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 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 Duniya Dance and Drum Company + 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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Fall Teacher Night September 18 from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Calling all teachers! In celebration of our school communities, teachers and principals are invited to join us for OMCA’s Annual Fall Teacher Night.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Kiyomi & Cal Raijin Taiko September 18 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Celebrate the opening week of BeHere/1942: A New Lens on the Japanese American Incarceration this Friday Night at OMCA with an evening of music, culture, and community. The Garden Stage features two dynamic performances, beginning with Cal Raijin Taiko, whose original compositions blend the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming with contemporary influences. Following, Bay Area singer-songwriter Kiyomi brings her soulful alternative R&B sound to the stage, weaving rich harmonies, live looping, and heartfelt storytelling into an intimate performance that invites audiences to slow down and connect.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Los Tranquilos September 25 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Step into an evening of nostalgic rhythms, movement, and community connection this Friday Night at OMCA. The Garden Stage comes alive with Los Tranquilos, a California trio blending the romantic soul, psychedelia, and classic grooves of 1960s and ’70s Latin America. With soulful melodies, rock influences, and timeless rhythms, their performance celebrates the rich musical traditions that continue to inspire generations.

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