Friday Nights at OMCA: Night Market & Off the Grid | Oakland

Submitted by the Event Organizer

“Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland)

The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is back for the 2026 season, inviting the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors. Join us every Friday, April–October, at 5 pm for a free evening of live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket, exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions. Limited flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage for $10.

Friday Nights at OMCA are back and ready to kick off the season in style on April 3, 2026.

Fuel your night with 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,  purchase beer, wine, cocktails, and refreshing non-alcoholic options to sip while exploring. In the Garden, picnic tables, blankets, and a dazzling view of Lake Merritt welcome you to settle in with your meal. 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.

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

Between April and October, every Friday, 5-9 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland
FREE (for food truck access and outdoor activities)

– Optional late-night museum admission for purchase

How To Get There

• BART: OMCA is at the corner of Oak and 10th Street and is located one block from the Lake Merritt BART Station.
• AC Transit: OMCA is accessible by a number of AC Transit bus lines. OMCA is at the corner of Oak and 10th Street. An accessibility ramp is located at the main entrance on Oak Street between 10th and 11th. For more information, visit actransit.org.
• Free Bike Parking: Free, on-street bike parking is available outside the Oak Street entrance to the Museum. Limited free covered bike parking is available in the OMCA Garage during garage hours, and on Oak Street Plaza, which is on the third level of the Museum, during Museum hours
• Street Parking: Free street parking of often available.
• Garage Parking: Event parking is available at the Museum Garage, with a $10 flat fee starting at 5 pm.
• Get Driving Directions

 

Friday, August 11, 2017
“Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland)

Enjoy the best—and biggest—street market in the Bay this summer with OMCA and Off the Grid! Friday Nights @ OMCA is now open an extra hour later, and expands onto Oak Street, adding even more food trucks to help quench your thirst for delicious local cuisine. Savor California beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages around the Koi Pond at the Blue Oak beer garden. Enjoy half-price admission, live music, hands-on activities for kids, a pop-up art market in the Redwood Burl area, and extended OMCA Store hours. Bring friends and family for a taste of local music, food, and culture at the Oakland Museum of California every Friday Night!

Don’t miss the final month for Of Dogs and Other People: The Art of Roy De Forest, on view through August 20, and Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing, on view through August 27!

What to expect on August 11:

5–10 pm: Half-off gallery admission for adults, free for ages 18 and under
5–10 pm: All Museum galleries open late
5–10 pm: Gourmet food trucks from Off the Grid featuring the best in local cuisine: get the weekly list here
5–9:45 pm: OMCA Store open with great artisan California-themed gifts, apparel, books, toys, and more
5–9:30 pm: Local beer and wine specials in the Blue Oak beer garden
5–9 pm: Gardens open for family fun
5–9 pm: Marketplace @ OMCA, featuring local vendors selling their wares in Redwood Burl area
5–6:30 pm: August resident DJ Suavecito Souldies spinning vinyl in the 10^th Street Amphitheater
5–8 pm: Family-friendly drop-in activity: Make a Summer Zine in the OMCA Gardens
6:30–7 pm: Salsa dance instruction with Nick and Serena of Salsa Vale Todo in the 10th Street Ampitheater
6:30–8:30 pm: Live music from The Bob and Lenny Show setting the mood in the Oak Street Plaza
7–9 pm: Live music with Latin fusion band Debajo del Agua in the 10th Street Amphitheater

Cost: Half-price gallery admission for adults, ages 18 and under are free. Admission for Members is always free. Cash bar. Prices vary for Off the Grid food trucks.

Transportation: OMCA is located one block from the Lake Merritt BART Station. Event parking is available at the Museum for a $7 flat fee after 5 pm. Museum garage closes at 10:30 pm.

Save your spot! Reserve a picnic table for your group during Friday Nights @ OMCA or book a Friday Night loungethrough Event Services.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.