Rockridge Rock-N-Stroll

One Mile. Twenty Bands. Fifty Artists. Rockridge Rock-N-Stroll Returns on Saturday, August 22! Free & Family Friendly!
Art and music will fill every block of College Avenue when the Rockridge District Association presents Rock-N-Stroll on Saturday, August 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with some activities continuing into the evening).
This free, family- and pet-friendly celebration invites visitors to spend the day exploring one of Oakland's most beloved business districts through live music, local art, shopping, dining, and neighborhood experiences.
Unlike a traditional street festival, Rock-N-Stroll keeps the streets open while encouraging visitors to wander at their own pace. Stretching from Broadway to Alcatraz Avenue, the one-mile event transforms Rockridge into an interactive celebration where every storefront, sidewalk and gathering space offers something new to discover. More than 50 local artists, over 20 live musical performances, artisan pop-ups, wine and food tastings, children's activities, demonstrations, exclusive promotions and neighborhood restaurants create an experience that celebrates the businesses and creative spirit that define Rockridge.
Rather than visiting a crowded vendor village or being packed in front of a single stage, at this festival, visitors are encouraged to roam throughout the district while discovering dozens of businesses offering exclusive Rock-N-Stroll experiences.
Market Hall will fire up the grill with fresh sausage sandwiches and prize wheel giveaways, while Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream pairs live music with kids' crafts. Starter Bakery celebrates with Happy Hour specials on pastries and drinks, Belly will serve taco samples throughout the afternoon, and Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop features Japanese wine tastings alongside an okonomiyaki pop-up.
Shopping enthusiasts will find one-day-only promotions throughout the district. Bambino Thrift Shop invites visitors to spin the wheel for prizes, The Monk's Kettle offers discounts on first drinks, Saunders and James hosts its popular Nail Sale, Sole Terra Shoes and Market feature special Rock-N-Stroll savings, while Tootsies & Crush on College offer pop-ups, local artists and in-store promotions. Bella Vita hosts face painting and special vendors, Pegasus Books and Crossroads each feature prize wheels, and Atomic Garden welcomes illustrator Ryan Betts Ng, who creates custom portraits of visitors and their pets, with a portion of proceeds benefiting a local dog and cat rescue.
Art lovers will discover even more throughout the district with pop-ups placed across a full mile. Mercy Vintage showcases Oakland-based Palestinian artist Manar Harb alongside several guest artists, while SLATE Contemporary Gallery hosts a small works exhibition and sale with artists on-site throughout the day. Preserved, The Yoni Temple, In Full Swing Plus Sizes, Saffron Kitchen, Pegasus Books and numerous other merchants will host local artists, creating an art walk that extends the entire length of College Avenue. Families can also enjoy face painting, children's craft stations, pup-friendly stops, photo opportunities, giveaways and interactive activities around nearly every corner, making Rock-N-Stroll a destination for visitors of all ages.
Rock-N-Stroll celebrates Oakland's thriving creative community with an Art Bazaar featuring more than 50 local visual artists of all ages exhibiting paintings, ceramics, jewelry, prints, textiles and handcrafted works inside and outside participating businesses. Visitors can meet Rockridge-based artists and makers such as OM Pottery, EZH Clay, Laurien Clay Works, Glass-Vox, John McKenna Knives, Westwind Succulents, and Eliza Reisfeld Illustration. Most of the artists either live or work in the neighborhood, making this a truly local showcase. It’s an excellent opportunity to purchase original artwork directly from the creators and discover new favorites while supporting local makers.
The music creates a festive ambiance at Rock-N-Stroll, with performances taking place throughout the district rather than from a single stage. Visitors are encouraged to follow the music from block to block, discovering an eclectic lineup that spans indie folk, jazz fusion, blues, soul, synth-pop, Americana, contemporary R&B, world music and more.
The day begins with singer-songwriter Frances Ancheta performing outside Market Hall. A Filipina American artist from the Bay Area, Ancheta blends indie folk, pop and rock into what has been described as "tropical new wave folk." A mental health advocate, creative arts therapist and cancer survivor, her thoughtful songwriting has earned international radio play while reflecting her belief in the healing power of music.
Throughout the morning, visitors can experience the genre-defying sounds of Fleeting Trance outside the Rockridge Branch Library. Created by Bay Area songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Manasseh Bernal, the project combines psychedelic jam band influences with folk, rock and Americana, creating a musical collage that intentionally resists labels. Nearby, guitarist and vocalist John Vicino, whose musical career began busking on the streets of San Francisco as a teenager, brings his engaging acoustic style to Forge after years of performing at premier Bay Area venues.
Rock-N-Stroll also showcases musicians whose performances are unlike anything audiences typically encounter. Handpan artist Aethervoce creates mesmerizing, atmospheric music using the handpan—an instrument first developed in Switzerland in 2000. Performing on beautifully handcrafted instruments tuned to unique scales, Aethervoce's ethereal sound offers visitors a peaceful and immersive musical experience.
Jazz lovers will find plenty to enjoy throughout the day. The 770 Collective, a seven-piece ensemble formed through a shared passion for jazz, funk, fusion and soul, opens the Festival Fun Zone at College Avenue Presbyterian Church. Later, the Alexis Tsamoudakis Trio continues the afternoon with an engaging performance before festival headliner Rattle-Tone closes the day with its energetic blend of blues, soul and rock & roll.
The afternoon lineup continues with San Francisco's Five Pines, whose original music celebrates a lifelong love of guitar while exploring the adventures and experiences of growing up in California. Oakland father and daughter electronic duo Syd and I combines contemporary vocals with richly layered synthesizers to create an energetic live performance that has earned appearances at festivals and community events throughout the Bay Area.
Additional performances include the versatile violinist, singer and composer Umaya, whose musical background spans classical, pop, indie, soul, rock and R&B; contemporary R&B duo Cocoa Keys, whose jazz-infused neo-soul sound and powerful harmonies have become a favorite throughout Northern California; DJ Danny Santos spinning vinyl; Tall Papa B, The No Kings Quartet, East Bay Players, and even more live performances at Cole Coffee, Saffron Kitchen and Open Mind Music, ensuring that every block has its own musical personality.
Participating merchants throughout Rockridge will offer wine and food tastings, sidewalk pop-ups, artist demonstrations, exclusive sales, craft stations, children's activities, prize wheels and special promotions throughout the day. Restaurants, cafés, bakeries and specialty food businesses will serve everything from brunch and happy hour specials to complimentary treats, samples and tastings, making Rock-N-Stroll as much a culinary adventure as an artistic one.
The Festival Fun Zone at College Avenue Presbyterian Church serves as the community gathering place throughout the day, featuring children's crafts, a family photo booth, raffles for Rockridge e-Gift Cards, pup water stations and treats, and information about everything happening throughout the district. If you’re looking for family activities, check the website as merchants and local artists are hosting face painters, craft stations and workshops, give-a-ways for kids, and more.
Admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to take BART to Rockridge Station or enjoy available street parking while spending the day exploring College Avenue from Broadway to Alcatraz Avenue.
Rock-N-Stroll is made possible through the support of Crossroads, 1st United Credit Union, Kelly S. Wright State Farm Insurance, Page 11 Events, SLATE Contemporary Gallery, Rockridge Voice, Becker Boards, Oaklandside, and BART.
For the complete entertainment schedule, participating businesses and event information, visit RockridgeDistrict.com.