OMCA Announces Public Programs and Events for May 2026

Friday Nights, Spotlight Sundays, and Educator Programs Bring Music, Movement, and Community to OMCA This May
OMCA PRESS KIT

April 14, 2026

(Oakland, CA) April 14, 2026 – The Oakland Museum of California announces its schedule of public programs for May 2026, inviting visitors to gather for a dynamic month of live music, dance, art-making, film, and community connection. Friday Nights at OMCA continues with weekly evening celebrations featuring performances by Elujay, Combo Tezeta, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, and Non Stop Bhangra, along with DJ sets, dance lessons, Off the Grid food trucks, and late-night access to galleries and special exhibitions. The month also features Spotlight Sundays with a documentary screening and community gathering with People’s Kitchen Collective and Emory Douglas, plus a new student poster exhibition, educator programs, and so much more. See the full calendar at www.museumca.org.

OMCA PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR MAY 2026

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

Every Friday, April–October | 5–9 pm | OMCA Campus
Link to Friday Nights Images

The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is in full swing for the 2026 season, inviting the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors. Every Friday at 5 pm, the Museum hosts a free evening filled with live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket, exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions.

The Museum welcomes guests to a rotating lineup of Off the Grid food trucks stationed along 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, serving up bold flavors and local favorites. Inside, near the Koi Pond, beer, wine, cocktails, and refreshing non-alcoholic options are available for purchase to sip while exploring. In the Garden, picnic tables, blankets, and a dazzling view of Lake Merritt invite visitors to settle in with their meals. With games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories marked with unmistakable Oakland energy, week after week.

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.For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the OMCA website.

Friday Nights May Program Dates:

Friday, May 1, 2026 – There will be no Friday Nights in observance of May Day General Strike
Friday, May 8, 2026
Friday, May 15, 2026
Friday, May 22, 2026

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is proudly supported by the Oakland Museum Women‘s Board and Bank of America. Additional support provided by OAKLAND ROOTS AND SOUL SC, Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, and Townsend Public Affairs.

Friday, May 8 | 5–9 pm

Live Music by Elujay, R&B Dance Lesson with Sara Templeton, Music Set with DJ Harmonyy, Spring Teacher Night, and Gallery Chats

This Friday Night at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), Elujay ignites the Garden Stage with his live band, delivering a genre-blending sound that weaves together alternative R&B, jazz, soul, house, and dream pop. Known for his honey-toned vocals and introspective songwriting, his performance promises a rich, immersive musical experience rooted in Oakland and resonating far beyond. Keeping the energy flowing, DJ Harmonyy brings an electrifying set filled with feel-good tracks and infectious rhythms.

Guests are encouraged to step into their groove with Sara Templeton leading a beginner-friendly R&B dance lesson. Blending smooth grooves, Hip-Hop foundations, and expressive choreography, this session invites dancers of all levels to learn new moves and build confidence on the dance floor.

Earlier in the evening, OMCA’s Annual Spring Teacher Night is back! In celebration of our school communities, educators and principals are invited to unwind in a dedicated lounge space, connect with fellow educators, and explore the Museum’s galleries and resources. The evening highlights OMCA’s school programs and exhibitions like Good Fire: Tending Native Lands and Students on Strike, while offering a chance to experience the vibrant Friday Nights atmosphere.

Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Moving beyond the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in conversation, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators who blend content expertise with lived experience to spark meaningful dialogue and new perspectives. Gallery Chat facilitators can be found in OMCA’s Great Hall Special Exhibitions and the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Gallery Chats are included with Museum admission. Facilitators float between galleries throughout the night and can be seen wearing a blue “Let’s Chat” shirt.

