Oakland Museum 2026 White Elephant Sale
February 28 & March 1, 2026
Museum Fundraiser
Organized by Oakland Museum Women’s Board
Image: White Elephant Mural, 2014. Ernest Doty, Griffin One, Vogue TDK, Oakland.
Location
333 Lancaster Street
Oakland, CA 94601
White Elephant Sale Website
White Elephant Sale Instagram
Overview
Today’s LOVE LETTER TO ART features the Oakland Museum’s annual White Elephant Sale. The event is basically a GIGANTIC donation sale held by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board (since 1959!!), and is the OMCA’s main fundraiser of the year. It’s a thrifter’s dream, and something I’ve enjoyed since the 1990s.
The cashless event takes place in a GIGANTIC warehouse featuring the White Elephant Mural, 2014 by local artists Ernest Doty, Griffin One, and Vogue TDK in Oakland’s Jingletown neighborhood at 333 Lancaster Street. The event kicks off with its $50 Preview Sale (January 25) and continues through the next few weeks ($7 admission) to conclude with its FREE Final Clearance Sale (Feb. 28 and March 1).
Preview of Oakland Museum’s 2026 White Elephant Sale
Shown here:
1) The White Elephant Sale is Oakland’s legendary, once-a-year mega rummage event — organized by the Women’s Board of the Oakland Museum of California.
2) For over half a century, it’s been a wildly beloved East Bay tradition.
3) Nearly twice the size of a football field, with 20 departments of once-loved treasures.
4) All year long, nearly 1,000 volunteers sort, clean, and price donations from across the Bay Area.
5) From antique furniture, vintage clothing, and stereos to records, pottery, and sewing machines — it’s every thrifter’s dream.
6) This weekend is your final chance to treasure hunt for FREE. No tickets required.
7) FREE shuttle from Fruitvale BART Station to the sale
8) All in support of OMCA’s art, history, and natural science exhibitions and programs.
🗓 Oakland Museum’s White Elephant Clearance Sale takes place on February 28 and March 1, 2026. It is a FREE, cashless (major credit cards accepted) event open to the public. Tickets not required.
*TIP: It’s a very busy event with limited parking. Would suggest getting dropped off via rideshare.
💌 Did you attend the sale or try any of our recommendations? What did you think? Let us know in the comments (in the Reviews section located on the second tab at the top of the page).
QUICK GUIDE: OAKLAND MUSEUM WHITE ELEPHANT SALE
⭐ LOCATION: 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland, CA 94601
⭐ HOURS: Feb. 28 & March 1, 2026 Clearance Sale (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
⭐ ADMISSION: Admission is FREE. Tickets not required. Children of all ages are welcome on Feb. 28 & March 1. No strollers, pets.
⭐ RESTROOMS: Restrooms are portable (outdoor).
⭐ SHUTTLE: A free shuttle will run between Fruitvale BART (Oscar Grant III Way) and WES. Service starts at 9:00 a.m., with the last shuttle leaving WES at 3:15 p.m. from Ford & Lancaster, one block from the warehouse. Shoppers can take BART or park at Fruitvale BART and ride the shuttle.
⭐ PARKING: There is NO PUBLIC EVENT PARKING, so drop-offs are highly recommended. There are a few accessible parking spaces available at the warehouse. $4 PARKING is available at the Fruitvale BART garage (3401 E. 12th St.), about a 10-15 MIN WALK TO THE SALE. *Park near the train tracks at your own risk, as police have been ticketing cars there recently.
⭐ FOOD: Coffee, hot dog and taco vendors are located outside of the sale. For nearby dine-in options, see below.
A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS
NEARBY DINING
*TIP: For sit-down dining, I recommend driving into Alameda (5-7 min away). The Bridgeside Shopping Center on Blanding and the Park Street area have several dining options, with my nearby faves below.
More nearby suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to add in the comments!
QUICK GUIDE: OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA
OMCA HOURS: Open Wednesday–Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Thursday 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m (18+). CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
OMCA EXHIBITIONS:
- Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain. [Closes March 1, 2026]
- Good Fire: Tending Native Lands. [Closes May 31, 2026]
- Students on Strike [Closes May 31, 2026]
- Black Power [Ongoing]
- Collecting a Moment [Ongoing]
- You Are Here: California Stories on the Map [Ongoing]
- OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace [Ongoing]
- Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory [June 12–October 11, 2026]
OMCA ADMISSION:- Seniors 65+ $16
- Ages 18-64 $19
- Youth 13-17, Students, Educators with valid ID $12
- 12 & Under FREE
- *SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS +$6 (Includes access to permanent collections)
- **Membership starts at $99 Individual / $79 Senior
OMCA DISCOUNTS: General Admission is FREE/DISCOUNTED through the following programs:- FREE 1ST SUNDAYS (Next one is Sunday, March 1, 2026)
- Discover and Go (Free w/library card – may not apply to all counties)
- Museums for All $1 ADMISSION (No need to show ID/EBT card. Just say “Museums For All” at ticket counter.)
- Museums on Us (show your Bank of America/Merrill card/ID) on the FIRST weekend of month
- Blue Star Museum Discount (FREE Admission to U.S. military personnel and veterans plus up to 5 family members from the 3rd Sat in May until the 1st Monday in Sept.)
- $9 General Admission for individuals with disabilities.
- $3 General Admission for Alameda County Courthouse active jurors (show proof).
OMCA MUSEUM DINING: Town Fare Cafe (California cuisine with a Southern flair). Open Wednesday–Sunday 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. OMCA EVENTS:- *OMCA 2026 White Elephant Sale: Jan. 25–Mar. 1, 2026.
- Gallery Chats at OMCA: Every Saturday from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
- OMCA Architecture Walk and Talk: First Sunday of the Month from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
- ThursDates at OMCA: Every Thursday from 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. through end of March.
- Spotlight Sundays: Trans Ancestors in History and Creative Practice: March 15, 2026 from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (Talk: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Workshops: 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.) Tickets: $1-30 Sliding Scale.
- Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid returns on April 3, 2026
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Author: ALoveLettertoArt
