San Francisco Calendar

San Francisco is super spendy to live in, but there’s always a ton of fun, free & cheap things to do… if you know where to look. Here’s our calendar of upcoming fun, yet affordable, events.

Don’t want just San Francisco?
Show Me: East Bay | Editors’ Top Picks | All Bay Area Events

See Events For:   Today   |   Sat 1/18   |   Sun 1/19   |   Mon 1/20   |   Tue 1/21   |   Wed 1/22   |   Thu 1/23

Friday, January 17, 2020

Sea Lions' 30th Anniversary at Pier 39: Guided Tours | Jan. 17-20
Sea Lions’ 30th Anniversary at Pier 39: Guided Tours | Jan. 17-20
Friday, January 17 – All Day | Cost: FREE | Pier 39

Join PIER 39 to celebrate these playful mammals with a painted sea lion statue exhibition, Sea Lion Discovery Walks, special discounts and more from January 17-20. 30th Sea Lions’ Arrival Anniversary January 17-20, more...

8:00 pmBrave New Jokes: Comedy Showcase | SF   FREE
9:00 pmWin Tix: Red Room Orchestra Plays Music of “Boogie Nights” | SF Sketchfest   WIN*
*$40 adv / $45 door
10:00 pmSan Francisco Winter Comedy Festival | Jan. 17-18   FREE*
*RSVP Required, otherwise $10 at the door

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Final Weekend of 2020: Free Union Square Ice Skating Lessons | SF
Final Weekend of 2020: Free Union Square Ice Skating Lessons | SF
Saturday, January 18 – 8:15 am | Cost: FREE*
*Free lessons (and free skate rental) but an RSVP is required. Limited to 50 people per session.
 | Union Square Park

Don’t know how to skate? Kaiser Permanente is inviting beginner skaters to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines to come learn from professional skate instructors more...

All DayFree de Young Museum Day for Bay Area Residents | Every Saturday   FREE*
*Free general admission to Bay Area residents. Valid ID or proof of residency required. This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
All DayFree Legion of Honor Museum Day for Bay Area Residents | Every Saturday   FREE*
*Free general admission to Bay Area residents. Valid ID or proof of residency required. This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
All Day2020 Chinese New Year Flower Fair | Jan 18-19   FREE
All DayMLK Weekend San Francisco History Walks | 17 Free Tours   FREE*
*Free tours but donations appreciated. Tours of the Japanese Tea Garden may require additional admission fee.
All Day2020 Dance Hack Festival | SF   $10
10:00 amMission Science Workshop: Free Hands-on Science Saturday | SF   FREE*
*Donations are appreciated.
All DayFree PresidiGo Shuttle | Downtown to Presidio   FREE
All DayLunar New Year Lion Dancing: Traveling Festival | SF   FREE
11:00 amWomen’s March San Francisco & Civic Center Rally | 2020   FREE
12:00 pmSF’s Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival 2020 | January 18-20   FREE
1:00 pmCommunity Clothing Swap | Mission District   FREE*
*Please bring clean, wearable clothes. This event is open to the public.
1:00 pmAmoeba Revolutions DJ Set: DJ DJ Bryan | SF   FREE
2:00 pmFree San Francisco “Bellavente Woodwind Quintet” Family Concerts | SF   FREE
2:00 pmSF Chamber Orchestra “World of Woodwinds” Family Concert | SF   FREE*
*Free, but seating is first come, first served
3:00 pmFree Author Talk: The Fonio Cookbook | Omnivore Books   FREE
3:00 pmArt in the Park: Live Music, Arts & Spoken Word | Tenderloin   FREE
5:00 pmCity Hall Lights Up in 49ers Colors   FREE
5:30 pm“Be Here Last Night” Fashion Show & Celebration | SF   FREE*
*Attendance is free and beverages, plus bites available for purchase throughout the evening.
7:00 pmWin Tix: Florindian: A Storytelling Seated Dining Experience | SF   WIN*
*Includes 5 course meal, drink pairings and all services (including gratuity)
7:00 pmDowntown SF’s HellaDesi Comedy Night | Every Saturday   FREE*
*Free with RSVP for first 100 people. $10 at door without RSVP
7:30 pmBerkeley Symphony & Concerto Winners Concert | SF   FREE*
*Free, reservations recommended.
8:00 pm“Nightlife on Mars” Comedy Night | SF   FREE*
*Free with code CHEAPBASTARD - otherwise it's $10
8:00 pmimpromptuSF’s Live Orchestra Concert & Pre-Talk | SF   FREE
8:30 pm“Downtown Comedy Night” Comedy Show | SF   FREE*
*Free with RSVP and code HELLAFUNNY. Otherwise $15 online $20 at the door. Free for first 50 to RSVP
9:00 pmWin Tix: Red Room Orchestra Plays “Wild at Heart” & “Twin Peaks” | SF Sketchfest   WIN*
*$40 adv / $45 door
9:00 pm“Fringe” Indie Music Video Party | Madrone Art Bar   FREE*
*Free before 10 pm with RSVP on Facebook; otherwise, it's $5. 21+
9:00 pmPush The Feeling DJ Night | Lower Haight   FREE*
*Free before 10 pm, but an RSVP is required. Otherwise, it's $6.
10:00 pmNo Scrubs: A ’90s Hip Hop and R&B Dance Party | Bar Fluxus   FREE*
*Free with RSVP before 10:30pm. $5 After
11:59 pmSan Francisco Midnight Mystery Ride | SF   FREE


