Things to Do in Beautiful Berkeley
Welcoming, relaxing, and thoroughly stunning, Berkeley, California, encapsulates the Bay Area lifestyle. At the Hotel Shattuck Plaza, you can experience it all, without the Bay Area price tag. Hike through regional parks, tour one of the nation’s preeminent public universities, or lose yourself in the city’s wonder — take a break from work and get to know this special place.
Citywide Fourth Street The Persian Center: 2029 Durant Avenue Downtown Berkeley Live Oak Park: 1301 Shattuck Avenue Shattuck, Telegraph, and Durant Avenues Berkeley Marina: 201 University Avenue Gourmet Ghetto: Shattuck Avenue Solano Avenue Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park: 2151 Martin Luther King Jr Way Kittredge Street and Harold Way Telegraph Avenue, between Dwight Way and Bancroft Way
January
Berkeley Restaurant Week
Tour the foundations of “California Cuisine,” and dig into prix fixe meals at eateries across town.
February
Lunar New Year Festival
Martial arts demos, lion dances, arts, and crafts take over Berkeley’s streets on this important Chinese holiday.
March
Persian New Year Festival
Welcome the impending spring in true Persian fashion — with food, dance, and the rituals of the Chaharshanbe Suri.
April
Bay Area Book Festival
Meet your favorite authors, discover upcoming writers, and sit in on literary sessions at this acclaimed two-day festival.
May
Himalayan Fair
Celebrate and support the Himalayan tradition with Odissi dance, Nepalese music, international vendors, and more.
June
Berkeley World Music Festival
Move and groove along to the sounds of world music, and browse a crafts fair in People’s Park — all for free.
July
Fourth of July at Berkeley Marina
Whether you want to catch a free concert or try your hand at Dragon Boat rowing, you’ll have plenty to do before a Bayside fireworks show.
August
Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival
Beautify your own piece of sidewalk, pick at gourmet chocolate, and wander among a string of festival booths.
September
Solano Avenue Stroll
The East Bay’s largest street festival features over a mile of vendors, food booths, and amusement rides, and includes a 75-entry parade.
October
Berkeley Indigenous People’s Day Pow Wow
Join in on round dances, listen to traditional drumming, and come face-to-face with hundreds of years of Native American civilization.
November
Día de los Muertos
Don traditional skeletal face paint, contribute to a community ofrenda, join a candlelit procession, and celebrate the memories of your ancestors.
December
Telegraph Holiday Fair
Get in the Christmas spirit at this streetside festival, complete with original artwork, artisanal crafts, and jovial light displays.