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

Sunday, December 15, 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

Sunday, December 15, 2024

9:00 am   Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile  FREE
9:45 am   Lower Nob Hill Cleanup w/ Free Lunch for Volunteers (SF)  FREE
10:00 am   SF’s Free “Sundays at the Beach” Tai Chi Day (Great Highway)  FREE
10:00 am   “Manny’s Neighborhood Trash Cleanup” w/ $1 Beer & Free Yoga Classes, Free Fries (SF)  FREE*
*Sign up on this TogetherSF Mobilize page: https://www.mobilize.us/togethersf/event/444979/
10:00 am   SF’s 40th Annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)  $45*
*General Admission is $45; special discounts available
10:30 am   “Red, White, and Grinched” SF’s Holiday Brunch Cruise (2024)  $75*
*Tickets include brunch buffet, sweet treats and all onboard activies
11:00 am   Patchwork Show Sacramento  FREE*
*Free-open to the public
11:00 am   Art Guild of Pacifica’s 2024 “Winter Art Faire” (Dec. 14-15)  FREE
11:00 am   Bark at SPARK Howl-I-Day Party (SF)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
11:00 am   “Lindy in the Park” Swing Dance Party (Golden Gate Park)  FREE*
*Weather permitting (rain cancels)
12:00 pm   Cheerie Emporium: A Holiday Market (Berkeley)  FREE*
*Totally free to attend!
1:00 pm   Golden Gate Park Sunday Roller Disco Party (SF)  FREE
1:00 pm   SF’s “Holla-Day” Tree Decoration Celebration (SoMa West)  FREE
2:00 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
3:00 pm   SF’s “Civic Strings” Free Concerts (Dec. 15-June 8)  FREE*
*Free Concert – Donations Accepted – Suggested Donation $10 - $20
3:00 pm   2024 Menorah Lighting with JCCSF at Ghirardelli Square  FREE
5:30 pm   “Let’s Glow SF” 2024: SF’s Huge Holiday Projection Arts Festival (Final Day)  FREE
6:00 pm   FREE: Oakland “HellaSecret” Comedy Show (Sunday)  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   Free Tix: HellaSecret “Desi Comedy Night” Live in SF (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP for first 100 people. $25 at door without RSVP
7:00 pm   Free Tix: “Laff Baked” Sunday Night Cannabis Comedy Show (2024)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:00 pm   Free Sunday Comedy Night at SF’s Newest Comedy Club (The Function)  FREE*
*Limited Free Tickets. Otherwise Get 50% Off Tickets w/ code FUNCHEAP - GA starts at $12.51 (fee included) instead of $22.51
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