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Free Events

San Francisco… land of the free. Here’s just the free stuff in SF and the Bay Area. Keep your wallet in your pocket and enjoy!

Wednesday, May 20

Free “Dance Outdoors w/ Rhythm & Motion” at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Wednesday, May 20 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Gardens (Esplanade)
Free "Dance Outdoors w/ Rhythm & Motion" at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

The 2026 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival hosts a full lineup of free outdoor music, theater, circus, dance, poetry, and children’s programs. The Festival opens on Saturday, May 9, 2026 with Hermán Olivera y Orquesta Taíno to kick off its 26th season. The Festival features over 100 free ...

$1 Wing Wednesdays at Underdogs Cantina (SoMa)
Wednesday, May 20 – 4:30 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*No admission charge. Wings are $1 each.
| Underdogs Cantina
$1 Wing Wednesdays at Underdogs Cantina (SoMa)

Join us for Wing Wednesdays at Underdogs Cantina with $1 Wings from 4:30pm – Close! $1 Wing Wednesdays | 4:30pm to Close Underdogs Cantina, 128 King St. (Across from ballpark), SF FREE (No Cover) $1 WINGS from 4:30pm – Close Happy Hour from ...Every Wednesday

FREE “Hook-Up Horror Stories” Tindervention Stand-Up Comedy Show (SF)
Wednesday, May 20 – 7:30 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| The Function
FREE "Hook-Up Horror Stories" Tindervention Stand-Up Comedy Show (SF)

We’ve all had bad dates. Lets hear SF’s top comedians make you laugh about them! Bad dates make great comedy. 💘 First 50 RSVPs get in FREE – claim yours now (7p + 8:30p shows) Welcome to Tindervention—the stand-up show where SF’s top comedians spill their most outrageous dating ...Every Wednesday

Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)
Japanese Tea Garden's Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)

The Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California ...Every Wednesday

Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)
Wednesday, May 20 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Opened to the public in 1993, YBCA was founded as the cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood. Our work spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life. Centering artists as essential to social and cultural movement, YBCA ...Every Wednesday

Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)
Wednesday, May 20 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Opened to the public in 1993, YBCA was founded as the cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood. Our work spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life. Centering artists as essential to social and cultural movement, YBCA ...Every Wednesday

‘Midweek Melodies’ Free Happy Hour Concert (Golden Gate Park)
Wednesday, May 20 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
'Midweek Melodies' Free Happy Hour Concert (Golden Gate Park)

Free live music is back in the park. Illuminate LIVE returns to the Golden Gate Bandshell in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, March 1, 2026, launching its sixth season of free outdoor concerts with more than 125 performances scheduled through mid-November. The long-running series has ...

“Wiener Wednesday” Free Hot Dog Night at Rye (SF)
Wednesday, May 20 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 12:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Every Wednesday, Free Hot Dogs with every Hornitos Cocktail purchase
| Rye Bar
"Wiener Wednesday" Free Hot Dog Night at Rye (SF)

With a name like “Rye,” this bar is obviously whiskey-centric… but on Wednesday nights the bar leans towards tequila is also awesomely hot dog centric! Come to Rye Bar every Wednesday for free hot dogs with every Hornitos cocktail purchase. Mo and Kat are you ...Every Wednesday

Bay Bridge’s “Bay Lights” Return: Grand Lighting Celebration
Wednesday, May 20 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 12:00 am | Cost: FREE | The Bay Bridge
Bay Bridge's "Bay Lights" Return: Grand Lighting Celebration
The $11M rebuilt Bay Lights installation returns to the Bay Bridge on March 20, 2026 with a Grand Lighting. Once relit, the 1.8-mile artwork will illuminate nightly from dusk to dawn. Full viewing details are still TBA as of 2/19/26. After nearly three years of darkness, ...
North Beach Noir: Free “Renegade Cinema” Night of SF Films (2026)
Wednesday, May 20 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Bring Friends and Family to Support the Gallery !
| Live Worms Gallery
North Beach Noir: Free "Renegade Cinema" Night of SF Films (2026)

We are a group of cinephiles passionate about sharing films that are deeply connected to North Beach, San Francisco, and the city’s rich filmmaking history. Our focus is on films relevant to North Beach, as well as showcasing works from local San Francisco filmmakers. We host monthly screenings every ...Monthly

Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)
Wednesday, May 20 – 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Black Hammer Brewing
Black Hammer's Free "Hopped Up" Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)

No pens, no paper. Join us for three rounds of fast-paced gameshow-style pub trivia in our taproom every Wednesday at 7PM. Free admission, with bonus points for fastest answer and a live scoreboard. Hopped Up Trivia at 7pm Black Hammer Brewing, 544 Bryant ...Every Wednesday

Thursday, May 21

Lunchtime Concert w/ Larry & Joe (Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026)
Thursday, May 21 – 12:30 pm - Ends at 1:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena Gardens (Esplanade)
Lunchtime Concert w/ Larry & Joe (Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026)

The 2026 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival hosts a full lineup of free outdoor music, theater, circus, dance, poetry, and children’s programs. The Festival opens on Saturday, May 9, 2026 with Hermán Olivera y Orquesta Taíno to kick off its 26th season. The Festival features over 100 free ...

FREE “Hecklers Welcome” SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling
Thursday, May 21 – 7:30 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| The Function
FREE "Hecklers Welcome" SF's First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling

Welcome to Hecklers Welcome!, San Francisco’s only stand-up show where you get to talk back. This is not your average comedy night—this is a full-blown verbal brawl, where comics come ready to spar and the audience gets a license to heckle. Got jokes? Bring ’em. Got beef? Air ...Every Thursday

SF’s Free Concerts & Food Trucks: “Civic Center Soundtrack” (Every Tue/Thu)
Thursday, May 21 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 3:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Fulton Plaza
SF's Free Concerts & Food Trucks: "Civic Center Soundtrack" (Every Tue/Thu)

San Francisco’s free lunchtime concert series is back. The Civic Center Soundtrack returns for its third season starting Tuesday, April 14, 2026, bringing live music to Fulton Plaza twice a week through October. Concerts take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 pm to 3 pm ...

Cole Valley Nights: 1st Annual “Short Film Fest” (SF)
Thursday, May 21 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
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| Cole & Parnassus
Cole Valley Nights: 1st Annual "Short Film Fest" (SF)
Come check out Cole Valley while sampling popular eateries and enjoying live music, special activities, and local businesses. Experience the vibrant blend of art, culture, and spirit that Cole Valley has to offer. Plus enjoy the Cole Valley Entertainment Zone which allows you to enjoy ...
Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)
Thursday, May 21 – 9:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
| White Rabbit
Every Thursday: "Inner Circle" Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)

Free Thursday Party featuring DJs spinning House, Disco, Remixes, Currents, Classics and more every Thursday at White Rabbit. Join us at White Rabbit on Thursdays for Inner Circle, a weekly get-together dedicated to the DJ and a love for dance music. No cover. No worries! ...Every Thursday

16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)
Thursday, May 21 – 9:00 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
| 16th & Mission BART (southwest streetcorner)
16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)

Time: 9pm to 12am, Celebrating 20 years in May 2023 (currently 19 years strong). Instagram: @16thmission. For 18 years, this outdoor “open mic-without-a-mic” has welcomed poets, musicians, emcees, comedy, and everything in between. In the best of San Francisco tradition, everyone is welcome, ...Every Thursday

Friday, May 22

SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 9p)
SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 9p)

Inspired by the blockbuster movie, see some of the Bay Area’s top comedians at San Francisco’s Crazy Funny Asians comedy showcase, presented by Funcheap and HellaFunny. Let’s celebrate the Bay’s Asian-American culture and heritage with laughs at a secret location – a two-floor comedy club near ...Every Friday

“HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland)
"HellaSecret" Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland)

Get ready for our “HellaSecret” speakeasy comedy show in Oakland. A series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. We’ll take over a venue and you’ll get an email with the secret location. This HellaSecret comedy show takes place in a ...

“Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)
Friday, May 22 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*RSVP Required
| The Function
"Rush Hour Comedy Night" w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)

Welcome to ‘Rush Hour Comedy Night’ where laughter knows no bounds and cultural collisions are the name of the game. Join our dynamic duo of black and Asian comedians as they embark on a whirlwind adventure through the streets of humor, weaving together their diverse backgrounds and ...Every Friday