This Friday, celebrate Earth Day in the Bay at OMCA! Join us for an unforgettable day in OMCA’s outdoor garden, filled with performances, games, and hands-on activities that will engage visitors of all ages. This free event, in partnership with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) teachers and students, celebrates sustainability and environmental themes with arts, sciences, and local culture, all working towards a greener future for the Bay Area. Voices of all ages will be featured, making it an inclusive, fun, and meaningful way to connect with the Earth and each other.

While getting in touch with the Earth, we encourage you to delve into your creativity with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing! It’s a perfect opportunity to create something personal and unique while soaking in the Museum’s atmosphere.

We welcome all skill levels, including those who have never drawn before and want to try drawing. Art supplies and clipboards will be available for use, and your artwork will be yours to take home or exchange with others. A costumed model representing the diversity of the Bay Area will be posing in the galleries for times ranging from 2 to 20 minutes. Since drawing will take place in the galleries, please be mindful of space and bring only the following media from home: sketchbooks (max size 9×12 inches) and pre-sharpened enclosed graphite, charcoal, or conté pencils.

DJ Teao Sense will close out the day with a cross-genre journey of global slaps, live percussion, and turntablism. A visionary DJ and multi-instrumentalist, Teao Sense brings his unique sound to OMCA, blending everything from Afrobeats, Hip Hop, Soul, and Latin to Funk, Amapiano, and beyond. In addition to an outstanding event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also offer guests a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invites visitors to chat, ask questions, and connect with our OMCA facilitators, who combine content knowledge with lived experience to encourage meaningful dialogue and fresh interpretations of our exhibitions. Don’t miss this celebration of Earth, creativity, and culture—join us for a vibrant day at OMCA.

Limited $10 flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm. Learn more about getting to the museum.

Program Schedule:

5—8:30 pm Earth Day in the Bay at OMCA | OMCA Garden

5—9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket

5:30—6:15 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing  | Gallery of California Art

5:30—7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries 

6:45—7:30 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art

6:45—8:50 pm DJ Teao Sense | Amphitheater

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About Friday Nights:

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

Bring your own or grab dinner from any one of the 8 Off the Grid food trucks on 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets. Beer, wine, mixed and non-alcoholic drinks are available for sale. After grabbing a meal from a wide and weekly changing menu of culinary creations, head to the OMCA Garden where you’ll find picnic tables and blankets to enjoy your local eats. Play lawn and table games, enjoy weekly rotating Museum programming, and create new memories at one of the Town’s most treasured spaces right in the heart of Oakland.

No outside alcohol permitted. Performances are subject to change. Limited $10 flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm.

Accessibility 

Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.