First Sundays
Spend your Sunday with us and find out why “East Bay Express” calls OMCA “the best museum for the people, by the people.” Every …
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Events
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Upcoming Events
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Friday Nights at OMCA: Cool Down for Summer and Celebrate East Bay Creeks and Waterways
Enjoy the multi-layered songs and stories of musician and story keeper John Paul, dive into making a hands-on watershed model and learn about the intricate nature and history of East Bay creeks and waterways with a team of guest experts. Then, move to the music of DJ Don Reeser.
Free
Gallery Activation Hour
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaJoin us for Gallery Activation Hour, an informal drop-in experience, every Saturday 1pm – 2pm in OMCA’s Great Hall for Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD.
Special exhibition ticket required
Member Bonus Reciprocity Weekend at SFMOMA
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaMembers are invited to enjoy a Bonus Reciprocity Weekend at SFMOMA on the weekend of July 14 through 16.
Free for Members
Friday Nights at OMCA: Musician Jake Zimma, Debajo Sound System collective, and DJ Mai Girl
Hip-hop, reggae, R&B, and more come together with indie musical artist Jake Zimma; Debajo Sound System collective plays energetic and move-to-it music and song in multiple languages; and DJ Mai Girl electrifies the dancefloor with a hand-picked blend of eclectic music that will keep you moving all night!
Free
Gallery Activation Hour
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaJoin us for Gallery Activation Hour, an informal drop-in experience, every Saturday 1pm – 2pm in OMCA’s Great Hall for Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD.
Special exhibition ticket required
Summer of Joy Marketplace
Celebrate the summer season and join us for a festive marketplace featuring artwork produced by artists from the three collaborating studios of Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth and NIAD. Support the studios and shop for dazzling prints, ceramics, zines, textiles, buttons, trinkets, jewelry, etc for yourself or as gifts. Artists will showcase existing work and may also create new pieces for sale inspired by the theme of summer and the joy of being together. Artist vendors include Donald Gruneisen, Donzell Lewis, Jean McElvane, Larry Randolph, Lulu Sotelo, and more. Come say hello!
Free
Friday Nights at OMCA: Let’s Lab with mayx/maya, JUJU, Dj Jerry Ross, and Lorenzo on Keys, and DJ Durt
Come dance and sing along while simply enjoying another beautiful day of life. There will be songs for OMCA’s multigenerational community to enjoy. And if you have little ones, we’ll have some tunes they will enjoy as well. Musical Performers include JUJU, Dj Jerry Ross, and Lorenzo on Keys on the Garden Stage, Let’s Lab with mayx/maya in Oak Street Plaza and DJ Durt spinning tunes in the Amphitheater.
Free
Gallery Activation Hour
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaJoin us for Gallery Activation Hour, an informal drop-in experience, every Saturday 1pm – 2pm in OMCA’s Great Hall for Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD.
Special exhibition ticket required
Friday Nights at OMCA: Afrobeats Oakland Friday Night Takeover featuring emcee Christina Alexandria, live music by Seyi Sax and Matias, dance lessons with Danaite, DJs Juan G, Koko and TieDye Trippin
Afrobeats Oakland is taking over the OMCA for one evening and showcasing various elements of African pop culture. Each corner of the Museum will be activated, highlighting live street music performances, a two–hour dance class focused on the most popular dance moves trending across the continent, and a live performance by Afrobeats Oakland’s DJs in the garden. People of all ages are invited to participate and enjoy this taste of the biggest musical movement in the world.
Free
Gallery Activation Hour
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaJoin us for Gallery Activation Hour, an informal drop-in experience, every Saturday 1pm – 2pm in OMCA’s Great Hall for Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD.
Special exhibition ticket required
Special Edition Gallery Activation Hour
OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, CaliforniaIn addition to Saturday Gallery Activation Hour and during the run of Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth and NIAD, artists from the show will host a Special Addition Gallery Activation Lunchtime Hour 12pm–1pm every first Wednesday.
Special exhibition 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!
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.
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.
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.
Gallery Events
Group Chats
Knowledgeable facilitators share insights and help make meaning with your group in OMCA’s galleries.