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Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)

Every Friday

Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)

The Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April.

Admission to the Japanese Tea Garden is free for San Francisco residents with valid ID. Free hours for everyone (even non-residents) are 9-10 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Please note that hours and costs change frequently. 

Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, SF
FREE for San Francisco Residents w/ ID
FREE for Everyone from 9-10 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Non Resident Fees
Adults: $12-16 (depends on season)

(February – November) $14
(December – January) $12
(Weekends year-round) $16

Seniors (ages 65+ w/ID) $7
Youth (ages 12-17) $7
Children (ages 5-11) $3
Children (under 5) FREE

Hours Of Operation
Last entry 30 minutes before closing

Spring – Summer Hours
March – October
9am – 5:45pm

Fall – Winter Hours
November – February
9am – 4:45pm

Free Hour
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9-10am

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Free from 9-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; otherwise non-resident admission is $12 - $16 depending on the season. San Francisco residents are always free with valid ID
Categories: *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Free Museum Day, In Person, Outdoors

Friday, October 30, 2026

9:45 am   Halloween Hike With Rafiki  FREE
10:00 am   Free Halloween Hike in The Presidio + Creepy Pet Cemetery Stories (SF)  FREE
10:00 am   Free Halloween Hike: Creepy Presidio Pet Cemetery Stories (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   Morning Coffee Cleanup (Mission) w/ Free Coffee For Volunteers  FREE*
*Register for free on this Civic Joy Fund Mobilize page: https://www.mobilize.us/civicjoyfund/event/1023228/
11:00 am   “Pay-What-You-Can” Taco Day at SF’s Tato (Every Friday)  FREE*
*Every Friday pay anywhere from $0 up to $10. When a customer pays the full price of $10, TATO will give a free meal to someone in need in The City. Please note promotion might end at any time
11:00 am   Free 1/4 lb. Candy on Halloween Eve at SF’s “The Candy Store” (Russian Hill)  FREE*
*Free, guests should say trick or treat, Available while supplies last
11:00 am   Oakland’s “Trunk or Treat” at the Lake (Lake Merrit)  FREE
12:00 pm   Free Halloween Boonanza 2026 Rooftop Fairy Festival at Salesforce Park (SF)  FREE
2:00 pm   “Nightmare on Front Street” 2026: Free Halloween Block Party (Downtown SF)  FREE
2:00 pm   Trick or Treat in Oakland Chinatown  FREE
2:00 pm   Oakland Chinatown’s “Trick Or Treat” Trail (2026)  FREE
2:00 pm   City Creatures: Pest Art Pop-Up (SF)  FREE*
*Free Open House 2PM - 6PM Evening Fundraiser 6PM - 11PM
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*Fire rings are first come, first serve
4:00 pm   Hayes Valley’s Glowing Halloween “Trick-or-Treat Trail” + Free Outdoor Movie (2026)  FREE
4:00 pm   The Moors  $20*
*Faculty/Staff/Non-SMC Students ($15); General Admission ($20). All tickets bought online and in-person have a minimal processing fee. All current SMC Students should not reserve their tickets ahead of time. Just show up at the Box Office with your current/valid SMC Student ID.
4:00 pm   Free Outdoor Video Art Walk Through SF’s Mid-Market (Oct. 30 – Nov. 1)  FREE*
*No RSVP required
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*Free admission with RSVP on Eventbrite
5:30 pm   Spooky Storytelling + Open Mic Night at KALW (SF)  
5:30 pm   SF’s Free Outdoor Movie Night “Despicable Me 4” Free Food + Popcorn (Parkside/Sunset)  FREE*
*Free movie, food, and popcorn. Festivities begin at 5:30 PM; the movie starts at dusk.
5:30 pm   Al-Masri presents Comedian Ahmed Al-Kadri  $59*
*$59 for the show. Food and beverages available for purchase.
6:00 pm   San Francisco Critical Mass (Last Friday of the Month)  FREE
6:00 pm   “Another Lamp Show” 100+ One-Of-A-Kind Art Lamps (SF)  $10*
*Online ticket required for entry.
6:00 pm   SF’s Epic Halloween Pub Crawl “Crawloween 2026” (Oct. 24-Nov. 1)  $15*
*Use code FUNCHEAP for 25% off tickets to Saturday (10/24) and Halloween Night (11/1) - prices rise as we get closer to the event. Includes entry to the event, Free Cover at all bars and drink specials
6:00 pm   Substance Fest San Francisco 2026 Day 4  $30*
*EARLY BIRD 2: GENERAL ADMISSION
6:00 pm   Late Night Editions: “Halloween Eve” DJ Costume Party at SF’s de Young Museum  $45*
*General admission: $45; VIP: $95
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6:00 pm   Michael Connelly – The Hollow  $38
6:30 pm   SF Halloween Night BOOs Cruise: 90-Minute Bay Cruise with Blue & Gold Fleet (Oct. 30-31)  $50*
*$50 - Adult $33 - Child (5-11) $38 - Junior (12-18) $38 - Senior (65+)
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6:30 pm   $5 Night Photo Hike to One of SF’s Best Halloween Neighborhoods (2026)  $5*
*Suggested donation of $5 to help cover costs.
6:30 pm   Mission Rock Fall Friday Night Movies – Coco (China Basin Park)  FREE
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*$20 18+, $10 for Members
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*Events are weather-dependent. Check the observatory's stories or follow its updates for confirmation each night.
7:00 pm   “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
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*12 and under - $15 to enter, $5 for skate rental. Adults $20 to enter, $5 for skate rental.
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*$30 Students/Seniors, $35 GA, $48 Reserved
7:00 pm   “Golden Gate Comedy Night” SF’s Most Intimate Comedy Club  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. 21+
7:00 pm   SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 9p)  FREE*
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*https://www.simpletix.com/e/book-shop-comedy-tickets-265295
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*RSVP Required
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*Tickets start at $45, with orchestra seats from just $59. Secure your seats!
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7:45 pm   Dance Fridays Halloween: Live Salsa, Bachata & Cumbia | 3 Rooms  $22*
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7:45 pm   Dance Fridays Halloween: Live Salsa, Bachata and Cumbia in 3 Rooms  $27.24*
*$25 Customer Appreciation tickets through Sat Oct 24 ($27.24 with Eventbrite fee), then $30 Early Bird until 6:30pm on Fri Oct 30, then $40 General Admission online and at the door from 5:30pm. 21+ with ID.
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*$5-15 NOTAFLOF
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*Free with RSVP (21+ with Valid ID) - One item minimum purchase per person required
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*First 15 tickets are $15 (early bird)
9:00 pm   SF Neo-Futurists “The Infinite Wrench” (30 Plays in 60 Minutes, every Fri & Sat)  $18.60*
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10:15 pm   $5 Off: “The Ritual” Comedy Show in The Mission (SF)  $12.16*
*FUNCHEAP discount code for $5 off
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