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Two teachers talking in the OMCA Garden

Spring Teacher Night at Friday Nights at OMCA

We celebrate you, teachers! Join us for OMCA’s spring Teacher Night, when you can hang out and enjoy the Museum— on us. Check out the posters and graphic prints that highlight political and social justice issues in Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of Malaquías Montoya, and then screen print your own tote bag during a special drop-in workshop for teachers. Head to the OMCA Garden to hang out and enjoy the rhythms and music of Punjab, India with Non Stop Bhangra, one of the best dance parties in the Bay Area. Enjoy late-night gallery access and Off the Grid food trucks.

Free

Friday Nights | Non Stop Bhangra Community Dance Party, Spring Teacher Night and DJ set by Black

OMCA campus

Get into the rhythm this Friday Night at OMCA with Non Stop Bhangra known as the best dance party in the Bay Area. A celebration of the rhythms and music from Punjab, India, Non Stop Bhangra comes back to Friday Nights at OMCA bringing high energy, vibrancy, and color. Featuring dance lessons, performances, DJs, live drummers and more, it’s a joyful release for the whole family and all the teachers being celebrated at our Spring Teacher Night! The night will be set with the skillful DJ spinnings of Black sure to keep the good times flowing.

Free

Spotlight Sundays: Burn The Wagon live podcast with Juan Dominguez and Morning Star Gali on Environmental Justice

James Moore Theater

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) welcomes Climate Action Month with a live recording of Burn the Wagon podcast. OMCA invites guests to join host Juan Dominguez C’ya T’as (red hawk) and Morning Star Gali of the Pit River Tribe and founder of Indigenous Justice as they explore issues centering environmental justice including climate change, Indigenous sovereignty, and decolonization. The event will begin with a vibrant opening performance by a Pomo dance group from Point Arena and conclude with a Q+A session with the audience.

$1 – $30

Alphabet Rockers

Friday Nights at OMCA | Live Music with Alphabet Rockers, Drag Storytime with Per Sia, Wire Sculpture Making, Gallery Chats, and DJ set with Siyah

OMCA campus

Pump up the joy this first Friday at Friday Nights at OMCA! Join us as the intergenerational hip hop group, Alphabet Rockers, explores elements of hip hop and leads audiences to shared moments of joyful expression, uplifting affirmations, and celebratory movement. Drag Storytime keeps the empowering energy flowing as drag artist Per Sia brings Tyler Feder’s preschool picture book, Bodies are Cool, to life with an exuberant read-aloud alongside bright and friendly illustrations to captivate all.

Free
Event Series Group Chats

Group Chats

OMCA campus

Interested in engaging more deeply with our gallery content? Sign up for Group Chats where knowledgeable facilitators share insights and help make meaning with your group in OMCA’s galleries. Group Chats puts a twist on the traditional museum tour and centers community voices, lived experiences, and provides fresh interpretations of OMCA’s Exhibitions. This is an informal experience, not a traditional tour. The facilitators will generate conversations and engagement with your group throughout the hour.

Two people looking at art at OMCA

First Sundays | May 5

Every first Sunday of the month, General Admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences is free and tickets to Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6.

Free

Ongoing & Annual events

Evening hours Thursday After Hours

Experience Thursday After Hours at OMCA – your weekly night out at the Museum rich with cocktails, culture, and community. Mingle at Town Fare Cafe by Chef Michele McQueen, where you can enjoy drinks and light bites against a backdrop of music, or explore the galleries  which come alive at night with a mix of pop-up performances, chats, live drawings, and more–  just for adults! 

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Evening hours Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid, Oakland’s favorite free weekly block party is back, April—October!

Gather with family, friends, and community every Friday 5—9 pm for live music, hands-on activities, Off the Grid (OTG) food trucks, and late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions, with a Museum ticket.

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Gallery Events Gallery Chats at OMCA

Join us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.

 

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Third Sundays Spotlight Sundays

Every third Sunday, OMCA invites visitors to Spotlight Sundays, a series of conversations, performances, and experiences that showcase California visionaries.

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First Sundays First Sundays

Every first Sunday of the month, General Admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences is free and tickets to Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6.

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Community Celebration Lunar New Year

OMCA celebrates the Lunar New Year and explores the shared connections between the diverse Asian cultures of the Bay Area. These family-friendly programs will include both virtual and in-person offerings that celebrate and honor Lunar New Year traditions through storytelling, performances, activities, cooking demonstrations, and more. OMCA holds space for our AAPI communities to come together and uplift each other with both in-person and virtual healing circles.

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Community Celebration Día de los Muertos

In collaboration with OMCA’s Día de los Muertos Committee, we honor Day of the Dead every October and November.

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Community Event White Elephant Sale

The Oakland Museum Women’s Board started the White Elephant Sale over sixty years ago. The annual event is not-to-be-missed.

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