Here are at least 10 things to know about the sale to help you have a great day at the White Elephant Sale.
Tentatively updated for 2027! The OMCA White Elephant sale Preview Day is January 31, 2027; Open Warehouse Days are February 2 – 22, 2027; and Blow Out Sale February 27 – 28, 2027. Expect tickets to go on sale mid-December. Here are my favorite tips about the sale to help you have a great day.
10+ Things to Know About the Oakland White Elephant Sale
- There are two locations to check your purchases so that you do not have to hold your stuff all day.
- Bring a large shopping bag to hold your items as you shop.
- Make a list of the items you want (in priority order).
- Set yourself a budget.
- If you expect to try on clothing, wear a sports bra and workout shorts to make it easier to change.
- Bring a bottle of water.
- Food is available for purchase outside the sale.
- No cash is accepted just debit and credit cards. You can save all of your receipts and pay for everything at once at the Cashier. It will save on the commission fees for the sale.
- Check the map online. Familiarize yourself with the departments.
- The warehouse is 90,000 square feet. Wear comfy shoes and clothes.
- There is a free shuttle to the Fruitvale Bart Station. Parking lots are nearby.
- People will begin lining up for the Preview sale at 11 am (on Saturday!). Get there by 9 am for a decent place in line.
Known community-wide as a not-to-be-missed event, the legendary White Elephant Sale has become a destination for both collectors and bargain hunters. With all sale proceeds benefiting the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), shoppers can take pride in knowing that their purchases help support OMCA educational programs, galleries, collections, exhibits, and more.
So mark your calendars, come early, wear comfortable shoes, and see for yourself why the White Elephant Sale has become Northern California’s biggest and best rummage sale.
To get a head start on shopping, click here to see representative examples of what’s available in each department and to print a copy of the warehouse map.
White Elephant Preview Sale
This info will be updated in September 2026. A must for serious shoppers is Sunday, January 25, 2026. Tickets to the Preview Day are $50 (for 2025). There will still be more items for sale the first weekend in March. Tickets on sale date has not been announced, but sign up for the OMCA newsletter for more info on dates and ticket sales at WhiteElephantSale.org.
White Elephant Sale Public Sale Dates
$7 admission for the Open Warehouse dates (2025). Ticket on sale date has not been announced, but sign up for the OMCA newsletter for more info on dates and ticket sales at WhiteElephantSale.org.
Public Sale Dates are:
- January 29-February 1
- February 4-7, 11-14, 16, 19-21, 2026
Is the February White Elephant Sale still a deal? Absolutely yes! You will be shopping just after the serious shoppers, so there will be lots of merchandise to choose from.
If you don’t need to be first in line to treasure hunt, don’t like crowds, or maybe this is your first time and you don’t know what to expect, then the first days of the February sale should work well for you.
Blow Out Sale – February 28 & March 1, 2026
February 28 & March 1, the Blowout Sale. Free admission and 50%-75% off most items on Sunday. 96,000 square feet of shopping bliss!
Clothing for everyone in the family, plus wedding dresses, prom wear, and tuxedos. Sporting goods, art pieces, holiday cards, and electronics. Kitchen goods, jewelry, shoes, furniture, garden, and patio.
CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet: Put the Preview Sale on your calendar! It is the last Sunday in January. Tickets are available online, and the shopping is FANTASTIC!
Did you know that the Oakland Museum of California has great exhibits and family fun all year round? Check out the site for more info and subscribe to the newsletter for up-to-date information about happenings and events. [LINK]
White Elephant Sale Parking
Street parking is limited. There is also a free shuttle from/to the Fruitvale Bart Station.
White Elephant Sale Tickets
Tickets for the White Elephant Sale are sold on the WES website [LINK]. Tickets make a great Christmas/Birthday/Holiday present.
White Elephant Sale Location
White Elephant Sale Warehouse, 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland
Look for the line and the giant white elephant.
Food and drinks are available for sale outside the warehouse.
Should You Bring Kids to the White Elephant Sale?
Kids 12 and over can go to the Public Sales Days. Kids of all ages can go to the Blow Out Sale. I brought my kids to try on clothes (jeans, tops, special occasion dresses). Otherwise, leave them at home. The sale is very crowded, there is no stroller parking, and the aisles are very narrow.
So What’s In the Image?
A quick collage of some of the items at the White Elephant Sale over the years. Wedding Dress $25 (get prom dresses for $20 each!). Miscellaneous kitchen gadgets are $10, a box of medical scrubs, a jewelry chest $30, and cookie cutters and stamps $.75 each.
My most favorite find? An Elna Quilting Sewing Machine for $105. For 2026 I will be looking for an embroidery sewing machine.
