What's Happening in Benicia
There is always something happening in Benicia. Our events calendar connects you with the heartbeat of the city. Join us for annual traditions like the Peddler's Fair and the Torchlight Parade, or discover weekly gatherings like the Farmers Market and Trivia Nights. Don't miss out on the concerts, art openings, and workshops that make Benicia such a lively place to live and visit.
Events: Jul 13th - Jul 19th
Summer Clay Camp (Age 12+)
Beginner wheel throwing and intro to hand-building ceramics class.
Summer Clay Camp (Age 12+): Beginner Wheel Throwing & Intro to Hand-building
July 13th-17th, 3-5:15pm, Summer Clay Camp (Age 12+): Beginner Wheel Throwing & Intro to Hand-building --------------------------------------- These camps are designed to get our youth engaged in the art of ceramics and throwing pottery on the wheel. These fun & engaging classes will be a bright spot in their summer! This camp is designed for students with little to no experience on the wheel, but welcome those with experience as well. It will run from Monday through Friday, 3:00-5:15pm. OPEN TO AGES 12+, $250/week. Students may register for just one week to learn basic wheel throwing, or MULTIPLE weeks for a more immersive and complete clay experience! All tools, materials, glazing, firings, etc. are included. LIMITED SEATING: ONLY 8 SPOTS PER CAMP!
Tuesday Night Social Pottery Project (Adults): Trays!
July 14th, 6-8pm, Tuesday Night Social Pottery Project (Adults): Trays! ________________________________________________________________________ Our Tuesday Night Social Pottery Projects are for Adults only so bring a beverage of your choice, and we walk you through it, no experience is required! You can get as creative as you desire--or just keep it simple--it's entirely up to you. So many uses for these delightful Trays! Join us as we walk you through the steps in creating a tray true to your own design style, using a variety of techniques and texture tools. At the end of class, you'll choose a glaze option which we will apply for you. After your project is complete, it will need to be dried, fired, glazed, and then fired again. This is about a 3-4 week process, and we'll reach out to via email when your project is ready for pick up. Price is $62 (all inclusive: clay, tools, instruction, glazing, firing, etc.) and no experience is required! This class is for Adults, so feel free to bring a beverage of your choice!
City of Benicia Workshop: Downtown Parking and Circulation Modifications
Workshop to discuss potential changes to downtown parking, circulation, and accessibility.
Tuesday Night Social Pottery Project (Adults): Trays!
Adult social pottery project, no experience required.
One-Day Wheel Throwing Class
Wednesday, July 15th, 6-8:30pm, One-Day Wheel Throwing Class ----------------------------------- So you've always wanted to try a wheel throwing... Now is your chance! This class is only one day, for 2.5 hours, so that you can give it a try! All inclusive: all tools & apron will be provided, and we will trim, glaze & fire your piece(s) for you afterwards to pick up in approximately 3-4 weeks. You will be allowed to keep up to 2 pieces! Please come with short nails and shoes/clothing that you don't mind getting a little mud on, and a great attitude! Also, please avoid low cut shirts. If you do this class and realize that you LOVE wheel throwing, please get on our waiting list for the 6-week, more intensive, classes. Ages 12+
Songs of a Little Bird: Akiko Suzuki
An exhibition featuring the textile and mixed-media works of fiber artist Akiko Suzuki.
Bobby Jo Valentine
Live music performance.
Benicia Certified Farmer's Market
The largest Independent Certified Farmers Market in Solano County featuring produce, specialty & artisan goods, and live music.
Friday Jazz in The Gazebo
Live jazz music in the Gazebo at The Cafe with dinner available.
Medicare Education: Understanding the Basics of Medicare
An educational session on Medicare parts and additional benefits.
Special 2-Week Pottery Project (Adults): Whales! Saturdays, July 18th & 25th at 11am
Special 2-Week Pottery Project (Adults): Whales! Saturdays, July 18th & 25th at 11am. Week 1 (July 18): 11am-2pm & Week 2 (July 25th): 11am-1pm ________________________________________________________________________ Create your own beautiful whale in this special two-week entry-sculpture class! Learn some fantastic techniques for hand-building and make one of these magnificent creatures all your own! Week 1: Create with clay, 11am-2pm Week 2: Glaze, 11am-1pm This class is for Adults. After your project is complete, it will need to go in for its final firing. This is about a 3 week process, and we'll reach out to via email when your project is ready for pick up. Price is $98 (all inclusive, clay, tools, instruction, glazing firing, etc.)
Artist Reception: Akiko Suzuki, Songs of a Little Bird
Join us at NY2CA Gallery for the Artist Reception for Songs of a Little Bird, a solo exhibition by internationally recognized fiber artist Akiko Suzuki. The Artist reception will take place Saturday, July 18 from 5–7pm and will feature Performance Art by Akiko Suzuki. Songs of a Little Bird presents Suzuki’s richly layered textile and mixed-media works, bringing together contemporary art quilting, poetry, stitching, paint, collage, and intuitive mark-making. Her practice bridges visual art, written language, memory, and emotion, giving form to the unseen forces that shape inner experience. As part of the exhibition, Suzuki presents HOPE DRESS, a performance and video work created in collaboration with music by Kuniyoshi Yamada and filmed at Palazzo Ferrari in Parabita, Italy during the Global Art Project residency in May 2026. In this work, feathers are cut from a yellow dress. Participants write messages of hope onto the feathers, then sew them back onto the dress. The gesture is simple and deeply human. Hope is written by hand. Hope is held. Hope is shared. Hope is sewn back into the world. We invite you to join us for an evening of art, performance, poetry, fiber, memory, and shared hope. Artist Reception Saturday, July 18, 2026 5–7pm Exhibition Dates July 16 – August 23, 2026 NY2CA Gallery 617 First Street Benicia, CA 94510 Free and open to the public.
The Vallejo Home - July Members Only Field Trip
Members only field trip to the Vallejo Home.
Special 2-Week Pottery Project: Whales
Adult pottery project creating whales over two weeks.
Live Music at Lucca
Saturday afternoon live music performance.
Artist's Reception: Akiko Suzuki
An artist's reception for the exhibition 'Songs of a Little Bird' by Akiko Suzuki.
Sunday Afternoon Pottery Project (Ages 9-99): Juicers!
July 19th, 11am-1pm, Sunday Afternoon Pottery Project (Ages 9-99): Juicers! ________________________________________________________________________ Our Sunday Afternoon Pottery Projects focus on one particular project, and we walk you through it, so no experience is required! You can get as creative as you desire--or just keep it simple--it's entirely up to you! Get ready for citrus season and join us in creating your own amazing pottery juicer! At the end of class, you'll choose a glaze option which we will apply for you. After your project is complete, it will need to be dried, fired, glazed, and then fired again. This is about a 3-4 week process, and we'll reach out to via email when your project is ready for pick up. Price is $62 (all inclusive: clay, tools, instruction, glazing, firing, etc.) and no experience is required!
Sunday Afternoon Pottery Project: Pottery Boxes
Adult pottery project creating pottery boxes.