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

Every Friday Through September 25th.
Friday, July 3, 2026 - 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries

OMCA (Oakland Museum of California) | 1000 Oak Street Oakland, CA 94607

Free / Learn More

“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

 

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.


Cost: FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
Categories: *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Club / DJ, Eating & Drinking, In Person, Kids & Families, Lectures & Workshops, Outdoors
Address: 1000 Oak Street Oakland, CA 94607

Friday, July 3, 2026

7:00 am   Free National Parks Admission for Independence Day Weekend (July 3-5, 2026)  FREE*
*The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Although the entrance fee is waved, paid parking/shuttle reservations required for Muir Woods even on free days.
9:00 am   Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)  FREE*
*Free from 9-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; otherwise non-resident admission is $12 - $16 depending on the season. San Francisco residents are always free with valid ID
10:00 am   Hollister Independance Rally: 4th of July Biker Fest + Motorcycle Rally (July 3-4) | 2026  FREE*
*Many events are free, but there are ticketed concerts and other.
10:00 am   Red, White + Play Fest: Unlimited Games, BBQ + Live Music (Daly City)  $28.25
All Day   Free Admission Day at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History  FREE
All Day   History Museum: Free First Fridays (Redwood City)  FREE
11:00 am   4th of July Weekend at Angel Island State Park (Tiburon)  FREE*
*Check out the schedule of free/low-cost activities on our event page (https://www.parks.ca.gov/EventDetails/18661), Note that visitors will need to purchase a roundtrip ferry ticket from San Francisco (https://www.goldengate.org/ferry/angel-island-ferry/) or Tiburon (angelislandferry.com).
11:00 am   “Pay-What-You-Can” Taco Day at SF’s Tato (Every Friday)  FREE*
*Every Friday pay anywhere from $0 up to $10. When a customer pays the full price of $10, TATO will give a free meal to someone in need in The City. Please note promotion might end at any time
12:00 pm   Russian River “Big Rocky Games” 2026 in Monte Rio  FREE
2:00 pm   Stockton | Minor League Baseball – July 3rd Show | 2026  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the stadium. Game tickets start at $11.50
2:00 pm   “San Francisco Mime Troupe” Musical in the Park: 2026 Season Opener  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
3:00 pm   “Block Fest” Tenderloin Arts Festival & Free Art Making | SF  FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
4:00 pm   Sebastopol’s 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza Festival | 2026  $20*
*$20 for adult admission
4:00 pm   Free Summer Fashion: Exclusive Shopping + Designer Pop-Up (SF)  FREE*
*RSVP
4:00 pm   Free “Alice in Wonderland” Summer Outdoor Theater (Berkeley)  FREE*
*Free of Charge, Free Reservations accepted
5:00 pm   South First Fridays Art Walk (San Jose)  FREE
5:00 pm   Richmond | Waterfront Family Festival & Fireworks | 2026  FREE
5:00 pm   North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl (SF)  FREE
5:00 pm   $1 Drink Fridays: “Battle of the Decades” DJ Party (North Beach)  FREE*
*Free admission with RSVP on Eventbrite
5:00 pm   Wine, Mahjong + Fireworks Eve: Free Fourth of July Kickoff (Richmond)  FREE*
*FREE - $15.55 (VIP)
5:00 pm   Pleasant Hill Night Market: Food, Music & Performances  FREE
5:00 pm   El Cerrito’s WorldOne Festival “Tardeada” Pre-Party  FREE
5:00 pm   Baukunst First Fridays: Art, Music + Food (Bernal Heights)  FREE
5:00 pm   Union Square’s Free “Salsa in the Square” Night Party (Every 4th Friday)  FREE
5:00 pm   “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival  FREE
6:00 pm   Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk)  FREE
6:00 pm   Latin Beats + Fresh Sangria: Outdoor Dance Party (Rodeo)  $15*
*Tickets required for 12+ | Table purchase available
6:30 pm   Benicia | Independence Day Torchlight Parade | 2026  FREE
6:30 pm   Free Summer Sci-Fi Movie Series (SF)  FREE*
*Spots are limited; register in advance to secure a spot
7:00 pm   “Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:00 pm   “Purple Rain” 35mm Screening + Live Organ Concert (Paramount Oakland)  $10*
*All ages require a ticket; no children under 2 years. General Admission, first come, first served. No outside food or drink allowed. No cameras or recording allowed.
7:00 pm   “Golden Gate Comedy Night” SF’s Most Intimate Comedy Club  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. 21+
7:00 pm   Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest  $50
7:00 pm   “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
7:00 pm   SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 9p)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $15 adv / $20 door tickets also available
7:00 pm   Love Songs: Karaoke & Tarot Night (SF)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:30 pm   Los Angeles Children’s Chorus & San Francisco Boys Chorus Live  FREE*
*Free admission - open for all
7:30 pm   Psychedelic Poetry in Theory & Practice  FREE*
*Please RSVP if you plan to come. Thank you.
8:00 pm   San Francisco Bike Party (First Fridays)  FREE
8:00 pm   Oakland Critical Mass | First Friday  FREE
8:00 pm   2026 Grateful First Fridays: Live Dead Music + Jam Night (SF)  $15*
*$15(+fees) Advance Tickets / $20 at the Door
8:00 pm   “The Stoner Comedy Jam” Friday Nights (SF)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP (21+ with Valid ID) - One item minimum purchase per person required
8:00 pm   UGHmerica the “Beautiful”: Satirical 4th of July Clown Cabaret (SF)  $20*
*$20 - $40 sliding scale
8:00 pm   Fog City Improv  FREE*
*Free show and suggested donation of $5 to support the venue!
9:00 pm   SF Neo-Futurists “The Infinite Wrench” (30 Plays in 60 Minutes, every Fri & Sat)  $18.60*
*$13 + roll of a die at the door, OR $16 online. Group discounts—bring friends!
9:00 pm   Tiffany “New York” Pollard DJ Takeover: Pride Party 2025 (SF)  $15*
*NOTAFLOF tickets available before 6 PM day of show. DM @queenoutsf on Instagram.
10:15 pm   $5 Off: “The Ritual” Comedy Show in The Mission (SF)  $12.16*
*FUNCHEAP discount code for $5 off
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