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

Every Friday Through September 25th.
Friday, September 18, 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, September 18, 2026

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   Free SF Transportation Fair: Muni Updates + Rider Q&A (Balboa Park)  FREE
10:00 am   Free Coffee Concert w/ Classical Music (Downtown SF)  FREE
10:00 am   Flower Piano 2026: 12 Hidden Pianos in Golden Gate Park (Sept. 10-20)  FREE*
*Free for SF Residents, U.S. military/veterans, Museums for All participants (SNAP/EBT), and members. Flower Piano is included in Botanical Garden General Admission at $18/Adults, $7/Seniors 65+, $7/Youth 5-17, $3/Children 5-11, Free for children 4 and under
11:00 am   2026 San Francisco Greek Festival (Sept. 18-20)  FREE
11:00 am   2026 Bishop Ranch” Taste of City Center” Sept. 18-27 (San Ramon)  FREE
11:00 am   San Francisco Greek Food Festival (Sept. 18-20)  FREE*
*Free Admission
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
All Day   Destination Festival 2026: 3-Day Music + Arts on Floating Island (Sacramento River Delta))  $250
2:00 pm   SF’s Giant “Oktoberfest on Front” Block Party 2026  FREE
2:00 pm   “Oktoberfest on Front” Free SF Block Party  FREE*
*RSVP
5:00 pm   Castro Night Market 2026 Finale  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   “Union Square Dances” Free Outdoor Friday Night Dance Party (SF)  FREE
5:00 pm   Pleasant Hill Night Market: Food, Music & Performances  FREE
5:00 pm   “Off the Grid” Fort Mason: Friday Night Market w/ 110+ Vendors (2026)  FREE*
*Free to attend, but food/drink for purchase
6:00 pm   SF’s 69th Annual Armenian Food Festival (Sept. 18-20)  $5*
*Admission is $5 per person on Friday and Saturday. Children under 5 are free. Sunday is free admission all day.
7:00 pm   “Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
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   “Golden Gate Comedy Night” SF’s Most Intimate Comedy Club  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. 21+
7:00 pm   Yerba Buena Illuminated: Free 95-Ft Art Projection on Market Street  FREE
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   “Floating Features” Outdoor Cinema on the Bay Aboard a Cruise  $50*
*Includes cruise around the Bay, movie, popcorn and non-alcoholic hot drinks (other drinks available for purchase)
8:00 pm   $5 Off: “The Confessional” SF’s Wild “Sins & Secrets” Improv Comedy Show  $11.94*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $17.12) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
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   Oktoberfest Downtown Redwood City 2026  $10*
*$10 - $27 for All Ages - Non-drinkers / $16 - $35 for Drinkers 21+ / $250 - Weekend VIP Tables for 6
8:00 pm   San Jose Bike Party  FREE*
*Meet at 7:30 pm, roll at 8 pm.
8:00 pm   Free Outdoor Movie: Secret Lives of Pets 2 at Proxy (SF)  FREE
9:00 pm   $5 Off: “Your Fucked Up Relationship” Live in SF (Every Friday & Saturday)  $16.37*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $21.49) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
9:00 pm   SF Neo-Futurists: The Neodivergent Wrench (30 Plays in 60 Minutes)  $28.52*
*Tickets start at $28.52 - GA (fees included)
9:30 pm   Secret Guest List: Cobb’s Free Comedy Nights (“Get it?!” Gameshow)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Must arrive 30 minutes early for guaranteed entry. All shows are 18 & over with valid photo ID. Like most comedy clubs, there is a two drink minimum.
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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