Oaktown Weekly | July 31, 2025

Grateful Dead — every Dad’s favorite band — is coming to Golden Gate Park this weekend in their latest form Dead & Co.

The 3-day event is expected to bring in 60k visitors, but it’s ruffled the cargo shorts of some die hard fans. Refresher: the band said they were calling it quits back in ‘24. Now, they return for a 3-night sold-out mega concert ($$$).

And as an attendee of their last, last show — all I can is don’t worry if you miss this one. There will be another.

If middle-aged deadheads and “ice cold fatties” ain’t your bag, no sweat. This weekend has a stacked lineup:

• Finally, REAL Wrestling returns to Oakland Friday

• The greatest antiques fair in NorCal returns to Alameda

• Dogs + Surfboard = Beach side fun

Now, if only we had some sun….

Oaktown List: The Best Oakland Beer Gardens

We just dropped our latest lineup of the Best Oakland Beer Gardens. You can add the full list to Google Maps with this handy link. We’ll keep updating this with your recommendations.

Got an idea for a roundup? Reply and let us know!

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.

Hoodslam DEI Wrestling — Friday Night

When: Friday (8/1) @ 8pm
Where: Continental Club, 12th St.

This is REAL. Hoodslam returns this Friday at the Continental Club. Show is 21+ and in their own words, “don’t bring your fucking kids.” Tix here →

Cosmocon at Chabot — Friday Night

When: Friday (8/1) 6-10pm
Where: Chabot Space & Science Center

If you are looking for something to do with the kiddos this First Friday, head on up to Chabot Space & Science for a costume contest, cocktail robots, and Star Trek improv show. See details →

BBQ Without Borders — Saturday

When: Saturday (8/2) 3-7pm
Where: OMCA, 1000 Oak St.

No Immigrants No Spice’s signature summer event celebrating the bold flavors and vibrant cultures that immigrants bring to the Bay Area. See details → 

Taste of Jack London — Saturday

When: Saturday (8/2), 12-5pm
Where: Jack London Square, Block15, 252, 2nd St.

What could be a better combination: waterfront scenery, craft beer tastings, and food? I know nothing better — or at least come before they slap a Dave & Busters on the waterfront — yes, it’s true and I’m not sure how to feel about it. See details →

Alameda Point Antiques Faire - Sunday

When: Sunday (8/3) 6am - 3pm
Where: 3900 Main St. Alameda

It’s the best. If you haven’t made a pilgrimage on the 1st Sunday of every month to the hot Alameda tarmac for Northern California’s largest antique show… have you even lived? Pro tip: Go early or go late. The in-between is chaos. Start your life →

Have an event you’d like promoted? Reply and send us a tip, we’ll give you a shootout in the ‘sletter.

Stories from The Bay

The local stories you may have missed this week:

• Athletics Rookie, Nick Kurtz, ties all time record for the best MLB game ever — 4HRs, 6RBI, 19Bs, and a reminder of how much we miss the A’s.

• If you’ve been following the couchdate saga — Oakland’s darling “jazz kissa” — there’s a new update. Turns out it’s complicated.

• The World Championship of Dog Surfing is happening 30 minutes outside of SF this weekend — let’s hope it’s sunny. Reviews say it’s often packed, so go early.

• You’ve probably noticed its a cold summer. Closer to home, Oakland has only had one day in July over 75 degrees. Blame it on “misplaced” weather systems.

Thanks for reading! 

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See ya out there,

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

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