COOL HAPPENINGS ~ rad / unique / authentic ~ Bay Area

A diverse (arts & culture) events-list of: creative community gatherings, empowering social events, interactive workshops, fun art parties, DIY happenings, and radical art-activism. (inclusively under $30-free, updated frequently)
* Submit an event below (end of list) *

<<< DECEMBER >>>

MONDAY
12/1, Oakland: 7pm-9pm or even later] SUDO ROOM Women / NonBinary Coding nights Mondays hackerspace at Omni Commons[12/1 : SF 6-7pm ] Bad Art Club gathers weekly at various galleries and art studios in SF. We celebrate imperfection by using what we have on hand (nothing fancy) to make large-scale, terrible art together. Why? Because of the real beautiful connections that are made in the process. We always work with a different medium, so you never know what you’re gonna get! The point is not what you make, it's how you feel making it. At Bad Art Club, whoever makes the worst art wins, and zero experience is encouraged. @ The Faight Collective, 473A Haight St ($17 or more)[12/1, SF :7pm] SHADES SF dance ($13-25 for lesson and dance, $10-20 for dance only (no one turn away for lack of funds)TUESDAY
[12/2, Oakland : 6:30-8:30]Figure drawing "Excited to announce our new home for our Tuesday Nights in Oakland at thespace1308 / in collaboration with wolfepack_studios ✨ Starting in June, catch us sustaining the vibes yall know and love, alongside friendly, familiar faces ✍🏾📍 1308 Broadway, Oakland(🎟️ $20 admission)[12/2, eastbay : 7pm-11pm] HardwareHackNight Tuesdays hackerspace at Omni Commons[12/2 East bay : 7:00 pm - midnight]
East Bay Fusion Dance Social partner dance event on Tuesday nights in Oakland. Fusion Partner dance is a collaborative improvised partner dance that prioritizes connecting with your partner over specific steps. The music is varied to include many different genres, cultures, and dance forms. (10-25$)WENSDAYS[ 12/3  SF 6:30-9:30 ]
Pop-up Tea Lounge with Gather SF (free)[12/3, SF ,7-10:30] Wednesday Night Lindy Society at Decodance Swing Dancing every Wednesday night (21+ two drink min + free dance class)
[12/3, SF -9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)[12/4 : Oakland, 7-10] Cathartica Dance: DJ Quintessence & WET PANTHER Cathartica is a bass music forward freeform dance. Expect a genre-fluid journey that inspires creative movements in your body - with plenty of whomps, wubs, and bounce. ($30)THURSDAY
[12/4 : Oakland, 8:30am - 2pm] Free Tai Chi classes Gain the health benefits of traditional Tai Chi and Chi Gung practice in a friendly group setting. classes will be held in-person at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. (free)[12/4,5 SF 4-6pm] Cathartic Art Gathering with Midori “Yes, You! Break dishes for art. December 4 & 5 - You’re invited! I’m creating Dining Room, an art installation that comes alive through something I call the Shatter Party, and I’m inviting you to be part of it. This happens at 465 Art Collective in the Mission, with help from @queerlycomplex” @ 365 South Van Ness, San Francisco ($?)12/4/ : SF
6:00 - 7:30Panel: Women in Tattooing
Listen to four Bay Area women tattoo artists share their stories in this conversational discussion, in conjunction with 'Living Tattoo Traditions.' 100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102[12/4 : Oakland, 7:30] The Nature of Music: Margaret Leng Tan
On Thursday December 4, 2025, at Mills College at Northeastern University in Oakland, Other Minds welcomes Singaporean avant-garde pianist and toy pianist Margaret Leng Tan to present And No Birds Sing, her “personal endeavor to call attention to climate change and the dire consequences of remaining passive in the face of an unfolding universal catastrophe.”
This concert is made possible through generous support from the EarthWays Foundation. ($24)FRIDAY
12/5 Last 7 Days of Obsidienne Obsurd - a multidisciplinary experimental performance that aims to queer classical concert conventions as well as elevate Drag performance out of the realm of nightlife and onto a large-scale symphonic stage. It tells OBSIDIENNE's personal story of gender transition alongside the migration story of their Chinese ancestors to America. This new work includes a world premier of an original composition developed in collaboration with Paul Wiancko of the Kronos Quartet.@ Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts , Calvin Simmons Theatre10 10th StreetOakland,(starting at $30)SATURDAY12/6 , SF 8pm ] RAW ( performances) featuring new choreography by Paz Hildago + Emily Huppert / Karlita / GhostRiderz (Bruna Gill / Jules Mara) / Mudrika Foundation ($25)[12/6 : Oakland , 2pm ] POC sustainable Housing Network co-op , Come celebrate 10 years of POCSHN with music, food, and our incredible community of organizers, stewards, dreamers, artists and more!dwntwn oakland ( free)SUNDAY12/7 : SF, 10am-6 pm Howard Zinn radical book fair The Howard Zinn Book Fair is an annual celebration of The People’s History, past present and future. We bring together left authors, readers, organizers and community members to debate and discuss strategies for a better world. Founded in 2014, our volunteer-run event typically hosts 60 workshops and 100 publishers. Welcoming over 2500 attendees, the Fair has become a well loved institution. ( free)

