Movie buff?

The Oakland International Film festival kicked off this Wednesday (9/10) running through next Saturday (9/20). Now in it’s 23rd year, the festival showcases directors and filmmakers from Oakland and beyond.

This year’s theme: “Preventing violence… Healing our city.” A theme we can all get behind, no doubt. See the full lineup of showings here.

In this week’s issue:

• The season’s first Oktoberfest

• The FORTY-NINTH Solano Stroll

• Your EV HOV privileges are coming to an end

Your East Bay Event Lineup

Each week, we bring you a curated list of events for families, couples, and everyone in-between. Got an event you’d like to promote? Send us a reply.

Friday 9/12

Point Richmond Music Festival

Vibe out and dance in the street during Point Richmond’s last summer concert of the season. Every second Friday in the summer, bands and vendors takeover the historic Point Richmond district from the corner of Park Place and Washington Ave. Friday 9/12, 5:30-8pm. Point Richmond, Richmond. See details →

Saturday 9/13

10th San Francisco Rum Festival (in Emeryville)

Like rum? This is your weekend. The 10th SF Rum Festival is taking place — not in SF — but at Emeryville’s Trader Vics. Where else would you expect it? Enjoy 3-hours of Rum tastings from craft distilleries followed by a DaiquiriMania. 21+ Only. Saturday 9/13, 4-7pm. 9 Anchor Drive Emeryville, CA. Tickets from $26 →

Oktoberfest at Original Pattern

Fall is knocking on that seasonal door and with it — drinking. Lots of it. Original Pattern is kicking off the 2025 Oktoberfest season Saturday with their largest event of the year featuring 4-house made brews, a stein holding contest, and 2 umpah-pah bands. Saturday 9/13, 12-8pm. 292 4th St Oakland. Pre-sale now →

Sunday 9/14

49th Solano Avenue Stroll

The largest East Bay street festival of the year is back this weekend for the 49th time. Over a mile stretch of Solano Ave. will be closed featuring 200 businesses, 400 vendors, 50 entertainers, and over 100+ organizations represented.
Sunday 9/14, 10am-5pm. Solano Ave., Berkeley/Albany. Details here →

Hike to Pancake Breakfast at West Point Inn

Looking to get out? Load the family up and hit the trail Sunday for West Point Inn’s monthly pancake breakfast. Every 2nd Sunday of the month, the semi-secluded inn near Mt. Tamalpias hosts a family-friendly pancake feed. The catch? You do have to hike in. Anywhere from 45m to 2hrs. Depends on the trail and difficulty.

But the reviews say, it’s worth it. Cash-only and first-come first-served. Dogs are not allowed inside or on the patio, but they do have picnic tables. Sunday 9/14, 9am-1pm, West Point Inn, Mt. Tamalpias. Details here →

Stories from The Bay

• California’s Great America is on the rocks — The theme park is slated to close June 2028 and recently warned it plans to lay-off 184 employees in November.

• EV HOV-land perk to end September 30th — The Clean Air Vehicle decal program is slated to end midnight 9/30. After that if you’re caught driving alone in the HOV, it’s a $499 ticket EV or not.

• Bay Area transit drama continues as a $750M bridge loan deadline looms this Friday. Cuts to transit services are likely if not passed while agencies wait for voters to approve a new tax.

Aaaand that’s a weekend.

Stay safe out there.

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

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