What's Happening
Inspired by the global excitement of the FIFA World Cup, this year’s Alameda Restaurant Week brings the spirit of international competition to our local dining scene. The Soccer World Cup is the world’s largest sporting event, first held in 1930, and is celebrated for bringing countries together through friendly competition, culture, and pride. The tournament was last hosted in the United States in 1994, and will return to North America in 2026, when the City of Alameda will welcome an international team training at the Oakland Roots Training Facility at Harbor Bay Business Park. Much like the World Cup, this campaign highlights global diversity, storytelling, and community participation.
During this year’s Restaurant Week, diners will get to play food critics and champion their favorite spots by building a Restaurant World Cup Bracket. Instead of traditional matchups, participants create their own bracket by selecting their favorite restaurants from all participating Restaurant Week locations. The restaurants that appear and advance the furthest in the most brackets earn points, and one restaurant will be crowned the Alameda Restaurant World Cup Champion.
From March 20–29, 2026, food lovers can enjoy prix fixe menus and specials from participating restaurants, bars, breweries, and bakeries. Complete a Restaurant Bracket and submit receipts to win grand prizes!
More details on ARW and how to enter to win!
Participating Downtown Alameda Restaurants:
| Business name | Address |
| Alameda Brewing | 1716 Park Street |
| Alameda Cinema Grill | 2301 Central Avenue |
| Alley & Vine | 1332 Park Street Suite D |
| Asena Restaurant | 2508 Santa Clara Avenue |
| Ballpark Alameda | 1508 Park Street |
| Boba Me Alameda | 1342 Park Street |
| Burma Superstar | 1345 Park Street |
| Crepe Haven | 1348 Park Street |
| Dragon Rouge | 2337 Blanding Avenue |
| East End | 1650 Park Street Unit A |
| Fowl + Fare | 2534 Santa Clara Avenue |
| Gim’s Chinese Kitchen Express | 2322 Lincoln Avenue |
| Hang Ten Boiler | 2315 Santa Clara Avenue |
| Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden | 1223 Park Street |
| La Penca Azul | 1440 Park Street |
| Moxie Steakhouse | 1640 Park Street |
| Park Station | 1200 Park Street |
| Poke Koma | 1354 Park Street |
| Sidestreet Pho | 2304 Encinal Avenue |
| Sushi Broadway | 2549 Santa Clara Avenue |
| T4 Alameda | 1434 Park Street |
| Taco Fino | 1506 Park Street |
| The Hobnob | 1313 Park Street |
| The Local | 1333 Park Street |
| The Pampered Pup | 1401 Park Street |
| The Park Street Tavern | 1901 Park Street |
| The Star on Park | 1400 Park Street |
| Tomatina | 1338 Park Street |
| Toomie’s Thai | 1433 Park Street |
| Tucker’s Ice Cream | 1349 Park Street |
| Yellowtail Japanese Bistro | 1332 Park Street Suite C |
It’s back! Sip and stroll your way through our historic downtown district tasting premium small-batch whiskeys during the 8th Annual Downtown Alameda Whiskey Stroll. Enjoy an evening filled with craft spirits and entertainment while learning about the unique styles from the distillers. The popular event returns on Friday, March 27, 6:00-9:00pm.
The Alameda Strolls are a great way to discover new places and support local businesses. Ticket holders will visit 12+ unique downtown shops and spaces to taste small-batch whiskeys from a fantastic selection of California distilleries. And while at select stops, guests will enjoy a savory or sweet bite perfectly paired with the whiskey.
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It’s back! Sip and stroll your way through our historic downtown district tasting premium local and international rum selections served neat at the 2nd Annual Downtown Alameda Rum Stroll. Enjoy an evening filled with craft spirits, live music, and a few tasty bites while learning about the unique styles from the distillers. The fun happens Friday, September 26 from 6:00-9:00pm.
The Alameda Strolls are a great way to discover new places and support local businesses. Ticket holders will visit 10+ unique downtown shops and spaces to enjoy premium rum tastings from a fantastic selection of distillers. And while at some of the stops, guests will enjoy a savory or sweet bite perfectly paired with each rum tasting.
Ticket prices include a collectible tasting glass, premium rum tastings at 10+ unique downtown businesses, a delicious bite at select locations prepared by a local eatery, and a commemorative guide.
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You’re invited to join the celebration of Alameda’s largest outdoor summer street festival! The 38th Anniversary of the Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire has something for everyone — over 200 art & craft vendors, festival foods, craft beer and wine, music performances on three stages, and interactive kids’ areas with games and carnival rides. The fun happens on July 26 & 27 from 10:00am to 6:00pm each day and is FREE to attend.
“We are delighted to invite the community to join us for the 38th Anniversary of the wildly popular Art & Wine Faire! We are eager to host an event that has been bringing visitors and residents together to enjoy our vibrant downtown district since 1983. The streets and sidewalks are filled with gotta-have art, one-of-a-kind treasures, and tasty treats.” says Kathy Weber, Executive Director of the Downtown Alameda Business Association. “Let’s celebrate together on July 26 & 27 as we welcome guests from all over the Bay Area to our island community and show them our favorite places in downtown.”