Sunday, January 19, 2020

"Good Food Award" Marketplace 2020 | Fort Mason
“Good Food Award” Marketplace 2020 | Fort Mason
Sunday, January 19 – 9:00 am | Cost: $5*
*General admission tickets will also be available at the door for $5 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
 | Fort Mason Center

The annual “Good Food” Awards Marketplace takes place in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason and gathers together vendors from around the country who are redefining ‘good food’ by crafting products that are both more...

6:00 amAfter Dawn: Premiere Sunday Morning Party | SF  FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
All Day2020 Chinese New Year Flower Fair | Chinatown   FREE
10:00 am$10 All-You-Can-Dance Class Day | SF   $10
All DayMLK Weekend San Francisco History Walks | 21 Free Tours   FREE*
*Free tours but donations appreciated. Tours of the Japanese Tea Garden may require additional admission fee.
10:30 amStinkytales Puppet Show | Bazaar Cafe   $5*
*$5 per person. Mention codeword "Dillard gets a cookie and he shares it" to the barista and get a free chocolate chip cookie!
12:00 pmWin Tix: 4th Annual All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast | SF   WIN*
*$62 adults / $25 kids
All Day2020 Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival | SF   FREE
12:00 pmSF’s 2020 All-You-Can-Eat “Crab Feast” | Spark Social   $62*
*$62 for Adults, $25 for kids. Tickets include All You Can Eat cool Dungeness crab legs, warm garlic noodles, salad, and iced tea from noon-3 pm.
12:30 pmFree Monthly Yoga Class for Beginners | SF   FREE*
*Free but an RSVP is required.
1:15 pmLunar New Year Lion Dancing: Traveling Festival | SF   FREE
2:00 pmSunday Fundaze Party | SF   FREE*
*Free w/ RSVP
2:30 pm49ers vs. Green Bay Packers on Big Screen at The Chapel | SF   FREE
3:00 pm“The Time for Justice”: Interfaith Service Honoring Dr. MLK Jr. | Grace Cathedral   FREE
3:00 pmSF’s “Antique Vibrator Museum” Free Guided Tour Day | Good Vibrations   FREE*
*Free, but you must RSVP at least 72 hours in advance by calling the Polk St. store location at (415) 345-0400.
3:40 pm49ers vs. Packers: Tacolicious Watch Party | SF   FREE
3:40 pm9 Awesome Spots: 49ers Playoff Watch Parties | SF vs. Packers   FREE*
*Most are free and no cover charge. Some freebies might require a drink purchase
4:00 pmSunday Concerts at Presidio Chapel | SF   FREE*
*Admission is free. Limited seating - reservations recommended.
4:00 pmCheesemonger Invitational Winter 2020 | SF   $65
5:00 pmFreedom Narrative: An Afternoon of Collective Art & Expression | SF   FREE
7:00 pm“Crazy Funny Asians” Comedy Showcase | SF   FREE*
*RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated.
7:00 pmLaugh Your Gays Off: Free Comedy in The Castro | SF   FREE*
*$5 suggested donation
7:30 pm2020 SF Fresh Festival: Power & Gender Talk, Dance & Dessert | SF   FREE*
*Many events free. Others have nominal costs
All Day2020 Dance Hack Festival: Performance Showcase | SF   $10
9:00 pm“Return of the Cypher” Hip-Hop & Beatbox Jam | Boom Boom Room   FREE

