Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is back for the 2026 season, inviting the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors. Join us every Friday, April–October, at 5 pm for a free evening of live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket, exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions.

Fuel your night with a rotating lineup of Off the Grid food trucks stationed along 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, serving up bold flavors and local favorites. Inside, near the Koi Pond, purchase beer, wine, cocktails, and refreshing non-alcoholic options to sip while exploring. In the Garden, picnic tables, blankets, and a dazzling view of Lake Merritt welcome you to settle in with your meal. With games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories marked with unmistakable Oakland energy, week after week.

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.

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

– SF Chronicle

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday Nights at OMCA with CO-LLAB Choir

This evening, Friday Nights at OMCA is bringing you and your crew soulful grooves, infectious rhythms, and playful creativity. The Philharmonik sets the tone on the Garden Stage with a passionate blend of R&B, funk, soul, and Hip-Hop, energizing the crowd and inspiring dancing and singing for all ages. Over in the Amphitheater, DJ Hauna Bauna adds to the vibrations with a high-energy, genre-spanning set—from Hip-Hop and Afro beats to house, Jersey club, Nola bounce, and R&B—creating a rhythm-driven journey that moves everyone.

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Spring Teacher Night

Calling all teachers! After everything you’ve given this year, let us celebrate you. Join us for OMCA’s Spring Teacher Night to explore the galleries, enjoy live music, great food, and good company.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Elujay

This Friday Night at OMCA, Elujay ignites the Garden Stage with his live band, delivering a genre-blending sound that weaves together alternative R&B, jazz, soul, house, and dream pop. Known for his honey-toned vocals and introspective songwriting, his performance promises a rich, immersive musical experience rooted in Oakland and resonating far beyond. Keeping the energy flowing, DJ Harmonyy brings an electrifying set filled with feel-good tracks and infectious rhythms.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with La Cumbiamba Colombiana & Combo Tezeta

This evening, Friday Nights at OMCA brings vibrant rhythms, rich cultural traditions, and dance-floor energy to the Garden Stage. La Cumbiamba Colombiana kicks off the evening with a lively dance performance celebrating the roots of Colombian cumbia, weaving together ancestral steps and Afro-Caribbean influences in a colorful, high-energy showcase. Then, Combo Tezeta, whose psychedelic take on cumbia, chicha, and música tropical blends surf rock textures with hypnotic Latin rhythms, takes the stage to create an irresistibly danceable atmosphere that bridges past and present.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Pacific Mambo Orchestra

Friday Nights at OMCA is set to kick off your weekend with bold Latin sounds, vibrant dance, and nonstop rhythm. Pacific Mambo Orchestra takes over the Garden Stage with an electrifying live performance, blending mambo, salsa, Latin jazz, and big band tradition into a high-energy vibe that’s both timeless and fresh. Known for their explosive stage presence and world-class musicianship, the Grammy Award-winning ensemble delivers a powerful, dance-ready experience.

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