8Bit/Digi
News for Bay Area Gamers and Cosplayers
Don’t have anything planned for the weekend? The staff at 8Bit/Digi has you covered with a selection of events running from November 5th to November 8th, 2026.
Halloween may be over, but there is no shortage of things to do this weekend. If you need plans for November 5th to November 8th, the staff at 8Bit/Digi has you covered with a selection of Bay Area events. The lineup includes trading card shows, cupsleeve events, game nights, cosplay gatherings, and more. This is not a complete list, just a few picks we pulled together to help you plan your weekend.
Here is a breakdown of select events that will be taking place in the Bay Area and surrounding area this weekend.
Miniature Social at Guildhouse (November 5th in San Jose): Guildhouse hosts a miniature painting night where an experienced painter walks you through your first miniature. Supplies, miniatures, and a class are provided. The class is $12, reduced by $4 each for returning painters, bringing your own miniature, or being a Guildhouse member, down to a minimum of $2.
DaggerHeart One Shot Series at Gamers Heaven (November 5th in Santa Clara): Gamers Heaven brings back its Daggerheart One Shot Series for a night of tabletop roleplaying from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Entry is $25, and players sign up through the link in QR code.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia (November 5th in Santa Clara): Bar Odo at Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair hosts trivia night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with about 60 questions on all manner of topics. Bring a team of up to six or meet new teammates there. Trivia is free to attend, and the event is 21+.
GameDev Walks (November 6th in San Jose): GameDev Walks is a casual weekly meetup at Penitencia Creek Park for game developers, gamers, and anyone passionate about video games. The one-hour walk runs from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with conversation about games along the way.
Cards for a Cause x 7-Eleven TCG Pop-Up (November 6th in Santa Clara): Cards for a Cause teams up with 7-Eleven on White Oak Lane for a day of Pokémon, TCG vendors, and collectibles from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event raises funds for the Project Phoenix Limb Loss Foundation, and entry is free for all ages.
MTG: Star Trek Prerelease at Card Shop Santa Clara (November 6th to November 8th in Santa Clara): Card Shop Santa Clara hosts Magic: The Gathering Star Trek prereleases all weekend, including a crossover on Friday with Gamers Heaven. Sealed events cost $30, with sessions Friday at 3:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., Saturday at 11:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
Rip & Sip Trade Night Part 5 (November 6th in Gilroy): Pour Me Taproom invites Pokémon, Magic, Riftbound, and sports card fans to rip packs, chase hits, and trade from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Expect vendors, a raffle and cold beer.
Game Kastle Quarterly Flea Market (November 7th in Santa Clara): Game Kastle Santa Clara hosts its quarterly flea market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sift through treasures and walk away with a new game.
K-Pop Night with Off the Grid (November 7th in San Jose): Studio M Ballroom Club and Off the Grid Dance host an all-ages K-pop night starting at 6:30 p.m., with nine dance crews and two DJs. Expect a dance lesson, random play dance, an audience dance-off, K-pop games, and a raffle.
Video Game LAN Party: Halloween Edition (November 8th in Sunnyvale): Landing Pad Entertainment hosts a LAN party at Euphnet Cyber Cafe from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring 16-player Halo 3, 12-player Mario Kart 8, and more.
BL/GL Friendsgiving (November 8th in San Jose): Organized by Rosrak and MagPie while hosted at A Sack of Potatoes in San Jose’s Vietnam Town, this event brings together the BL and GL fandom for a festive day. The event will feature pumpkin painting, cosplaying, plus a BL & GL Watch Party.
Gamer Guild: Gaming Gathering (November 5th in Brisbane): The Brisbane Library’s monthly Gamer Guild meets in the Makerspace from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Players can choose from PlayStation 5, board, card, and computer games. The event is aimed at kids and teens.
Dungeons & Dragons: An Adventurers Gathering (November 7th in Redwood City): Game Kastle hosts a beginner-friendly, two-session Dungeons & Dragons 5e (2024 rules) adventure starting at 4 p.m. A Game Master teaches the rules, and the store supplies characters, dice, and everything else you need. Entry is $15 per player per session, with small tables of up to five players. Players must be 16 or older and should plan to attend both sessions.