Monday, January 20, 2020

MLK Jr. Celebrations & Free Museum Days
MLK Jr. Celebrations & Free Museum Days
Monday, January 20 – All Day | Cost: FREE | All Over San Francisco

Every year, the Bay Area celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of festivals, marches and celebrations highlighted by a march and festival near the Yerba more...

All DayMLK Day 2020 Parking Rules in SF | How Not to Get a Ticket   FREE*
*Free parking for M-F street sweeping, residential permits, and commuter towaway. Meters are still enforced. SF Port streets also are enforced.
9:00 amMLK Volunteer Day of Service in the Presidio | SF   FREE
All DayMLK Volunteer Day: Help & Restore Golden Gate National Parks | SF   FREE
All DayMLK Day San Francisco History Walks | 11 Free Tours   FREE*
*Free tours but donations appreciated. Tours of the Japanese Tea Garden may require additional admission fee.
All DayMLK Celebration at de Young Museum | SF   $15*
*Adult Age 18-64 $15.00, Senior Age 65 & over $12.00, Student with valid ID $6.00
All DayFree Entrance Days in the National Parks | MLK Jr. Day 2020   FREE*
*The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Although the entrance fee is waved, paid parking/shuttle reservations required for Muir Woods even on free days.
All DaySea Lions’ 30th Anniversary: Guided Tours | Pier 39   FREE
All DayFree Day & MLK Jr. Celebration | Museum of the African Diaspora   FREE
11:00 am2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March/Parade | SF   FREE*
*Participants in groups of ten or more (10+) are encouraged to register.
All Day2020 MLK Jr. Celebration: Film & Music Festival | Yerba Buena Gardens   FREE
All DayMLK Day 2020: Free Museum Day | SF   FREE
All Day2020 Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival: MLK Monday | SF   FREE
All DayFree Muni on MLK Day 2020 | SF   FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required. These free passes are intended for people attending the MLK celebrations, not just for cheapskates
3:00 pmFinal Day: Free Boozy Hot Chocolate for Ice Skaters | SF   FREE*
*Proof of Union Square ice skating ticket required. Limit one per person. While supplies last. Tratto is offering free hot chocolate cocktails to skaters from the Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square when you show your ticket now through January 20 after 11:30 am on weekends and after 3 pm. Monday through Friday.
3:00 pmTour of Diego Rivera’s 1st US Mural | Union Square   FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required. Please note, the tour is limited to 25 people.
4:00 pmKrispy Kreme’s “Free Mini Doughnut Days” | Every Monday   FREE*
*Free every Monday in January 2020 from 4 pm to 7 pm.
7:30 pmLive Piano Night w/ Susanne Mentzer | SF   FREE
8:00 pmNorth Beach Comedy Night | SF   FREE
8:00 pm“Resistance is Fertile” Free Comedy Night | SF   FREE
8:30 pmThe Good, The Bad & The Funny Comedy Showcase | Blondie’s   FREE*
*Free, but an RSVP is required.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Gibby Haynes "Me & Mr. Cigar" Author Reading | City Lights Books
Gibby Haynes “Me & Mr. Cigar” Author Reading | City Lights Books
Tuesday, January 21 – 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | City Lights Books

