Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Walnut Creek Oktoberfest is transforming Civic Park East this month
Also, don't miss WomenSing - Join Us on the Walnut Creek Patch calendar

Hey there, Walnut Creek! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Walnut Creek Oktoberfest is transforming Civic Park East this month
- Why Walnut Creek's newest Chick-fil-A skipped the drive-thru entirely.
- High-paying AAA compensation director job now hiring in Walnut Creek.
Also on today's calendar: WomenSing - Join Us and 12 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Very hot, with a high of 105 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 97, low: 61.
- Friday: Sunshine and not as hot, with a high of 84 and low of 58 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: Free Festival, 21+ Chillgarten + Kids Zone (Sept. 25-26) (funcheap.com) — Walnut Creek's signature Oktoberfest returns Sept. 25–26 at Civic Park East, offering free admission, German and local beers, and a new 21+ Chillgarten lounge. Families can enjoy live music, Bavarian contests, and a Kinder Karneval packed with rides and games, all within walking distance of BART and downtown parking options.
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2. Inside Walnut Creek's Newest Chick-fil-A, With a Controversial Feature Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com) — Walnut Creek's newest Chick-fil-A at Oak Grove and Citrus is drawing attention for its unusual no–drive-thru design, shaped by city traffic concerns after public hearings. Locals will find a bright dining room, covered dog-friendly patio, curbside ordering, and community activities like Bingo Night and Spirit Day, all under a local owner-operator.
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3. Director, Compensation (aaa.com) — A major AAA compensation director role is open in Walnut Creek, with a hybrid schedule requiring three days a week in the local office on Treat Boulevard. The position oversees corporate and incentive pay strategy, offers a six-figure salary range, strong benefits, and significant influence over how the organization attracts and rewards talent.
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4. 'I know you're turning 16': Man flew from Boston to Walnut Creek to sexually abuse girl, feds say (mercurynews.com) — A Boston man was arrested at a Walnut Creek Habit Burger after police say he traveled to the Bay Area to meet a 15-year-old girl he'd contacted on Snapchat. Prosecutors allege he exchanged explicit images, sexually abused her at a motel, and is now facing both state and federal charges while being held without bail.
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5. Fall arts 2026: Here are 7 Bay Area productions dance fans should know about (eastbaytimes.com) — Dance fans in Walnut Creek can catch Smuin Contemporary Ballet's "French Kiss" program at local performances on September 18–19, part of a broader Bay Area fall dance lineup. The season also brings major productions to Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, ranging from flamenco anniversaries to contemporary collaborations and Día de Muertos celebrations.
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📸 Around Walnut Creek
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Walnut Creek
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- WomenSing - Join Us →
Creekside Commons, 1035 Carol Ln, Lafayette
7:00 pm - Autos of Alamo →
Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, 200 Alamo Plaza, Alamo
4:00 pm - 25th Annual 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony →
Oak Hill Park, 3005 Stone Valley Rd, Danville
5:15 pm - Martini Shake Off →
525 Henrietta St, Martinez
6:00 pm - Contra Costa Vintage Market Lafayette CA September 2026 →
Vintage Vida, 3581 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
10:00 am - Bike Family Fest 2026 →
DVC Overflow Parking Lot, 440 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill
10:00 am - Melt with You Festival →
357 Bear Oaks Dr, Martinez
5:00 pm
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Sunday September 13
Saturday September 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Intro to Creative Dance! →
The Ballet School Performing Arts, 1131 Locust St, Walnut Creek
9:15 am - Multi-family Community Garage Sale →
Walnut Creek San Marco Community
8:00 am - Botanical Bash - FREE Garden Admission Day at The Ruth Bancroft Garden →
1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek
10:00 am - Family Fun Day Fundraiser supporting Meals on Wheels Diablo Region →
Calicraft Brewing Company, 2700 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek
1:00 pm - Walnut Creek Garden Club Free Monthly Meeting →
Walnut Creek Elks Lodge #1811, 1475 Creekside Dr, Walnut Creek
9:00 am - Preschool Art Pop Up →
Center for Community Arts, 111 N Wiget Ln, Walnut Creek
9:30 am - BayArea's Grand Ganesh Festival 2026 - Ganpati Bappa Morya! Join East Bay Ka Raja in San Ramon →
San Ramon Citycenter, 2700 Camino Ramon, San Ramon
12:00 pm - Classical Guitarist Alexander Milovanov Performs at St. Paul's in Walnut Creek →
St Paul's Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave, Walnut Creek
7:00 pm
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Sunday September 13
Monday September 14
Saturday September 19
📣 Walnut Creek Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Walnut Creek PatchAM possible:
- DN Gifts for Life — (925) 775-9337
- The Dorris-Eaton School — (925) 930-9000
- Downtown Walnut Creek Ace Hardware — (925) 705-7500
- Diablo Escapes — (925) 393-7171
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Our cat Diego has been missing for a couple of days.
If anyone has seen this cute little guy let us know - thanks! (Nextdoor Parkmead II) - Debbie and I decided to try lunch at The Golden Pear today as giving them an opportunity to redeem themselves after an unsatisfactory dinner a few months ago.
We split a Shrimp Louie and a Grand Mere sandwich with Tomato Bisque soup as the side. We have to say lunch was quite enjoyable as portions were… (Nextdoor Rossmoor - Tice Creek)
- Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper (Part Time, Sun - Thurs, 10a - 2p) in Walnut Creek. Apply here.
- Constellation Energy posted a job opening for Assistant General Counsel - Growth and Project Development in Walnut Creek. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Walnut Creek here.
Ok Walnut Creek! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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