December is upon us, and community holiday celebrations are starting on Lakeshore! Join us for the third annual Lakeshore Holiday stroll from 4-7 on Friday, December 16! Read about Lakeshore holiday events and celebrations, options for holiday shopping and experiences, and giving back. Winter often brings a hankering for cozy comfort food; get the scoop on where to find food that hits the spot and more. Read all about it!
Join us for the Third Annual Lakeshore Holiday Stroll on Friday, 12/16!
Join us for the third annual Lakeshore Holiday Stroll from 4-7 on Friday, December 16!
Enjoy festive shopping, a drawing for prizes, meals, drinks, giving back, and carolers from the Oakland School for the Arts. A joyous time for everyone while supporting local businesses at one of the most important and jolly times of the year. Family-friendly, all are welcome!
You may notice festive decorations and lights on Lakeshore. The Lakeshore BID is investing in holiday decorations and the holiday stroll.
You are Invited: Celebrate the Holidays with Lakeshore Events
Holiday Cookie Decorating
On Saturday, December 3rd, after three years, the Oakland LBGTQ Community Center is bringing back their Holiday Cookie Decorating activity with Our Family Coalition from 3 pm – 6:30 pm. All ages are welcome; registration is required to attend the event.
Barefoot Black Tie Holiday Soiree
Join Arise Yoga to welcome a magical season of gratitude and celebration! Dress up and come dance the evening away in the studio and share a glass of wine or two with other Oakland yogis and teachers. Let’s get fancy and festive this holiday season, mingle and make merry! The Black Tie Holiday Soiree is Friday, December 9thm 7-10 pm.
Holiday Potluck at Heart and Dagger!
On December 24th, anyone bringing a dish to share will receive a free shot of select booze and a free piece of merchandise from Heart and Dagger’s beer & booze sponsors! Heart and Dagger’s Holiday Potluck is Wednesday, December 24th from 1-4 pm. You must be over 21 years old to participate.
Lakeshore Holiday Shopping and Gift Cards!
Have you begun your holiday shopping? There are so many options on Lakeshore Ave, it will be easy to find something for everyone!
Gift an amazing vintage outfit and make it new from Maribel. Match your favorite rattle to an outfit and create a perfect gift for a young one in your life from Silver Moon Kids online or in person.
Looking for a gift card for a foodie in your life? Give a Proposition Chicken, Bardo, Shakewell, Rico Rico Taco, or an Arizmendi gift card.
Looking to stay in shape or give the gift of fitness in the new year? Hipline or Arise Yoga have gift cards too!
Looking to support local makers? Bay-Made is teaming up with Two Pitchers Brewing Company for a mini-market to support local makers on Sunday, December 18th, 2-5 pm. By the way, Bay-made gift cards are available here.
Warm and Cozy Food for Winter
Winter brings colder weather and a craving for cozy comfort foods. Thankfully, we don’t have to look far for food that will hit the spot on Lakeshore!
Find Matzah Ball soup at Proposition Chicken, gourmet Pork and Beans at Bardo, Morrocan-based Shakshuka at Shakewell, and delicious warm plates at Rico Rico Taco. Warm soup or dessert is available at Arizmendi, and Colonial Donuts has donuts 24 hours a day that always hit the spot.
Giving Back
se Bar
The Cathouse Bar is kicking off its first annual Cat’s Pajama’s food and clothing drive! Come on by for happy hour with some donations in good condition and get a free cocktail. Let’s all lend a “helping paw” to our Oakland community this holiday season!
Bay-Made is accepting donations of gently used warm clothes and new socks to pass on to West Oakland Punks with Lunch to help our houseless neighbors throughout the holiday.
Proposition Chicken’s Non-Profit Monday is supporting Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach. Founded in 1975, the mission of API Legal Outreach is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation, social services, and advocacy for the most marginalized segments of the community. Show up and eat good food to support this amazing work!
Over Thanksgiving week, the Oakland LBGTQ Community Center kept a list of FREE holiday meal locations this week and kept their food pantry stocked. Arise Yoga had a special Thanksgiving Day class with Andrea Hill, and all Hatha flow class proceeds were donated to the Alameda County Food Bank.
What We Did for Thanksgiving
Lakeshore businesses expressed appreciation and gratitude for their workers, customers, and community for Thanksgiving week. Each celebrated in their own way, providing pie and cookies, closing for the Holiday, or having a party to celebrate community, like at Heart and Dagger Saloon. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!
Happy Holidays!