From the wild and wonderful mind of Gibby Haynes—world famous Butthole Surfers front man/lyricist and self-proclaimed eternal Texan adolescent—comes the surreal tale of seventeen-year-old Oscar Lester and his trusted dog, Mr. more...

5:30 pmThe Stinky Cheese Club | Bender’s  FREE*
*Bring in a good cheese to share and get a free drink.
8:30 pmWin Tix: Patrick Watson US Tour with Brad Barr | August Hall   WIN

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

2-for-1 Tix: Alcatraz Boat Cruise | SF
2-for-1 Tix: Alcatraz Boat Cruise | SF
Wednesday, January 22 – All Day | Cost: 2-for-1*
*Normally $39.90 per person - valid for day tours on select Tuesdays/Wednesday between January 7 to February 26, 2020. Valid Bay Area ID required
 | Pier 33

Take advantage of this limited buy one get one free offer. During select Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Alcatraz Cruises is offering a buy one get one free Day Tour to Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz more...

All Day2020 San Francisco Restaurant Week | January 22-31   $15*
*In 2020, SF Restaurant Week will feature two-course lunch ($15 and $25) and three or more course dinner ($40 and $65) menus.
12:00 pmPower & the People: Discussion on The U.S. Census | SF   FREE*
*Free, with an RSVP
6:00 pmBikes to Books 2020 Beer Social | Bender’s   FREE*
*Free but bring money for food and drinks. 21+
7:00 pmFree Sneak Preview Movie: “The Gentlemen” | Century San Francisco Centre 9 (SF)   FREE*
*RSVP code required; arrive early as admission is not guaranteed.
7:45 pmHome Stories: Comedy, Poetry & Music Night | SF   $10*
*1 drink minimum
8:00 pmThe Premise: Intimate Stand Up Comedy | SF   FREE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Asian Art Museum's $10 Thursday Nights | Jan. 23 - Sept. 24
Asian Art Museum’s $10 Thursday Nights | Jan. 23 – Sept. 24
Thursday, January 23 – 5:00 pm | Cost: $10*
*General admission tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students and youths (age 13-17). There is a $10 surcharge for special exhibition tickets.
 | Asian Art Museum

The Asian Art Museum is back for 2020 beginning January 23rd through September 24th. The museum will be open until 9 pm on Thursdays and general admission is just $10. You can more...

12:30 pmFree 30-Minute Core & Stretch Express | Salesforce Park  FREE
6:00 pmWin Tix: Lunar New Year NightLife | California Academy of Sciences   WIN
6:00 pmExploratorium After Dark: Flights of Fancy | Pier 15   $19.95*
*$19.95 Adv/Door -  Free for Lab Members ($10 Add-On Ticket for the Tactile Dome)
6:00 pmCursive Free In-store Concert | Amoeba SF   FREE
6:00 pmFree Vegetarian Dinner Night | SF   FREE
6:00 pmLunar New Year NightLife at Cal Academy of Sciences | SF   $13.50*
*Tickets subject to dynamic pricing and may change daily. Nightlife tickets typically range from $12 to $25. Day-of tickets will often be the highest. 21+
7:00 pmWin Tix: Asian Art Museum’s Evening Talk w/ Nepal Artist Tsherin Sherpa | SF   WIN
7:00 pm2020 Fresh Festival: Dance, Music, Performance | Final Day   FREE*
*Many events free. Others have nominal costs
7:30 pm“I Wish I Was Happy” Hour Comedy Show | SF   FREE*
*Free admission but bring money for food and drinks.