East Bay Card Show (November 7th to November 8th in Burlingame): Tenth Inning Productions brings the East Bay Card Show to the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, featuring sports cards, Pokémon, TCGs, and collectibles. Saturday tickets are $35 for VIP, $25 for general admission, and $20 for the afternoon saver, and Sunday general admission is $20.
Boardtime! (November 8th in San Carlos): The San Carlos Library hosts an hour of drop-in board games from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., with a chance to learn a new game. The session also includes an easy craft and a drop-in 3D printing test run, and it’s open to all ages.
Paprika at New People Cinema (November 5th in Japantown): The Roxie screens Satoshi Kon’s Paprika (2006). The sci-fi thriller follows a therapist who enters patients’ dreams to hunt down whoever stole her dream diving device.
Dice, Dungeons, & Derrieres (November 5th in San Francisco): Spiced Cabaret debuts The Lusty Bard, a nerdlesque cabaret, at Lore Speakeasy from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The audience rolls a giant D20 to help the performers win the Golden Fishnets, with Evangeline Laveau hosting as Dez the Flirty Tiefling Bard.
Godzilla Minus Zero with Godzilla Art Pop-Up (November 5th to November 8th in San Francisco): The Balboa Theatre screens Godzilla Minus Zero in Japanese with subtitles throughout opening weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the lobby hosts a Godzilla art pop-up with artists Sophia Leighton and Thomas Johnson.
NIKKE 3rd Encounter (November 7th to November 8th in Japantown): Nekopon hosts a ballroom themed Goddess of Victory: NIKKE fan event at Screen Savor Art and Coffee from noon to 5 p.m. both days. Guests include English voice actors Kira Buckland, Brandi Hollsten, Molly Zhang, Casey Mongillo, Monique Thomas, Ryan Bartley, and Stephanie Kerbis.
Bootie-Con: Fandom Mashup Party (November 7th in San Francisco): Bootie Mashup takes over Cat Club at 9 p.m. with two rooms of nerdy, nostalgic mashups. The night features drag and burlesque from The Monster Show, plus anime and cosplay video projections.
Tweels Deco Party (November 8th in San Francisco): Astral Companions, Twst_tx, and Cherie Clouds host a casual Twisted Wonderland deco party at My Cup of Tea from noon to 5 p.m. Fans of Jade and Floyd can drop in and decorate merch with the community.
Fight Nights at The MADE (November 5th in Oakland): The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment hosts its weekly Super Smash Bros. Ultimate double-elimination bracket from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is a $10 venue fee plus $5 for the tournament, with prizes pooled for the top three players.
Board Games & Bites (November 5th in Oakland): Tenth Tale Games hosts a free, drop-in board game night at Prescott Market in West Oakland. Hosts teach you how to play, with a curated mix of quick social games and a few deeper picks. No experience is needed, and you can grab dinner from the market’s vendors.
Game Dev Showcase at The MADE (November 6th in Oakland): The MADE’s first Friday showcase runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., giving visitors a chance to try indie games and meet local developers and gamers. Entry is $20 for visitors, with proceeds supporting the museum, and free for developers who showcase their games.
Alameda’s Angels: Game Night Drag Show (November 6th in Alameda): Summer Lynn Spears hosts a game night at Faction Brewing, with games starting at 7 p.m. and drag performances throughout the night.
Take Me to Your Heart Cupsleeve Event (November 7th in Fremont): All My Love celebrates the birthdays of &TEAM’s K and Euijoo at Mr. Sun Tea. A free event gift includes a cupsleeve, a sticker, and a random photocard, while donation tiers starting at $6 add more photocards and goods. A keychain bar lets fans build custom charms.
Interactive Fiction Meetup at The MADE (November 7th in Oakland): The SF Bay Area Interactive Fiction group, organized by Dan Fabulich, holds its first Saturday meetup at The MADE from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fans of text-based games gather to play and talk about interactive fiction.
