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Events

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Upcoming Events

Gathering in the Garden

Act fast—get your tickets today! Join us on June 1 as comedian W. Kamau Bell and artists Rafael Casal and Faviana Rodriquez take to the OMCA Garden stage to discuss Oakland’s legacy and future as a hub for filmmaking. The program will be followed by a celebratory reception featuring music and complimentary light bites and libations. Show up in your finest for a sensational evening to support the Oakland Museum of California!

Sliding scale

Member Preview for Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California

You’re invited to the Member Opening for OMCA’s newest exhibition! Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California offers guests a first look at a significant collection that highlights Indigenous endurance and explores the vivid tapestry of contemporary Native California life. Reserved tickets are highly encouraged but not required for Member Preview Hours.

Free for Members

Thursday After Hours at OMCA with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing

OMCA campus

Bring your sketch pads and appetites to kick off the second season of Thursday After Hours at OMCA. Mix and mingle over music by DJ DiVita and delightful cocktails prepared in OMCA’s Town Fare Café. After bites and beverages, head over to the Gallery of California Art for uninstructed live figure drawing sessions hosted by Sketchboard Co.

Admission ticket required

Thursday After Hours at OMCA | Diana Gameros w/ Patrick Wolff

OMCA campus

This Thursday the Gallery of California History will come alive with can’t-miss pop-up performances by Diana Gameros (voice and guitar) accompanied by Patrick Wolff (clarinet and tenor sax) as they play original songs and tunes from Mexico and beyond. In between performances, OMCA’s award-winning galleries, along with Town Fare Café, will be open for guests to explore and enjoy delectable bites, beverages, and music by DJ DiVita.

Admission ticket required

Community Conversations: Reclaiming Democracy, Building Belonging

James Moore Theater

OMCA’s Spotlight Sundays is excited to introduce “Community Conversations,” a new series in partnership with The Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI). This new series of conversations will create a space to foster public dialogue and engagement around emerging community topics.

The program’s first installment this January will explore the topic of Reclaiming Democracy, Building Belonging. The panel will include john a. powell, Director of OBI and Professor of Law, African American and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley along with a diverse set of other visionary community organizers and youth leaders. The panel will be moderated by Ashley Gallegos who leads the Places of Belonging work at OBI.

$1 – $30

Thursday After Hours at OMCA with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing

OMCA campus

Bring your sketch pads and appetites to kick off the second season of Thursday After Hours at OMCA. Mix and mingle over music by DJ DiVita and delightful cocktails prepared in OMCA’s Town Fare Café. After bites and beverages, head over to the Gallery of California History for uninstructed live figure drawing sessions hosted by Sketchboard Co.

Admission ticket required

Ongoing & Annual events

Evening hours Thursday After Hours

Experience Thursday After Hours at OMCA – your weekly night out at the Museum rich with cocktails, culture, and community. Mingle at Town Fare Cafe by Chef Michele McQueen, where you can enjoy drinks and light bites against a backdrop of music, or explore the galleries  which come alive at night with a mix of pop-up performances, chats, live drawings, and more–  just for adults! 

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Evening hours Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid, Oakland’s favorite free weekly block party is back, April—October!

Gather with family, friends, and community every Friday 5—9 pm for live music, hands-on activities, Off the Grid (OTG) food trucks, and late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions, with a Museum ticket.

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Gallery Events Gallery Chats at OMCA

Join us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.

 

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Third Sundays Spotlight Sundays

Every third Sunday, OMCA invites visitors to Spotlight Sundays, a series of conversations, performances, and experiences that showcase California visionaries.

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First Sundays First Sundays

Every first Sunday of the month, General Admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences is free and tickets to Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6.

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Community Celebration Lunar New Year

OMCA celebrates the Lunar New Year and explores the shared connections between the diverse Asian cultures of the Bay Area. These family-friendly programs will include both virtual and in-person offerings that celebrate and honor Lunar New Year traditions through storytelling, performances, activities, cooking demonstrations, and more. OMCA holds space for our AAPI communities to come together and uplift each other with both in-person and virtual healing circles.

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Community Celebration Día de los Muertos

In collaboration with OMCA’s Día de los Muertos Committee, we honor Day of the Dead every October and November.

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Community Event White Elephant Sale

The Oakland Museum Women’s Board started the White Elephant Sale over sixty years ago. The annual event is not-to-be-missed.

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Gallery Events Group Chats

Knowledgeable facilitators share insights and help make meaning with your group in OMCA’s galleries.

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