THURSDAY[12/11 : SF, 7:30-10:30] You’re Going to Die
You’re Going to Die: Poetry, Prose & Everything Goes...is an open mic event, the communal offering for us to explore the conversation of death & dying, to embrace our losses & mortality, to grieve, bereave & honor what we’ve lost & love, in laughter & in tears… while all the while making room for the joy & gratitude at simply being ALIVE. ($18)FRIDAY
12/12-14 : SF NB16: Noisebridge's 16th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Noisebridge is throwing a 16th anniversary gala to celebrate our sweet 16 with a growth gala to grow membership and save the space!

WENSDAY[12/17 : SF 6pm] Unsilent Night
Gather in front of the Golden Gate Valley library for this special holiday event. Each participant simultaneously plays one of four pre-recorded tracks from a mobile device that amplifies music as we walk together on a pre-determined 45 minute route that will take us to the nearby Marina branch library and back to the Golden Gate Valley branch. No steep hills! (Free) Unsilent Night is an original composition by Phil Kline, written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December, always as a free event. It takes the form of a street promenade in which the audience becomes the performer. (Free)

WENSDAY[12/24 : SF,  Borscht Bay: Nitl Nakht Variety Show
The Bay Area’s premiere Yiddish Cabaret returns! About Doors 7pm , First Band 7:30pm , Comedian Second Band 8:30pm, Crankie/Instrumental Puppet Show 9pm, Third Band 9:30pm, Burlesque Act 10pm ($20)

