Only went to this festival in 2023. Things were secretly modern and there was a way of purchasing…read morestuff at it. Didn't stick around for the whole time, but it was worth attending. Hopefully it will return next year.

I've been to the Art & Soul Festival more times than I can remember, way before I started Yelping…read more I remember it starting a few years after they canceled the Festival At The Lake. Lots of food vendors, stages, etc, but the best thing I like about this Festival is the Oakland vibe. Every time I go, it reminds me of Festival At The Lake or Hip-Hop On The Green. Especially near the main stage when the main artists are doing their thing. This year was no different. Yes, the $15 entrance fee and $5 parking was higher than last year, but it was worth it to me, I don't mind paying if I'm enjoying myself. Keep doing you Oakland!!!

They did it again. Another fabulous annual event at the amazing festival of lights. This is our 3rd…read moreyear in a row and we always have a blast. We always stop to shop from various artists and pick up a thing or two. We love watching all the light installations and enjoy grabbing a bite to eat. Can't wait for next year

Way better than I expected! Loved checking out the colorfully illuminated art displays this past…read moreSaturday, and endless pathways weaving through the beautiful gardens filled with gorgeous flowers and greenery, along with ponds, small waterfalls, adorable bridges, and even bee hotels (or airbeeNbees). My favorite features include the neon bonsai exhibit (which even had koi fish made out of lights), the luminescent grand piano with ambient melodies entertaining visitors, and the trail of quirky and assorted gourds (especially the bunny themed!). Great for couples, but also family-friendly, with several kids' activities on site. A food court included about 6-8 food trucks and a small seating area (we enjoyed some yummy empanadas from Javi's Cooking). The decor for the event was not cheap-looking, and the setup was unique and charming, with various art forms uniquely demonstrated. It was definitely great value for a pleasant evening in an enchanting atmosphere. Yes there was a long line for entry, but it was totally worth it, and I recommend dedicating at least one and a half hours to get the most out of your experience.

My son and immediate family had such a fun time this visit at fairyland. I haven't been since I was…read morelittle so it was definitely full circle bringing my child. This place has been around since my parents were little and they've been there too! Pretty neat. I used my wic card and valid photo Id for 5$ tickets, I couldn't tell you exactly how many is the cap but there were 5 adults and the kids were free I believe. We went as soon as it opened and the park was not overly packed at all it was really nice. I plan on getting out with my kiddo whenever I get the chance as I saw many mothers just hanging out with lunch for their kiddo for the day and I just loved that idea. Everything was open for the most part except two attractions which didn't stop us from enjoying the visit all around. From what I've learned if you visit the park twice your third visit you get a year pass! I'd say that's pretty convenient being a low income single mother. Hope I helped convince you to go !

My daughter Head Start School sent us here for Week of The Young Child to have family day which it…read morewas my first time ever going in my life. I think fairyland is an awesome place to bring your children to let them run around & play. I did feel a bit overwhelmed because it was literally every head start in Oakland so it was tons of kids, but I would I bring my daughter & son back again. Also I really enjoyed their Cafe too! Although I do feel like 10.95 is alot for 4 slices of pizza but I understand. It was still delicious.

Just finished up working at Oaktown 5K Half Marathon 2019. I was one of the people helping out…read morecheering the runners on, and guiding cars to detour. After the first half, helped out at the volunteer check-in booth. I always enjoy working marathon events, because it brings me joy that these runners are working so hard in the marathons. They truly do a good job. I especially liked this marathon, because it is more organized than others that I work at. Lots of booths for the runners to enjoy after their marathon is over. Lots of freebies, and they receive their metals at one of the booths. One of the booths, was actually giving out free beer w/ a mason jar that had "Oaktown 5K Marathon" logo on it. Pretty cool! Oakland A's, Tough Mudder, and Oaktown 5K Marathon all had their own photo booth backgrounds. Always fun to take photos at! I only had a chance to take a few at Tough Mudder. There was also a band playing great music. I would definitely work for this marathon again in the future.

+ Easy packet pick up. + Part of the Golden State Series…read morewhere if you Run all 3 Half Marathon's you get an extra medal. + Medals heavy duty and pretty sweet tbh + Post run refreshments from Whole Foods and Muscle Milk (Almond Butter Sandwiches!! Didn't like that they added Blueberries too though.. that was weird). + Teach T-Shirt and cool medal.. + 5k option available - Distances for both 5k and Half Marathon were off. They were 0.3 - 0.4mi longer than they should have been. - No official results at the finish line Personal: After having been part of the pacing team for the San Francisco Half and running Livermore Half the day before Modesto Half there was no way I was going to miss this one and not get the extra medal. As I'm trying to take it easy with a still slightly less than stellar Knee I was aiming for a finish time of 2hrs. Actually? 1:42 including the additional distance, it started pretty well but seems my comfortable running pace is between 7min and 8 min mile regardless of the terrain and I did notice that at the 3.5mi mark I was actually averaging a 6:03 min mile and had to slow myself. The course was ok, by no means exciting but well... it's Oakland. (Ha!) I did take in a lot of what was around me though and spotted many restaurants I had in my Yelp bookmarks, never a Yelp ''off'' switch. I'm trying to cut back the Running but I may still do this race again next year.

