Welcome Home

Downtown Berkeley Welcomes Students and New Residents with a Vibrant Community Celebration
“Welcome Home” Event Set for Friday, August 29th from 1–7 PM at Downtown Berkeley Plaza

Berkeley, CA — July 17, 2025 — The Downtown Berkeley Association (DBA) is thrilled to announce the debut of Welcome Home, a dynamic new event designed to celebrate the return of new and continuing UC Berkeley students, Berkeley High Students back to Downtown from their Summer breaks. The event will take place on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 1 PM to 7 PM at the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza, transforming the heart of downtown into a vibrant, interactive showcase of local life.

Welcome Home is a celebration of what makes Berkeley a one-of-a-kind place to live, explore, and thrive. Attendees can expect:

• 20+ Local Vendor Booths: Showcasing the best of Berkeley’s artists, makers, and small businesses
• Live Music and DJs: An upbeat soundtrack of local talent all day long
• Tote Bag Giveaway: Free to the first 100 guests—packed with goodies from downtown merchants
• Interactive Installations & Photo Ops: Curated for Instagram and designed to inspire
• Exclusive Merchant Specials: One-day-only discounts from Downtown restaurants and retailers
• Community Resources: Learn about housing, safety, transit, arts, fitness, and more