Home » **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, In Person, Kids & Families, New Year's Day, Outdoors, San Francisco

Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026

Every 2nd Tuesday
Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
San Francisco Botanical Garden | 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
San Francisco

Free / Learn More

San Francisco Botanical Garden’s Free Day (2nd Tuesdays)

Saxon Holt / SF Botanical Gardens

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse gardens in the world. A unique urban oasis, the garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, and showcasing over 9,000 different kinds of plants from around the world.

One of the most beautiful spots is the Japanese-design inspired “Moon Viewing Garden,” (pictured above) located in the Mild-Temperate Climate section in the Northwest portion of the gardens. [view map]

The garden is always free for San Francisco residents, but visitors can also enjoy this treasure for free on the second Tuesday of every month; plus it’s free on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day for everyone.

Early bird? Come by any day and get in for free from 7:30-9 am. 

San Francisco Botanical Garden Free Days

  • Second Tuesday of every month
  • Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day
  • Free daily from 7:30–9 am
  • Always free for San Francisco city and county residents (with proof of residency)
  • Always free for Garden members and school groups
  • Updated 1/2/25

Regular cost: $20.75 adults (weekends), $14.75 adults (weekdays) with discounts for kids/seniors

Hours

Open Daily at 7:30am-Last Entry
The Garden closes one hour after last entry. Last entry changes seasonally.

Spring & Summer Last Entry
2nd Sunday in March – September: 6pm

Fall & Winter Last Entry
February – 2nd Sunday in March: 5pm
October – Early November: 5pm
1st Sunday in November – January: 4pm

Free Times: Daily 7:30-9am; Second Tuesday of every month; Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day

Garden Bookstore and Plant Shop
Open Daily, 10am-4pm
Open on Federal Holidays​

The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture
Open Friday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
Closed on Federal Holidays

sfbotanicalgarden

Upcoming San Francisco Botanical Garden’s Free Day (2nd Tuesdays) Events

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 on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, In Person, Kids & Families, New Year's Day, Outdoors, San Francisco
Address: 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122

Other Events on This Day

Thursday, January 1, 2026

All Day   SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Day)  $22
10:00 am   Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design  FREE*
*Free Admission every First Thursday
10:00 am   13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)  $15*
*$15 plus $10 per vehicle park entry fee
11:00 am   Cancelled: Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum  FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
11:00 am   San Jose’s New Year’s Day “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
12:00 pm   SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals  FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
12:00 pm   New Year’s (& Final) Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
1:00 pm   Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)  FREE*
*Open to all
3:00 pm   Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)  FREE*
*Tickets/RSVPs NOT required but it helps us to know you're planning to come. Supporting Members may enter up to an hour before downbeat for first choice seating. General Admission begins at 2:45pm.
4:30 pm   New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival  $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)  FREE
5:00 pm   New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
6:00 pm   SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)  FREE
6:00 pm   Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin  FREE
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:30 pm   Sadderday: An Emo/Pop-Punk/Screamo Dance Party | SF  FREE
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