This Friday Night at OMCA, we’re summoning spectral vibes for a Halloween edition of Oakland’s favorite block party—filled with psychedelic sound, communal celebration, and underground spirit.  Celebrate the season with hands-on art making and trick-or-treating throughout the Garden—perfect for visitors of all ages. 

Costumes are encouraged! Take inspiration from our collection and dress up as your favorite artwork or artist and enter our costume contest for a chance to win prizes and show off your museum-inspired look! Be sure to leave full face coverings and costume weapons at home.

On the Garden Stage, Ritmos Tropicosmos conjures a genre-blurring set of cumbia sicodélica, eerie synths, live percussion, and ancestral storytelling. Emerging from Oakland’s rich cumbia scene, this seven-piece ensemble channels 70s horror, avant-garde soundscapes, and cosmic rhythms—summoning haunted dance parties, purgatory grooves, and full-moon howls for a night that’s equal parts otherworldly and unforgettable.

Over in the Amphitheater, DJ China G keeps the energy high with a genre-defying set spanning decades of dance-floor favorites. A beloved fixture of San Francisco’s LGBTQIA2S+ scene for over 25 years, her open-format style blends freestyle, disco, Y2K pop, reggaeton, house, Hip Hop, and more—creating a multigenerational, all-vibes-welcome party where everyone’s invited to move, glow, and celebrate.

Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions. It’s a night to explore global traditions, find your flow, and celebrate community through music, dance, and inquiry.

Program Schedule: 

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

5:30–7 pm Trick-or-Treating | Garden

5:30–7 pm Hands-on Art Making | Garden

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

6:15–7:15 pm Live Music by Ritmos Tropicosmos  | Garden Stage

7:15 pm Costume Contest | Garden 

6:45-8:50 pm Music Set by DJ China G | Amphitheater

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About Friday Nights:

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 ten 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.

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.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.