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.
Free
Events
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Upcoming Events
12 events found.
Events
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OMCA Architecture Walk and Talk
OMCA campusWalk through OMCA’s landmark building and gardens with members of the Council on Architecture.
Free -
Friday Nights at OMCA with MacArthur Maze
OMCA campusThis Friday, join us at OMCA for an unforgettable night featuring the vibrant sounds of MacArthur Maze! This East Bay hip-hop ensemble, led by DJ D Sharp, brings together five talented emcees and four producers to deliver a powerhouse performance full of organic Bay Area vibes.
Free -
Member Tours: Born of the Bear Dance Tour with Drew Johnson, Curator of Photography & Visual Culture at OMCA
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaDrew Johnson, curator of Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California, will illuminate the powerful communities and stories behind the exhibition’s captivating images. Join Johnson as he shares the collaborations and partnerships that brought Aguilar’s remarkable photographic collection to OMCA, resulting in this impactful display.
Free for Members -
Gallery Chats at OMCA
OMCA campusJoin us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.
Admission ticket required -
Celebration of Arts, Culture & Creativity Month Event in Oakland
Everyone is invited to celebrate and advocate for arts, culture, & creativity in our communities of Oakland, the East Bay, and throughout California. Join us for inspiring speakers and performers, and the opportunity to network with the East Bay arts community!
Free -
Friday Nights at OMCA | Earth Day in the Bay
OMCA campusThis 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.
Free -
Gallery Chats at OMCA
OMCA campusJoin us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.
Admission ticket required -
Spotlight Sundays: Celebrating Native Heritage through Photography—A Conversation with Ashley Salaz and Haley Day Rains
OMCA Lecture Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaJoin us for this month’s Spotlight Sundays as we dive into the power of photography in honoring and amplifying Native heritage. This thought-provoking panel discussion features two dynamic Native creatives: Oakland-based Coharie and Nahua photographer Ashley Salaz and Mvskoke photographer, scholar, and filmmaker Haley Day Rains. Moderated by Drew Johnson, OMCA Curator of Photography & Visual Culture, the conversation will explore how photography serves as a vital tool for storytelling, cultural preservation, and community connection.This program is part of the exhibition Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California—on view through June 2025—and draws on Dugan Aguilar’s legacy of documenting the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous communities. The discussion will address key themes of representation, reciprocity, and the ways in which photography can be rooted in and shaped by community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage in this meaningful conversation.
$1 – $30 -
Friday Nights at OMCA Special Members Lounge
OMCA Garden 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, California, United StatesCalling all Members! Join us for a special members’ lounge on the 3rd Level Terrace, overlooking our Garden. Mingle with fellow OMCA enthusiasts while enjoying light refreshments. Plus, we’ll be raffling off some awesome OMCA merch!
Free for Members -
Friday Nights at OMCA with Dos Four
OMCA campusThis Friday, join us at OMCA for a night of Latin rhythms, dance, and vibrant energy! Dos Four, a dynamic fusion of Caribbean and Afro-Latin sounds, will take the stage, blending Salsa, Cumbia, Salsa Choque, Latino House, and more. Lead singer and songwriter Leyder Chapman, originally from Cuba, brings his passion for music to the Bay Area, offering feel-good tunes for all ages. With his rich musical background and past success with the band SAOCO, Dos Four continues to grow and deliver unforgettable performances.
Free -
Gallery Chats at OMCA
OMCA campusJoin us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.
Admission ticket required
Ongoing events
Evening hours
ThursDates at OMCA
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!
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.
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.
Third Sundays
Spotlight Sundays
Every third Sunday, OMCA invites visitors to Spotlight Sundays, a series of conversations, performances, and experiences that showcase California visionaries.
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.
Gallery Events
Group Tours
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.
Annual events
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.
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.
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.