A Whimsical Bubble Wonderland Lands at Oakland’s Lake Merritt

A Whimsical Bubble Wonderland Lands at Oakland’s Lake Merritt

If you’re looking for something delightfully offbeat to do in Oakland this summer, step into the surreal, sudsy world of Bubble Planet — an immersive theme park dedicated entirely to the joy of bubbles.

Now open inside the historic Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts near Lake Merritt, Bubble Planet is less of a traditional amusement park and more of a sensory playground for all ages.

Running through September 28, 2025, the attraction takes visitors on a journey through nine elaborately designed rooms, each celebrating bubbles in a different way.

From the moment you enter, you’re dropped into a universe that feels part science museum, part fantasy dreamscape. Kids will love stomping around the LED floor that lights up with glowing sea creatures and digital bubbles. There are multiple ball pit-style rooms—one with plastic orbs, another filled with balloons—that mimic the experience of floating in a giant’s bathtub.

But this isn’t just for kids.

Adults will find plenty to enjoy in the more artful exhibits. One standout is a room inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s famed infinity mirrors, offering a mesmerizing, disorienting experience. Near the end of the visit, you strap into a VR ride where rotating chairs launch you into a bubblegum-pink universe. The highlight? Getting “swallowed” by a giant clam and emerging in a floating champagne glass surrounded by bubbles. It’s odd, creative, and just the right amount of weird.

Whether you’re a parent searching for weekend plans, a couple looking for a quirky date idea, or just someone curious about new interactive art spaces, Bubble Planet is worth a stop.

Event Details:

• Location: Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, 10 10th St., Oakland, CA

• Dates: Open now through September 28, 2025

• Hours: Wednesday through Monday

• Admission: Starts at $20 for adults, $17 for children; kids 2 and under are free

• Note: All visitors under 17 must be accompanied by an adult

• Website: bubble-planet.com/oakland