Friday, May 15 | 5–9 pm

Live Dance by La Cumbiamba Colombiana, Live Music by Combo Tezeta, Music Set by DJ Olga T, Live Figure Drawing by Sketchboard Co., and Gallery Chats

This evening, Friday Nights at OMCA brings vibrant rhythms, rich cultural traditions, and dance-floor energy to the Garden Stage. La Cumbiamba Colombiana kicks off the evening with a lively dance performance celebrating the roots of Colombian cumbia, weaving together ancestral steps and Afro-Caribbean influences in a colorful, high-energy showcase. Then, Combo Tezeta, whose psychedelic take on cumbia, chicha, and música tropical blends surf rock textures with hypnotic Latin rhythms, takes the stage to create an irresistibly danceable atmosphere that bridges past and present.

Over in the Amphitheater, DJ Olga T delivers a dynamic set filled with Latin, Afrobeat, R&B, and soulful house. Known for her seamless genre-spanning mixes and infectious energy, she’ll keep the crowd moving and the vibes flowing all night long.

In the galleries, Sketchboard Co. is here to help guests scratch their creative itch with uninstructed live figure drawing.

We welcome all skill levels, including those who have never drawn before and want to try drawing. Art supplies and clipboards will be available for use, and your artwork will be yours to take home or exchange with others. A costumed model representing the diversity of the Bay Area will be posing in the Gallery of California Art for times ranging from 2 to 20 minutes. Since drawing will take place in the galleries, please be mindful of space and bring only the following media from home: sketchbooks (max size 9×12 inches) and pre-sharpened enclosed graphite, charcoal, or conté pencils.

Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Moving beyond the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in conversation, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators who blend content expertise with lived experience to spark meaningful dialogue and new perspectives. Gallery Chat facilitators can be found in OMCA’s Great Hall Special Exhibitions and the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Gallery Chats are included with Museum admission. Facilitators float between galleries throughout the night and can be seen wearing a blue “Let’s Chat” shirt.

Friday, May 22 | 5–9 pm

Live Music by Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Music Set by Dj Sizzle, Dance Lesson with Ramón Ramos Alayo, and Gallery Chats

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) welcomes guests to kick off their weekend with bold Latin sounds, vibrant dance, and nonstop rhythm at Friday Nights at OMCA. Pacific Mambo Orchestra takes over the Garden Stage with an electrifying live performance, blending mambo, salsa, Latin jazz, and big band tradition into a high-energy vibe that’s both timeless and fresh. Known for their explosive stage presence and world-class musicianship, the Grammy Award-winning ensemble delivers a powerful, dance-ready experience.

Keeping the energy alive, Dj Sizzle spins a lively mix of cumbia, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, Hip-Hop, R&B, and global beats, curating a feel-good soundtrack that keeps the dance floor moving.

Guests are invited to step into the rhythm with Ramón Ramos Alayo leading a salsa dance lesson rooted in Cuban tradition. With an emphasis on connection, musicality, and joyful expression, this session welcomes dancers of all levels to build confidence and add a little extra flavor to their moves.

Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Moving beyond the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in conversation, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators who blend content expertise with lived experience to spark meaningful dialogue and new perspectives. Gallery Chat facilitators can be found in OMCA’s Great Hall Special Exhibitions and the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Gallery Chats are included with Museum admission. Facilitators float between galleries throughout the night and can be seen wearing a blue “Let’s Chat” shirt.

Friday, May 29 | 5–9 pm

Live Music and Dance by Non Stop Bhangra, DJ set by 4DHILA, and Gallery Chats

This Friday night, The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) turns up the energy with vibrant rhythms, cultural celebration, and nonstop movement during Friday Nights at OMCA. Non Stop Bhangra takes over the Garden Stage with an immersive, high-energy experience celebrating the music and dance of Punjab, India. Featuring live drumming, DJs, dance performances, and interactive lessons, this joyful, all-ages dance party invites everyone to jump in, let loose, and feel the beat.

Keeping the vibes flowing, 4DHILA delivers a powerful DJ set rooted in Hip-Hop, global sounds, and rhythms of resistance. With an emphasis on storytelling, connection, and self-expression, their set creates an electrifying space where music and community come together on the dance floor.

Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Moving beyond the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in conversation, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators who blend content expertise with lived experience to spark meaningful dialogue and new perspectives. Gallery Chat facilitators can be found in OMCA’s Great Hall Special Exhibitions and the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Gallery Chats are included with Museum admission. Facilitators float between galleries throughout the night and can be seen wearing a blue “Let’s Chat” shirt.

Spring Teacher Night

Friday, May 8, 2026 | 4:30–7 pm

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is excited to celebrate teachers during our annual Spring Teacher Night, an evening for teachers to feel inspired and celebrated while enjoying the exciting energy of Friday Nights at OMCA—all with complimentary Museum access.

The Museum encourages teachers and their teams to stop by the special teachers’ lounge in the California Room to learn about OMCA field trips and connect with other educators. While here, OMCA’s galleries and exhibitions are open to explore, including last chances to see Good Fire: Tending Native Lands, focusing on Native California cultural burning practices, and Students on Strike, an installation exploring student activism at San Francisco State University, both closing May 31.

The Museum also provides student and teacher guides for OMCA galleries and exhibitions, and encourages teachers to head to the garden to hang out and vibe to live music, enjoy late night gallery access, and Off the Grid Food Trucks—all a part of Friday Nights at OMCA. This event is free for teachers and principals, including free gallery admission for all teachers and chaperones, plus Off the Grid food truck and drink tickets for the first 100 arrivals. No RSVP required.

Spotlight Sundays: Earthseed Screening with People’s Kitchen Collective and Emory Douglas

This Spotlight Sunday the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) welcomes guests to join a special gathering showcasing stories of survival and resilience through food culture and ancestral wisdom with People’s Kitchen Collective (PKC) and Understory. This event will begin with a screening of the documentary Earth Seed: A People’s Journey of Radical Hospitality by filmmaker Fox Nakai and PKC. Rooted in Octavia E. Butler’s Parable series and the legacy of the Black Panther Party’s community engagement strategies, this film maps the Earth Seed pilgrimage through five regions of California.

After the screening, guests will gather in OMCA’s Garden where Jocelyn Jackson, co-founder of PKC, will lead a series of Earth Seed testimonies and spoken-word musings by fellow PKC co-founders Võ Hải and Sarai Bordeaux. Then the Museum welcomes revolutionary artist and former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, Emory Douglas to share on the power of community collectives.

OMCA invites visitors to immerse themselves in inspiring stories while enjoying nourishing food by worker-owned Understory, andplay to win a curated “go-bag” containing unique pieces inspired by the Parable series. Radical Hospitality is a powerful strategy toward strengthening our interconnectedness, and OMCA welcomes the public to share in this unifying community experience.

Gallery Chats at OMCA

First Sunday of each month atSaturdays, 1–3 pm | All Galleries
Thursdays, 5:30–7:30 pm | All Galleries

Gallery Chats at OMCA takes an informal approach to the traditional museum tour. Visitors are invited to chat, ask questions, and connect in the galleries with our OMCA facilitators, who combine content knowledge with lived experience to encourage meaningful dialogue and fresh interpretations of our Special Exhibitions.

Weekly Gallery Chats take place every Saturday from 1–3 pm and during Friday Nights (April-Oct) & ThursDates (Jan-March) from 5:30–7:30 pm in our Galleries of California Art, History, Natural Science, and the Great Hall. Gallery Chats are included with Museum and Special Exhibition admission. No reservation necessary.

Radical Acts Student Poster Project by Skyline High School

Opening May 15, 2026 | Gallery of California Art

This spring, the Gallery of California Art will feature Skyline High School student perspectives on selections from OMCA’s renowned “All Of Us Or None” political poster collection from the 1960s and 1970s. The OMCA poster collection explores a variety of social justice themes, including immigration, education, and human rights.

In a collaboration between Skyline High School art teacher Rachel Thomas, her students, and OMCA Curatorial, Experience Development, and Education staff, Skyline High students will make their own contemporary political and social justice posters. Digital versions of the students’ posters will be shown in the Gallery of California Art alongside posters from the OMCA collection and paired with the students’ first-person insights.

