Upcoming Vallejo Events — Dia de los Muertos Festival

VALLEJO — The annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival will enliven downtown on Saturday, and Vallejo’s many Halloween celebrations culminate on Thursday, with several haunted events and a candlelight concert by LaRussell.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a joyful tribute to the departed that keeps their memories alive. The celebration this Saturday on the west end of Georgia Street will feature several live bands and ballet folklorico and Aztec dance performances. A Catrina costume contest, traditional crafts and food, and a classic car exhibition will round out this multifaceted event.

The Forbidden Puppet Cabaret will perform “Dia de Los Puppets” at the Mira Theatre on Saturday night. The event will begin with refreshments and a puppet-making workshop before the performance.

If you missed last weekend’s opening of “Wonderlandia,” you can still catch the musical play at the Vallejo Museum. Performances are scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights, and a matinee on Saturday afternoon. 

“Wonderlandia is a re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland and told through a Latine lens with Dia de los Muertos imagery, folklorico music and bilingual dialogue.

On Halloween this Thursday, Vallejo hip-hop artist LaRussell will hold an early evening concert at Suite Treatments.

Trick-or-treat alternatives for the young and old include a horror novel-themed haunted house at the John F. Kennedy Library, a haunted house party at the Veterans Memorial Building, a haunted house and trunk or treat at Sharing the Blessings, and Nightmare on Glenn Street at Children’s Wonderland Park.

But not everything revolves around these two holidays. 

On Wednesday evening, Greg Rahn will play the blues at the Empress Lounge.

Saturday’s live music offerings include an afternoon performance by Beatles cover band Hey Jude at Vino Godfather, then dinnertime shows at Bambino’s with the Collusion band, and David Bustamante at the Mare Island Brewing Co. Ferry Taproom.

Later performances on Saturday night are Club Nouveau at the Empress Theatre, Red Lotus at a Noble Cinema Studios popup on Solano Avenue, and Skip Coldwel and FunkTown at Gentleman Jim’s.

The Napa Valley Youth Symphony will perform “From Cinema to Symphony” on Sunday afternoon at the Empress Theatre. The concert is a tour of symphonic television and movie themes from “The Godfather,” “James Bond,” “Mission: Impossible” and “Star Wars.” 

These are just some of the highlights of this week’s events. Be sure to check the list below for more art, literary and recreational activities.

Wednesday, October 30

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Come on out to pick pumpkins, play in the hay maze and get into the autumn spirit. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5 for small pumpkins and $8 for large pumpkins.

• Wed, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St., Vallejo

Storytime at Children's Wonderland

Join us for storytime at Children's Wonderland Park at every Wednesday at 11:15 AM! Admission to Children's Wonderland is free to all Vallejo residents.

• Wed, 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St., Vallejo

Haunted House @JFK

Sometimes You Gotta Pop Out and Scare People! The kings of horror literature have taken over the library! Do you have the courage to face their literary creations?

• Wed, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo

Greg Rahn Band

Greg Rahn’s piano style is a silky smooth blend of jazz, blues and roots music. Rahn and his band will be laying down their brand of funky New Orleans-style jams that will get your feet tapping and excite your soul! Joining him will be David Landon on guitar, Steve Evans on bass and Randy Hayes on drums.

• Wed, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St., Vallejo

Vallejo Run Club

Join the Vallejo Run Club on our weekly Saturday morning and Wednesday evening runs. Our group meets, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. We run 1-3 easy miles. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome.

• Wed, 6:20 to 7:20 p.m.
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo

Community Pumpkin Carving

Let’s carve up some Jack O’ Lanterns together this Wednesday. Bring your own pumpkin or use one of ours. Pumpkins available for $10 on site.

• Wed, 7 to 9 p.m.
• IntegriTea
• 717 Marin St., Vallejo

Haunted Hall

Halloween Spooktacular Haunted Hall. Costume contest, prizes, raffle.
Admission: $15,00 adults. $10,00 kids 12 and under. Bar open for adults.

• Wed, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building
• 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo

Wednesday Night Open Mic

A friendly space for both beginning musicians and seasoned professionals. Comedians and poets also welcome.

