Friday Nights at OMCA has the stage set for you to experience the vibrant energy of Soulovely, the beloved Oakland dance party uplifting queer and trans BIPOC joy through genre-blending sets, live performances, and radical community spirit. Founded by Aïma the Dreamer, DJ Lady Ryan, and Emancipation, this high-vibe experience transforms the OMCA Garden into a space of movement, music, and unapologetic celebration.
This Friday Night at OMCA, join us for a special takeover in celebration of Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week 2025. In partnership with the Museum of the African Diaspora and local Black artists and organizers, OMCA’s campus will come alive with music, movement, and conversations rooted in Black creativity, resistance, and cultural legacy—all connected to OMCA’s current special exhibition, Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain.
In celebration of Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week 2025, organized by MoAD, OMCA invites you to a special walkthrough and panel discussion during Friday Nights at OMCA. Starting in Oak Street Plaza and continuing into the exhibition Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain, this engaging Gallery Chats experience brings together curator Dania Talley, architect June Grant (blinkLAB architecture), and activist Dominique Walker (Moms 4 Housing) to explore the making of the exhibition and urgent themes of housing justice, displacement, and Black community resilience in the East Bay and beyond.
Friday Nights at OMCA is turning all the way up with an evening packed with culture, connection, and straight-up fire performances. The Garden Stage will light up with an unforgettable live set from LaRussell. That’s right, this Vallejo-born phenomenon known for his sharp lyricism, viral freestyles, community-first ethos, and epic presence will take the stage with The Yee Section & CO-LLAB Choir and light up Oakland’s favorite block party! *This is going to be a major vibe, and space is limited, so be sure to lock in your entry to the Garden early.*
This Friday Night at OMCA, experience an unforgettable evening of soulful sound, creative expression, and dance-floor energy. Ouida takes the Garden Stage with her powerhouse nine-piece band, blending the grit of UK-inspired R&B and soul with warm jazz textures, bold brass, and soaring pop melodies. With husky, nostalgic vocals and lush arrangements, her performance channels deep emotion and vibrant celebration—offering a glimpse into the future of contemporary soul.
This Friday Night at OMCA, the Garden Stage will come alive with a powerful performance by Gabriela Sepúlveda, known as “La Nueva Reina Del Regional,” accompanied by the all-women ensemble Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah. Together, they deliver a heartfelt tribute to Mexican tradition—honoring love, memory, and family through timeless mariachi classics and passionate storytelling. With vibrant vocals, emotional depth, and a shared reverence for heritage, their performance invites the community to gather, reflect, and celebrate.
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.
It’s sale time! Join us onsite and online for the semi-annual Member sale at the OMCA Shop. Starting Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7, OMCA Members enjoy double their regular discount on regularly priced items in our Shop–that’s 20% off!
Friday Nights at OMCA kicks off the 2026 season with the vibrant and joyful rhythms of the Caribbean as Yeny Valdés & TeamBahia take the Garden Stage. Blending timba, salsa, son, and tropical fusion, their high-energy set will have you dancing and celebrating all night long. The party continues with Oakland’s own DJ Kream, spinning soulful, rhythm-forward beats rooted in deep house, funk, and feel-good grooves to keep the dance floor moving.
Step into your weekend with Brazilian-inspired music, dance, and joyful connection at Friday Nights at OMCA. On the Garden Stage, SambaDá delivers a joy-filled set rooted in electric Brazilian rhythms with a funky American twist. Blending samba, funk, soul, and global grooves, their infectious live performance brings radiant energy and irresistible beats that keep the crowd moving.
Calling all Members! Join us for a special members’ lounge on the Upper Level terrace, overlooking our Garden. Mingle with fellow OMCA enthusiasts while enjoying light refreshments, sidewalk chalk, and games for the entire family. Plus, we’ll be playing bingo and giving away awesome OMCA merch!
This evening, Friday Nights at OMCA is bringing you and your crew soulful grooves, infectious rhythms, and playful creativity. The Philharmonik sets the tone on the Garden Stage with a passionate blend of R&B, funk, soul, and Hip-Hop, energizing the crowd and inspiring dancing and singing for all ages. Over in the Amphitheater, DJ Hauna Bauna adds to the vibrations with a high-energy, genre-spanning set—from Hip-Hop and Afro beats to house, Jersey club, Nola bounce, and R&B—creating a rhythm-driven journey that moves everyone.
Experience ThursDates 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!
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.
Join us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.
Every third Sunday, OMCA invites visitors to Spotlight Sundays, a series of conversations, performances, and experiences that showcase California visionaries.
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.
Interested in bringing a group to engage more deeply with our gallery content? Sign up for a Group Tour where knowledgeable facilitators share insights and help make meaning with your group in OMCA’s galleries.
The Oakland Museum Women’s Board started the White Elephant Sale over sixty years ago. The annual event is not-to-be-missed.
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.
In collaboration with OMCA’s Día de los Muertos Committee, we honor Day of the Dead every October and November.