There is plenty to keep you entertained, educated and civically engaged this week in Richmond and nearby.
Highlights include: Sign up soon if you want to get a free Thanksgiving turkey this weekend; meeting about possible Richmond teachers strike; a holiday performance by young Richmond artists, and a holiday arts fair.
For more, see our list of ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free). Also, don’t forget to add your holiday events to our free community calendar. Select events will be featured in our upcoming annual holiday things-to-do roundup.
- There’s still time to reserve a free turkey from The Black Neighborhood
- Teachers host town hall as they prep for possible strike
- Holiday gathering hosted by Black, Latina women’s groups
- East Bay arts school hosts holiday performance this weekend
- Support local artists: Shop for paintings, jewelry, prints at Holiday Faire
- Have you seen any of these faces around Richmond?
- Stare at the stars during astronomy evening in the park
- Indigenous tales of corn, bean and squash at the library
- Free Thanksgiving meal offered at Veterans Memorial Hall
- Online auction raising money for animal welfare groups
- Application deadline approaching for $2,500 scholarships
- Related stories
There’s still time to reserve a free turkey from The Black Neighborhood
Volunteers at an annual food drive will be handing out turkeys and groceries to local families.
The Black Neighborhood 10th Annual Turkey Drive 2025 will provide registered families with one frozen turkey while supplies last, a bag of groceries and access to local community support programs.
But don’t delay. The event may sell out. Advanced registration is required, and there is only one registrant allowed per household. Recipients are asked to stay in their cars during the free drive-up event which attracts hundreds.
The giveaway is sponsored by The Black Neighborhood, a nonprofit organization that empowers communities through food access, care and equity.
“Every family deserves a full table and a sense of community this holiday season,” organization members said.
The Black Neighborhood 10th Annual Turkey Drive 2025, Sun., Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to noon, Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave. Free.
Teachers host town hall as they prep for possible strike
United Teachers of Richmond will host its second town hall tonight to discuss why the union is considering going on strike.
The 1,500-member teachers union and the West Contra Costa Unified School District have been unable to reach a contract agreement after negotiating since February.
The main sticking point is salaries, with teachers asking for a 10% raise and the district offering 2%.
If a deal cannot be reached by Nov. 28, the teachers can then give their 48-hour notice to strike, possibly starting Dec. 2.
UTR community town hall, Thur., Nov. 20, Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave., Kensington, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Holiday gathering hosted by Black, Latina women’s groups
The Black Women’s Sanctuary and the Latina Sanctuary at FIERCE Advocates are joining forces for a holiday gathering.
Their Holiday Joint Sanctuary will provide an evening of connection, celebration and support.
There will also be childcare services at the free event.
Holiday Joint Sanctuary, Fri., Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., FIERCE Advocates Health & Healing Center, 312 9th St. Free.
East Bay arts school hosts holiday performance this weekend
The East Bay Regional Center for the Arts is hosting a holiday performance this weekend.
Sharing the Spirit will feature performances by students as well as faculty members at the performing arts school in Richmond.
The show is free to attend, but due to limited seating, registration is required.
The event will also be livestreamed at eastbaycenter.org/live.
Sharing the Spirit, Sat. Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., East Bay Regional Center for the Arts, 339 11th St. Free.
Support local artists: Shop for paintings, jewelry, prints at Holiday Faire
An annual fair will provide an opportunity to support local artists by purchasing art for holiday gifting.
The Arts of Point Richmond Holiday Faire at the community center will feature fused glass, paintings, prints, resin accessories, jewelry, greeting cards and other handmade crafts from 14 local artists.
There will also be activities at the Richmond library’s west branch next door.
The event is billed as a family-oriented activity that allows shoppers to get an early start on the holiday season.
AOPR Holiday Faire, Sat., Nov. 22, noon to 4 p.m., Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Ave. Free.
Have you seen any of these faces around Richmond?
You can get one last look at an art exhibit in Point Richmond featuring portraits of people around town by local artists.
The “Around Town” closing ceremony on Saturday will be the final viewing of an exhibit designed to “build community through art.”
The free exhibit opened on Oct. 12. Artists were invited to select civic leaders, restaurant employees, crossing guards or other community members and then portray them in a media of their choice.
“Around Town” art exhibit closing reception, Sat., Nov. 22, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Point Richmond Gallery, 145 W. Richmond Ave. Free.
Stare at the stars during astronomy evening in the park
You can gaze at the sky and learn about astronomy at a free event in Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline Park.
The Eastbay Astronomical Society is sponsoring the stargazing and astronomy gathering in the early evening hours.
Families are encouraged to dress warmly and bring blankets, chairs and flashlights as they wait their turn to use the telescopes.
The get-together will take place in the parking lot across the street from the Golden State Model Railroad Museum in the park.
Stargazing & Astronomy, Mon., Nov. 24, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., near the Golden State Model Railroad Museum, Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline Park. Free.
Indigenous tales of corn, bean and squash at the library
The San Pablo Library will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with an interactive storytelling session.
Educator Alicia M. Retes will present her adaptation of “The Three Sisters – Corn, Bean and Squash” during her performance of “Indigenous Tales and Songs.”
The presentation will include colorful corn husk character puppets. Listeners can also join in by playing a variety of indigenous percussion instruments.
The free event will also include original and Pan American influenced stories and sing-along songs.
All ages are welcome.
Indigenous Tales and Songs, Wed., Nov. 26, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., San Pablo Library, 13751 San Pablo Ave. Free.
Free Thanksgiving meal offered at Veterans Memorial Hall
A free dinner will be part of a community resources gathering on Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving Dinner Event will feature a full dinner with turkey, ham, chicken, macaroni and cheese and potato salad as well as information on community services from local groups.
The holiday dinner gathering is sponsored by House of Loving Hands, a nonprofit organization that assists women and men who have experienced domestic violence.
Thanksgiving Dinner Event, Thur., Nov. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Richmond Veterans Memorial Hall, 968 23rd St. Free.
Online auction raising money for animal welfare groups
An online auction is under way to support two nonprofit organizations that offer spaying and neutering services for animals.
The Citizens for Rescue Fundraising Auction began on Tue., Nov. 11, and lasts until Fri., Dec. 12. More than 75 items are up for bid.
Animal Advocates of Contra Costa County has organized the auction to raise money for Community Concern for Cats and Stitch in Time Animal Rescue.
Citizens for Rescue Fundraising Auction, Nov. 11 through Dec. 12.
Application deadline approaching for $2,500 scholarships
High school seniors still have a couple of weeks left to apply for an annual scholarship.
The 73rd Snow Ball Scholarship will award two $2,500 scholarships to Richmond high school graduates.
Applicants must be high school seniors graduating in 2026 from a West Contra Costa Unified School District campus or a charter or private school in the region.
They must also have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (weighted) as well as evidence of being involved in extracurriculars activities that highlight pride and purpose in the community.
The deadline to apply is Dec. 5. Finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges on Dec. 20. The recipients will be announced at a ceremony sometime in 2026.
For more things to do this week, read our weekly Things to Do column and our recurring list of events. You can also post your events in our calendar.
