Connecting the arts, fostering collaboration and building community.
Calendar courtesy of The Dirt.
There are several other great resources for finding arts and culture events, exhibits, performances, and other creative activities in the Davis area:
Davis Enterprise | UC Davis Arts & Entertainment | YoloArts | Visit Yolo
FOX RIVER TRAIN. Santa’s elves will be on board the train to guide passengers in holiday sing-a-longs, elfish games, and fun festive activities. Children can remind Santa how nice they have been all year with a letter to Santa. Each ticket includes a 1-hour train ride, hot cocoa, a souvenir mug, and a cookie. 10a—7p. $10—59
JACKSON HALL. At the center of this concert is a new composition for wind ensemble by Sacramento-based composer Shuying Li titled “Luminance,” which the UC Davis Concert Band helped commission thanks to the Rucker Family Trust’s Endowed Fund for Concert Band Support. Through its use of evocative tonalities and dynamic contrasts, “Luminance” aims to inspire audiences to find strength in moments of darkness and embrace the light within themselves. 7p—9p. Free
G STREET WUNDERBAR. Every Wednesday trivia starts at 8p & open mic starts at 10p. Free
PITZER CENTER. A four-piece program featuring Mestre Cabello. Born in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, Cabello dedicates his life to the rhythms, instruments, songs and dances of the Afro-Brazilian culture. 4p—6p. Free
WYATT DECK, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM. Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments & play together informally during this jam session at Wyatt Deck. All skill-levels welcome. 12p–1p. Free
MONDAVI CTR. Look back 100 years to the tumultuous social & political era of the early 20th century—times not unlike our own—& explore enduring works of the great music it produced. Programs will include works by Debussy, Ravel, Webern, Schoenberg, Sibelius, & Nielsen. 2p. $17.50–$56
THE GRAND PRINCE ODEUM, Winters. Immerse yourself in a night of diverse talent where the spotlight shines on some of the finest performers our region offers, directed by Billy Larkin. Enjoy hot cider & treats, plus support the Yolo Food Bank by bringing a shelf-stable food item. 5p—7p. $20
ROOT OF HAPPINESS. Jim Frink is a drummer and educator based in Davis. The jazz trio plays improvisational music ranging from standards, to modern jazz, to balkan folk and beyond. 7:30p—10:30p. Free
DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH. Weekly Mantra Meditation guided group. Mantras are ancient healing sounds that take our minds away from the stresses of modern day life, and give our minds and hearts real rest. 6p—7:30p. Free
DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH. Join us for a weekly group guided Mantra Meditation and let your worries melt away. Mantras are ancient healing sounds that takes the mind off of the stress of modern day life, and gives minds and hearts real rest. 6p—7:30p. Free/Donations Accepted
G STREET WUNDERBAR. Every Wednesday trivia starts at 8p & open mic starts at 10p. Free
ODD FELLOWS HALL. Odd Fellows’ annual holiday show featuring The Green Grass Snakes. They will perform the ENTIRE Beatles 1969 British version of Rubber Soul! No host beer, wine and soft drinks available. 7p–10p. Free
PITZER CENTER. A free, Shinkoskey Noon Concert coordinated by Pete Nowlen. 12:05p—1:30p. Free
MELON BALL. Join Bay Area based performer Evie Ladin for a night of soulful music and rhythmic dance. 8p—10p. $20
WYATT DECK, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM. Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments & play together informally during this jam session at Wyatt Deck. All skill-levels welcome. 12p–1p. Free
WATERMELON MUSIC. Joining Anton & The Maude Squad this time is Brooklyn NY-based Charming Disaster. They are a goth-folk musical duo who use music to tell stories about death, crime, myth, magic, folklore, science & the occult. 8p. $20
DAVIS UNITARIAN CHURCH. One-hour recital by the group “Brassy!”, featuring Fred Lange and Bob Runnels, trumpet; Tim Smith, horn; Don Willems, trombone; and Dan Boykin, tuba. 12p—1p. Free
JACKSON HALL. With the guest ensemble Alturas Duo, the Choruses of UC Davis and Nicolás Dosman bring the rhythms and holiday vocal traditions of the Americas to Davis. Works include “Navidad Nuestra” by Ariel Ramírez (an Andean influenced folk telling of the nativity story), Aaron Copland’s “Zion’s Walls” (drawn from Appalachian America’s hymnal traditions), and “Abreme la Puerta” (a traditional Christmastime song from Puerto Rico). 7p—8:30p. Free
DAVIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. A Victorian village of carolers will welcome you with bells on, singing songs of joy, heart, celebration, and belonging. Fri & Sat, 7:30p—8:30p; Sun, 4p—5p. Suggestion donation: $10—25
WATERMELON MUSIC. Anton Barbeau is back with his California band “The Maude Squad” for a rare double bill. The Maude Squad is Tom Monson on Drums, Jeff Simons on Bass, Kevin Allison on Guitar, and Julia VBH on Keyboard & Backing Vocals. 8p—10p. $20
MONDAVI CTR. Enjoy pianist Matthew Whitaker’s rich talent & effusive spirit. Performance followed by a Q&A. 7:30p. $12.50–$65
DAVIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. A Victorian village of carolers will welcome you with bells on, singing songs of joy, heart, celebration, and belonging. Fri & Sat, 7:30p—8:30p; Sun, 4p—5p. Suggestion donation: $10—25
MONDAVI CTR. CMS performs Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, works that unfailingly provide spiritual fulfillment for music lovers of all faiths & beliefs, inspiring strength at year’s end. $12.50–$79
DAVIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. A Victorian village of carolers will welcome you with bells on, singing songs of joy, heart, celebration, and belonging. Fri & Sat, 7:30p—8:30p; Sun, 4p—5p. Suggestion donation: $10—25
PITZER CENTER. Lany De La Campa, violin, with Shinae Kim, piano. 4p—4:4p. Free
DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH. Weekly Mantra Meditation guided group. Mantras are ancient healing sounds that take our minds away from the stresses of modern day life, and give our minds and hearts real rest. 6p—7:30p. Free
DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH. Join us for a weekly group guided Mantra Meditation and let your worries melt away. Mantras are ancient healing sounds that takes the mind off of the stress of modern day life, and gives minds and hearts real rest. 6p—7:30p. Free/Donations Accepted
G STREET WUNDERBAR. Every Wednesday trivia starts at 8p & open mic starts at 10p. Free
ARMADILLO MUSIC. Open beat cyphers & good vibes with the Flipabeat Club squad—Dellaola, Matty A & Taquan—every 2nd Thursday. 6p–9p. Free
WYATT DECK, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM. Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments & play together informally during this jam session at Wyatt Deck. All skill-levels welcome. 12p–1p. Free
THE MELON BALL. Misner & Smith’s music is a combination of soaring vocal harmonies, extremely tight instrumental arrangements, and story-filled, poetic songwriting, adding up to some of the most electrifying music on the scene today. 8p—10p. $25
VILLAGE HOME COMMUNITY CTR. Daytime dance party for dancers of all ages. 10a—1:30p. Free
CENTRAL PARK. Yolo Community Band, a multigenerational concert band of musicians from through Yolo County directed by Michael Loya, will perform a free concert at the Davis Farmer’s Market on Sat Dec 16. 11a—12p. Free
CENTRAL PARK. Performing two free sets of Swing, Big Band, and Latin jazz standards at the Davis Craft & Vintage Fair. BYO dancing shoes. 11a—1p. Free
DAVIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. This concert focuses on the transition from darkness to light. We begin in darkness, singing our beloved arrangement of Silent Night, which speaks to the need for peace and light. We close by singing Dan Forrest’s “Lux,” a multi-movement work that reminds us that there is always hope for light and peace, even in the worst times of war and strife. 5p—8p. Free
ROOT OF HAPPINESS. Jim Frink is a drummer and educator based in Davis. The jazz trio plays improvisational music ranging from standards, to modern jazz, to balkan folk and beyond. 7:30p—10:30p. Free
DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH. Weekly Mantra Meditation guided group. Mantras are ancient healing sounds that take our minds away from the stresses of modern day life, and give our minds and hearts real rest. 6p—7:30p. Free
DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH. Join us for a weekly group guided Mantra Meditation and let your worries melt away. Mantras are ancient healing sounds that takes the mind off of the stress of modern day life, and gives minds and hearts real rest. 6p—7:30p. Free/Donations Accepted
G STREET WUNDERBAR. Every Wednesday trivia starts at 8p & open mic starts at 10p. Free
ZOOM. Communal Songwriting workshop & critique. Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday. Have your lyrics ready to screen share! All are welcome! 8p. Free
VETERAN’S MEMORIAL THEATRE. A community concert featuring artists including Boot Juice, Rita Hocking Trio, Alaina Rose, Misner & Smith, & more. Tickets available at Watermelon Music & Armadillo Music. All proceeds matched by the Davis Unified School District to provide visual & performing arts education. 7p. $25
WYATT DECK, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM. Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments & play together informally during this jam session at Wyatt Deck. All skill-levels welcome. 12p–1p. Free
WATERMELON MUSIC. Kaapana’s mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar & his extraordinary baritone & leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices, have made him a musical legend. 8p. $25
MELON BALL. Grammy Award-winning Hawaiian slack key legend Ledward Kaapana & Fran Guidry live. 8p—10p. $25
WATERMELON MUSIC. Featuring acclaimed composer & lifelong hornist Randall E. Faust & hornist/educator Pete Nowlen. An ensemble reading session of spirited holiday horn arrangements, followed at noon by free private horn lessons for interested hornists. Please RSVP. 9a. Free
G STREET WUNDERBAR. Every Wednesday trivia starts at 8p & open mic starts at 10p. Free
WYATT DECK, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM. Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments & play together informally during this jam session at Wyatt Deck. All skill-levels welcome. 12p–1p. Free
ROOT OF HAPPINESS. Jim Frink is a drummer and educator based in Davis. The jazz trio plays improvisational music ranging from standards, to modern jazz, to balkan folk and beyond. 7:30p—10:30p. Free
G STREET WUNDERBAR. Every Wednesday trivia starts at 8p & open mic starts at 10p. Free
WYATT DECK, UC DAVIS ARBORETUM. Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments & play together informally during this jam session at Wyatt Deck. All skill-levels welcome. 12p–1p. Free
BLUE NOTE BREWERY. Gray writes bluegrass inspired country with hints of Americana influence with a voice that has been compared to the power of Wynona Judd & the passion of Miranda Lambert. 5p–9p. Free
FRIENDS MEETINGHOUSE. Sing in the New Year with this participatory community sing. Beginners welcome! Sacred Harp –4-part acapella singing — is also called “shape note” for the syllable shapes fa-sol-la-mi used to learn the tune before singing the words. 2p–4p. Free
