center and Hop Grenade on the day of the event. For more information, email [email protected] or call 925-685-1182.

Tree lighting and mayoral sing-along. December 6, 5:30-8 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, email [email protected] or call 925-671-2489.

“Nutcracker.” From Black Diamond Ballet, June 6-8 December and 14th-15th December, El Campanil Theater, 602 E 2nd St., Antioch. Sensory-friendly performance on December 7th. For tickets, visit www.blackdiamondballet.org or call 925-757-9500.

Arts and crafts sale. Students will showcase more than 1,000 original works of art and crafts on Dec. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Lifelong Education Building, 1 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill. (Follow signs to the back of campus.) The La Guerita Food Truck is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Lifelong Education Program. For more information, call 925-937-1530.

Great holiday boutiques. Gift items from more than 100 vendors, plus the return of Olaf, the lovable star of “Frozen,” December 7-8. Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. December 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd. Free admission. Donate food to the Monument Crisis Center and get a free raffle ticket. Free holiday activity for children, presented by Renewal by Andersen. The first 250 families each day will receive a free Christmas gift bag. Register in advance to receive a free $2 holiday cash and a free raffle ticket to redeem at the boutiques. For more information, visit www.superholidayboutique.com.

Christmas gifts and crafts fair. About 70 local artists and makers, from jewelry to knitwear to custom mugs and more, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Free admission. For more information, call 925-671-3017.

Merry Makers Marketplace. Seasonal Experience Celebrating Arts and Culture, December 7, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza, Downtown Concord. For more information, email [email protected] or call 707-653-0265.

Holidays at The Grove. Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 7, 5 p.m., The Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Santa Claus will light the Christmas tree and then take photos with the children. Sponsored by the Clayton Business & Community Association.

Sensory-friendly Santa Claus. In conjunction with Autism Speaks, December 8, 9-10:30 a.m., Grand Court at Sunvalley Shopping Center, 1 Sun Valley Mall, Concord. Free admission; Photo packages available for purchase. For more information, call 925-825-0400.

National Cookie Day. Cookies and cocoa with Santa and friends, plus a meet-and-greet with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, storytelling and crafts, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 8, Fountain Pavilion Park at The Veranda, 2001-2003 Diamond Blvd. , unity. Free admission. For more information, call 925-265-6755.

Wreaths across America. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 and its auxiliary staff will hold a brief ceremony honoring the veterans at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2011 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord, followed by the wreath-laying ceremony. For more information, email [email protected].

“Clear at midnight.” Sufism Reorient presents a holiday concert filled with stories and songs celebrating the light, 4:30-6:30 p.m., December 22, Sufism Reorient Sanctuary, 11 White Horse Court (entrance on Boulevard Way), Walnut Creek. Guests can come and go as they please. Includes warm cider, treats and a live nativity scene. Parking is available at 1295 Boulevard Way (right behind 7-11) and 1300 Boulevard Way. On-site parking is available for people with limited mobility and families with small children.

The Clayton Library is located at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information about these events, call 925-673-0659 or visit ccclib.org/events.

Homework help. For elementary school students, Wednesdays 3:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. There is also support for sixth and seventh graders. To make an appointment, either call or stop by the library. Drop-ins are welcome on a space available basis.

Lapsit Storytime. For children aged 0 to 3, Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Children must be looked after by a caregiver.

Storytelling for toddlers/preschoolers. For children aged 2 to 5, Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Children must be looked after by a caregiver. Stay and then play with the toys available.

Tai chi. Gentle and stimulating class for adults taught by Carolyn Lee in the style of Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing, 12:00-12:45 p.m., December 5th. Beginners welcome.

Diamond art painting Thanks to a community donation, adults and seniors can unleash their creativity with a stunning collection of winter and holiday-themed diamond art cards on December 7th from 11 a.m. to noon.

Insider. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can build confidence navigating the library and accessing library services and resources, Dec. 10, 1-2 p.m., Hoyer Hall.

Camp Clayton: Arts and Crafts. Fun seasonal children’s program, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., December 11th. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.