Upcoming Events

August 26
Lushly colored illustration of Rigoletto face with a single red tear

The San Francisco Opera’s fall season brings four powerful works to the stage — Rigoletto, Dead Man Walking, Parsifal, and The Monkey King — each grappling with timeless questions of good and evil, innocence and retribution, punishment and salvation. Join Carol Christ and Naniette Coleman for OLLI @Berkeley's San Francisco Opera Primer, standalone events that delve into each of these operas — the stories they tell, the truths they wrestle with, and the unforgettable characters whose choices shape their destinies. This event shines a light on Rigoletto by Guiseppe Verdi. 

[Open to all • Learn more and register]

August 27
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (PT)
Purple-hued, overhead view of the main Berkeley Theatre stage and audience

Calling all theater-lovers and -goers! Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the stories, artists, and productions bringing Berkeley Rep’s 2025/26 season to life — presented by Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer.

[Free and open to all • Learn more and register]

September 02
Red illustration of a person carrying a cross in front of white prison bars with a large person in background

The San Francisco Opera’s fall season brings four powerful works to the stage — Rigoletto, Dead Man Walking, Parsifal, and The Monkey King — each grappling with timeless questions of good and evil, innocence and retribution, punishment and salvation. Join Carol Christ and Naniette Coleman for OLLI @Berkeley's San Francisco Opera Primer, standalone events that delve into each of these operas — the stories they tell, the truths they wrestle with, and the unforgettable characters whose choices shape their destinies. This event shines a light on Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally. 

[Open to all • Learn more and register]

September 05
Friday, Sep. 5, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
A round wreath made up of fall leaves in huges of orange, red and brown

OLLI @Berkeley's Fall Open House is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with faculty, members, and the OLLI team as we gear up for the start of a new academic year. Want to chat about upcoming courses? Now's the time! Hope to get a feel for the community? Come on over! Curious about ways to get involved? This is the perfect place to learn more. You can even register on the spot. 

[Free and open to all • Learn more and register]

September 11
Thursday, Sep. 11, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM (PT)
The tip of a pen against a bright orange background

Over the years, OLLI has offered dozens of writing courses that have helped members express themselves through personal essay, memoir, creative non-fiction, autobiography, and legacy letters. You may have one or several pieces from these classes, or wish to begin a written history of your life. In this month's in-person Vital Aging salon with Sara Orem, you'll learn ways to weave your ideas and writing into a cohesive whole.

[For members only • Learn more and register]

September 14
Sunday, Sep. 14, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PT)
Collage of joyful strollers stopping by the OLLI table to learn about the program

Planning to go to the festive and joyfully packed (about 250,000 visitors last year!) Solano Stroll on Sunday, Sept. 14? Stop by our table in front of 1737 Solano Ave and say hi! We'll be there from 10 AM – 5 PM with fall brochures, good cheer, great info, hopefully-not-melting candy, and some snazzy pens. 

September 15
Monday, Sep. 15, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM (PT)
Colorful grid of 34 individual course posters with the words in the bottom right corner "Fall 2025" and the OLLI logo

Join us for deep dives into war and peace in the Persian Gulf, the economics of health care in the Trump era, AI facts and fallacies, the life and times of MLK, Jr., cybersecurity, the string quartet, opera, Irish literature, planning for retirement, biology and society, and more. All taught by Berkeley faculty and other top scholars. Fall courses are available exclusively for OLLI members. Not a member yet? Learn about membership, fee assistance and new member discounts ... plus all the benefits that come with being part of our vibrant 2,000-strong community!

October 17
A dollar bill dissolving

Are predictions of the dollar's demise greatly exaggerated? Berkeley economist Barry Eichengreen, one of nation's foremost experts on the international financial system, will discuss the implications of the U.S. dollar in the age of cryptocurrency and government deregulation, and the forces propelling both. 

[Open to all • Learn more and register]

October 21
Moody blue illustration of a sheer, gold-stripped goblet with silhouettes of two faces staring at one another

The San Francisco Opera’s fall season brings four powerful works to the stage — Rigoletto, Dead Man Walking, Parsifal, and The Monkey King — each grappling with timeless questions of good and evil, innocence and retribution, punishment and salvation. Join Carol Christ and Naniette Coleman for OLLI @Berkeley's San Francisco Opera Primer, standalone events that delve into each of these operas — the stories they tell, the truths they wrestle with, and the unforgettable characters whose choices shape their destinies. This event shines a light on Parsifal by Richard Wagner. 

[Open to all • Learn more and register]

November 10
Illustration of a delighted monkey leaping across the tops of mountains

The San Francisco Opera’s fall season brings four powerful works to the stage — Rigoletto, Dead Man Walking, Parsifal, and The Monkey King — each grappling with timeless questions of good and evil, innocence and retribution, punishment and salvation. Join Carol Christ and Naniette Coleman for OLLI @Berkeley's San Francisco Opera Primer, standalone events that delve into each of these operas — the stories they tell, the truths they wrestle with, and the unforgettable characters whose choices shape their destinies. This event shines a light on The Monkey King by Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang. 

[Open to all • Learn more and register]