• Wed, 8 to 11 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St., Vallejo

Thursday, October 31

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Come on out to pick pumpkins, play in the hay maze and get into the autumn spirit. $5 for small pumpkins and $8 for large pumpkins.

• Thurs, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St., Vallejo

Trunk or Treat & Haunted House

Two non-profits with one goal of helping the community come together to bring Halloween joy to local children. Come join Share the Blessings and Angels with Heart and have a blast.

• Thurs, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Sharing the Blessings
• 1610-A Springs Rd., Vallejo

LaRussell - GC Halloween - Candle Light Concert

LaRussell GC Halloween: Candle Light Concert. Come celebrate Halloween with a dope candlelight concert with Good Compenny.

• Thurs, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Suite Treatments Inc.
• 3729 Sonoma Blvd., Vallejo

Nightmare on Glenn Street

Explore our Haunted House, spooky Trick-or-Treat Lane, and show off your thrilling costume in our Instagram Costume Contest. Dance the night away to bone-chilling beats from our live DJ. With unexpected surprises at every turn, it's a Halloween celebration you won't forget!

• Thurs, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St., Vallejo

Haunted House @JFK

Sometimes You Gotta Pop Out and Scare People! The kings of horror literature have taken over the library! Do you have the courage to face their literary creations?

• Thurs, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo

Haunted Hall

Halloween Spooktacular Haunted Hall. Costume contest, prizes, raffle.
Admission: $15,00 adults. $10,00 kids 12 and under. Bar open for adults.

• Thurs, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building
• 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo

Friday, November 1

The Makery: Open Use Hours & Make it Fridays!

The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have, or make an appointment to use specific equipment. Don't know what to make? Check out 'Make it Fridays!' we will have a special activity to get your creative muscles working.

• Fri, 2 to 4:45 pm
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo

Fright Fest

Experience the transformation and prepare for nights of frights into a realm of haunted horrors and eerie entertainment. With haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, and hair-raising shows, it's a scream-inducing extravaganza for thrill-seekers. Enjoy the park's rides in the dark, making it the ultimate destination chills of the Halloween season. *Some attractions and events require additional costs for admission

• Fri, 6 to 10 p.m.
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
• 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo

Wonderlandia

A new Theatre for Young Audiences musical that retells the story of Alice in Wonderland through a Latine lens, with folklorico music from around the world and bilingual dialogue. This show has light effects and Dia de Muertos imagery, but is geared toward young audiences. With a running time of just under one hour and a pre-show discussion for kids, we believe it to be suitable for families of all ages. Masking required in the theater to protect cast and audience members with immune differences.

• Fri, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St., Vallejo

Saturday, November 2

Vallejo Run Club

Join the Vallejo Run Club on our weekly Saturday morning and Wednesday evening runs. Our group meets, rain or shine, next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. We run 1-3 easy miles. Beginners to ultra marathoners welcome.

• Sat, 8 a.m. to 9:00 am
• Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo

Community Coffee Tasting

Sample coffees from around the world side-by-side, develop your palate and discover coffees you love that you never knew existed. Browse crafts and confections by local vendors, or enjoy made-to order crêpes.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moschetti Coffee
• 11 Sixth St. (Curtola Pkwy. & Solano Ave.), Vallejo

Farmers' Market

Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits & veggies, as well as some nice specialty booths with baked goods, tamales and food trucks with down-to-earth prices. Sometimes you can find local honey, homemade soap and other goodies here.

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin Streets, Vallejo

Dia de los Muertos Festival

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a vibrant festival that originated in Mexico. This joyous occasion serves as a tribute to the departed. Expect a plethora of activities, ranging from enchanting face painting to captivating live music, and ballet folklorico and Aztec dance performances. Traditional crafts will be showcased and a classic car exhibition will transport you to a bygone era. Savory traditional food will tantalize your taste buds.

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Santa Clara and Georgia Streets, Vallejo

1st Annual Veterans Day Powwow

Come help us honor our warriors past and present on Veterans Day in Fairfield, CA. Event by 7 Generations Intertribal Council

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• California National Guard
• 510 Parker Rd., Fairfield

Fright Fest

Experience the transformation and prepare for nights of frights into a realm of haunted horrors and eerie entertainment. With haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, and hair-raising shows, it's a scream-inducing extravaganza for thrill-seekers. Enjoy the park's rides in the dark, making it the ultimate destination chills of the Halloween season. *Some attractions and events require additional costs for admission

• Sat, noon to 11 p.m.
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
• 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo

Hey Jude

With their remarkable talent, great harmonies, and passion for the music of the Beatles, Hey Jude will take you on a journey through the timeless classics that defined a generation.