Im happy to say I didn't have to miss out on all my fav festivals in the year. Eat Real food…read morefestival held at Oakland's Jack london Square was unfortunately cancelled this year as so many other festivals due to Covid-19. This is one of the few fest I volunteer for every year and have so many amazing experiences. I got an email last week notifying me that I could still support in a big way for Eat Real to continue...voila...the take home fest box. What a sweet idea to get all the food you still love and give to the community at the same time. Here is what my box included: Chicharon Fried Pork Rinds with Chili Lime Salt from Jeepney Guy Japanese Fried Chicken from Aburaya Take & Bake Chicken and Shrimp Paella from Gerard's Paella Oxtail Taco Kit from alaMar Take & Bake (Frozen) Gumbo Pot Pie from Samara's Southern Creations Set of 3 Macarons from Shades of Sugar Bakeshop: Mint Watermelon: spearmint, watermelon ganache and sloe gin Peach Melba: vanilla, peach ganache, raspberry and bourbon Banana Foster: cinnamon, banana ganache, caramel and rum Hopefully we'll be thru this pandemic soon so we can go back to having a little more fun again...till then.... Keep supporting local bay area business!!!

Overdue review! This…read moreyear was my first time attending the Eat Real Festival. For those who have never been or heard of Eat Real, it is a free event that is a combo of a state fair, food festival, and block party to celebrate good eats, along with bringing awareness to where our food comes from, who grows it, how it is grown, and how to cook it. There were over 50 vendors, and 30 craft beers, wines, cocktails, and nonalcoholic beverages to try! There was also live music and cooking demons, family-friendly activities, and other ticketed culinary experiences. The fiancé and I were able to find street parking nearby, but parking in general around this area is fairly difficult. There were also a lot of people at the event, so unfortunately trying to find a place to sit and eat was challenging. Additionally, lines for some of the food trucks were extremely long. This limited the foods we wanted to try out. Despite all that, the fiancé and I enjoyed the festival as first timers. It was a nice to check out the different vendors and learn about their mission. However, I would take a pass next year.

Friday Nights at OMCA has become a lot smaller from what it used to be before the pandemic, but…read moremore people are now stopping by and there is a good variety of food trucks as well. Be prepared for long lines depending on the food trucks - one pro tip if you're in a group is to have each person wait in different lines to order and share family-style. It's lively with music, kids playing in the garden, and people dancing at the entrance. You can also catch the sunset from here which is a beautiful sight. As it's no longer crowded compared to pre-pandemic, you can easily walk around and enjoy the outside space while eating delicious food. I hope more people visit Friday Nights so that they can continue to bring in more food trucks and expand the event.

I've been here and I have to say that I am comparing this to pre-COVID times when this was a date…read morenight and date spot for my husband and I. But now, it's a lame version of its former self. I haven't found the right mix of food for me. And what I eat is a bit underwhelming. Now, my husband wants to go and it's "safeish" because people aren't crowded together like we used to be, there are no live bands, no dancing, and they have many fewer trucks. My first time here after they started having this again, they only had 3-4 trucks. They also have the same trucks week after week. Some of my favorites aren't available and the ones that show up haven't always been ones I'd choose to go to. But it's ok. So they've gone from a five-star breath of fresh air each Friday, to a three-star, take it or leave it. I'm hoping that they are able to revamp things and earn those two stars back!

I came by here for something, totally forgot the reason and saw what I thought was a farmer's…read moremarket. But it wasn't. This was a cool show and we saw the end of it. But it was fun looking at all of the people selling their wares. I'm glad that we went. While not a destination, if I were in the area, I would come by.

Patchwork Show has had many showings, will have many more. this one was at Jack London Square,…read more11/3. named Modern Makers Festival. offerings: clothing, art, gardening items, handbags, accessories, ceramics, jewelry, knits, etc. also gourmet foods, live entertainment. notes: -interesting vendors, none seen previously at JLS obviously all are participates of Patchwork Show -no gourmet foods seen, just churros, taco trucks, falafel, caramel apples, fried fish/okra. -no entertainment seen, only live dogs. 3.5 stars

Still my favorite race of them all!!! They changed the course slightly this year (2017) due to…read moreroadwork on Harrison. The start Line was on Lakeshore Ave and the finish line was on Grand Ave. This was by far the most people I have ever seen at this race, you can tell it has really grown in stature since it first started in 2010. The crowd support was awesome, Oakland always turns out and turns it up for this event. The Band that was playing in the finish Line Festival was so Oakland, even if you didn't run, you could just chill and listen to them. I really like that they added a Friday option for packet pick-up. Big ups for that. I make sure that I don't miss this race, haven't since it started. It's a running party and celebration of the city!!!

I'm finally back, after 65 days of eating right and cleansing. What a great way to Yelp my first…read morehalf marathon of the year. YAY!!! If your not interested in running a half, Oakland Running festival offers a kids fun run, 5k, Team Relay and Full Marathon. Who says running in the ghetto is bad???? RUN FORREST RUN!! Sunday 24th 2013, I participated in Oakland's Half Marathon. The Route? Out and back loop through Oakland Broadway, Paramount Theatre and onto Grand Ave. Martin Luther King Jr, Lafayette Park, 8th St. Chinatown, Harrison St, 14th St. Madison St, 10th St, Laney College 5th St, Oakland Waterfront, Oakland Harbor Cypress, 26th St, Lake Merritt Dam did I just run through all that in the dreaded sun? With the weather at 75 degrees, made it a beautiful day. A well organized run, and full on supporters! My only wish was if they started the Half runners early versus last!