Kick off your weekend tonight with the Autumn Lights Festival at the Gardens at Lake Merritt, which lasts through Saturday.

For three nights, the art-and-light show creates a magical space inside a seven-acre park that organizers describe as the "green heart of Oakland." The garden's bonsai collection will be illuminated, and works by local artists ranging from clay lanterns to Burning Man-sized displays will transform the space.

Also tonight, donate blood at Mills College for disaster relief efforts, or attend tonight one of three concerts at: The Uptown Nightclub, Starline Social Club or at The Fox Theater.

Friday is Karaoke night at The New Parkway Theater, comedy shows at Spice Monkey Bar & Restaurant; Rocktoberfest 2017 on Friday and Saturday.

Also on Saturday, the Fall Plant Exchange, the Oakland Treasure Hunt near City Hall, and the Oakland Zoo is hosting Some Like It Dry, a class for curious kids.

For adults, there's Hella Gay Hellaween at Uptown Nightclub on Saturday and Sunday.

Here's a list of other events happening around The Town over the next few days:

Thursday, October 19

Friday, October 20

Saturday, October 21

Sunday, October 22

For a full list of what's going on around town this weekend and beyond, don't forget to check hoodline.com/events.

Is your event missing? Submit it for free for the chance to see it featured in our next events roundup.