Live music in Walnut Creek, CA

Come join a friendly group of music lovers for a folk music jam where you can sing and play your favorite tunes. It’s a drop-in event, so just bring your instrument and your voice if you’d like to participate. This jam focuses on classic folk favorites, including songs by artists like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.

Dan Arwady, an artist based in Pacifica, California whose songs have landed on the charts and who plays multiple instruments, is in the spotlight. Beyond his music, he shares life with his wife, Angela, their three children, TJ, Tyler, and Leila, and the family dog, Levi.

Enjoy a live sing-along featuring a PETER FRAMPTON tribute plus THE PIANO MAN at Retro Junkie. It’s an in-person event for ages 21+ with free parking available. The show starts at 6:00 PM.

Retro Junkie in Walnut Creek presents a night of classic rock nostalgia featuring two tribute performances on the same stage. Frampton Comes Alive spotlights the era-defining guitar sound and crowd favorites, while Ventura Highway: The Music of America channels timeless harmonies and a feel-good California vibe. The evening moves from soaring solos to relaxed West Coast tunes in a charged concert setting tailored for fans who want wall-to-wall hits.

Jill Scott brings the To Whom This May Concern Tour to Paramount Theatre of the Arts in a strictly phone free setting. Upon arrival, cell phones and recording accessories, including smart glasses, are secured in Yondr pouches that remain with attendees and are unlocked after the show. During the event, designated areas for phone use inside the venue allow temporary access, and devices must be resecured before returning to the performance space. Anyone using a non permitted device during the performance will be removed from the venue. Attendees are encouraged to bring a credit card for purchases. Ticket access includes a public on sale along with multiple presales, including Live Nation, Citi Cardmember, Artist, Venue, SiriusXM, BandsInTown, and VIP package options.

Teddy Riley is the Grammy-winning architect of New Jack Swing, a sound that has shaped contemporary R&B, hip hop, gospel, soul, and pop for decades. A multi-platinum producer and a versatile creator across songwriting, composition, arranging, engineering, and music technology, he has amassed more than a thousand credits, including producing Michael Jackson’s album "Dangerous." Milestones in his career include early work with Doug E. Fresh and Kool Moe Dee, helping ignite a new wave with Keith Sweat’s "Make It Last Forever" and the hit "I Want Her," forming the groups Guy and Blackstreet, and delivering the Grammy-winning anthem "No Diggity," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. His catalog also spans favorites like Johnny Kemp’s "Just Got Paid" and Bobby Brown’s "My Prerogative," along with collaborations with Big Daddy Kane, The Jacksons, the Winans, and James Ingram. Honors include induction into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Soul Train Legend Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His technical expertise has also contributed to advancements at Yamaha, PreSonus, and AKAI.

Rockin' Jump Roseville hosts a weekly Friday night event exclusively for ages 11 to 17. The house lights go down, party lights come on, and the music gets louder so everyone can let loose. Admission is $20 and includes access to all attractions.

Enjoy a country night at Bourbon Highway Country Bar & Kitchen featuring upstairs line dance lessons followed by downstairs karaoke with DJ Nikita. The venue notes a $10 cover on weekends.

Get ready for an electrifying night of bass-heavy electronic music with GRiZ. The show is scheduled to start at The Independent in San Francisco, with the performance set for late evening.

Now in its 25th year, the Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival celebrates community with music and dance from near and far. The main stage features Halau Makana with Polynesian dance, Nzuri Soul performing soul and R&B, MJ’s Brass Boppers bringing traditional New Orleans brass, In Lak'ech Danza Azteca, Bululú with tropical Latin rhythms, Non-Stop Bhangra showcasing Punjabi dance music, Bongo Sidibe highlighting Guinean and West African traditions, Duniya Dance & Drum Company blending West African and South Asian drum and dance, and the Shabnam Bellydance Ensemble with Middle Eastern and Egyptian dance, plus additional acts. Festival highlights include a Kid’s Carnival presented by Jain Williams State Farm, the CA Draft Tech Craft Beer Garden, specialty cocktails, and a local shopping and vendor marketplace. This is an admission free, family friendly event supported by sponsors such as Laurel Ace Hardware, Dolan Law, Domino’s Pizza, the City of Oakland, Oaklandside, Becker Boards, AC Transit, IKE Smart City, Supervisor Nate Miley, Oaktoberfest, Kos Read Group, Jain Williams State Farm, Tante's, California Draft Tech, Black Cultural Zone, and Oakland Recycles.

Enjoy an alternative hip hop show at The Midway featuring Slopfunkdust. The event runs at 4:00 PM local venue time, with tickets available through Bandsintown.

On stage at Piedmont Piano Company, the Jazz Piano Masters Series presents Cyrus Chestnut in an intimate solo piano setting. Chestnut blends agile technique with a warm, soulful touch drawn from his church upbringing and classical training, uniting gospel feeling with hard swinging bop. He shapes each set to the room and the audience, creating a unique musical journey every time. This engagement features two shows. General admission is $40 in advance or $45 at the door, with limited seating, so purchasing early is recommended.