<<< WEEKLY >>>

MONDAYS
[Oakland: 7pm-9pm or even later] SUDO ROOM Women / NonBinary Coding nights Mondays hackerspace at Omni CommonsSF -9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)[SF :7pm] SHADES SF dance ($13-25 for lesson and dance, $10-20 for dance only (no one turn away for lack of funds)TUESDAYS
[SF , 8am - 4:30] MObilize against Ice "Show up to the courthouse and help defend our neighbors against ICE!" @ 100 Montgomery st. (free)[Oakland : 6:30-8:30]Figure drawing "Excited to announce our new home for our Tuesday Nights in Oakland at thespace1308 / in collaboration with wolfepack_studios ✨ Starting in June, catch us sustaining the vibes yall know and love, alongside friendly, familiar faces ✍🏾📍 1308 Broadway, Oakland(🎟️ $20 admission)[eastbay : 7pm-11pm] HardwareHackNight Tuesdays hackerspace at Omni Commons[East bay : 7:00 pm - midnight]
East Bay Fusion Dance Social partner dance event on Tuesday nights in Oakland. Fusion Partner dance is a collaborative improvised partner dance that prioritizes connecting with your partner over specific steps. The music is varied to include many different genres, cultures, and dance forms. (10-25$)WENSDAYS
[SF, 10am] Garden Volunteer shifts Come volunteer at Garden for the Environment and get your hands dirty! Help us keep the garden healthy and thriving and learn to garden.[SF ,7-10:30] Wednesday Night Lindy Society at Decodance Swing Dancing every Wednesday night (21+ two drink min + free dance class)SF -9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)THURSDAYs
[Oakland, 8:30 – 10am] Morning Tai Chi Gain the health benefits of traditional Tai Chi and Chi Gung practice in a friendly group setting. This class will be held in-person at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. Master Jang has studied with some of the best Kung Fu masters from China and the U.S. From 1987 to 1991, he was the national champion in Tai Chi, Xing Yi, and Ba Qua both in hand forms and weapons. In 1991 (free)[Oakland : 10:45 -11:45 AM] Wu Style Taijii Wu Style Tai chi is the second most popular form of Tai chi in the world but is not well known in the US. Learn the Round Form of Wu Style 108 with Sifu Ho, whose grand master studied under Wu Jianquan (吳鑑泉), father of Wu Kung-i (吳公儀). no restriction but 0-2 years of experience required
(Free )[Oakland , 12:00 -1:00 PMBeginners Tai Chi  Beginners Tai chi is taught by Sifu Siu. Nai-nai 13-Word Form is a non-demanding form to learn because of its symmetry. (free)[Oakland , 1-2pm] Advanced Tai Chi with Sifu William Dere(This is a journey into exploration of Taijiquan energy development and practical skills for individuals who already knows one or more forms.) (free)[Oakland : 6-9pm] THURSDAY NIGHT
PANTHER PROWL We host a free, family-friendly event every Thursday night at the DeFremery Park basketball courts from 6pm to 9pm. It's an official Oakland Parks & Rec program where the community comes together to skate in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. There is a rotation of live DJs from the community providing the music and snacks and drinks are provided by members of the community to share with all at no cost (free)SF, 10pm [16th & Mission Open Mic] Poetry and More, Every Thursday @10pm on the SW Corner of -16th & Mission St. San Francisco (free)[ First Thurs-nights : SF ] First Thursday Art Walk explore Downtown and Tenderloin galleries.[Oakland 9pm-1am] Ahi Nama (salsa dancing) 8-9pm beginners, 9-10pm mixed levels, dance social (10pm-1am)FRIDAYs
[Oakland : 5:30-9:30] Days Like This’ a Party for the People, by the People at the Lake Merritt Pergola. (free)[SF : 9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)SATURDAYS
[2/ Richmond, 9am -4pm] [Build Richmond's youth Village, (A village that will house the homeless]In Richmond, every Saturday. This is a collaborative effort of two different homefulness campaigns, where we continue to build our community, LITERALLY. Come experience some magic and bring skills and dreams back to your local area. FIGHT THE SWEEPS, BUILD PPL POWER @ 175 23rd st. Richmond. Questions and confirm attendance text 5102820396 (free Volunteer)[oakland @ bushrod park, 4pm] [Anarchy Soccer ] "literally just gonna play soccer" (free)[Berkeley: 10 am - 6 pm] Aftel museum of Curious Scents ($25)[Berkeley : 11 am – 6 pm] Tilden Steam train rides ($4)[Oakland : 1-2pm] Jewelry and Crafts for adults join and make wearable objects, materials provided @ the Melrose branch library[6/7 : SF 1st Saturdays : SF ] [4/6: SF 12pm] MAPP Mission Arts Performance Project MAPP is a familia, a community and a series of arts, music and activist events encompassing several venues as well as public spaces, street corners, bart stations, cafes, bars, taquerias, homes all over La Mission.SUNDAYS
[Berkeley : 11 am – 6 pm] Tilden Steam train rides ($4)[SF : 3pm ] Music Jam @ the Radical Reading room "Come Play With Us!
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<<< MONTHLY >>>

