Oaktown Weekly | Issue #005

Summer is here, let’s get it.

We’ve got a stacked weekend of events, but most importantly: Lakefest Oakland returns to Lake Merritt for the 8th annual installment. The festival showcases vendors, artists, and local talent from across the East Bay.

Today’s issue:

• Baller’s are home for the weekend

• Old Oakland is turning out Saturday

• What’s in the city’s budget that just passed

Your Weekend Lineup

Each week, we bring you a curated list of events for families, couples, and everyone in between.

1. Lakefest Oakland 2025 - Saturday

When: Saturday (6/21 - 11am - 7pm)

Oakland’s largest summer festival returns to Lake Merritt this Saturday. The event features dozens of local vendors, three stages, and a kid zone. Tickets are $10. Entrance is next to Fairyland. See Tickets →

2. Oakland Ballers vs. Glacier Range Riders - All Weekend

When: Saturday (6/21 - 4:35pm) and Sunday (6/22 - 1:05pm)

Oakland Ballers, the A’s of our minor league dreams, are back this weekend playing a home stand against the Glacier Range Riders Saturday and Sunday. If you’re looking to catch a game, shoot for Saturday’s - it’s Rickey Henderson night RIP. Tickets start at $12 →

3. Metallica Takes Over Levi’s Stadium this Weekend

When: Friday (6/20) and Sunday (6/22), Doors at 6pm
Where: Santa Clara, CA (AKA way too far)

The band your dad loves — and maybe you? — are stopping in Santa Clara for a 2-day stand at Levi’s Stadium for their worldwide M72 tour. The lineup includes openers like Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Nails. And if that doesn’t sound metal enough, there’s a snake pit. See tickets → 

4. Take a Breather with The Old Oakland Stroll

When: Saturday (6/21) - 7pm
Where: 9th & Washington St. Downtown Oakland

Hard to follow up a Metallica concert, but metal isn’t for everyone — and this newsletter is for everyone. Stroll Old Oakland this weekend between 9th and Washinton St. Vendors, musicians, and restaurants will be taking over the streets serving good eats, tunes, and times. Tickets are free, but we’d suggest registering See details →

5. For the Kids, There’s Bubblefest - All Weekend

When: Saturday and Sunday - 10am - 5pm both days
Where: Chabot Science Center

Bubble artists, face painters, and all things “woobly” are taking over the Chabot Science Center this weekend. Truly a perfect event for the kids and while you’re there take a quick hike through Redwood Regional park. You do need tickets, sorry. But members get 40% off →

Let us know what you thought of this issues events? Something you wished we would have shared? Send a reply with your thoughts.

What The Town is talking about…

The local stories you may have missed this week:

• KQED’s recap of the Hella Juneteenth Celebration in Oakland

• Landslide pushes the opening of San Mateo’s new park to Summer 2026

• Oakland City Council passes the city budget — here’s what’s in it

That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading.

Got a comment, question, or suggestion? Shoot me a reply.

See you out there,

-Kolby
Oaktown