• Sat, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Vino Godfather
• 1005 Walnut Ave., Vallejo

Wonderlandia

A new Theatre for Young Audiences musical that retells the story of Alice in Wonderland through a Latine lens, with folklorico music from around the world and bilingual dialogue. This show has light effects and Dia de Muertos imagery, but is geared toward young audiences. With a running time of just under one hour and a pre-show discussion for kids, we believe it to be suitable for families of all ages. Masking required in the theater to protect cast and audience members with immune differences.

• Sat, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St., Vallejo

Bob Nadler and the Capitol Stairs Bambinos

Band: Bob Nadler and the Capitol Stairs Bambinos play jazz. Sponsor: Capitol Stairs Community Stewards: In appreciation of the support from the Vallejo Community.

• Sat, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Capitol Stairs
• 602 Capitol St., Vallejo

Collusion

This band brings together a mix of blues, classic rock, funk & reggae genres, with rarely heard cover tunes. Get ready for a night of fun this Saturday! No cover with dinner.

• Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122, Vallejo

Live Music Saturday with David Bustamante

David Bustamente is a long time Bay Area singer,songwriter,multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is the band leader for the legendary San Francisco FilAm rock band, DAKILA. Bustamente’s favorite childhood instrument is the ukulele which is a featured instrument on many of his songs.

• Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Mare Island Brewing Co. Ferry Taproom
• 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo

Dia de Los Puppets

This event will have the Dia de los Puppets theme, as the unliving are brought to life before your very eyes by puppet artists. Enjoy puppets large and small, adult refreshments, and make a puppet to take home.

• Sat, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St., Vallejo

Wonderlandia

A new Theatre for Young Audiences musical that retells the story of Alice in Wonderland through a Latine lens, with folklorico music from around the world and bilingual dialogue. This show has light effects and Dia de Muertos imagery, but is geared toward young audiences. With a running time of just under one hour and a pre-show discussion for kids, we believe it to be suitable for families of all ages. Masking required in the theater to protect cast and audience members with immune differences.

• Sat, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St., Vallejo

Club Nouveau

Club Nouveau is an R&B-pop band that was formed by record producer/performer Jay King in 1986 in Sacramento, California. From its debut album, Life, Love, and Pain, which was released in 1986, the group scored four consecutive hits: “Jealousy,” “Situation #9,” a cover of Bill Withers’s “Lean on Me,” and “Why You Treat Me So Bad.”

• Sat, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St., Vallejo

Red Lotus LIVE from Noble Cinema Studios

Join us for Red Lotus LIVE, an immersive experience at Noble Cinema Studios where vibrant red lotus flowers come to life on the big screen! Hip-hop, Indie R&B and pop music.

• Sat, 8 to 11 p.m.
• Noble Cinema Studios
• 1509 Solano Ave., Vallejo

Skip Coldwel & FunkTown

Skip Coldwel, aka "Skipper" has been singing and fronting bands for decades all over California. His soulful voice backed up by his Funky R&B band will have you tapping your feet and dancing all night long. Get in early, get your seat, your drink and claim your spot on the dance floor! $10 Cover after 10pm.

• Sat, 9 p.m. to midnight
• Gentleman Jim’s
• 1324 Lincoln Rd. E, Vallejo

Sunday, November 3

Fright Fest

Experience the transformation and prepare for nights of frights into a realm of haunted horrors and eerie entertainment. With haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, and hair-raising shows, it's a scream-inducing extravaganza for thrill-seekers. Enjoy the park's rides in the dark, making it the ultimate destination chills of the Halloween season. *Some attractions and events require additional costs for admission

• Sun, noon to 10 p.m.
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
• 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo

Relatively Small Works

A group art show featuring art 12 inches and under. Jose Martinez solo art show in the small gallery.

