Book a one-night stay at a participating Oakland hotel and receive a $25 rideshare credit to help you get around town with ease.
Join us at Oakland City Hall as we celebrate Olympic Gold Medalist and Oakland hometown hero, Alysa Liu! This special community celebration honors Alysa’s incredible achievement on the world stage and welcomes her home to the city that proudly supports her. Registration is required due to limited capacity.
This event is presented by Visit Oakland, City of Oakland and the Office of Mayor Barbara Lee in partnership with Invisalign and PG&E.
WHEN: Thursday, March 12, 2026
TIME: Doors open at 9:00 AM | Program starts at 12:00 PM
WHERE: Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland (map)
More tickets for Alysa Liu's Welcome Home Celebration Rally will be available soon.
Follow Visit Oakland, Mayor Barbara Lee and City of Oakland, on Instagram for updates.
Is this event free to attend?
Yes! Tickets are free but you must register ahead of time. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for resale.
Do I need to register in advance?
Yes. Advanced registration is required to ensure fair access for everyone in the community. Reservations are limited to two (2) tickets per person. Reservations that exceed the ticket maximum two (2) ticket limit may be adjusted or cancelled by the event organizer.
All attendees must present a valid ticket QR code for entry. Admission is subject to venue capacity and safety guidelines, and entry may be paused or closed once the event reaches capacity. The event organizer reserves the right to release unclaimed tickets and enforce ticket limits to ensure broad community access.
How many tickets can I get?
Reservations are limited to two (2) tickets per person.
How early should I arrive?
Doors will open at 9:00AM. We recommend arriving early to secure a good viewing spot, as this is expected to be a well-attended community event.
Will there be security screening?
Yes. All attendees will be subject to security screening upon entry. Please allow extra time for arrival. It is recommended to limit items you are bringing with you to expedite screening process.
What items are prohibited?
Weapons & Hazardous Materials
Electronics & Communication
Disruptive & Strategic Items
What is the bag policy?
The following bags and containers are not allowed:
Where can I park?
We highly recommend using public transportation, rideshare, BART or AC Transit. If you decide to drive, public parking garages and street parking are available throughout downtown Oakland.
Is the event accessible by public transportation?
Yes! Guests are highly encouraged to use public transportation for convenience. Use AC Transit buses or the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system to get to Frank Ogawa Plaza.
AC TRANSIT
AC Transit gets you up close and personal to the Welcome Home celebration at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Hop aboard one of the many lines serving downtown Oakland, including Tempo 1T, 6, 12, 14, 18, 19, 22, 30, 40, 51A, 72, 72L, 72M, 88, and 96, and ride straight to the heart of the celebration.
BART
Take a BART Yellow, Orange, or Red line train and exit at 12th Street/Oakland City Center Station. If coming from a Blue or Green line train, transfer to an Orange Line/Richmond train at Lake Merritt Station. Once at 12th Street Station, follow signs to Exit A4/Ogawa Plaza/City Hall to access the event entrance.
Plan your exact trip using BART's Trip Planner. BART now accepts contactless debit/credit cards or mobile methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay for fare payment, just tap at the fare gate and ride. Each rider needs their own payment card/device. Pay for BART parking on the official BART app or use the payment machine inside the station using cash or a credit/debit card (you will need the parking stall number).
Is the event family-friendly?
Absolutely. This is a family-friendly community celebration welcoming fans of all ages.
Do children need tickets?
Children under 5 years old do not need a ticket to attend the event. They are welcome to join with a parent or guardian who has a registered ticket. Please note that space is limited, so we encourage early registration for all other attendees.
Are strollers allowed at the event?
Yes, strollers are allowed. For everyone’s safety, all strollers will be subject to a security search upon entry. Please allow a little extra time when arriving.
Will Alysa Liu be speaking at the event?
Yes, Alysa Liu will address the crowd as part of the official program.
Will there be food and drinks available at the event?
Yes. There will be food trucks, non-alcoholic beverages and water stations available. Food and beverage can be purchased from participating vendors.
Will alcohol or cannabis be served or permitted at the event?
This is an alcohol and cannabis free event. No alcohol or cannabis will be permitted upon entry.
Where can I get something to eat after the event?
Good timing! Oakland is celebrating Oakland Restaurant Week throughout The Town from March 2-12, 2026. There are many restaurants within walking distance in the Downtown and Uptown neighborhoods. Or you can use public transportation to explore other great neighborhoods.
Is this event accessible?
Yes. The venue is ADA accessible.
Why not a parade?
At Alysa’s request, she chose not to have a parade. Instead, she asked for a celebration that shines a light on Oakland’s vibrant community and talented local artists.
