Oakland Restaurant Week, Fire Department Milestone and Busy Weekend Events Lead Local Headlines
Oakland, CA – March 16, 2026 – Restaurant Week draws diners citywide as the Fire Department marks 157 years and weekend events pack venues.
Oakland’s mid-March calendar is packed, with food celebrations, civic milestones and live events drawing residents across the city.
Oakland Restaurant Week Underway
Oakland Restaurant Week is in full swing through March 22, bringing special menus and promotions to more than 100 restaurants and bars citywide. The 10-day event spotlights Oakland’s culinary diversity, with prix-fixe lunches, dinners and creative pop-ups designed to encourage diners to explore new neighborhoods.
This year’s lineup coincides with major March events, adding extra foot traffic to commercial corridors from Uptown to Fruitvale. Organizers say the promotion continues to boost small businesses while reinforcing Oakland’s reputation as a top food destination.
Oakland Fire Department Celebrates 157 Years
The Oakland Fire Department marked its 157th anniversary on Friday, March 13, with a community celebration highlighting more than a century and a half of service. The event honored firefighters past and present and showcased emergency response equipment and public safety programs.
City officials and residents gathered to recognize the department’s role in wildfire response, urban rescue and day-to-day emergency calls across Oakland’s neighborhoods.
Weekend Events Fill The Town
It was also a busy weekend for live entertainment. Venues across Oakland hosted concerts, comedy shows and community gatherings, including performances at waterfront and downtown locations. A previously scheduled Oakland Soul event announced a postponement, while other ticketed shows drew crowds Friday and Saturday night.
With Restaurant Week continuing and spring events ramping up, Oakland heads into the second half of March with a full slate of activity for residents and visitors alike.
Sources
https://www.visitoakland.com/press-releases/post/oakland-restaurant-week-returns-march-12-22-2026/
https://www.oaklandca.gov/Event-Calendar/EMSD/OFD-157
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oakland-soul-postponed-for-2026-tickets-1371541681089
