JACK LONDON SQUARE LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 6

55-ft Mount Shasta Fir Tree, 5,000 Sparkling Lights, Grazing Reindeer, Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, Santa, Holiday Music and More

OAKLAND – (November 13, 2013) – Jack London Square is lighting up for the holiday season with a festive annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 6, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy this special evening of holiday magic on the waterfront including festive music, live reindeer, a visit from Santa, cookie decorating, costumed characters, more than 90 local artisans and more! Oakland Mayor Jean Quan will lead the annual lighting of the 55-ft Mount Shasta Fir Tree, decorated with more than 5,000 sparkling white lights and new, festive decorations.



"The tree lighting at Jack London Square has become a classic holiday tradition for families here in Oakland," said Jack London Square Marketing Director Linda Meyer. "We invite families and friends from all over the Bay Area to enjoy this magical evening of festivities and merriment on the waterfront."

This year, the annual Jack London Square tree lighting will feature:

 Santa’s Water Sleigh Arrival – Santa will arrive via water sleigh, pulling up on the shore to join in the tree lighting festivities, greet families and pose for photos.

 Live Reindeer – Jack London Square welcomes special guests on this evening of wonder – live grazing reindeer! Families are invited to meet the beautiful creatures and even pet and feed them.

 Tap Dancing Christmas Trees – A highlight will be a dazzling dance number by the world-traveling, Oakland-based tap dancing Christmas Trees who have appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 Musical Entertainment – The evening will feature live musical performances from Veronica Powers, the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts (COVA), choral group TOSCA and special guests from Radio Disney.

 America’s Children Holiday Parade Preview – Catch a sneak preview of festive entertainment and meet costumed characters from the America’s Children Holiday Parade, set to take place on Saturday, December 7, in downtown Oakland. More than 100,000 spectators will line the streets of downtown Oakland along the parade route to marvel at giant balloons, marching bands and other exciting entertainment!



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JACK LONDON SQUARE LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 6 – Page 2

 Holiday Pop-Up – More than 90 local artisans will fill Jack London Square with art, crafts, hand-made goods, treats and more, from 5 PM to 9 PM. The Holiday Pop-Up is sponsored by Oakland Grown to benefit local Oakland non-profits.

 Interactive Activities – Families are invited get in on the holiday action at a festive cookie decorating station, or create one-of-a-kind ornament to take home and hang on the Christmas tree.

 Holiday Treats – Free hot chocolate and hot cider will keep visitors warm on this cool December evening.

 Oaklandish – Visit the Oaklandish pop-shop starting Wednesday, November 20 and throughout the holiday season, at its special Jack London Square location. The boutique offers local apparel and accessories that celebrate Oakland, and benefit Oaklandish’s ongoing calendar of free public events.

 Dinner on the Waterfront – Arrive early and enjoy dinner in Jack London Square’s thriving restaurant corridor, home to contemporary restaurants including Bocanova, Haven, Forge Pizza, Lungomare and more.



Help brighten the holiday for those less fortunate and bring non-perishable canned food donations for the annual canned food drive for the Alameda County Community Food Bank, taking place throughout the holiday season, at Jack London Square. Food donations will be accepted Wednesday, November 18 through Monday, December 30, from 9 AM to 5 PM, as well as at the tree lighting ceremony.

Visitors and locals are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Mayor’s Toy Drive. From board games to dolls, the community is encouraged to open their hearts this holiday season. There will be a collection bin located at Jack London Square throughout the holidays.

Situated in Oakland along the Oakland/Alameda estuary, Jack London Square is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront area and a well-known landmark since the mid-1800s. With its rich history as the heart of Oakland’s Port operations, Jack London Square is a historic working waterfront and is one of the Bay Area’s premier recreational, dining and commercial districts. Jack London Square offers visitors, residents and commercial tenants an authentic, vibrant hub for outdoor recreation, events and the latest dining options. For additional information about Jack London Square, call 510/645-9292, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com or follow Jack London Square at www.facebook.com/jacklondonsquare and www.twitter.com/jacklondonsq.

Music at Jack London Square by Yoshi's-August 25th

 

Yoshi’s Jazzfest brings all things music to Jack London Square for an afternoon of free live music, tasty eats, jazz festivities and more on August 25! Bay Area locals are invited to a free, festival afternoon of live jazz on the waterfront including performances from Salvador Santana, the Julian Coryell Trio, Dos Four and the Oakland Jazz Workshop Performance Ensemble. Additional details are below, I thought this annual summer event might be a fun fit for your readers. Let me know if you need a cool photo have handy. Thank you!

The Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series begins TOMORROW

Oakland Restaurant Association Announces
The Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series

Beer Maker Dinner on July 23 at Jack London Square’s Forge

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Restaurant Association in partnership with The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Visit Oakland is proud to announce the first ever series of monthly featured events hosted by some of Oakland’s top restaurants focusing on wine tastings, cutting edge cuisine, artisan breweries and other vibrant Oakland-based venues.  Oakland’s Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series celebrates the exciting and dynamic restaurants that Oakland has to offer, making it a thriving culinary destination. Each month, a different venue will host guests looking to experience some of Oakland’s best.  The inaugural event will take place at Forge tomorrow July 23.  15% of all proceeds from the event will benefit 51Oakland, a non-profit organization that promotes educational, artistic and musical opportunities for youth in the Oakland public school system.

"This monthly, moveable feast is a great opportunity for visitors and locals alike to enjoy Oakland's unique offerings," said Alison Best, president and CEO of Visit Oakland. "We wanted to provide an opportunity for the community to experience a selection of Oakland's restaurants and tasting rooms that are key contributors to the flourishing transformation of Oakland."

Forge at Jack London Square will host the inaugural beer maker dinner event tomorrow, July 23, which will feature three of Oakland’s most celebrated breweries: Linden Street Brewery, Drake’s and Ale Industries.  Forge is one of Oakland’s newest restaurants and is known for its wood-fired cooking, Neopolitan-style pizza and American classics in a prime waterfront location.  Forge will highlight some of their classic menu items alongside the three outstanding local brews. Ticket price is $50 per person.  Guests can make reservations through the website at http://www.theforgepizza.com or by calling 510.268.3200. 

Future events will take place at participating venues including Picán, Bocanova, Lungomare, A16 and many more.  For more information about Oakland’s Dine & Unwind Restaurant Series, please visit http://www.oakrest.org/ or contact Ivette Torres at 510-874-4800.