Happy Tuesday, Walnut Creek!
💡 Did you know: Walnut Creek offers free live music in multiple spots around the city each summer, with concerts hosted by the Lesher Center, Broadway Plaza, and the Walnut Creek Concert Band.
In today’s edition:
A new Walnut Creek lunch spot celebrates all week
Free concerts and live music around town
Lobster Week takes over Massimo
Smoothies, strides, and a local run club meetup
A women's self-defense class
Free pet vaccines and microchips
Three local arts picks worth catching this week
Let’s get to it.
— Sean Casey
🥗 MIXT Opens With a Week of Giveaways
Walnut Creek has a new lunch spot, and they're kicking things off with an entire week of local collaborations and giveaways. San Francisco-born MIXT officially opens its Walnut Creek location this Tuesday, bringing its salads, warm grain bowls, sandwiches, and house-made drinks to 1105 S. California Boulevard.
Opening day starts with free canvas totes and a custom veggie-themed patch bar for the first 100 in-person customers. The celebrations continue throughout the week with Beyond Yoga, TruFusion, and Changes Salon promotions on Wednesday, engraved bamboo salad servers on Thursday, and a Valkyries-inspired agua fresca tasting on Friday.
Families may want to circle back Saturday, when Sloat Garden Center hosts a kids planting table from noon to 3 p.m. and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. On Sunday, the first 50 qualifying customers after 1:30 p.m. can score a complimentary scoop from Lottie's Creamery.
📍 Where: MIXT, 1105 S. California Blvd., Walnut Creek
📅 When: Opens Tuesday, July 14; opening celebrations through Sunday, July 19
💲 Price: Free opening-week activities
🎶 Summer Sounds Returns to Rudney Plaza
Summer evenings are about to get even more vibrant. The Lesher Center's free Summer Sounds concert series returns to Rudney Plaza this Thursday with Mustangs of the West, an all-female band blending Americana and country rock with signature harmonies, electric guitar, and violin. These Thursday evening performances start at 5:30 and are perfect for all ages. Arrive a little early and enjoy live music in the heart of our city.
📍 Where: Rudney Plaza, Lesher Center for the Arts
📅 When: Thursday, July 16 | 5:30–7 p.m.
💲 Price: Free
🛡️ Build Confidence at a Women's Self-Defense Class
Walnut Creek Arts + Rec is hosting a three-hour introductory Women's Self-Defense & Personal Safety class this Thursday. Led by Streetwise Self Defense, the session focuses on practical personal safety skills in a supportive setting and is open to women ages 15 and up. The class is designed for beginners, so no previous self-defense experience is required.
📍 Where: Civic Park Assembly Hall, Walnut Creek
📅 When: Thursday, July 16 | 5:30–8:30 p.m.
💲 Price: $75 per person
🦞 Lobster Week Lands at Massimo
Massimo Ristorante is bringing a little New England seafood tradition to Locust Street with Lobster Week. From Tuesday through Sunday, the downtown restaurant is serving a Maine lobster feast with Brentwood corn, marbled potatoes, coleslaw, lemon, and drawn butter. Reservations are required, and the special is only available for one week.
📍 Where: Massimo Ristorante, 1604 Locust St.
📅 When: Tuesday, July 14–Sunday, July 19
💲 Price: $58 per person
🏃 Smoothies + Strides at The Market on Larkey
Walnut Creek Run Club is teaming up with The Market on Larkey for a social three-mile run this Wednesday evening. All paces are welcome, and free smoothies will be waiting afterward. The Market will also stay open for anyone who wants to hang out, grab a Dole Whip, or cool down with a beer after the run.
📍 Where: The Market on Larkey, 2800 Larkey Lane
📅 When: Wednesday, July 15 | 6 p.m.
💲 Price: Free
🐶 Free Pet Vaccines & Microchips
Pet owners, save this one. Contra Costa Animal Services is hosting a free vaccination and microchip clinic this Sunday at Tice Valley Community Gym. Free services include select dog and cat vaccines, rabies vaccines, microchipping, and dry pet food while supplies last. Services are first come, first served and space fills quickly, so arriving early is recommended. Pets must be at least six weeks old, and Contra Costa County residents should bring previous vaccine records if available.
📍 Where: Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd.
📅 When: Sunday, July 19 | Starts at 9 a.m.
💲 Price: Free
🛍️ Makers Market Pops Up at Broadway Plaza
Makers Market returns to Broadway Plaza this Saturday with an outdoor market filled with local artists and independent makers. Browse handmade goods, shop small, and catch live music while strolling the street between Nordstrom and Macy's. The market runs for most of the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to stop by while you're already downtown.
📍 Where: Broadway Plaza Street, between Nordstrom and Macy's
📅 When: Saturday, July 18 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
💲 Price: Free
🎭 Lesher / Art Picks This Week
CALeidoscope: Evolving Reflections of California
Bedford Gallery's newest exhibition brings together artists exploring California's landscapes, culture, and creative energy. This is its first full week on view and a timely reason to see what's new inside the gallery.
📍 Bedford Gallery
📅 Wednesday–Sunday | Noon–5 p.m.
💲 General admission
Celebrate Broadway
Young local performers take the Lesher stage for a musical theatre showcase after six weeks of training in acting, singing, and dance. The approximately 60-minute performance features Broadway songs performed by middle school, high school, college, and young adult artists.
📍 Lesher Center for the Arts
📅 Friday, July 17–Saturday, July 18
💲 Ticketed
Public Art Walking Tour
See downtown Walnut Creek's public art from a different perspective during Bedford Gallery's docent-led Route 4 walking tour. The one-hour tour explores artwork around downtown, the library, and Main Street.
📍 Meet at Bedford Gallery
📅 Saturday, July 18 | 10–11 a.m.
💲 Free
Other fun notes…
🍦 Sweet treat: Ice cream party, round two! The Market on Larkey is serving $5 Dole Whip this Wednesday from 4–8 p.m. at 2800 Larkey Lane.
🥗 Weekly Walnut recipe: Smokey Candied Carrots With Walnut Gremolata — Sweet, smoky stovetop carrots finished with toasted walnuts, fresh herbs, and lemon zest. A colorful summer side that only takes about 30 minutes.
🎵 Who we are listening to: Låpsley — Operator (He Doesn't Call Me) — “SO good! Like disco meets mellow house.”
🙏 Positive news around the globe: A solo rower just became the first American woman to row from California to Hawaii alone — and set the fastest solo crossing record along the way. Read Article
✨ Progress doesn’t always look exciting. Sometimes it looks like choosing not to give up.
As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Walnut Creek Digest community.
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