Things to Do in Oakland (2025)

Part museum, part gathering place, OMCA weaves California art, history, and natural sciences into lively, community-forward exhibits. Friday Nights bring music and food. Recognized nationally and often cited by local press for deep community ties.

Founded by the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, this downtown museum offers free admissions hours, guided tours, and programs centered on Oakland’s pivotal role in Black liberation. Covered by regional outlets and a hub for timely talks and events.

A nonprofit science center with a planetarium, observatories, and the NASA Ames Visitor Center. First Fridays and telescope viewings add to the fun. Frequently highlighted by Bay Area media as a family favorite with authentic Oakland roots.

Legendary Jack London Square jazz club and Japanese restaurant where global headliners meet an Oakland stage. Long praised by major outlets and local critics; a touchstone for the city’s music scene.

A community-centered cinema with couches, local beer and wine, and creative programming like Karma Cinema and Cereal Cinema. Featured by national travel writers and beloved by locals for its generous community collaborations.

West Oakland’s industrial arts school where you can weld, forge, blow glass, or throw clay in short workshops and multi-week classes. Routinely covered by local arts reporters and running an active 2025 schedule of hands-on courses.

The nation’s oldest Black-owned independent bookstore, family-run since 1960. A cultural anchor hosting author talks and community events, often spotlighted by travel and news outlets for its enduring influence.

An intimate, Asian American–owned lounge devoted to mahjong with teaching nights, player meetups, and tea-forward cocktails. Covered by East Bay Nosh and highlighted in recent features on the game’s Bay Area resurgence.

A fiercely local brewery with medal-winning beers and a delightfully macabre aesthetic. Celebrated by Bay Area beer writers and competition judges; the West Oakland flagship hosts food pop-ups, pinball, and an all-ages vibe by day.

Chef Dominica Rice-Cisneros’ wood-fired Mexican cooking in a converted Dimond District firehouse. Named a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide and praised by local food critics for handmade masa and vibrant, community-minded hospitality.

An intimate, nonprofit listening room devoted to jazz, repeatedly noted by DownBeat and featured by national publications. A welcoming stage for Bay Area artists and touring players, with programming that puts the music first.

An independent pro soccer club that turns game day into a citywide celebration. 2025 home matches at the Oakland Coliseum include community-driven theme nights and local artists—regularly covered by regional sports and culture press.