Up The Creek Records welcomes a night of boundary-pushing rock featuring The American Coma, Tongues Out Guns Out, and Mind the Chord. The American Coma is a Northern California trio that fuses grunge, punk, and hardcore with a dense, atmospheric edge. Their music moves between intensity and vulnerability, raw yet enveloping, rooted in Oakley and shaped by distance, tension, and clarity while reflecting on existence and awareness. The lineup includes Ian Shirley on guitar, Ace Crow on drums, and Nick Emigh on bass. Tongues Out Guns Out brings an Oakland based instrumental mathcore duo. The pair features drummer Elijah Post of Frolic and guitarist Brendan Evje, formerly of Jazz Divorce, August Spy, and Cock Lunch, with a debut LP underway. Mind the Chord rounds out the bill, a band that began in dorm rooms and basements and grew into a trio that plays hard and loud. Ben Cashman handles guitar and vocals, Dillon Variz holds down bass with backing vocals, and Will Eukel is on drums.

Bourbon Highway Country Bar & Kitchen hosts a country themed night with line dance lessons upstairs and DJ karaoke downstairs with DJ Nikita. The experience spans both floors in Downtown Walnut Creek, combining dance instruction and karaoke. A $10 cover applies on weekends.

Enjoy an electronic music night featuring camoufly, 1-800 GIRLS, Vertigo, and Joe Vertigo at The Great Northern in San Francisco.

Tap into uplifting rhythms at an East Bay drumming circle at Ashkenaz. Led by Jeni Swerdlow, MA-ATR, founder of DRUMMM Rhythmic Events and "Chief Rhythm Activator", this participatory experience invites connection, stress relief, and a shared groove through rhythm. It welcomes beginners and seasoned players alike across ages, cultures, genders, and abilities, and minors must attend with an adult. Bring a drum if you have one, or use one provided on site for a $5 convenience fee. Seating is available.

Catch Hairspray, the feel-good musical set in 1962 Baltimore. With catchy songs and upbeat energy, the story follows Tracy Turnblad as her big dream lands her on The Corny Collins Show, and she uses her new spotlight to push back against segregationist rules. Expect a fun, uplifting celebration of self-expression and inclusion at a local Bay Area theatre production.

Profantaica takes the stage at Cornerstone with Morbosidad and Cloak. Anticipate a fierce barrage of sound and an intense night from opening to close.

Case appears with a live band at Yoshi's Oakland -Jack London square, bringing the sound of classic and contemporary R&B and soul. Born Case Woodard and raised in New York, he built a platinum career rooted in songs that explore love from many angles. His path moved from early groups to writing and background vocals for Usher, Christopher Williams, and Al B. Sure, then a solo debut on Def Jam that produced the breakout Touch Me, Tease Me with Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige. The momentum continued with hits like Happily Ever After and Faded Pictures, and the chart-topping Missing You that earned Grammy nominations. His music has also appeared on the soundtracks for Nutty Professor, Rush Hour, and The Best Man, and collaborations include work with Ja Rule, Teddy Riley, and Tank. This performance highlights a catalog that spans more than two decades, presented with a live band.

Little Feat brings The Last Farewell Tour to Oakland's historic Fox Theater. Tickets are on sale now.

Singo puts a musical twist on bingo. In each round, 35 second clips of songs are played and players mark their cards when they hear a match. The first to get five in a row wins a prize. There is no cost to participate.

Catch The Blues Project live at Yoshi's in Oakland. The show is scheduled for 8:00 PM local time at the venue.

Tedeschi Trucks Band brings the Future Soul 2026 Tour to the Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley, with an opening performance by Lukas Nelson. Tickets are available now.

O.A.R., along with Gavin DeGraw and Lisa Loeb, is performing at The Masonic in San Francisco. The show is scheduled to start at 6:30 PM.

Rotimi brings a high-energy blend of Afrobeats and R&B to Yoshi's Oakland, pairing smooth vocals with global rhythms shaped by his Nigerian American roots. Recognized for music and screen work, he has drawn fans with songs like In My Bed, Love Riddim, and other Afro-fusion releases that help connect African and American music cultures. Bay Area artist Red Lotus adds incisive lyricism and an emotionally charged, genre-crossing sound that folds hip hop, R&B, pop, rock, EDM, and alternative influences into one voice. His tracks include Only You, Built Different, and Heartless, touching on love, individuality, and resilience. Together, the pairing creates a fresh collaboration that fuses styles and communities. Guiding the flow is host Phoenyx Rose, an international hip hop artist and storyteller whose work reflects global influences and a background in performance and writing. Her releases include Ooh Baby, FlyShitOnly, Wet, and Jiggytron. Presented by Mark Elliott of the A-List Musiq Circle and Kim Pruitt of KP Entertainment Connections, and hosted by Phoenyx Rose, first lady of Hip Hop TV.

Rotimi is bringing his pop rap, afropop, afrobeat, and R&B style to Yoshi’s in Oakland. The show is listed for 7:30 PM local venue time.

