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Art & Museums

Thursday, December 4

SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals
Thursday, December 4 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
| SFMOMA
SFMOMA's "Free First Thursdays" Free Museum Day for Locals

All residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us! From noon–8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, Bay Area residents can enjoy SFMOMA’s galleries filled with lively and inspiring art and related events ...Monthly

Bay Area Then: Ovarian Trolley & Wife (YBCA)
Thursday, December 4 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Bay Area Then: Ovarian Trolley & Wife (YBCA)
As part of the exhibition “Bay Area Then,” join us for performances by Bay Area Then: Ovarian Trolley & Wife. Galleries will be open from 5–9 pm. Performance begins at 7 pm in the YBCA Forum. 

Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin
Thursday, December 4 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Lower Polk / Gulch Corridor
Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin

The SF First Thursday Art Walk makes 27+ galleries available late night to the public for an art walk every first Thursday from 6-10 pm. This is not a bar crawl. Each location is either a traditional gallery or a retail space with room dedicated to ...Monthly

Free “Women in Tattooing” Panel at SF Main Library
Thursday, December 4 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free
| San Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Free "Women in Tattooing" Panel at SF Main Library
Historically seen as the realm of men, tattooing has evolved in the last 25 years to include more women in the practice. Listen to four Bay Area women tattoo artists share their stories in this conversational discussion featuring Junii Shimada of Diamond Club Tattoo, Molly ...
Dharma Art Talk + Mini-Gallery (SF)
Thursday, December 4 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 8:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Donations welcome!
| The San Francisco Dharma Collective
Dharma Art Talk + Mini-Gallery (SF)
Dharma Art Talk + Mini-Gallery with Teague O’Malley, Contemplative Artist and Meditation Teacher We’re delighted to welcome Teague back to the collective for a series of Dharma Art offerings this December! At the heart of Teague’s work are his signature, large-scale earth art installations called “Mandalynths”. Part mandala, ...

Friday, December 5

“Let’s Glow SF” 2025: SF’s Huge Holiday Projection Arts Fest (Opening Night Celebration)
Friday, December 5 – 5:30 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | San Francisco's Financial District
"Let's Glow SF" 2025: SF's Huge Holiday Projection Arts Fest (Opening Night Celebration)

Let’s Glow SF, the nation’s largest FREE holiday projection arts festival, is making a triumphant return to downtown San Francisco for its fifth and grandest year yet. This all-ages, family-friendly event runs for 10 nights from December 5-14, 2025. Experience breathtaking animated projections illuminating eight ...

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

Free Admission Day at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Friday, December 5 – All Day | Cost: FREE | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Free Admission Day at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Connect with nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, a place for learning, explorationand building community located in a beautiful building right on the beach in Santa Cruz. Permanent exhibits include wildlife and habitat displays, artifacts and cultural exhibits of the Ohlone, a ...Monthly

History Museum: Free First Fridays (Redwood City)
Friday, December 5 – All Day | Cost: FREE | San Mateo County History Museum
History Museum: Free First Fridays (Redwood City)

Enjoy free admission from 10 am to 4 pm, every first Friday of the month, at the San Mateo History Museum. Explore the museum housed in the 1910 County Courthouse; listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it features a stained glass dome and mosaic tile floor. The History Museum is ...Monthly

Rare Estate Sale at Marin Art and Garden Center (Dec. 5-7)
Friday, December 5 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free
| Marin Art and Garden Center
Rare Estate Sale at Marin Art and Garden Center (Dec. 5-7)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 5, 6, and 7, 11 am to 5 pm We’re opening our doors and archives for a rare opportunity to own a piece of the Garden’s history, featuring works from Betty Wilson and the Laurel House collection, along with hundreds of ...
“Block Fest” Tenderloin Arts Festival & Free Art Making | SF
Friday, December 5 – 3:00 pm - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.
| CounterPULSE
"Block Fest" Tenderloin Arts Festival & Free Art Making | SF

Every first and third Friday of the month, locally sourced Artist Activators offer up free art making. Block Fest animates and celebrates the unit block of Turk Street with free arts activities, cultural offerings, community information, and discussion for the local residents, workers, and visitors. From ...Monthly