Expanded for 2025:
Authentically, Alameda!: With the iconic Alameda Theatre sign as the beautiful backdrop, this expanded area on Central Avenue between Park and Oak Streets includes the tree-lined lot and Alameda Avenue. Featuring a third music stage programmed by Alameda musician Jim Parodi the stage highlights Alameda’s professional and amateur talent. There’s even additional entertainment on Alameda Avenue to enjoy as you partake in delicious local bites! This area promises to showcase local talents in a number of ways! In addition to spotlighting local musical talent, Downtown businesses, Alameda artisans, purveyors and community groups will abound. The enlarged outdoor dining area is the place to relax and enjoy all the food and drink that the festival has to offer.
Art & Wine Faire Highlights:
Art & Crafts Vendors… Bring your wallet because you won’t want to leave empty handed after shopping over 200 eye-popping arts and craft booths with offerings like ceramics, metal art, paintings, photography, wood crafts, toys, handbags, clothing, and jewelry.
Live Entertainment… Each day provides continuous live entertainment featuring classic rock, bluegrass, funk, jazz, and soul. Notable entertainers include some of the most popular tribute bands in the Bay Area: ZEBOP! (Santana Tribute), Life In The Fastlane (Eagles), Long Train Running (Doobie Brothers), Swampers CCR Tribute (Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute) and the return of the ever-popular The Sun Kings (Beatles Tribute). Performing a variety of music are The Spazmatics (Ultimate 80’s New Wave Show), Dan Durkin, Full Spectrum (Rock & Poop Covers), Other People’s Money (Rock Classics from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s & 2000’s and beyond!) and our favorite local talents, The Lost Cats and our favorite Sun King, Drew Harrison.
Festival Foods… Chow down on a fan favorite Lockeford Sausages and wash ‘em back with an ice cold lemonade, local wine or craft beer. Follow your nose to find other favorites including fresh kettle corn, gyros, mini donuts, gourmet chicken wings, mango sticks, curly fries, teriyaki chicken skewers, Dole Whip, and more.
Craft Beer & Local Premium Wine… For the 21+ crowd, there will be four beverage booths serving local craft beers by Alameda Brewing and premium handcrafted wines by Alameda’s Wachira Wines, Urban Legend Winery, Dashe Cellars and nearby Drawbridge Cellars.
Fun Kids Area… Park Street is the spot if your kids like to bounce, flip, and twirl. There will be carnival rides, fun attractions and face painting.
Enjoy all of Downtown Alameda… More than 400 businesses are located in the island’s walkable downtown district. Festival-goers can enjoy a stroll through the historic downtown where unique shops, amazing restaurants, and other services are abundant and will be offering event specials throughout the weekend.
Event co-producer Chelley Dallara of Eckerstrom Productions says, “This is one of my favorite events. When you combine lovely weather, live music, refreshing libations, and your favorite festival food all wrapped up in Alameda’s beautiful island surroundings, you have a must-attend event.”
It’s easy to get to the Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire. AC Transit provides routes across the island that stop right at the festivities, with bus transfers available from Fruitvale BART. Free secure bike parking is also available at the event.
While at the event, share your photos using hashtags #artwinefaire and #downtownalameda on your favorite social media sites. For more information, visit the official event page www.DowntownAlameda.com/artandwine or email office@DowntownAlameda.com.
The annual Downtown Alameda Art & Wine Faire is presented by the Downtown Alameda Business Association and produced by Eckerstrom Productions as a fundraiser for the district. Proceeds help keep Downtown Alameda clean, green, and safe.
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this event! Alameda County Industries (ACI); Alameda Brewing; Alameda Municipal Power; All Good Living; BMW, Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices/Drysdale Properties; City of Alameda; College of Alameda; Dashe Cellars; Discover Alameda, Drawbridge Cellars; EBMUD; JA Anonas And Sons Construction, Trumark Homes; Urban Legend Winery; Wachira Wines; Weed Law Group, PC; Xfinity.
Join us for Thursday @ The Avenue! It’s a new weekly series launched in May that takes place every Thursday from 5–8pm on Alameda Avenue – near the Park Street intersection.
In addition to live, family-friendly music, the event features outdoor games and vendor pop-ups in our brand-new parklet—creating a vibrant, welcoming space for the community each week.
Grab dinner or a sweet treat at a nearby restaurant and join us for the fun!
Rotating vendors include: Manino Leather, Saffron Studio, Golden Snails & Friends, Garden Mamas, Made in Weirdo Land, Jessica’s Peaceful Journeys, Tea-rrings, Dede Tabor/Spectre (Tarot), and more.
Thursday @ The Avenue is all about bringing people together. We welcome and encourage community support—and appreciate the generous sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Alameda! Come out and be part of something special!
![[image: welcome friends]](https://downtownalameda.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2022WelcomeFriends3StreamBinSignsLandscapeWine-300x255.png "2022WelcomeFriends3StreamBinSignsLandscapeWine")