• Sun, noon to 4 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St., Mare Island, Vallejo

Napa Valley Youth Symphony - From Cinema to Symphony

Napa Valley Youth Symphony is an award winning youth orchestra. “From Cinema to Symphony”. will feature the “Back to the Future Suite for Orchestra” by Alan Silvestri, “Love Theme” from The Godfather by Nino Rota, “James Bond Medley” arranged by Victor Lopez, “Mission: Impossible Suite” by Lalo Schifrin and more.

• Sun, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St., Vallejo

Meet & Greet for Benicia Literary Arts members and guests

The Board of Directors of Benicia Literary Arts would like to get to know our members better, share what we do, and learn more about how we can better help our writers achieve their goals. We welcome other local writers and readers who are interested in learning more about our writing community. Our new President, Debbie Weiss, will lead discussions on how we can best serve our community in the future.

• Sun, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• Benicia Community Center
• 370 E. L St., Benicia

WFTDA Global Championship Tournament Watch Party

Carquinez Quad Squad invites you to join them to cheer on the world's top roller derby teams as they compete for the Hydra Trophy in the championship game of the 2024 Women's Flat Track Derby Association Global Championship Tournament. Grab a cold pint, and some delicious food, while meeting local roller derby players, learning about the sport of roller derby and local derby events, and cheering your heart out as teams compete in the first global championship tournament since 2019.

• Sun, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Mare Island Brewing Co. – Coal Shed Brewery
• 850 Nimitz Ave., Vallejo

Monday, November 4

Community Drum Circle

Drumming is a great way to release stress, boost immunity, brighten mood, and have tons of fun. All ages, cultures, genders, and abilities are welcome. Bring a drum, shaker, or other instruments and a beverage or two. Loaner drums available with advance notice.

• Mon, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mira Theatre
• 51 Daniels Ave., Vallejo

Vallejo Senior Round Table - Seniors and the Court System

This month’s speaker is Superior Court of Solano County Presiding Judge Alesia Jones. Jones will talk about the courts and the role they play in administering justice in Solano County, and dispense a bit of information related to Seniors, their issues and their interface with Court System.

• Mon, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Florence Douglas Center
• 333 Amador St., Vallejo

Speakeasy Expressions Poetry Open Mic

Come share your spoken word poetry on stage to a live audience, or just grab a few drinks and watch the show. This open mic is a friendly, casual atmosphere for you to expand your poetic horizons. No cover charge, drinks available for purchase. 21+ venue.

• Mon, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Chris’ Club
• 656 Benicia Rd, Vallejo

Townhouse Ramblers

Acoustic Evening of Americana, Folk and Blues featuring Don Bassey, Pato Milo, Jeff Campitelli, Rich Adams, Mark Reed, Eric Wood, Erin Bakke, plus some very special guests — now 1st & 3rd Mondays

• Mon, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge
• 401A Georgia St., Vallejo

Tuesday, November 5

"I Need A Mic" writing workshop

Ray Davis @poetdavis hosts the I Need a Mic Writing Workshop at the JFK Library on select Tuesdays. Writers of all genres welcome.

• Tues, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo

Campanelli Youth Chorus after-school class

The Campanelli Youth Chorus class, sponsored by Vallejo Choral Society and administered by Greater Vallejo Recreation District, offers an enriching choral education and performance experience to school-age children throughout Solano County and beyond. The youth chorus class empowers students to find their voice and develop an appreciation for singing and its power to lift the human spirit.

• Tues, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Vallejo Community Center
• 225 Amador St., Vallejo

Vallejo CreativiTea Club

Vallejo CreativiTea Club (previously called Doodle and Draw) is now every Tuesday night. Get together with your downtown arts community to work side by side on art projects while sipping tea and listening to music. Bring a project you're working on, or get inspired to start something fresh. We will have some art supplies available. This free event is open to all ages and skill levels.

• Tues, 6 to 9 p.m.
• IntegriTea
• 717 Marin St., Vallejo

Family Friendly Comedy

Bay Area Comics - Family Friendly comedy and Italian inspired cuisine - first and third Tuesdays at Bambino's. No cover with dinner.

• Tues, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Bambino’s
• 301 Georgia St. #122, Vallejo

‌A more detailed list of upcoming events can be found here.

Submit your event listings for inclusion to events@vallejosun.com

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Editor's note — this story was updated to add Bob Nadler and the Capitol Stairs Bambinos performance on Saturday.