Home » *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Discount Tix / Promo Codes, Downtown San Francisco, Free Museum Day, In Person

Final Free Weekend at SF’s Contemporary Jewish Museum Before 1+ Year Closure (Dec. 12-15)

Friday, December 13, 2024 - 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Book free tickets at thecjm.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum | 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA

Free / RSVP

Free Museum Month at SF’s Contemporary Jewish Museum (thru Dec. 15)

The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) in San Francisco has, unfortunately, announced it will temporarily close its galleries for at least one year, beginning December 16, 2024, due to financial challenges.

The good news (if there is any, here) is that in order to give the public an opportunity to experience the museum before the closure, CJM is offering free admission through December 15, 2024 waiving the usual $16 entry fee.

Contemporary Jewish Museum
Visit for free through December 15, 2024
Open Thursdays through Sundays | 11a-5p (closed Thanksgiving)
Book Free Tickets

Current Exhibitions

  • California Jewish Open – Transdisciplinary artist Nicki Green’s first museum solo exhibition delves into questions of identity, transformation, and reinvention of Jewish traditions through new and existing artworks in ceramic, installation, fiber, and more.
  • Nicki Green: Firmament – Marking the first time the space has been activated in this way since the building’s opening, Bay Area artist Leah Rosenberg transforms The CJM’s Yud Gallery through light and color, creating a welcoming environment for visitors to reflect, rest, and wonder.
  • L’Chaim: Celebrating Our Building at 15 – This exhibition delves into the deep symbolism imbued in The CJM’s iconic building, inspired by the Hebrew phrase l’chaim (“to life”).

The CJM’s current home, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, opened in 2008 and uniquely combines the historic 1881 power station with a bold blue geometric structure. This architectural fusion, inspired by the Hebrew word “chai” (meaning “life”), has made the building a recognizable part of San Francisco’s cultural landscape. With free admission through mid-December, visitors can explore both the exhibits and this distinctive building before the temporary pause.

The museum’s Board of Trustees emphasized that this closure is a proactive measure to stabilize finances and plan for the future, rather than a permanent shutdown. The Board has likened this period to a “Sabbath” pause, giving time for planning and exploration of new ways to reach audiences and ensure long-term sustainability.

Since its founding, the CJM has worked to foster understanding of Jewish culture, counter antisemitism, and serve the Bay Area community. As the museum prepares for its sabbatical, it encourages visitors to enjoy its galleries, exhibitions, and architecture at no cost through December 15.

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*
*Book free tickets at thecjm.org
Categories: *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Discount Tix / Promo Codes, Downtown San Francisco, Free Museum Day, In Person
Address: 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA

Friday, December 13, 2024

6:30 am   Free Ferry Ride Day: SF <-> Richmond Rides Free Every Friday (Until 2025)  FREE*
*Free rides every Friday on San Francisco Richmond Ferries from November 1 to end of 2024. No reservations required but seats are first come first served
9:00 am   Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)  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
9:00 am   SF Giants $9 Spring Training Tickets for 2025 in Scottsdale  $9*
*9 Spring Training Tickets / 500 off Suites for April & May Games
10:00 am   Union Square’s 2024 “Winter Walk” (Dec. 13-22)  FREE
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
4:00 pm   SF’s Marina “Small Craft “Holiday Boat Parade + Winter Wonderland Festival (2024)  FREE
4:00 pm   Fort Mason Holiday Night Market (SF)  FREE
4:00 pm   2024 “Holidays on Taraval” (SF)  FREE
5:00 pm   KQED Holiday Night Market (SF)  $11.50*
*$10 ticket + $1.50 fees and taxes
5:00 pm   Alameda Point “Pasko” Night Market (2024)  FREE
5:00 pm   $1 Drink Fridays: “Battle of the Decades” DJ Party (North Beach)  FREE*
*Free admission with RSVP on Eventbrite
5:30 pm   SF’s “Chinatown Night Market” 2024 (Every Second Friday)  FREE
5:30 pm   “Let’s Glow SF” 2024: SF’s Huge Holiday Projection Arts Festival (Dec. 6-15)  FREE
6:00 pm   21+ Holiday Night Market “Twas the Night” at Children’s Fairyland (Oakland)  $30*
*$30 per person; includes TWO drinks of choice
7:00 pm   “We Are Oakland” Holiday Benefit Concert (2024)  FREE*
*No cost to attend. Donation to support the Alameda County Community Food Bank if you are able.
7:00 pm   SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $15 adv / $20 door tickets also available
7:00 pm   FREE: Oakland’s HellaSecret Comedy & Cocktail Night 2024 (7p + 9p Shows)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
7:00 pm   “Niles Abston” Viral Comedy Star Live in SF (Comedy Central / FX / Netflix is a Joke)  FREE
7:00 pm   “Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:00 pm   Laugh GPT: SF’s First AI-Powered Stand-up Comedy Show (2024)  FREE*
*Use secret code HUMAN for comp tickets, otherwise, $10 off with secret code FUNCHEAP
7:30 pm   Holiday Spectacular Show “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” Live in SF (Dec. 13-15)  $41*
*Tickets start at $41. The best seats will go quickly. No added ticket fees. Just one $5 order fee no matter how many tickets you purchase
7:30 pm   SF Symphony’s “Holiday Gaiety” Variety Show w/ Peaches Christ  $39
7:30 pm   East Bay Bike Party (Every Second Friday)  FREE
8:00 pm   SF’s 17-Year Run “Secret Improv Society” (Fridays & Saturdays)  $20*
*Normally $25, use secret code FUNCHEAP for $5 off tickets
8:00 pm   “The Stoner Comedy Jam” Friday Nights (SF)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP (21+ with Valid ID) - One item minimum purchase per person required
8:00 pm   $5 Off: “The Confessional” SF’s Wild Improv Comedy Show (Final Shows of 2024)  $11.94*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $17.12) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
9:00 pm   $5 Off: “Your Fucked Up Relationship” Live in SF (Final Shows of 2024)  $16.37*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $21.49) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
10:15 pm   SF’s Free Late Night “Crazy Funny Asians” 10pm Comedy Show (Fri & Sat)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $25 door tickets also available
< Thursday, December 12 Saturday, December 14 >