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Final Free Weekend at SF’s Contemporary Jewish Museum (Closing for 1+ Year)

Saturday, December 14, 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

Saturday, December 14, 2024

9:30 am   Free “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. Timed advanced tickets required
9:30 am   Free 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. Advanced timed tickets required.
10:00 am   SF’s “Gifts at the Garden” Holiday Market (Dec.14-15)  FREE
10:00 am   2024 Winter Craft Day (SF)  FREE*
*Free Admission, Low-Cost Craft Activities
10:00 am   Fairy Winterland at Oakland Children’s Fairyland (Dec.14-30)  $17*
*Included with General Admission: $17 children; $19 adults; Fairyland Members enjoy 50% off!
10:00 am   “Oakland Coffee Holiday Market” at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (2024)  FREE*
*RSVP to win cool coffee prizes on eventbrite.
10:00 am   SF’s 40th Annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)  $45*
*General Admission is $45; special discounts available
10:00 am   2024 Kimochi “Silver Bells” Holiday Craft & Food Fair (SF)  FREE
10:00 am   SF’s 2024 “Winter Walk” at Union Square (Dec. 14-22)  FREE
11:00 am   Winter Wellness & Craft Fair (Berkeley)  FREE
11:00 am   SF’s Clayroom Holiday Sale (2024)  FREE
11:00 am   Holiday Craft Sale (Oakland)  FREE*
*Free to the public!
11:00 am   Art Guild of Pacifica’s 2024 “Winter Art Faire” (Dec. 14-15)  FREE
11:00 am   Free Chinatown Walking Tour w/ Free Egg Tart + Dim Sum Tastings (SF)  FREE*
*Free. First come, first served. RSVP Required. Without registration, there will be a $10 fee at the door.
11:00 am   Palestine Winter Market & Fundraiser (San Jose)  FREE
11:00 am   SF’s Saluhall Holiday Makers Market (Dec. 14-15)  FREE
11:00 am   2024 “BackYard Bazaar” Holiday Craft Fair (Oakland)  FREE*
*FREE
11:00 am   San Jose’s “Makers Market on the Row” (December 2024)  FREE
11:00 am   MoAD: Museum of the African Diaspora Free Museum Day (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   Holiday Spectacular Show “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” Live in SF (11a + 3p Shows)  $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
12:00 pm   Annual Holiday Fling (Oakland)  FREE
12:00 pm   Emeryville’s “Artful Wonderland” 2024 (Dec. 12-20)  FREE
12:00 pm   SFClayworks Free Holiday Market (2024)  FREE
12:00 pm   “Merry Mercado” Holiday Craft Fair (SF)  FREE
12:00 pm   SF’s Festive Holiday Show 2024 w/ 40 Artists (Dec.14-15)  FREE*
*Free Admission
12:00 pm   Berkeley’s Winter Open House 2024 (Dec. 14-15)  FREE
12:00 pm   SantaCon 2024 Holiday Bash (SF)  FREE*
*Free w/ RSVP until we reach capacity
12:00 pm   2024 “Winter Wonderlandytown” Holiday Market (SF)  FREE
12:00 pm   San Francisco SantaCon: City-Wide Santa Pub Crawl (2024)  FREE
1:00 pm   2-for-1 Distillery Tour & Whiskey Tasting at Tripp Distillery (Pacifica)  $9*
*Distillery Tour and tastings for two $9 (normally $18)
2:00 pm   SF Symphony’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol” Film w/ Live Orchestra (Dec. 12-14)  $80*
*Children tickets half off
3:00 pm   SF’s Annual Parol Lantern Festival (2024)  FREE
3:00 pm   Holiday Variety Music w/ Premiere Light Show (Oakland)  FREE*
*Free Ticket
3:30 pm   The Last Look Holiday Show & Marketplace (SF)  FREE*
*Marketplace Free Admission only (must RSVP on link)
4:00 pm   SF’s Quirky “BART Basel” Guerilla Art Show  FREE
4:30 pm   SF’s 10th Annual Krampus Pub Crawl (2024)  FREE
5:30 pm   “Let’s Glow SF” 2024: SF’s Huge Holiday Projection Arts Festival (Dec. 6-15)  FREE
6:00 pm   Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade + Fireworks (2024)  FREE
7:00 pm   “Niles Abston” Viral Comedy Star Live in SF (Comedy Central / FX / Netflix is a Joke)  FREE
7:00 pm   “Crazy Funny Asians” Free Comedy Showcase (SF)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $15 adv / $20 door tickets also available
7:00 pm   San Francisco POC Comedy Night (Fridays & Saturdays)  FREE*
*Use secret code FUNCHEAP for comp tickets, otherwise, $10 off with secret code FUNCHEAP
7:00 pm   FREE: Oakland Comedy Saturday Night @ Secret Speakeasy (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
8:00 pm   “Puff Puff Laugh” SF’s Cannabis Lounge Comedy Show (Moe Greens)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP (21+ with Valid ID) - One item minimum purchase per person required, but pre-rolls start at just $7
8:00 pm   $5 Off: “The Confessional” SF’s Wild Improv Comedy Show (Final Show 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 Show of 2024)  $16.37*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $21.49) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
10:00 pm   No Scrubs: SF’s ’90s Hip Hop + R&B Holiday Dance Party (Free Before 11p)  FREE*
*Free before 11pm with RSVp
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