Best events in
Walnut Creek

Looking for events or things to do in Walnut Creek, CA? The city's social life centers on its walkable downtown, where upscale dining on 'restaurant row' often flows into an evening of live entertainment. Beyond the bustling nightlife, a strong community arts scene and seasonal outdoor festivals provide a different pace.

Evenings downtown often start on Locust or North Main streets, with crowds moving between restaurants, bars, and venues like the Lesher Center for the Arts.
Themed nights with tribute bands and arcade games create a high-energy scene at Retro Junkie, while Gibson's Irish Pub offers dueling pianos.
Community life is celebrated with large annual events like the Art & Wine Festival and Oktoberfest, alongside recurring open-air makers markets like HEAD WEST.

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Popular in Walnut Creek

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ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE by Kenny Metcalf as THE EARLY YEARS BAND... LIVE!

Saturday • 6:00 PM

Retro Junkie

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ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Broadway Plaza x Mighty Pilates

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori Broadway Plaza

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Shell Ridge Block Party

Sun, Oct 11 • 2:00 PM

Gordon Road

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Arab x Punjabi Fusion Day Party

Sun, Oct 18 • 12:00 PM

Stereo 41 HiFi

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PVOLVE Run Club

Sun, Oct 25 • 9:30 AM

1210 Broadway Plaza

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VSP Unity/PECAA & ZEISS Perfect Pair Dinner

Wed, Oct 28 • 6:00 PM

Massimo Ristorante

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Walnut Creek Career Fair

Thu, Oct 29 • 9:30 AM

Hilton

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SkinSpirit Walnut Creek 18th year Anniversary Event

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:00 PM

SkinSpirit Walnut Creek

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ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE by Kenny Metcalf as THE EARLY YEARS BAND... LIVE!

Saturday • 6:00 PM

Retro Junkie

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ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Broadway Plaza x Mighty Pilates

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori Broadway Plaza

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Shell Ridge Block Party

Sun, Oct 11 • 2:00 PM

Gordon Road

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Arab x Punjabi Fusion Day Party

Sun, Oct 18 • 12:00 PM

Stereo 41 HiFi

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PVOLVE Run Club

Sun, Oct 25 • 9:30 AM

1210 Broadway Plaza

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VSP Unity/PECAA & ZEISS Perfect Pair Dinner

Wed, Oct 28 • 6:00 PM

Massimo Ristorante

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Walnut Creek Career Fair

Thu, Oct 29 • 9:30 AM

Hilton

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SkinSpirit Walnut Creek 18th year Anniversary Event

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:00 PM

SkinSpirit Walnut Creek

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Online Events

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Music events

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SYSTEM OF A CLOWN (System of a Down Tribute) + TOOLBOX (Tool Tribute)

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:00 PM

Retro Junkie

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Arab x Punjabi Fusion Day Party

Sun, Oct 18 • 12:00 PM

Stereo 41 HiFi

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Make the Yuletide Gay!

Sun, Dec 13 • 4:00 PM

Del Valle Theater

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John McCutcheon Saturday January 23rd, 2027 at 8pm

Sat, Jan 23 • 7:00 PM

Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church

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SYSTEM OF A CLOWN (System of a Down Tribute) + TOOLBOX (Tool Tribute)

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:00 PM

Retro Junkie

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Arab x Punjabi Fusion Day Party

Sun, Oct 18 • 12:00 PM

Stereo 41 HiFi

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Make the Yuletide Gay!

Sun, Dec 13 • 4:00 PM

Del Valle Theater

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John McCutcheon Saturday January 23rd, 2027 at 8pm

Sat, Jan 23 • 7:00 PM

Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church

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Health & Wellness events

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Sip, Sculpt & Savor✨

Thursday • 11:00 AM

Slim + Contour Non-Invasive Body Sculpting

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Tai Chi: Exploring Five Traditional Styles

Saturday • 9:30 AM + 6 more

Behavioral Fitness

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ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Broadway Plaza x Mighty Pilates

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori Broadway Plaza

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Sanctuary Meditation

Sun, Oct 18 • 9:00 AM

Modern Mystery School Northern California

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SkinSpirit Walnut Creek 18th year Anniversary Event

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:00 PM

SkinSpirit Walnut Creek

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Talking through Grief, a 6-week program with Conscious Clarity

Thu, Nov 5 • 4:00 PM + 4 more

Unity Center of Walnut Creek

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HeartMath’s Cut-Thru® Technique

Wed, Dec 30 • 7:00 PM

Unity of Walnut Creek

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Know Your Body. Build Your Longevity.

