1 | Food, art, entertainment at ‘Did You Know’ event downtown, May 7
The Richmond Main Street Initiative and community partners are bringing food, artisans and entertainment to downtown Richmond as part of Small Business Week. The Richmond Did You Know Downtown Edition will feature cooking demonstrations, local artisan showcases and performances from local entertainers.
Richmond Did You Know Downtown Edition, Thur., May 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., The Lot, 1401 Macdonald Ave. Free
2 | Contra Costa Chorale presents classical music concert, May 8
The Contra Costa Chorale is presenting an evening of classical music dubbed “The Eras.” The program includes compositions from Franz Joseph Haydn, Johannes Brahms, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Morten Lauridsen and Joan Szymko. It also features the premiere performance of “Let Children Walk” by local composer Justin Trujillo, a graduate of Pinole Valley High School. The Contra Costa Chorale was founded as the Richmond Symphony Chorus.
Contra Costa Chorale “The Eras” concert, Fri, May 8, 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universal Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington. Advance tickets $25 general admission, $20 seniors, students and disabled; $30 at the door general admission, $25 seniors, students and disabled. No charge for children under 12.
3 | NIAD unveils large-scale collaborative art project on 23rd Street, May 9
Six local artists are unveiling a large-scale public art project on the exterior of the NIAD art gallery. The works, created during two collaborative workshops in 2024 and 2025, form a cut-metal panel artwork spanning NIAD’s building, fence and courtyard gate. An opening reception will be held for the exhibit, entitled “We Are Creating Our Own Histories.”
“We Are Creating Our Own Histories” exhibit opening reception, Sat. May 9, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., NIAD Art Center Annex Gallery, 551 23rd St. Free
4 | Earth Day-inspired botanical art exhibit closes at Point Richmond at library, May 9
Richmond artist Jeanne Rehrig is hosting a closing reception for her Earth Day-inspired botanical art exhibit at the West Side Library Branch in Point Richmond. “Botanical Art the Richmond Library” marks the final day of the spring-themed exhibit, a celebration of the season for both the library and the broader community.
“Botanical Art at the Richmond Library” exhibit reception, Sat., May 9, noon to 1 p.m., West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Ave. Free
5 | Mother’s Day pancake breakfast aboard historic ship, May 10
The historic SS Red Oak Victory ship is kicking off its 2026 pancake breakfast series with a Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday. The Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast features pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and apple slices with orange juice, coffee and tea, plus live music from the Benny Amon Band. Four more pancake breakfasts are planned between June and October aboard the SS Red Oak, the last surviving of the 747 ships built in the Richmond shipyards during World War II.
Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast, Sun., May 10, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SS Red Oak Victory Ship, 1337 Canal Blvd. $20 plus fees for adults and $5 plus fees for children 8 years and younger
6 | Contra Costa College jazz vocal program, May 14
Contra Costa College is filling the air with jazz with a Jazz Night Concert. The community college’s jazz vocal program takes the stage for an evening of jazz celebrating this year’s music program.
Jazz Night Concert, Thur., May 14, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Knox Center for the Performing Arts, Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive, San Pablo. $20 plus fees for general admission and $10 plus fees for students
Also check out our list of ongoing things to do (many of which are free). And add your events to our free community calendar.