“Light Up Your Holiday” + 2025 Tree Lighting (Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture)
Friday, December 5 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | The MAC
"Light Up Your Holiday" + 2025 Tree Lighting (Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture)
The MAC is pleased to announce its upcoming Light Up Your Holiday at The MAC (The Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture) celebration, taking place December 5th, featuring a special Christmas Tree Lighting event on Friday, December 5 from 4PM to 7PM. The Christmas tree ...
Baukunst First Fridays: Art, Music + Food (Bernal Heights)
Friday, December 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Baukunst
Baukunst First Fridays: Art, Music + Food (Bernal Heights)

Join us for Baukunst First Fridays, our brand-new monthly celebration blending art, music, and food! Every month, experience a vibrant evening of creativity, delicious bites, and fantastic tunes. Mark your calendars and bring your friends — let’s make every first Friday unforgettable! Baukunst First Fridays ...Monthly

Final “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival of 2025
Friday, December 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Telegraph & 27th
Final "Oakland First Fridays" Street Festival of 2025

Oakland First Fridays is an immersive art and community experience on the first Friday of each month from 5-9:30pm for five huge blocks on Telegraph Avenue between 27th Street & 22nd Street. Photography from @skyhighoakland via Oakland First Fridays Oakland’s KONO district (Koreatown/Northgate) springs to life ...Monthly

North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl (SF)
Friday, December 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | North Beach
North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl (SF)

On the first Friday of every month, over a dozen North Beach galleries, museums, bars, and restaurants stay open late for a self-guided First Fridays Art Crawl with special events to showcase the ever-growing collections of art and entertainment that diversify North Beach. First Fridays Art Crawl ...Monthly

South First Fridays Art Walk (San Jose)
Friday, December 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | SoFA District (San Jose)
South First Fridays Art Walk (San Jose)

Join an eclectic evening of arts and culture in downtown San Jose’s SoFA district (and beyond) every first Friday of the month. Please note that South First Fridays is typically canceled in July and January due to the holidays. South First Fridays hours depend on ...Monthly

Free Art Opening Reception “Emory Douglas: In Our Lifetime” (SF)
Friday, December 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| African American Art & Culture Complex
Free Art Opening Reception "Emory Douglas: In Our Lifetime" (SF)
Join the African American Art & Culture Complex (AAACC) for the opening reception of Part One of Emory Douglas: In Our Lifetime—an incredible two-part retrospective of the work and process of artist and former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party Emory Douglas. Part One ...
Holiday Art-Making in The Mission: Craft Festive Gifts + BYOB (SF)
Holiday Art-Making in The Mission: Craft Festive Gifts + BYOB (SF)

These holiday editions of our monthly event provides the space, materials and inspiration to gather, create, and connect through art. This month, The Drawing Room is hosting a few special holiday-themed Communal Table events. Join us for monster giftcards, scrappy ornaments, and collaged love notes ...Every Friday

“Oakland Art Murmur” 2024 (First Fridays Art Walk)
Friday, December 5 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Broadway/Telegraph
"Oakland Art Murmur" 2024 (First Fridays Art Walk)

Over 30 Oakland Art Murmur affiliate venues have coordinated openings on the first Friday of every month. Oakland Art Murmur presents a free monthly evening art walk, known as the ‘Art Murmur.” Every first Friday of the month, affiliate venues are open to the public from 6-9 ...Monthly

Bandaloop’s Free “Estuary” Vertical Dance Show (Oakland)
Friday, December 5 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 8:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Suggested donation $25-75
| Bandaloop Studio
Bandaloop's Free "Estuary" Vertical Dance Show (Oakland)
Join us for an evening of vertical dance featuring established and emerging Bay Area artists. Celebrating collaborations rooted in artistic research, ESTUARY features works by Ciarra D’Onofrio, Faith Elder, Suzanne Gallo, Megan Lowe, Rachel Maxwell, Kriss Rulifson, Olivia Sander, Roel Seeber, and Jessica Swanson. Free, but optional ...

