After 20 Years, This Iconic Oakland Venue Is Finally Reopening
After nearly two decades of closure, Oakland’s historic Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts is reopening January 23-24, 2026 on the south shore of Lake Merritt. Built in 1915 in the Beaux-Arts style, the building is an Oakland Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally known as the Oakland Municipal Auditorium, the venue has hosted legendary performers like Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and the Grateful Dead, along with historic speakers including Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Clinton, and the Dalai Lama.
Over the years, the space has served many roles, from a makeshift hospital during the 1918 Spanish flu to a sports arena, concert hall, and gathering place for major community events. The 7,000-person arena, the 1,500-seat Calvin Simmons Theatre, and multiple ballrooms have long been central to Oakland’s cultural life. The theater is named for Calvin Simmons, the first African American conductor of a major orchestra, whose legacy continues to shape the building’s identity.
A multi-year renovation preserved the building’s historic character while restoring it as a modern performing arts venue. The reopening marks a major moment for Oakland, bringing back one of the city’s most important cultural spaces. At the same time, community advocates continue to push for affordable access so that local artists and arts organizations can fully share in the future of this long-awaited reopening.
Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts Reopening Weekend Schedule
January 23-24, 2026
Friday, January 23 | Skate the Town
7-10 PM | HJK Arena
- Roller rink takeover with DJ beats, step dancing, and line dancing
- Tickets required
Saturday, January 24 | Opening Festival | FREE
9:30 AM-1 PM | Arena and Outdoor
- Ribbon cutting ceremony
- Live performances by Prescott Circus Theatre, Maikaze Daiko Taiko drummers and Lion Dance, and Turf Feinz
- Puppet show: Mae Lin and the Magic Brush
- Guided historical tours of the building
Saturday, January 24 | Opening Celebration
7:30-11 PM | Arena and Calvin Simmons Theatre
- Comedian Don Reed
- Illusionist Scott Silven’s The Lost Things
- Dessert, music, and dancing to close the weekend
Where: 10 10th St, Oakland (south end of Lake Merritt) easily accessible via BART (Lake Merritt Station)
Read more at Oaklandside
