Frequently Asked Questions by Event Producers
About The Venue
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The Loom Oakland is a historic industrial campus in East Oakland built for unique and ambitious events. Our flexible event spaces are designed for producers, artists, brands, and communities looking to create experiences that go beyond the ordinary.
Our factory brick warehouse back drop make is an ideal setting for immersive experiences, urban-style weddings, live music performances, full production raves, art installations, festivals, circus acts, brand activations, product launches, film and photo shoots, workshops, community gatherings, unconventional conventions, creative conferences, and experimental productions. If your event benefits from a flexible industrial environment and room to build something unique, you'll feel right at home at The Loom.
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A raw venue is a flexible industrial space that allows producers to fully customize and build their own experience. Depending on the space and production needs, this may include bringing in staging, furniture, lighting, sound, décor, security, box office operations, and technical infrastructure. We can help facilitate these elements through trusted production partners and venue support services
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Amplified music in the courtyard may require additional permitting. Outdoor amplified sound typically has a 10 PM cutoff in accordance with local regulations. What about indoors?
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Yes—depending on your event and timeline. We offer event production support through our in-house team and trusted vendor partners for an additional fee. These services are generally best suited for private events, such as weddings, corporate gatherings, and celebrations.
For public events, city requirements and public safety considerations mean we require an experienced event producer or production team to lead the event. Public events involve additional planning, permitting, staffing, and logistics. If you need support, we're happy to discuss your event and recommend the right production resources.
Events Permitting
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Most private events do not require permits.
Public events do, and certain activities, such as amplified outdoor sound or other regulated event elements, may also require permits regardless of whether the event is public or private.
Our team can help determine what's needed for your event.
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A private event is limited to invited guests and is not openly advertised to the general public, like a wedding and reception.
A public event is promoted publicly or sells tickets to the public and typically requires a City of Oakland Special Event Permit.
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Yes. You may retain consulting support for navigating the permitting process with our events support team and completing applications. If you are unfamiliar with Oakland permitting requirements, we strongly recommend working with our team for guidance.
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The Seed Barn includes:
50 amp California Hubble connector power drop
200 amps of 5-band 3-phase camlock power distribution
On-site access to additional power distribution support through trusted production partners
The Canvas Theater includes:
16 individual 20-amp breaker circuits
Capacity to create a 50 amp California Hubble connector power drop
Lighting and sound through a vendor, keep it vague.
Power can be installed in the courtyard as needs.
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The Venue Spaces in their raw form offer little lighting and audio packages, and are designed for experienced producer to plug their gear into the space. Professional lighting and audio packages are available as add-on rentals through trusted vendors. We also can connect you to turn key event support solutions, including production coordination and food & beverage partnerships.
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Limited furniture may be available depending on inventory and event needs, but most productions should plan to source or rent furnishings as part of their build. Furniture set up is the event producers responsibility.
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Yes. Outside production teams are welcome.
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Wi-Fi may be available depending on the production area and event requirements.
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Yes, generators are allowed with prior approval and appropriate safety planning.
Production & Technical
Vendors & Logistics
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Yes, but all vendors must complete our approval and onboarding process to ensure licensing, insurance, and operational compliance. Vendor Application form can be found here and is quick and easy to fill out.
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Yes. We maintain a trusted vendor network that includes catering, production, lighting, sound, staffing, and operational support partners.
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A commissary-style prep area is available with:
3-compartment sink
Ice machine
Refrigerator
Freezer
We have a prep area with limited resources to support, this space is intended to support caterers, vendors, and bar operations with food safety compliance.
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Alcohol service may be permitted depending on event type, licensing, insurance, and compliance requirements, we work with an approved vendor, if you have a vendor in mind, we must onboard them through our vendor application portal.
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Yes. Depending on the event scope, venue support may include:
On-site manager
House management
Facilities support
Permit compliance oversight
Emergency response coordination
Trash and restroom maintenance
Vendor coordination
Experience Design
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Absolutely. The Loom is designed for transformation and large-scale creative adaptation. We also have access to a sprawling community of creatives and event producers to help bring your vision to life.
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Yes. Immersive environments and experimental productions are strongly encouraged. The Loom’s raw venue space acts as a blank canvas.
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Depending on the space and production plan, vehicles may be permitted inside portions of the venue. We have worked with food trucks and art cars and have hosted classic car meet ups.
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Yes, pending production review and venue approval. Everything must follow Oakland city ordinances but we warmly welcome circus performers, acrobats, industrial art installations, and have projectors installed to help facilitate projections to make each event uniquely its own.
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Potentially. Installation plans must be reviewed in advance to ensure building safety and preservation of the historic brick are prioritized and that any city requirements are met.
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Yes. The Loom regularly supports experiential marketing events, launches, installations, and hybrid creative activations.
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Special effects like fog machines may require additional permits, approvals, and fire safety planning, please speak with our events team and explain your vision in order to learn more. Yes, but you must get appropraite permitting from the city of Oakland and follow Oakland Fire Department’s safety requirements.