Super Smash Bros. Melee and Board Games (November 7th in Oakland): The New Parkway Theater hosts a free, drop-in afternoon of Super Smash Bros. Melee and board games starting at 2 p.m. Chef Tyler hosts board games and explains rules, and you’re welcome to bring your own games.
Downtown D&D 2026: The Conclave Ignites (November 7th in Martinez): Ember Rest Games transforms Downtown Martinez into a living fantasy world from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with quests, puzzles, taverns, characters, and hidden clues across participating businesses. No Dungeons & Dragons experience, dice, or character sheet is needed, and parties of up to four are recommended. Costumes are encouraged, and the event is family-friendly. Last year’s event sold out.
Cloak & Cauldron Marketplace (November 7th in Martinez): Downtown D&D’s new fantasy marketplace runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street and is free to attend. Vendors sell fantasy art, handcrafted goods, books, games, collectibles, and costumes, with wandering NPCs and quick challenges along the way.
Hololive Bloom Cup at Gamer’s Guild of Pleasant Hill (November 7th in Pleasant Hill): Gamer’s Guild of Pleasant Hill hosts a Hololive TCG Bloom Cup for Hoshimachi Suisei at 1 p.m. Entry is $20, with pack-per-win prizing and a cap of 32 players.
TCG Verse Card Show (November 7th to November 8th in Walnut Creek): TCG Verse brings a TCG only card show to Civic Park Assembly Hall. Sixty vendor tables cover Pokémon, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and more. VIP admission runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., general admission from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and late admission from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Gundam Card Game: GD-06 Prerelease at The Trade Emporium (November 7th in Pittsburg): The Trade Emporium hosts a Gundam Card Game: Stardust Trails prerelease at 5 p.m. Entry is $30 and includes a four-pack kit, with pack-per-win prizing.
Madera Toy-Anime-Comic Con (November 7th in Madera): Ohana Comic Con brings its toy, anime, and comic show to Madera on Saturday.
National Game Store Day at Goblin Bros (November 7th in Petaluma and Santa Rosa): Goblin Bros wraps up its week-long 5th anniversary celebration on National Game Store Day, with special sales, games, giveaways, and Double Goblin Gold on every purchase.
The Grind Card Show (November 7th in Elk Grove): The Grind Card Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 100 tables of cards and collectibles. Vendors cover Pokémon, One Piece, other TCGs, sports cards, and memorabilia, and parking is free.
The Jackpot Card Show (November 7th in Vacaville): The Jackpot Card Show debuts at the Three Oaks Community Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 40 vendors selling Pokémon, One Piece, sports cards, and collectibles.
CVC Show Turlock (November 7th to November 8th in Turlock): The Central Valley Cards & Collectibles Show sets up in Turlock from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, featuring sports cards, Pokémon, and TCGs.
Secret Stash Card Show (November 8th in Sacramento): Secret Stash takes over the DoubleTree by Hilton from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 120 vendor tables covering Pokémon, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Magic, Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more. The day includes a DJ, a cosplay meetup, and a cosplay contest at 1:30 p.m. Kids get in free, parking is free, and the first 100 kids get a free pack of Pokémon cards.
Video Game Book Club: A Short Hike & Endacopia (November 8th in Sacramento): The Sacramento Developer Collective meets at Jack’s Urban Eats from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss A Short Hike and Endacopia. The group will dig into each game’s art style, gameplay, storytelling, and design choices. Developers, students, artists, and anyone who loves games are welcome.
We will continue to spotlight a diverse range of events focused on anime, video games, TCGs, and other fandoms across the Bay Area. If you have an upcoming event, reach out to us so we can add it to this list or cover it in an article.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer and cosplayer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The 8Bit/Digi editorial team reports on gaming, anime, cosplay, and fan conventions in the Bay Area and Northern California. Look here for our weekly event roundups, year-end lists, and convention coverage.