Wed, Jan 27 • 9:00 AM

Behavioral Fitness

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Sip, Sculpt & Savor✨

Thursday • 11:00 AM

Slim + Contour Non-Invasive Body Sculpting

Check ticket price on event

Tai Chi: Exploring Five Traditional Styles

Saturday • 9:30 AM + 6 more

Behavioral Fitness

Check ticket price on event

ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Broadway Plaza x Mighty Pilates

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori Broadway Plaza

Check ticket price on event

Sanctuary Meditation

Sun, Oct 18 • 9:00 AM

Modern Mystery School Northern California

Check ticket price on event

SkinSpirit Walnut Creek 18th year Anniversary Event

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:00 PM

SkinSpirit Walnut Creek

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Talking through Grief, a 6-week program with Conscious Clarity

Thu, Nov 5 • 4:00 PM + 4 more

Unity Center of Walnut Creek

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HeartMath’s Cut-Thru® Technique

Wed, Dec 30 • 7:00 PM

Unity of Walnut Creek

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Know Your Body. Build Your Longevity.

Wed, Jan 27 • 9:00 AM

Behavioral Fitness

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Points of Interest near Walnut Creek

Heather Farm Park

Shell Ridge Open Space

Civic Park

Frequently asked questions about Walnut Creek

Where are the best spots for live music events in Walnut Creek?

Downtown Walnut Creek offers several regular live music events. Gibson's Irish Pub features dueling pianos on weekends, while Retro Junkie hosts tribute bands. Major street festivals and the year-round farmers' market on Locust Street also include live performances.

What are some good date night ideas in Walnut Creek?

A classic Walnut Creek date involves a progressive dinner downtown. Start with drinks at Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, then catch a performance at the Lesher Center for the Arts, which is home to three different theaters and the Bedford Gallery.

Are there any venues for comedy shows in Walnut Creek?

Yes, the main spot for regular comedy is ØL Beercafe. This downtown-adjacent venue hosts a monthly comedy night featuring stand-up performers. The Lesher Center for the Arts also occasionally includes touring comedians in its diverse programming.

What family-friendly events happen in Walnut Creek?

Civic Park is a hub for family-friendly activities and community events. It hosts the seasonal Walnut Creek On Ice rink, and annual festivals like Oktoberfest also include activities suitable for all ages. The year-round Sunday farmers' market is another popular family outing.

Are there free events to attend in Walnut Creek?

Many free community events are held throughout the year in Walnut Creek. Strolling through the HEAD WEST Marketplace or the Locust Street Festival is free, offering access to local art and music. The downtown farmers' market also has a lively, no-cost atmosphere.

Where can I find art events and exhibitions?

The Bedford Gallery inside the Lesher Center for the Arts is a premier local art destination. It features rotating contemporary art exhibitions. Additionally, the annual Art & Wine Festival and recurring HEAD WEST Marketplace showcase local artists and craftspeople.

What is the nightlife scene like in downtown Walnut Creek?

The nightlife scene is concentrated and walkable in the downtown area. A typical night might involve cocktails, dueling pianos at Gibson's Irish Pub, or a themed DJ night at Retro Junkie. Many restaurants and bars on Locust and North Main streets stay lively.

What's the difference between events in downtown Walnut Creek and Shadelands?

Downtown is the primary hub for nightlife, dining, and major cultural events. In contrast, the Shadelands area hosts community-focused programming like art classes at the Center for Community Arts and is generally quieter, especially in the evenings.