Oakland Celebrates Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu

When Olympic champion Alysa Liu returned home to Oakland in March 2026, she turned down a Broadway parade for something more personal: a chance to celebrate face to face with the people who cheered her on.

The city honored Liu at Frank Ogawa Plaza on March 12, filling the sunny Thursday afternoon with music, dancing, and pure joy. Free tickets vanished within hours of going live, proving just how much this city loves its skating star.

Liu made sure students from her alma mater, Oakland School for the Arts, got front row seats to the celebration. The teens couldn't contain their excitement, pressing forward to get closer to their Olympic hero throughout the 90-minute event.

The young champion didn't stay distant on a stage. She came down to dance with East Oakland's Turf Inc. company and swayed along when her favorite artist Kehlani performed "Folded." Emcee Sway Calloway kept the energy high as local celebrities, business leaders, and politicians took turns celebrating Liu's achievement.

The Ripple Effect

Liu's choice to keep the celebration intimate says something powerful about what matters most. By picking a plaza gathering over a parade route, she created space for real connection with her community. The young skaters and students who watched her win gold now got to see her up close, dancing and celebrating just like them.

Oakland's investment in the arts paid off in ways no one could have predicted when Liu first started training. Her success reminds other young athletes and artists that Oakland produces world champions who stay proud of where they come from.

Mayor Barbara Lee closed the afternoon by presenting Liu with a ceremonial key to the city. But Liu had already shown she's always held the key to Oakland's heart, radiating the same love for her hometown that thousands of fans showed her that sunny March day.