Rockridge had its first annual Holiday Tree Lighting on November 29th to kick off the holidays. Now the shops are open till 8pm every Friday night during the season! Fridays till 8pm, College Ave. http://www.rockridgedistrict.com/

Piedmont Avenue Merchants offer a variety of events for the holidays, including free tea, wine, egg nog, open houses, discounts and more! Check out the complete list here (PDF).

You are not going to believe the incredible chocolates you can get from Cosmic Chocolate, a Temescal-based chocolatier. Their mind-blowing collection includes cocktail-inspired, liquor-infused Cosmic Bombs like the Beaming Buddha: “Limoncello and ginger syrup encased in a dark chocolate truffle shell adorned with coconut flakes.” Are you kidding me?!

Not into liquor? There are many other collections from which to choose. Pictured: A Valentine collection with cinnamon-chili-carmel hearts cozying up to strawberry-and-champagne hearts. Check them out online at www.cosmicchocolate.com. 510.654.2923, muse@cosmicchocolate.com, Tucked behind Doña Tomás at 5002 B Telegraph Ave., Oakland.

This painting is by Chandra Baerg, one of the many artists of Oakland’s rich and lively Jingletown Arts District. On Dec 2 and 3, over 25 Jingletown artists will open their studios for the neighborhood’s first Art Walk. Check out the paintings, mosaics, jewelry, sculpture and more from this incredible collection of neighborhood artists. Dec 2-3, 11am-5pm. Fruitvale Exit off 880 south or Fruitvale BART. See website for map and directions. www.jingletown.org