John Mellencamp brings his live show to Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

At Club Cali, FloLab hosts a weekly hub for Bay Area Hip Hop, bringing together artists, writers, listeners, and neighbors for a $300 rap writing contest and a cypher. The focus is on substance, style, and truth. Rappers refine their craft in front of a crowd whose response helps decide the outcome, keeping the culture in the hands of the community. Everyone is welcome, whether stepping to the mic or simply coming to watch and vibe. The contest offers a $300 purse split across three placements, with $150 for first, $100 for second, and $50 for third. Themes and beats are posted on Instagram, and signing up in advance helps reserve a slot and provides access to full rules. Competitors prepare one verse for each beat, and hooks or choruses are allowed. Memorizing your verses can elevate delivery. Winning the room wins the prize. FloLab was created to push back at the displacement and dilution of Hip Hop across the Bay. Weekly prompts reflect what people are living through right now, and the space gives MCs a place to build, test, sharpen, and perform with a crowd that truly cares. Organizers are working toward growth into San Francisco and San Jose with help from monthly supporters.

Omni Bachata’s weekly social and práctica in Oakland brings together sensual bachata music, connection-focused social dancing, and a community that welcomes everyone to the floor. Dancers may arrive straight from class or simply to dance. It offers a relaxed setting to practice, unwind, and enjoy an evening of movement. The gathering takes place at The Oak Grove.

Enjoy a free outdoor concert series in the heart of Broadway Plaza, with live performances by Foreverland, The Bell Brothers, and Summer Night City, an ABBA tribute. Arriving early is recommended, since seating is limited and there is time to browse community vendors and local partners before the music starts. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for a more comfortable experience. Beverages will be available for purchase from the Walnut Creek Downtown Association at each show, and Broadway Plaza restaurants and nearby eateries offer plenty of food options to enjoy during the performances. Look forward to three lively evenings of music and local flavor.

This social dance party at Just Dance Ballroom welcomes both experienced dancers and beginners interested in trying something new. The atmosphere is friendly and open, offering music, movement, and a refreshing break in the middle of the week.

Enjoy an evening of jazzy folk and blues with Nathan & Jessie. The duo blends resonator guitars and accordion with engaging male and female vocal interplay, plus elements of storytelling and audience interaction. Expect a lively mix rooted in jazz spirit and improvisation, featuring mostly all original music.

Unwind in a serene sanctuary with stained-glass windows in Berkeley as an immersive sound meditation gently releases stress and restores calm. A team of skilled musicians and a certified mindful meditation teacher guide the experience, weaving more than fourteen live instruments into a soothing soundscape. Hear shimmering tones from crystal bowls and gongs alongside the resonant voices of handpans, Chinese harp, monolina, and other instruments. The session is designed to encourage deep relaxation and support nervous system balance in a peaceful setting. All experience levels are welcome, and no prior background is needed. Offered as a monthly opportunity for rest and renewal, it provides a gentle space to reset and recharge.

Yoshi's Oakland - Jack London square hosts an evening with Tracie Spencer, a vocalist who rose from early prodigy to hitmaking recording artist. She began singing at three, created her first music video at ten, and won the junior vocalist prize on Star Search in 1987. Soon after, she became the youngest female solo artist signed to Capitol Records, releasing a self-titled debut that featured songs like Symptoms of True Love, Hide and Seek, and a rendition of Imagine. At 14 she followed with Make the Difference, highlighted by This House reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Tender Kisses topping the R&B chart, achievements that helped earn her ASCAP Songwriter of the Year recognition. Her career spans tours with major acts including NKOTB, a memorable appearance on Family Matters performing Tender Kisses with Darius McCrary, and recordings for film soundtracks such as Good Burger, Down in the Delta, Super Mario Bros., and Girlfight. She also modeled for brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Chanel, returned with the album Tracie featuring It’s All About You and Still in My Heart, and contributed vocals to projects with John Legend, Dr. Dre, Eve, Kanye West, Jay Z, and 50 Cent. Following a viral reunion with Shanice on the talk show Sherri and a turn at D-Nice’s Club Quarantine at the Kennedy Center, she has been performing again across the U.S. The bill also features Jeremy Keith, a Season 29 semifinalist on The Voice. His credits include background vocals for Grammy winner Stephanie Mills and After 7, as well as contributions to Kaleo’s double platinum track Way Down We Go.

Dave & Buster’s in Concord hosts a Music Bingo game night that replaces numbers with short clips of well known songs. Players use their phones to access a digital bingo card, then listen as the host plays a variety of tracks and mark the corresponding song titles to complete lines. Admission is free and includes one card per person. Winners receive prizes, and there are plenty of chances to sing and dance along to the soundtrack. Prize selections vary.

Bourbon Highway Country Bar & Kitchen in Downtown Walnut Creek turns into a two-level celebration, with line dancing lessons upstairs and DJ karaoke hosted by DJ Nikita downstairs. Expect a lively mix of step-by-step instruction and sing-along energy as the venue keeps the action going on both floors.

This weekly Brazilian Zouk social and práctica in Oakland offers an open floor to dance, practice, and connect. The atmosphere is playful yet grounded, with music that keeps the energy flowing and inspiration from fellow dancers. Whether refining head movement or simply soaking in the scene, dancers of all experience levels are welcome. The gathering takes place at The Oak Grove. Drop-in is $15 plus fees.