Happy Tuesday, Walnut Creek!

💡 Did you know: The Locust Street Festival was formerly known as First Wednesday Street Fest before being reimagined as the Locust Street Festival.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Sean Casey

One of Walnut Creek's favorite summer traditions is back this Wednesday as Locust Street Festival transforms downtown into an open-air block party filled with live music, local vendors, great food, and plenty of reasons to linger after work.

New this year is the Entertainment Zone, allowing adults to purchase drinks from participating restaurants and bars in official festival cups and stroll through designated areas while enjoying the music. Throughout the evening you'll find live performances spanning R&B, hip-hop, country, and Top 40 hits, along with local makers, food vendors, and downtown businesses staying lively well into the evening. Best of all, admission is completely free.

📍 Where: Locust Street, Downtown Walnut Creek
📅 When: Wednesday, July 8 | 5:00–8:30 PM
💲 Price: Free

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Downtown Walnut Creek is getting a little more colorful this month as artists begin painting several large-scale murals throughout the city. Rather than unveiling finished artwork, visitors can actually watch the creative process unfold in real time along North Broadway and North Main Street through July 15. It's a rare chance to see public art come to life, brushstroke by brushstroke.

📍 Where: North Broadway & North Main Street
📅 When: July 1–15
💲 Price: Free

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Summer evenings are about to get even more vibrant. The Lesher Center's free Summer Sounds concert series returns to Rudney Plaza this Thursday, bringing live music to the heart of downtown. Performances begin at 5:30 p.m. and are open to all ages. Arrive a little early and enjoy an evening of live music in the plaza. Additional concerts are scheduled later this month, making this a great recurring tradition.

📍 Where: Rudney Plaza, Lesher Center for the Arts
📅 When: Thursday, July 9 | 5:30 PM
💲 Price: Free

Event Info

Pitch-A-Friend is back, this time with a Millennial Edition at Rotator Taproom. Friends take the stage to deliver funny 3–5 minute presentations explaining why someone they know deserves a date, creating an evening filled with humor, storytelling, and a little friendly matchmaking. Expect plenty of laughs as each presenter makes their case to the crowd.

📍 Where: Rotator Taproom
📅 When: Saturday, July 11 | 7:00 PM
💲 Price: Free to attend

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Walnut Creek's newest wellness destination is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday with an open house designed to introduce visitors to its signature head spa experience. Guests can tour the space, try an AI scalp analysis, explore the floral and custom diffuser bars, enjoy complimentary wellness shots and light bites, and take advantage of exclusive grand opening promotions. It's an opportunity to explore the space, meet the team, and see what makes the head spa experience different.

📍 Where: 1147 Alpine Rd.
📅 When: Saturday, July 11 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
💲 Price: Free

Reserve Your Spot

Looking for something different than the usual Friday night? Rooted Coffee Co. is hosting The Social Dance Lounge, an evening centered around house music, movement, and community. DJ Degree will spin an eclectic mix of Afro-Latin, Brazilian, funky disco, and progressive house in a relaxed, welcoming space where you're just as encouraged to dance as you are to grab a drink, meet new people, or simply enjoy the music. No dance experience required, just show up and join the vibe.

📍 Where: Rooted Coffee Co., 1321 Locust St.
📅 When: Friday, July 10 | 7:30–11:00 PM
💲 Price: $17.85

Get Your Tickets

Wrap up the weekend with live reggae at Mike Hess Brewing as Red Red Wine brings a mix of UB40, Bob Marley, and other reggae classics to the brewery's patio. Grab a pint, settle in with friends, and enjoy a laid-back Sunday afternoon of familiar songs and summer vibes. Cold beer, live reggae, and a sunny brewery patio make for a fitting soundtrack to a July weekend.

📍 Where: Mike Hess Brewing, Walnut Creek
📅 When: Sunday, July 12 | 4:00–6:00 PM
💲 Price: Free

Event Info

🍦 Sweet treat: The Market on Larkey is celebrating summer with a Summer Ice Cream Party this Wednesday at 4 p.m., featuring Dole Whip, soft serve, and free toppings for guests who RSVP.

🥗 Weekly Walnut recipe: Smoky Eggplant Dip With Kefir & Buttered Walnuts — This is kind of like baba ganoush…until it’s not. Walnuts are toasted and sautéed with dried mint, paprika, and lemon zest, which is served over warm roasted eggplant.

🎵 Who we are listening to: Ocie Elliott – Thinking About You — “This song is like the warmest possible blanket.”

🙏 Positive news around the globe: Blind People Offered Hope of Seeing Again After Stem Cell Breakthrough Remakes Retinal Blood Vessels. Read Article

✨ Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results

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