If you’re looking for things to do for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s Eve, Richmondside has you covered with our holiday events calendar.
Or, if you know someone in need of a helping hand, we also have information here about holiday food banks and where to get a free meal.
If you know of something going on, please let us know. You can email us at hello@richmondside.org and add it to our community calendar.
As always, our Thursday What’s Up event roundup will keep you in-the-know about other Richmond area news and events, from weekly farmers markets to government meetings and more.
Holiday events at-a-glance
- Christmas tree lots — through December
- Free holiday food and meals — Dec. 25-27
- Celebration for the first night of Hanukkah — Dec. 25
- Sing-a-long and menorah lighting on second night of Hanukkah — Dec. 26
- 75th El Cerrito holiday display — ends Dec. 26
- Kwanzaa, Hanukkah celebrated together — Dec. 28
- Kwanzaa celebration at Richmond high school — Dec. 29
- Hanukkah festival for children — Dec. 29
- New Year’s Eve parties in Richmond — Dec. 31
Christmas tree lots — through December
There are a number of places in the Richmond area where you can buy Christmas trees. Here are a few of them.
- Russey’s Christmas Trees, 1030 23rd St., Richmond. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
- Golden State Family Farms, 2200 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond. Open 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
- DeLancey Street Christmas Trees, 10496 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
- Rafael Christmas Tree, 1245 Solano Ave., Albany. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
Free holiday food and meals — Dec. 25-27
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano works closely with more than 260 partner soup kitchens, food pantries and other organizations to ensure everyone can get the food they need to celebrate the holidays.
Food distribution center hours may be affected by the holiday season, including on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Please contact providers directly to confirm hours and eligibility.
If you need additional assistance locating food, visit the county’s Find Food Map (en Español), or call the Food Bank at 855-309-FOOD (3663).
In Richmond seniors can get holiday groceries on Fri., Dec. 27 at:
- Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center, 515 Silver Ave. on
Fri., Dec. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Southside Church of Christ (back parking lot), 1501 Florida Ave., Fri., Dec. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This food distribution is located in the back parking lot of the church.
Visit Holiday Groceries for Seniors for additional locations.
Free walk-in holiday meals on Christmas in Richmond will be available at these locations:
- Bay Area Rescue Mission Dining Room, 200 Macdonald Ave., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- GRIP Souper Center, 165 22nd St., 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
For more options for holiday groceries, visit Holiday Groceries for All.
Celebration for the first night of Hanukkah — Dec. 25
A potluck dinner with singing and dancing will celebrate the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The community gathering will be held on Wed., Dec. 25, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St. in Berkeley.
Participants are invited to bring in a vegetarian dish to share as well as their own menorah and candles. Organizers say everyone is welcome to “help fill our space with light, warmth and community.”
This year, Hanukkah is being celebrated from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army.
The lighting each evening of one of the eight candles in the menorah represents the miracle that occurred when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem restored its menorah. It was thought there was only enough oil to light that lamp for one night. However, the light burned for eight days.
Sing-a-long and menorah lighting on second night of Hanukkah — Dec. 26
Music and a menorah lighting will highlight a celebration of the second night of Hanukkah.
The free event is being held on Thur., Dec. 26, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave. in Berkeley.
A sing-a-long will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by a lighting of a menorah at 5 p.m.
There will also be food and prizes.
75th El Cerrito holiday display — ends Dec. 26
It was 75 years ago that Sundar Shadi placed a star next to his home at 944 Arlington Blvd. in El Cerrito. Over the years, he handcrafted and added 500 pieces to his holiday display. He died in 2002, but volunteers have continued the tradition.
The display, which features an angel, Wise Men on camels, travelers with dogs and donkeys, and shepherds and their sheep, will shine brightly every evening until Dec. 26.
Volunteers are needed to help take the decorations down on the morning of Dec. 27.
Kwanzaa, Hanukkah celebrated together — Dec. 28
A communal celebration for both Kwanzaa and Hanukkah will be held this weekend.
The Into The Dark gathering is scheduled for Sat., Dec. 28 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St. in Berkeley.
The evening will include music, meditation and teachings. Cost is $39.19 per person.
“As the land rests and many creatures settle into their long slumber, we gather to reflect and be together. This is a special opportunity for us to turn inward, listen, sing and be in the warmth of community amidst the darkness,” event organizers said.
This evening will be the fourth night of Hanukkah and the third night of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. An initial candle is lit on the first evening and then other candles are illuminated in the seven days that follow to honor each of the Kwanzaa principles.
Those principles are: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by a professor at California State University Long Beach as a way to bring African Americans together as a community.
Kwanzaa celebration at Richmond high school — Dec. 29
You can learn about Black history and celebrate the fourth night of Kwanzaa at a local school this weekend.
The free event will be held on Sun., Dec. 29, from noon to 2 p.m. at Salesian College Preparatory High School, 2851 Salesian Ave.
Organizers say the gathering will focus on Black history, community unity and cultural pride.
Hanukkah festival for children — Dec. 29
A Hanukkah celebration for children will be held this weekend.
The free event is scheduled for Sun., Dec. 29, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 5616 Bay St. in Emeryville.
There will be a public menorah lighting as well as live music, latkes, donuts, crafts for kids, a magician and a balloon twister.
A dreidel mascot and Judah the Maccabee will also be on hand for photos.
New Year’s Eve parties in Richmond — Dec. 31
You can welcome 2025 at a New Year’s bash at the Baltic Kiss Restaurant, 135 Park Place.
The NYE 24-2025 celebration is on Tue., Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. The festivities will include a mix of rock, hip-hop and funk music. Featured bands include Tha Dirt Feeling, East Brothers and The Groovy TRVBE.
A New Year’s Eve party will also be held at The Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave. The celebration is on Tue., Dec. 31, from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be music from DJ Cargo as well as food and drinks.
In addition, you can dance the night away at the Study Wine Bar, 1401 Marina Way South. The festivities will be held on Tue., Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The party will feature a live DJ playing hit songs from the 1970s until today.
There will be more New Year’s Eve dancing at the Allegro Ballroom, 12012 San Pablo Ave., from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The celebration will include Argentine tango as well as ballroom and Latin dancing. Cost is $35 for Allegro members and $40 for non-members in advance. At the door, ticket prices are $40 for members and $45 for non-members.
Are we missing an important event? Let us know. Email hello@richmondside.org and post it in our free event calendar.