[3rd Mondays :SF] Monthly all-ages Queer Bowling event! Come and bowl for free while enjoying bites from local food pop ups, discounted drinks, DJs, and drag ($10)[2nd Tuesdays: SF] San Francisco Botanical Garden’s Free Day[2nd Tuesdays : Oakland, 10-1pm ]BiIPOC coworking day A free space for BIPOC movement workers & entrepreneurs to network and collaborate. RSVP @ understory: 3340 International Blvd (free)[1st and 3rd Wensdays: Oakland] Ripples Healing Circle. sharing a safe space with circle guiders Kelly and AJ. @ 2520 Telegraph ave[ First Thurs-nights : SF ] First Thursday Art Walk explore Downtown and Tenderloin galleries.[3rd Thursday, East Bay, 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm] EastBayCommunitySpace Board Game Night Why be bored when you could BOARD?! Roll on over to EBCS for our monthly board game night. This community event is on the third Thursday of every month in the Telegraph room. Doors open at 6:30pm and the event lasts until ~10/11pm. Bring games, snacks, and friends! (donation-based (NOTAFLOF)[Last Thursdays : Oakland] Out of Focus TV presents AV Club @ Shapeshifters Cinema A/V Club is a chill hang for folks who want to meet and share film/video/sound/music projects in progress, or recently completed projects—open screening-style. Bring something to show, or just come to watch some cool work, meet some new people and join in conversation.[First Fridays : Oakland. Art murmur in Oakland, Art gallery openings, art booths, street dance, food vendors. (grand-27th and telegraph)First Fridays : Northbeach SF Art night art night, galleries, music, street art[2nd Fridays: East bay, 7:30pm] East Bay Bike Party! location (tba) (free)[2nd Fridays: SF, 6-9pm] SF’s Lowrider Cruise of the Mission (Every 2nd Friday) Check out the Bay’s polished and decked out lowriders cruising Down Mission Street 20th and Mission[1st Saturdays : SF ] [4/6: SF 12pm] MAPP Mission Arts Performance Project MAPP is a familia, a community and a series of arts, music and activist events encompassing several venues as well as public spaces, street corners, bart stations, cafes, bars, taquerias, homes all over La Mission.[2nd Saturdays ][8-10:30pm : Oakland], Bay Area Micro Fusion (dance) Micro Fusion Fundamentals and Lessons. ($0-25)[1st Sundays : SF 4-7pm] No Kings! No Queens! Chess Club No Kings! No Queens! is the super-chill community chess club. Hosted by Danny Cao, all ages and skill levels are encouraged to come. Never played chess? We'll teach you! Come hang out, talk chess and play a few games. (free)[1st Sundays : Oakland, 7:30 ] Doors That Only Open in Silence - an ongoing monthly workshop in free improvisation, hosted by Jacob Felix Heule open participation, non-hierarchical workshop in free improvisationBring your instrument or come to listen. No advance notice needed - just show up. Small groups will be randomly assembled from submitted names immediately before each group plays. (free)[First Sunday: SF 8-11] Clutch the pearls A cabaret of drag curiosities… First sunday of every month!HOSTED BY Churro Nomi + Mira[2nd Sundays: Oakland 1:30-4:30] Mixed-Media collage workshop with Rock Paper Scissors artists, at Oakland Main Library 125 14th street.[2nd & 4th Sunday, noon-3]Visiting the Octagon House Museum Built in 1861, the Octagon House is a San Francisco historical landmark, an architectural treasure and a Colonial and Federal Periods Decorative Arts Museum. (free, donations accepted)[4th Sundays, SF] ShadowLight artists in residence at Red Poppy Art House. It is a Free Monthly program with hands-on workshop activities for families on the fourth Sunday of each month.[4th Sundays: Oakland] Rollin with the Homos (rolling skating and drag)[Last Sunday : Kensington] : Beatles Thingy : Beatles Karaoke with live accompaniment @ Kensington Circus Pub, Kensington. *Also Happens first Tuesday of the month @ Rite Spot, 17th & Folsom 7:30-9:30, FREE

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<<< WHAT IS THE COOL HAPPENINGS? >>>Cool happenings lists things under $30 or free, as to be accessible to diverse people. The list hopes to share local culture, mix different groups together, and provide special things to do for people seeking creative activities.The lists prioritizes rad/unique/authentic and is curated by a kind of intuitive magic, highlighting events with social engagement, interaction, and culture building. To get your event listed, submit below. Thank you**********************************************

< SUBMIT YOUR EVENT >

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< TESTIMONIES >

"The Cool Happening calendar is the in-the-know guide for intimate, quirky, thoughtful events as well as ridiculous parties and larger gatherings outside the mainstream. If you are feeling out of the Loop, Cool-Happenings will loop you back in! It will keep you well-connected with the Bay-Area's sweetest underground and art scenes :)" - Fur Ry (Schemer/Instigator/Sentimentalist)"I love Cool Happenings because it reminds me of how varied and wonderful adventures in The Bay can be. Thank you for your curated list of fun things" - Katy Atchison (Artist & Journalist for Broke-Ass Stuart)"Cool Happenings' events list keeps expanding in depth and complexity. It's definitely the place I go first when mapping out the vastness of the Bay Area performance scene." - Jett Rink"When friends ask me how to plug into the Bay Area underground arts scene, I send them the link to Cool Happenings; it's a great shortcut to learn about our vibrant community." -Dvo"I love how Cool Happenings makes it so easy to find creative and unique events, and I'm excited to explore them each month. It's an amazing way to be in touch with the art happening in our community. I feel like it's a gift in my mail box each month" - Idalia Ramos ( dancer/performer/visual artist)

MONDAY
[Oakland: 7pm-9pm or even later] SUDO ROOM Women / NonBinary Coding nights Mondays hackerspace at Omni CommonsSF -9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)[SF :7pm] SHADES SF dance ($13-25 for lesson and dance, $10-20 for dance only (no one turn away for lack of funds)TUESDAY
[Oakland : 6:30-8:30]Figure drawing "Excited to announce our new home for our Tuesday Nights in Oakland at thespace1308 / in collaboration with wolfepack_studios ✨ Starting in June, catch us sustaining the vibes yall know and love, alongside friendly, familiar faces ✍🏾📍 1308 Broadway, Oakland(🎟️ $20 admission)[eastbay : 7pm-11pm] HardwareHackNight Tuesdays hackerspace at Omni Commons[East bay : 7:00 pm - midnight]
East Bay Fusion Dance Social partner dance event on Tuesday nights in Oakland. Fusion Partner dance is a collaborative improvised partner dance that prioritizes connecting with your partner over specific steps. The music is varied to include many different genres, cultures, and dance forms. (10-25$)WENSDAYS[SF ,7-10:30] Wednesday Night Lindy Society at Decodance Swing Dancing every Wednesday night (21+ two drink min + free dance class)SF -9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)THURSDAYs
[7/31 : Oakland, 8:30am - 2pm] Free Tai Chi classes Gain the health benefits of traditional Tai Chi and Chi Gung practice in a friendly group setting. classes will be held in-person at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. (free)[Oakland : 6-9pm] THURSDAY NIGHT
PANTHER PROWL We host a free, family-friendly event every Thursday night at the DeFremery Park basketball courts from 6pm to 9pm. It's an official Oakland Parks & Rec program where the community comes together to skate in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. There is a rotation of live DJs from the community providing the music and snacks and drinks are provided by members of the community to share with all at no cost (free)SF, 10pm [16th & Mission Open Mic] Poetry and More, Every Thursday @10pm on the SW Corner of -16th & Mission St. San Francisco (free)[ First Thurs-nights : SF ] First Thursday Art Walk explore Downtown and Tenderloin galleries.[Oakland 9pm-1am] Ahi Nama (salsa dancing) 8-9pm beginners, 9-10pm mixed levels, dance social (10pm-1am)FRIDAY
[Oakland : 5:30-9:30] Days Like This’ a Party for the People, by the People at the Lake Merritt Pergola. (free)[SF : 9-10am] Japanese tea garden free hours pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. (free)SATURDAY
[2/ Richmond, 9am -4pm] [Build Richmond's youth Village, (A village that will house the homeless]In Richmond, every Saturday. This is a collaborative effort of two different homefulness campaigns, where we continue to build our community, LITERALLY. Come experience some magic and bring skills and dreams back to your local area. FIGHT THE SWEEPS, BUILD PPL POWER @ 175 23rd st. Richmond. Questions and confirm attendance text 5102820396 (free Volunteer)[Berkeley: 10 am - 6 pm] Aftel museum of Curious Scents ($25)[Berkeley : 11 am – 6 pm] Tilden Steam train rides ($4)[Oakland : 1-2pm] Jewelry and Crafts for adults join and make wearable objects, materials provided @ the Melrose branch library[6/7 : SF 1st Saturdays : SF ] [4/6: SF 12pm] MAPP Mission Arts Performance Project MAPP is a familia, a community and a series of arts, music and activist events encompassing several venues as well as public spaces, street corners, bart stations, cafes, bars, taquerias, homes all over La Mission.SUNDAY
[Berkeley : 11 am – 6 pm] Tilden Steam train rides ($4)[SF : 3pm ] Music Jam @ the Radical Reading room "Come Play With Us!
"