Friday Nights at OMCA: The Ultimate Way to Experience the Country’s #1 Food City!

It’s official: Oakland was just named the #1 Best Food City in the U.S., as well as the #7 Best Small City in the U.S. by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards! If you’re looking for the absolute best way to experience that world-class culinary scene and unbeatable local culture all in one spot, look no further than Friday Nights at OMCA (Oakland Museum of California).

Back for the 2026 season, the Town's favorite block party invites the entire Bay Area to kick off the weekend with their favorite crew—whether that’s family, friends, or neighbors. Join us every Friday from April through October starting at 5:00 pm for a free evening of live music, interactive activities, and incredible food. Plus, by purchasing a Museum ticket, you unlock exclusive late-night access to OMCA's spectacular galleries and special exhibitions, turning your evening into a full-circle celebration of local art, history, and community!

More Than Just a Block Party: Explore Art, Culture, and Food

Friday Nights at OMCA blend a stellar outdoor festival with a deep dive into California's creative soul. Step inside to wander the museum or relax outdoors—there is truly something for everyone:

• The Galleries & Special Exhibitions: A Museum ticket gives you after-hours access to explore OMCA's deep collection. You can dive into the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences, or check out the buzzworthy Great Hall Special Exhibitions.

• Epic Eats: Head over to 10th Street (between Oak and Fallon Streets) where a rotating lineup of Off the Grid food trucks serves up the bold, multicultural flavors and local street food favorites that put Oakland on the map.

• Drinks near the Koi Pond: Swing by the Koi Pond inside to purchase beer, wine, craft cocktails, or refreshing non-alcoholic options to sip while you explore the campus.

• Backyard Garden Vibes: Head out to the Garden, where picnic tables, cozy blankets, and a dazzling view of Lake Merritt welcome you to settle in, eat, play giant games, and soak up the unmistakable Oakland energy.

Sneak Peek: The Upcoming Friday Night Lineups

Ready to plan your next Friday night out? Check out the incredible, diverse talent and artistic programming hitting the museum over the next few weeks:

🗓️ May 29 | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free (Museum gallery access requires a ticket) This Friday turns up the energy with vibrant rhythms, cultural celebration, and nonstop movement!

• Garden Stage (5:00–8:00 pm): Non Stop Bhangra takes over 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 and let loose.

• Amphitheater (6:45–8:45 pm): Lychy Jelly delivers a powerful DJ set that hits with the intensity of a festival mainstage, yet carries the familiar warmth of home.

🗓️ June 5 | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free (Museum gallery access requires a ticket) A beautiful night dedicated to local legacy, food justice, creative storytelling, and community inclusion.

• Garden (5:00–8:00 pm): The Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) hosts Night on The Town, featuring a hands-on art corner, a game zone, and resource-sharing that centers community and food justice.

• Garden (5:15 pm): Families can gather for a joyful Drag Storytime with Per Sia, reading The Rainbow Parade by Shane Jordan and Rick Hendrix—an uplifting, colorful storytelling experience celebrating the power of community, acceptance, and self-expression.

• Garden Stage (6:30–7:30 pm): Oakland Rising takes the stage with a dynamic live set rooted in the city’s cultural legacy, bringing together some of Oakland’s most exciting emerging voices in a soulful celebration of collaboration.

• Amphitheater (6:45–8:45 pm): FELA KUTCHii delivers a genre-fluid, feel-good DJ set blending soulful grooves and global influences designed to move both body and spirit.

🗓️ June 12 | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free (Museum gallery access requires a ticket) Celebrate the opening week of OMCA’s highly anticipated latest Special Exhibition, Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory. Tonight's entire lineup is beautifully inspired by the iconic Bay Area artist’s deep connections to music, movement, cultural memory, and public engagement.

• Garden (5:00–7:30 pm): The Lake Merritt Institute hosts interactive community tabling with games, puzzles, and art-making that highlight the beauty and stewardship of our beloved local ecosystem.

• Amphitheater (5:30–6:30 pm): Move with purpose in an all-levels Haitian Folkloric Dance Lesson led by Portsha T. Jefferson. Centered on the celebratory carnival rhythms known as RARA, this workshop blends rich living heritage with joyful expression.

• Garden Stage (6:30–7:30 pm): The legendary Kim Nalley Band delivers powerhouse vocals that blend jazz, blues, and soul, bringing warmth, wit, and commanding presence to the stage.

• Amphitheater (6:45–8:45 pm): DJ LEXAPEEL sets the tone behind the turntables with a seamless, infectious mix of global sounds, R&B, Hip-Hop, and house.

💬 Don't Miss: Gallery Chats (Every Friday, 5:30–7:30 pm)

Included with Museum admission, Gallery Chats move beyond the traditional, quiet museum tour into something deeply interactive. Look for OMCA facilitators wearing blue “Let’s Chat” shirts floating through the Great Hall Special Exhibitions and the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. These facilitators blend deep content expertise with their own lived experiences to spark meaningful dialogue, answer questions, and offer entirely new perspectives on the art and history on display!

Know Before You Go: Logistics & Parking

To make your Friday night smooth sailing, here is everything you need to know to get to the party:

🚗 Parking Made Easy

• OMCA Garage: Skip the parking stress with a $10 flat-rate fee in the museum garage (the flat rate applies starting right at 5:00 pm, and the garage stays open until 10:00 pm).

• Street Parking: Free street parking is also frequently available in the surrounding neighborhood.

🚲 Public Transit & Biking

• BART: OMCA is just one block away from the Lake Merritt BART Station at the corner of Oak and 10th Street.

• AC Transit: Multiple bus lines drop off right by the museum. If you need it, an accessibility ramp is located at the main entrance on Oak Street (between 10th and 11th). Plan your ride at actransit.org.

• Bike Parking: Ride your bike over! Free, on-street bike parking is located outside the Oak Street entrance. You can also find limited, free covered bike parking inside the OMCA Garage and on the Oak Street Plaza (Level 3) during Museum hours.

⚠️ Quick Note: Outside alcohol is not permitted on the premises. All event details and performances are subject to change.

Curious about who is performing later in the summer? Check out the full upcoming calendar at the OMCA Friday Nights Event Page. See you there!