First Sundays at OMCA—Now All Inclusive!

First Sunday of each month

Every first Sunday of the month, enjoy free admission to the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)—now including all Special Exhibitions! Explore the Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences, shop for locally made goods, or relax in our garden—all for free. Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance to secure preferred entry times and reduce wait times. Tickets are also available at the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis.

OMCA Architecture Walk and Talk

First Sunday of each month at 1 pm

Walk through OMCA’s landmark building and gardens with members of the Council on Architecture, and learn about the history, design, and evolution of this award-winning structure with guides who are passionate about OMCA and Oakland.

No reservations or tickets are required. Walk and Talk begins near the Mid Level ticketing desk and lasts approximately one hour.

If you’d like to visit OMCA’s Galleries or Special Exhibitions, please purchase a ticket online in advance or at the ticketing desk on the day of your visit.

UPCOMING

OMCA’s Latest Special Exhibition | Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory

Friday June 12, 2026—Sunday, October 11, 2026 | Great Hall

Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory is the first major museum exhibition to celebrate the work of beloved Bay Area artist Mildred Howard. Spanning Howard’s five-decade practice, Poetics of Memory brings together her renowned collages, found-object sculptures, and immersive installations that explore memory, identity, and the African American experience. New and never-before-seen pieces punctuate the exhibition, while archival materials from Howard’s Oakland studio illuminate the cultural currents and lived experiences that shape her practice.

Born in San Francisco in 1945, Howard has been a lifelong resident of the East Bay. In the 1970s, she began making art influenced by textiles, African Diasporic dance, and fellow artists like Betye Saar, Raymond Saunders, and David Ireland. Howard’s studio became a space for experimentation, where her work has referenced both personal history and collective, generational experiences—from World War I and rapper Tupac Shakur to her family’s own roots in the Great Migration. Similarly, Howard’s monumental public artworks—found across the Bay Area—have highlighted often overlooked histories, from the Black shipworkers of Hunters Point to the musicians who defined San Francisco jazz. Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory invites visitors into Howard’s vibrant, poetic world—to reflect on how personal memory and collective history intertwine, and to connect their own lived experiences to the broader stories that define us.

OMCA’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration

Through Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Gallery of California History

Get ready for an unforgettable Juneteenth celebration at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)! This year’s gathering brings together community, culture, and incredible flavors that honor and uplift Black heritage. Enjoy delicious offerings from some of the Bay Area’s standout Black chefs and food vendors, vibe to live music, and take part in games and activities that celebrate the richness of Black culture. It’s more than a cookout—it’s a joyful tribute to heritage, resilience, and community. Stay tuned for more details on this can’t-miss event!

ALSO ON VIEW AT OMCA

Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic
Ongoing | Gallery of California Natural Sciences Corridor

This collaborative installation invites visitors to learn more about Fairyland’s history, evolution, and enduring magic. Explore a timeline of Fairyland’s journey, a “then-and-now” look at its beloved park attractions, and a glimpse into the park’s bright future. Visitors will discover miniatures created by local artists, photos of Magic Keys through the decades, and even one of Fairyland’s original Jolly Trolly cars for kids and families to climb aboard. This feature celebrates Fairyland’s lasting legacy and role in shaping Oakland’s cultural landscape.

OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace
Ongoing | Gallery of California Natural Sciences

Little learners can unleash their curiosity and imagination in OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace. Located inside the Gallery of California Natural Sciences, the playspace is focused on the unique needs of children ages 2 to 5, along with their families and caregivers. Play is critical to every child’s healthy development and the playroom offers something for everyone—from building materials and nature-themed puzzles to hands-on activities that spark creativity, wonder, and joy. Our youngest museum visitors can also discover the animals that make their homes in Oakland’s streams, hills, and backyards. The playspace gives families a fun, safe place to play and build community with other families.

