The Pre-Christmas Weekend

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18

Shopping: Citywide Holiday Open House
As we wrote earlier this week, many Oakland shops, cafes, boutiques and restaurants are staying open late Friday night. Shop Oakland’s festive streets until 8 p.m. tonight. Check out the list of participating businesses at Shop Oakland.

Friday, December 18, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

OLD CLASSICS: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Catch the 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book about a reclusive chocolate maker, starring Gene Wilder, on the big screen this evening.

The Paramount, 2025 Broadway.
Box Office opens @ 6 p.m., Doors open @ 7 p.m., curtain rises @ 8 p.m.
All Tickets: $5

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

Animal Christmas
Visit the Oakland Zoo Saturday for Paws and Claus. The zoo will be full of special entertainment all day, including a performance by the Oakland Symphony Chorus (11 am – 11:45 am), and a chance to take photos with Santa. The Island Café will be serving a hot breakfast.

Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
9777 Golf Links Road
Free with Zoo admission

Cozy Caroling
Every year during the holidays, the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate turns on the yuletide charm with carriage rides, caroling, crafts, and warm drinks. This will be the last weekend this year to enjoy the mansion and the grounds decked out for Christmas.

Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2960 Peralta Oaks Court
Tickets in advance are $12 for adults (925-275-9490)
Adults admission purchased at the house is $17

Cinderella on Strings
Uptown Body and Fender hosts Zanzibar Fairytale Puppet TheaterSaturday for a performance of Cinderella with what the puppet masters describe as a “more truthful and uplifting message.” Uptown is a great venue for a kids’ event, and Zanzibar’s Cinderella has been getting rave reviews from 5 year olds since the first sold out show in late November.

Saturday, December 19, Shows at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
401 26th Street
$10, kids under two are free

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20

Oakland in Blue
We love the name. It’s called Oakland in Blue Listening Experience and it promises to “bring an eclectic collection of talent to showcase the ever-growing diversity within the Bay Area music movement.” This month the artist is Siaira Shwan with guest keyboardist Maya Kronfeld and DJ Blacksmith. The venue is Uptown’s excellent Somar Bar.

Sunday, December 20 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
1727 Telegraph Avenue
www.somarbar.com