Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is turning up the heat for its 2026 summer season. Friday Nights invites the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors—starting at 5 pm with a free evening of live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket purchase, 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. Please view our Garden Guidelines and Dog Policy.

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 Sabrina Shauna August 21 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday Night at OMCA sets the stage for an evening of soulful sounds as Bay Area artist Sabrina Shauna brings her signature blend of R&B and pop to the Garden Stage. Featuring powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and infectious energy, her performance showcases fan favorites, new music, and an uplifting spirit that invites audiences to sing, dance, and connect.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with BULULÚ August 28 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday Night at OMCA comes alive with the vibrant sounds and rhythms of the Caribbean as BULULÚ takes the Garden Stage for an electrifying live performance. Led by Venezuelan-born percussionist, composer, and vocalist Lali Mejia, the ensemble blends salsa, cumbia, merengue, calypso, joropo, and other traditions into a joyful celebration of music, culture, and community that invites guests to dance the night away.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with PHER September 4 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

This Friday Night at OMCA, Oakland-born vocalist and songwriter PHER brings his soulful sound to the Garden Stage with a powerful live performance. Blending contemporary R&B, jazz, and soul with heartfelt storytelling, the three-time Grammy-winning collaborator delivers an uplifting set of original music, reimagined classics, and joyful grooves that invite audiences to sing, reflect, and celebrate together.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons September 11 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

This Friday Night at OMCA comes alive with the vibrant sounds of West Africa as Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons take the Garden Stage for an electrifying live performance. Led by Guinean master drummer and educator Bongo Sidibe, the nine-piece ensemble blends traditional rhythms with Afrobeats, reggae, Hip-Hop, and contemporary influences, creating a joyful celebration filled with soaring percussion, powerful vocals, and plenty of opportunities for the audience to join in the fun.

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