Oakland First Fridays: Art, Culture, and Community

Photo is courtesy of @OakFirstFridays

What Is The First Fridays Festival?

First Fridays in an “immersive art and community experience” that takes place in Oakland’s KONO district on the first Friday of each month. Thousands of people from all over the Bay Area and beyond come together to view and experience art exhibits while enjoying some delicious food and a variety of entertainment. Live music, art, food, and culture collide every First Friday in this vibrant, can't-miss monthly festival. Visitors can enjoy:

• Numerous art galleries
• Street artists
• Local food
• Live performances by street performers, dancers, and musicians
• Poetry readings
• DJs to keep the party going
• And more

It’s a celebration of the eclectic nature of Oakland, as well as a boon for the KONO (Koreatown Northgate Community Benefit District) community. Sponsored by Koreatown Northgate, a 501 non-profit, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

When and Where

The festival takes place on the first Friday of every month in the KONO district. It spans West Grand to 27th Street on Telegraph Avenue. You can catch the festivities from 5 to 9 p.m.

Mission and Vision

The vision behind this festival is to become a premier Oakland event, positioning First Fridays as an epicenter where the community can come together and celebrate the area’s unique culture. It is also meant to support the arts and sustainable practices, both already heavily featured in the Bay Area.

Oakland First Fridays’ mission is to create an all-inclusive, safe environment driven by the community. The event aims to support and showcase emerging artists, craftsmen, gourmet food vendors, musicians and more.

Oakland First Fridays began in January 2006 as a grassroots art walk organized by a collective of gallery owners in Oakland—what later became known as Art Murmur—centering around the 23rd Street Fair and simultaneous gallery receptions. In 2012, the street festival component evolved into the Oakland First Fridays festival along Telegraph Avenue, and in 2013, KONO took over its production, expanding it into the vibrant monthly street event it is today.
Every year, the festival has grown larger and better with the addition of more performers and artists.

Art Murmur Ambiance

KONO continues to partner with Oakland Art Murmur in order to promote emerging artists within the city. Art Murmur is a nonprofit organization that promotes the city’s vibrant visual arts scene through gallery exhibitions, walking tours, and public programs. While it originally helped launch the First Fridays movement, it now operates separately but in sync—continuing to host gallery-centered Art Walks that align with the broader street festival. Together, Art Murmur and Oakland First Fridays offer a complementary experience: one grounded in curated art spaces, the other in lively street culture, music, and food.

Participation

To take part in Oakland First Fridays, you can apply to join as a vendor or performer by signing up to vend your art, crafts, food, or stage a performance during the event—applications and booth details are available on their participate page. Alternatively, you can volunteer with the event team to support setup, operations, and community outreach by completing the volunteer application via their website or emailing volunteers@oaklandfirstfridays.org.