Saturday, December 6

Holiday Shopping & Creativity at the Museum of Craft and Design (SF)
Saturday, December 6 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*FREE - RSVP
| Museum of Craft and Design
Holiday Shopping & Creativity at the Museum of Craft and Design (SF)
The Dogpatch Holiday Market is back! Stroll through Dogpatch and explore over 40 local businesses, artists, and vendors offering unique handmade goods, artisanal foods, and more! During the Dogpatch Holiday Market, enjoy $2 off admission (kids 12 and under are always free!) and 10% off all ...
The Box SF 2025 Holiday Artists & Makers Fair (Dec. 6-7)
Saturday, December 6 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*TICKETS NOT REQUIRED
| The Box SF
The Box SF 2025 Holiday Artists & Makers Fair (Dec. 6-7)

The Box SF Artists and Makers Fair is a multi-day weekend event held monthly at the historic building located in the heart of San Francisco! Originally the William Randolph Hearst printing plant built in the 1920’s, The Box SF is now home to two floors of premier ...

“Let’s Glow SF” 2025: SF’s Huge Holiday Projection Arts Festival (Dec. 5-14)
Saturday, December 6 – 5:30 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | San Francisco's Financial District
"Let's Glow SF" 2025: SF's Huge Holiday Projection Arts Festival (Dec. 5-14)

Let’s Glow SF, the nation’s largest FREE holiday projection arts festival, is making a triumphant return to downtown San Francisco for its fifth and grandest year yet. This all-ages, family-friendly event runs for 10 nights from December 5-14, 2025. Experience breathtaking animated projections illuminating eight ...

Free “Legion of Honor” Museum Day for Bay Area Residents (Every Saturday)
Free "Legion of Honor" Museum Day for Bay Area Residents (Every Saturday)

 the Legion of Honor offers free general admission to the permanent galleries to Bay Area residents. Advanced tickets are required, and capacity is limited due to COVID-19 precautions. Please note that admission to any special exhibits is not included nor discounted and will require ...Every Saturday

Free de Young Museum Day for Bay Area Residents (Every Saturday)
Free de Young Museum Day for Bay Area Residents (Every Saturday)

, the de Young offers free general admission to the permanent galleries to Bay Area residents. Please note that admission to any special exhibits is not included nor discounted and will require the full admission price. Saturdays feature engaging art experiences for the entire family, ...Every Saturday

“Mercatino di Natale” SF’s 2025 Italian Christmas Market (Fort Mason)
Saturday, December 6 – 10:00 am - Ends at 6:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Free admission
| Museo Italo Americano
"Mercatino di Natale" SF's 2025 Italian Christmas Market (Fort Mason)
We are delighted to announce that Mercatino di Natale 2025, our beloved Italian Christmas Market, will take place on December 6th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on December 7th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Join us for two festive days filled with the charm, flavors, and artistry of an authentic ...
San Leandro Historical Railway Society: Free Model Train Show + Porch Sale (Dec. 6-7)
Saturday, December 6 – 10:00 am - Ends at 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Donations Appreciated! Go to: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/san-leandro-historical-railway-society
| San Leandro Historical Railway Society
San Leandro Historical Railway Society: Free Model Train Show + Porch Sale (Dec. 6-7)

Fun for All Ages! Come and enjoy our Open House and Model Train Show. We will have porch sale and varied prize raffle. We have two great operational layouts inside and outside (weather permitted). FREE ADMISSION. Event Days and Times: Saturday, December 6th – 10 ...

“Toys for Tots & Trains” w/ 500′ Model Railroad at USS Hornet (Alameda)
"Toys for Tots & Trains" w/ 500' Model Railroad at USS Hornet (Alameda)
Toys for Tots and Trains! December 06, 2025 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM at USS Hornet Museum All aboard for a fantastic holiday weekend on the historic USS Hornet Museum! Experience over 500 feet of model railroad track in all scales spread across the massive ...
Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend (2025)
Bank of America's "Museums On Us" Free Museum Weekend (2025)

Holders of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders (credit cards and debit cards) get free admission to eight Bay Area museums, two Sacramento museums and to more than 225 cultural institutions nationwide, for the first full weekend each month including the de ...Monthly

“East Bay Open Studios” Two Weekends w/ 180+ Artists (Winter 2025)
Saturday, December 6 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1918029520929?aff=oddtdtcreator
| Across the East Bay
"East Bay Open Studios" Two Weekends w/ 180+ Artists (Winter 2025)

Discover art this holiday season!    East Bay Open Studios is back for two weekends this December with over 180+ artists opening their studios to the public. This free, self-guided event invites you to visit artist studios, pop-ups, and galleries in Oakland, Berkeley, and beyond. ...