✨ New Year, Fresh Starts
The holidays may be over, but the East Bay is easing into the New Year with cozy gatherings, wellness events, cultural experiences, and low-key fun. Whether you’re setting intentions or just enjoying a slower pace, here’s what’s happening this week.
📅 This Week at a Glance
🌟 Life of the Party! - Oakland First Friday
🎶 FOREIGNER, PAT BENATAR & HEART Tributes
💃 Salsa & Bachata Class at H Lounge Bar in Vallejo
🚶 Redwoods and Ladybugs Hike
👾 Reopening of Marteenez Mini Golf Arcade
💪Start the Year Healthy: Join TruFusion Workouts
Scroll for full details 👇
Spotlight:
🌟 Life of the Party! - Oakland First Friday
📍 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA
🗓️ January 3rd at 1:30 am
💵 $0 – $23.18
The life of the party is where you want to be at, on Oakland First Fridays! Turnt sets, curated slaps by local DJs, and a hype dance floor!
🎨 EVENTS THIS WEEK
🎶 FOREIGNER, PAT BENATAR & HEART Tributes
📍 2112 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
🗓️ Jan 3 at 6 pm
🎟️ $ 12.51
Tickets & tables are limited... So don't wait!
💃 Salsa & Bachata Class at H Lounge Bar in Vallejo
📍472 Benicia Road, Vallejo, CA
🗓️ Jan 4 at 8 pm
🎟️ $ 12.51
Salsa & Bachata Lessons by Cuban Rhythm and Rumba Dance Studio! Join us Every Sunday, 8pm at H Lounge
🚶 Redwoods and Ladybugs Hike
📍Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Oakland, CA.
⏰ Jan 4 at 9 am
🎟️ Free
The hike explores "ladybug slumber parties"— dense clusters of overwintering ladybird beetles that congregate on logs and ferns. Participants will also learn about forest folklore and the history of Oakland’s second-growth redwoods.
👾 Reopening of Marteenez Mini Golf Arcade
📍 701 Escobar St, Martinez, CA
⏰ Jan 3 at 11 am
🎟️ $ 5 - $ 15
A neon playground for kids, adults, and the between in the heart downtown of Martinez.
🍴 Trombetta Brothers @Slow Hand BBQ - Martinez
📍 601 Main St, Martinez, CA
⏰ Jan 4 at 1 pm
🎟️ Free
This is a laid-back, family-friendly afternoon of live music and barbecue. Paul Trombetta and his brother specialize in a mix of acoustic originals and an extensive catalog of covers spanning six decades of rock, blues, and folk.
Start the Year Healthy: Join TruFusion Workouts
📍 Find Your Nearest TruFusion Studio
Kick off the new year with TruFusion’s wide variety of fitness classes, including yoga, pilates, barre, bootcamp, circuit training, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, TruFusion offers classes for every level to help you stay active, energized, and motivated. Find your nearest studio and start your wellness journey today!
📍609 Ward St, Martinez, CA |⏰ 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily | 🎟️ Dishes are around $1–$10 per person
This is the larger location, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and on-site coffee roasting. They offer a significant array of vegan dishes and source pastries from local bakeries like Farm & Flour.
Described as casual, contemporary, cozy, and quiet, it's a great spot for working on a laptop or solo dining.
❤️ Give Back in the New Year
January is a meaningful time to support your community:
Volunteer with Food Banks:
Give your time to help sort, pack, and distribute fresh produce and shelf-stable goods to neighbors in need. Following the busy holiday season, January is a critical time for food banks to restock and manage distributions as families navigate the coldest months of the year.
Donate Winter Clothing:
Help keep our community warm by donating clean, gently used coats, heavy sweaters, and waterproof gear. New socks and thermal layers are also in high demand at local shelters, providing essential protection for individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the winter rain.
Support New-Year Nonprofit Programs:
Kickstart the year by contributing to local nonprofits as they launch their 2026 programming. Whether through financial donations or skills-based volunteering, your support helps fund vital initiatives like job training, youth mentorship, and literacy programs that empower the community for the months ahead.
🏠 Just Listed: East Bay Homes You’ll Love
235 Toledo Ct, Vallejo, CA 94591
5 BEDS | 4 BATH | 2,084 SQFT
Perched above Vallejo with stunning panoramic views, 235 Toledo Court offers both inspiration and opportunity. View photos & details
5315 Cole St, Oakland, CA 94601
5 BED | 5 BATH | 2,762 SQFT
Welcome to 5315 Cole St. In the Fairfax community. Prime Investment Opportunity with Strong Income Potential! This charming early 20th-century fourplex offers incredible flexibility. View photos & details
618 Channel Cir, Oakley, CA 94561
5 BED | 4 BATH | 3,247 SQFT
Built in 2025, this beautifully designed home is filled with abundant natural light and offers a seamless blend of modern style and everyday comfort. View photos & details
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🌟 Catch You Next Week...
Hope this edition brings you fresh ideas, new places to explore, and a few warm pockets of joy this week. From lighted boats to candlelit music, the East Bay has a way of making December feel magical.
Stay local & stay inspired,
Ryan DeAmaral
Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider