UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, December 7 - SweaterFest '24 at Rockridge Station from 1pm to 4pm.
Welcome to BART's Fun Stuff page!
On this page, we've compiled all the fun stuff happening around BART: events, contests, anime mascots, merch, and more. Take a look around.
Why does BART have a fun stuff page? Why does BART do fun stuff at all?
Let us be clear: providing high-quality, clean, and safe train service is BART's #1 priority. Always.
BART's ridership recovery post-pandemic is ongoing, and our engagement efforts aim to educate riders, help us connect with the diverse communities we serve, and build brand affinity, especially with younger riders. Our programs are getting people excited about transit and emphasizing the many places our system can take them. By partnering with dozens of local businesses and organizations each year, BART is highlighting the role public transit plays in connecting people to enriching and potentially life-changing experiences, all while celebrating the places that give them a reason to take BART in the first place.
BART has one of the most innovative ridership engagement programs in the nation that includes efforts such as the BARTable website and partnership program, anime mascots, story dispensers and writing contests, and family friendly events. Recent events include live music performances at stations, anime mascot boba meetups, poetry readings, a birthday party for the BARTmobile, and a paper ticket fashion show.
With this array of programming, we are activating stations and encouraging the public to come to BART and discover the improvements we've made to the system in the past few years.
We want to get our customers to their destinations quickly and comfortably, and we want to have so me fun along the way. Join us!
Rider Guides
Get to major Bay Area events by following our rider guides, which describe how to take transit to local venues.
Find them on our rider guide page.
Anime Mascots
Inspired by BART frontline employees and BART-contracted animals (goats, hawks) who have gone on to reach national fame, the anime mascots highlight the tight-knit connections between BART and the Bay Area.
Learn more about the Anime Mascots.
Contests and Deals
Throughout the year, BARTable has exciting contests, sweepstakes, and deals. Don't miss a thing by signing up for the BARTable This Week newsletter at bart.gov/bartable. Look for the blue box.
Learn more about BARTable Contests and Deals.
Story Dispensers + Writing Contests
BART has free story dispensers at select stations that are like vending machines for for creative writing. The writing is printed on eco-friendly, recyclable paper that ejects from the machine after you hover your finger over a button.
Learn more about the dispensers, where to find them, and the writingcontests BART hosts on this page.
Transit Saves
Public transportation is the backbone of the Bay Area, and to recognize the many ways it enhances our communities, BART created the Transit Saves campaign. The campaign launched in 2023 with four unique art concepts, which you can view at the bottom of this page. In 2024, BART unveiled a second edition of Transit Saves.
Learn more about Transit Saves.
BART Connects
The BART Connects storytelling series was launched in2023 to showcase the real people who ride and rely on BART and illustrate the manifold ways the system affects their lives. The subjects of BART Connects will be featured in videos as well as a forthcoming marketing campaign that is slated to run across the Bay Area.
Learn more about BART Connects.
One Book One BART
BART hosts its very own book club centered around books written by local authors or about local themes. Every book club season, BART programs different reading-related events, like book clubs hosted on moving trains during passenger service!
Keep up to date with the book club on the official page.
Railgoods -BART Merch
Railgoods is the one-stop-shop for BART merchandise. Choose from items like BART’s signature “Old Boi/New Boi” t-shirt or Capitol Corridor’s adorable Cappy Train socks. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or you're shopping for that train enthusiast in your life, there is something for everyone at railgoods.com.
Visit Railgoods.com.
Eat + Drink
BARTable is a website dedicated to everything that is BARTable (as in, things that are close to BART stations), and we are spreading the word about some of the best things to experience in the Bay Area, including places to eat and drink by BART stations!
Find places to eat and drink on the BARTable Eat + Drink page.
Arts + Lifestyle
Looking for a museum, place to shop, or events by BART? BARTable has you covered with regular articles covering some of the fantastic cultural experiences near BART stations.
Find places to eat and drink on the BARTable Arts + Lifestyle page.
Outdoors
There are so many BARTable walks, hikes, bike rides, and other activities accessible by BART. Take our trains to get out and explore the outdoors.
Find places to get outside on the BARTable Outdoors page.
Speedrun Records
BART loves to see transit fans speedrun our system for time. So much so, we have set up this webpage to track speedruns and their records. A speedrun is the total time it takes to travel through all BART stations.
Find the records on the Speedruns Page.
Machines of BART
It takes more than trains to run a railroad. Some you've no doubt seen, such as police cars and light duty trucks used by maintenance staff. But there are some less familiar vehicles with specialized uses that help bring you a safer, more reliable ride. Here is a guide to some of these massive machines of BART.
Learn more about The Machines of BART.