Happy Tuesday, Walnut Creek!
💡 Did you know: The Lesher Center turns 36 this month. It first opened in October 1990, replacing the old Civic Arts Theatre and Stage II Theatre, and today the city-run center hosts more than 900 productions and events a year, with about 350,000 people walking through its doors. This weekend it throws a party for the festival of lights.
This week: sunset yoga Wednesday in the cactus garden, Trunk or Treat and a drone show on Friday, and a makers market plus live music on Main on Saturday.
Last week’s poll came out a tie between Broadway Plaza’s birthday and a quiet weekend at home. This week’s question is at the bottom.
Let’s get to it.
Sean Casey
🪔 Friday and Saturday: Diwali at the Lesher
The Lesher Center’s two-day Diwali Celebration opens Friday night with comedian Nimesh Patel, an Emmy-nominated writer who got his first writing job when Chris Rock hired him for the Academy Awards and later wrote for Saturday Night Live. When the show lets out, look up. A free drone light show by Northern Lights Drone Shows lights the sky over the Lesher at about 9:15 and runs 12 to 14 minutes, with viewing on Locust Street in front of the building.
Saturday the celebration moves outside for the Diwali Celebration Street Fair, an afternoon of artisan vendors, food and live performances. It’s free and family friendly, so bring everyone.
📍 Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. • Drone show viewing on Locust St.
📅 When: Friday, October 23 | Nimesh Patel 7:30 PM • Drone show about 9:15 PM • Saturday, October 24 | Street fair 12:00–5:00 PM
💲 Price: Drone show and street fair free • Comedy show ticketed
🧘♀ Wednesday: Sunset Yoga at the Garden
Looking for a little midweek reset? The Ruth Bancroft Garden is staying open after hours Wednesday for a beginner-friendly yoga class as the sun goes down over the succulents. It's a lovely excuse to step away from the usual routine, get some movement in, and enjoy the garden in a different light.
The class is ticketed, with limited spots listed, so check availability before heading over.
📍 Where: The Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Rd.
📅 When: Wednesday, October 21 | 5:30–7:00 PM
💲 Price: $20–$27
🎃 Friday: Trunk or Treat in Civic Park
Walnut Creek Arts + Rec brings back Trunk or Treat for its seventh year on Friday afternoon, a trick-or-treat lane through Civic Park lined with booths, games and candy. From four to six there is music, giveaways and a scavenger hunt with prizes. Bring a bucket or bag.
The first hour is built for kids who do better with less going on. From three to four there is no music and no jump scares, with allergy-friendly and non-food treats, a Whispering Witches Room with touch-friendly decorations, quiet zones, and calming tools you can borrow from Specialized Recreation staff.
📍 Where: Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr.
📅 When: Friday, October 23 | Low-sensory hour 3:00–4:00 PM • General event 4:00–6:00 PM
🛍 Saturday: A Makers Market, Then Music on Main
The Makers Market sets up on Broadway Plaza Street, between Nordstrom and Macy’s, on Saturday with local makers selling jewelry, home goods, apparel, glass, holiday candles and local honey, plus live music. Kids and dogs are welcome, and it’s free to wander.
Stay downtown for dinner. Walnut Creek Downtown puts the band SPH on its Downtown Stages at Main and Cypress for a free evening set, so you can grab a patio table and let the music come to you.
📍 Where: Broadway Plaza Street, 1275 Broadway Plaza • Main St. and Cypress St.
📅 When: Saturday, October 24 | Market 11:00 AM–5:00 PM • Music 5:30–8:00 PM
💲 Price: Free
🎃 Sunday Plans: Pumpkins, Costumes & Pups
Sunday is shaping up to be a festive one around Walnut Creek. The Walnut Creek Farmers' Market is hosting its Halloween Harvest celebration, with a kids' scavenger hunt, free pumpkins, and a contest for the best-decorated market booth. Costumes are encouraged for all ages, so bring the family, browse the vendors, and enjoy a little Halloween fun while shopping local.
Over at Calicraft Brewing Company, Joybound People & Pets is teaming up with the brewery for Yappy Hour, a dog-friendly Halloween celebration featuring adoptable pets, music, food trucks, raffles, and more. Tickets include two drinks, an item from the Joybound swag bar, and a raffle entry.
📍 Where: Walnut Creek Farmers' Market, Locust St. between Cole and Lacassie • Calicraft Brewing Company, 2700 Mitchell Dr.
📅 When: Sunday, October 25 | Halloween Harvest 9:00 AM–1:00 PM • Yappy Hour 12:00 AM–3:00 PM
💲 Price: Farmers' Market free to attend • Yappy Hour $35
🌳 Around Walnut Creek
👔 State & Liberty is back home. Last week we told you the Broadway Plaza menswear shop had moved temporarily during a renovation. That turned out to be quick. Beyond the Creek reports it is already back in its original spot. Beyond the Creek
🍳 Sur la Table is coming back to Broadway Plaza. After several years away, the kitchen store is returning to the center, this time in the former P.F. Chang’s space, according to Beyond the Creek. No opening date yet. Beyond the Creek
🏆 Best of Walnut Creek voting has closed. Thank you to everyone who voted for the Digest. The Chamber announces this year’s winners on October 29. Best of Walnut Creek
👀 Looking Ahead: Halloween, Then the Holidays
Lindsay Wildlife Experience holds Howl-ooo-ween on Tuesday, October 27 from 3 to 8 PM, with not-so-spooky animal encounters, crafts, games and face painting. Tickets are $20, or $15 for members, and both kids and adults need one. Online sales end October 26. Further out, the free Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday, November 20 at 5:30 PM in Civic Park, the same day Walnut Creek on Ice opens there for the season.
Other fun notes…
🥗 Weekly Walnut recipe: Pumpkin Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. A cup and a half of toasted walnuts goes in, half in the spiced pumpkin cake and the rest on top of a maple cream cheese frosting. A half-sheet pan makes four dozen small squares in about an hour and forty minutes.
🎵 Who we are listening to: Bobby “Boris” Pickett, “Monster Mash.” Trunk or Treat is Friday, so it felt right.
👻 Halloween book pick: Halloween Activity Book for Kids, spooky mazes, word searches and jokes for ages 6 to 12.
🙏 Positive news around the globe: After a run of crashes on its main street, the village of Fillongley in Warwickshire, England, let its knitting group handle it. The Knit and Natter members made life-sized knitted traffic officers and fake speed cameras, and locals say drivers are hitting the brakes. Read Article
✨ A week with a drone show, a sound bath and a trunk full of candy is a good week.
Which plan is yours this weekend?
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