Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the eight Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

OMCA also offers a $10 flat-rate parking in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm. Please note that outside alcohol is not permitted, and event details and performances are subject to change.

OMCA believes in paying our artists and program partners equitably for their work. Please consider supporting our free Friday Nights programming.

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Experience one of summer’s “best live series and concerts around the Bay Area!”

– SF Chronicle

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upcoming

Friday Nights at OMCA with Yeny Valdés & TeamBahia September 19 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Experience an electrifying live set from Yeny Valdés & TeamBahia, bringing the vibrant sounds of Cuba to life through a high-energy mix of timba, salsa, son, and tropical fusion. Led by the powerhouse vocals of Yeny Valdés—former lead singer of the legendary Los Van Van—the group lights up the stage with soul, rhythm, and irresistible joy. Rooted in tradition and reimagined through a modern lens, their performance invites everyone to dance, celebrate, and feel the heartbeat of the Caribbean.

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Friday Nights at OMCA Special Members Lounge September 19 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Calling all Members! Join us for a special members’ lounge on the Upper Level Terrace, overlooking our Garden. Mingle with fellow OMCA enthusiasts while enjoying light refreshments, Bingo games, sidewalk chalk, and games for the whole family. Plus, we’ll be raffling off some awesome OMCA merch! Invite your friends and family to share in the fun—OMCA Members can bring at least one adult guest to enjoy the experience together!

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Soulovely September 26 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday Nights at OMCA has the stage set for you to experience the vibrant energy of Soulovely, the beloved Oakland dance party uplifting queer and trans BIPOC joy through genre-blending sets, live performances, and radical community spirit. Founded by Aïma the Dreamer, DJ Lady Ryan, and Emancipation, this high-vibe experience transforms the OMCA Garden into a space of movement, music, and unapologetic celebration.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with The Futurelics October 3 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

This Friday Night at OMCA, join us for a special takeover in celebration of Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week 2025. In partnership with the Museum of the African Diaspora and local Black artists and organizers, OMCA’s campus will come alive with music, movement, and conversations rooted in Black creativity, resistance, and cultural legacy—all connected to OMCA’s current special exhibition, Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain.

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