Oakland Museum of California’s Lunar New Year Festival 2026

OMCA

Oakland Museum of California Celebrates 25 Years of Lunar New Year

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) invites the public to its 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 11 am to 4 pm. The milestone event honors the Year of the Fire Horse and marks 25 years of one of the museum’s most beloved community traditions.

The family-friendly, daylong celebration features cultural performances, storytelling, hands-on activities, and food from local AAPI chefs. Programming highlights traditions across Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese cultures, while centering community connection and cultural exchange.

Oakland-based musical artist seiji oda will present a special Lunar New Year performance created for the anniversary, blending music, meditation, and participatory movement.

Access begins at 11 am, with performances and activities starting at 12 pm. Tickets are $10 general admission, free for OMCA Members, and include access to the festival, museum galleries, and special exhibitions.

25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 11 am–4 pm
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), 1000 Oak St., Oakland
$10 general admission; free for Members

2026 Schedule Highlights

The celebration opens with a traditional lucky lion dance by LionDanceMe, welcoming the New Year and symbolically chasing away negative energy. Performances throughout the afternoon include:

• Korean drumming and dance by Hansamo
• Kulintang music and Filipino dance by KULARTS
• A meditative music set by seiji oda
• A high-energy closing lion and dragon dance by UC Berkeley’s Vietnamese Student Association

Family programming includes art-making, K-pop dance lessons, a community wishing tree, Lunar New Year storytimes, and a self-guided zodiac animal quest throughout the galleries.

Food vendors from Bay Area AAPI chefs will serve dishes throughout the day, alongside offerings from OMCA’s Town Fare Café.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore two special exhibitions on view:

• Good Fire: Tending Native Lands, exploring fire as a source of renewal and balance
• Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain, on view for its final month before closing March 1

Full Schedule of Events

Performances | Garden Stage

If raining, performances move to the James Moore Theater (Lower Level).

12–12:20 pm | Opening Celebration
Lucky lion dance by LionDanceMe

12:45–1:30 pm | Nanta, Samgomu, and Pan-Gut Performances
Hansamo’s Nanta, Pungmul, and dance teams

1:35–2:05 pm | Music & Meditation with seiji oda
Mindfulness-based performance with optional movement and breathing

2:35–3:20 pm | Kulintang Music & Filipino Dance with KULARTS
Featuring Kulintang Dialect, AGOS Youth Program, and Alleluia Panis Dance Theater

3:30–4 pm | Closing Celebration
Lion and dragon dance by UC Berkeley’s Vietnamese Student Association

Activities

11 am–4 pm | Mid Level Terrace
Artisan market featuring Sunnie Creative, A Jar of Pickles, JIĀ HOME CO., Oakland Fortune, Alice St. Bakery Cafe, Fabula Tea, and Little Moon Bakehouse

12–4 pm | Garden
Horse puppet-making and red envelope decorating

12–4 pm | Koret Plaza
Community wishing tree for Year of the Horse messages

12:30–1:30 pm and 2:30–3:30 pm | Amphitheater
K-pop dance lessons with instructor Alice Park

Storytime | Lecture Hall

Limited seating. Doors open 15 minutes before each session.

1–2 pm
Author Benson Shum reads Anzu the Great Kaiju and discusses illustration

2:30–3:30 pm
Lunar New Year family storytime with Oakland Public Library

Gallery Activities

12–4 pm | Garden and Koret Plaza
Self-guided Lunar New Year Zodiac Animal Quest

1–3 pm | All Galleries
Gallery Chats with OMCA facilitators for informal discussion and exploration

Food and Beverages

11 am–4 pm | Food Vendors | Oak Street Plaza
D’Grobak, Pintoh Thai, House of Phin, Dumpling Time Berkeley, Pho Vy Vietnamese Cuisine

11 am–4 pm | Town Fare Café | Mid Level
Seasonal dishes inspired by Chef Michele McQueen’s Southern roots and Oakland influences

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.