You Are Here: California Stories on the Map
Ongoing | Gallery of California Natural Sciences

We all use maps in our everyday lives—to navigate public transportation, find places to eat, and visualize big data like weather patterns or political opinions. But have you ever considered the deeper stories maps tell us? In You Are Here: California Stories on the Map, you’ll discover there’s more to maps than meets the eye. Showcasing a diverse range of maps from Oakland, the Bay Area, and California—from environmental surroundings and health conditions to community perspectives and creative artworks—experience how maps can be a powerful tool to share unique points of view and imagine a better future. Explore new perspectives of familiar places through maps made by the community, and mark your own stories on the community map inside the exhibition.

Black Power
Ongoing | Gallery of California History

Uncover the history of the Black Power movements in California with a compelling addition to the Gallery of California History. In response to the widely popular 2016 exhibition All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50, Black Power illustrates the creative ways Black anti-racist activists in California supported their communities and challenged the U.S. government. Focusing on the example of the Black Panther Party, Black Power brings to light the tensions between a culturally and socially progressive California and examples of economic racism and oppression in the state. This moment in California history is represented through historic photographs, provocative objects, iconic posters, paintings, and interactive prompts that encourage visitors to take action out in the world. Learn more about the Bay Area’s role in this national story and the impacts this history continues to have today.

Question Bridge: Black Males
Ongoing | Gallery of California Art

Immerse yourself in intimate videos—woven together and arranged to simulate face-to-face conversations between participants—among a diverse group of over 160 Black men across the United States. Hear these men answer each other’s questions with exceptional honesty and vulnerability, and share stories, beliefs, and values in a personal portrayal of their lives. Encompassing themes of family, love, interracial relationships, community, education, and wisdom, Question Bridge: Black Males presents nuanced portraits of the past, present, and future of Black men in American society. Listen, watch, learn, and start your own conversations with this profoundly moving installation. Question Bridge is an innovative and widely exhibited video installation from artists Chris Johnson and Hank Willis Thomas in collaboration with Bayeté Ross Smith and Kamal Sinclair.

Dorothea Lange: Photography As Activism
Ongoing | Gallery of California Art

Experience the iconic life and work of Dorothea Lange, world-renowned documentary photographer, with an expanded installation in the Gallery of California Art dedicated to her works. Through the lens of her camera, Lange documented American life with riveting photographs that captured some of the most powerful moments of the 20th century. Drawn from Lange’s personal archive, which was gifted to OMCA over 50 years ago, and in response to the popular 2017 exhibition Dorothea Lange: The Politics of Seeing, a number of newly added photographs illustrate the power of photography as social activism. See how Lange’s work continues to resonate with millions and inspire new generations of artists and activists.

Dorothea Lange Digital Archive
Explore prints, field notes, negatives, contact sheets, and more with OMCA’s Dorothea Lange Digital Archive.

ABOUT THE OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA
Founded in 1969 as a “museum of the people,” Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) tells the diverse stories of California’s art, history, and natural environment. Through inclusive exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, OMCA creates space for meaningful dialogue and strives to build more equitable, empathetic, and connected communities. With more than 2 million objects, OMCA’s collection of art, history, and natural science is a resource for understanding California’s dynamic heritage—all within its 110,000 square feet of gallery space and seven-acre campus. A leading Bay Area cultural institution rooted in Oakland, OMCA is dedicated to fostering an environment where visitors from the region, state, and beyond feel valued and empowered to shape the future of California’s cultural landscape.

VISITOR INFORMATION
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is at 1000 Oak Street, at 10th Street, in Oakland. Museum admission is $19 general admission; $16 for seniors; and $12 for youth ages 12 to 17 as well as for students and educators with valid ID, and free for Members and children 12 and under. There is a $6 charge in addition to general admission pricing for special exhibitions in the Great Hall. OMCA offers onsite underground parking and is conveniently located one block from the Lake Merritt BART station, on the corner of 10th Street and Oak Street. An accessibility ramp is located at the 1000 Oak Street main entrance to the Museum.