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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, August 19

Free Admission Day at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)
Wednesday, August 19 – 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

People in Plazas: R&B Concert (SF)
Wednesday, August 19 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE | 555 California
People in Plazas: R&B Concert (SF)

This free annual outdoor music festival “People in Plazas” (PiP), typically puts on over 130 free lunchtime concerts featuring an array of different styles from July to September in over 15 different public plazas on or near Market Street from the Embarcadero to Fourth Street. “People ...

People in Plazas: Steely Dan Concert (SF)
Wednesday, August 19 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE | 425 Market Street
People in Plazas: Steely Dan Concert (SF)

This free annual outdoor music festival “People in Plazas” (PiP), typically puts on over 130 free lunchtime concerts featuring an array of different styles from July to September in over 15 different public plazas on or near Market Street from the Embarcadero to Fourth Street. “People ...

‘Midweek Melodies’ Free Happy Hour Concert (Golden Gate Park)
Wednesday, August 19 – 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, August 19 – 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

Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)
Wednesday, August 19 – 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, August 20

Free HellaFunny Thursday Comedy Night (Downtown SF)
Free HellaFunny Thursday Comedy Night (Downtown SF)

Welcome to the heart of laughter right on the edge of SF’s vibrant Hayes Valley district! Step into a world of hilarity and at the newest addition to the city’s comedy scene – a chic, upscale comedy club boasting avant-garde decor, an upstairs lounge and a roster of top-notch comedians. ...

People in Plazas: Tango Concert (SF)
Thursday, August 20 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE | 333 Market St.
People in Plazas: Tango Concert (SF)

This free annual outdoor music festival “People in Plazas” (PiP), typically puts on over 130 free lunchtime concerts featuring an array of different styles from July to September in over 15 different public plazas on or near Market Street from the Embarcadero to Fourth Street. “People ...

People in Plazas: French Jazz Concert (SF)
Thursday, August 20 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Rincon Center
People in Plazas: French Jazz Concert (SF)

This free annual outdoor music festival “People in Plazas” (PiP), typically puts on over 130 free lunchtime concerts featuring an array of different styles from July to September in over 15 different public plazas on or near Market Street from the Embarcadero to Fourth Street. “People ...

SF’s Free Concerts & Food Trucks: “Civic Center Soundtrack” (Every Tue/Thu)
Thursday, August 20 – 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: State Fair
Thursday, August 20 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free
| Cole & Parnassus
Cole Valley Nights: State Fair
Cole Valley Nights is back! Come check out the neighborhood 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 ...
Downtown SF’s Free Outdoor EDM Party
Thursday, August 20 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | 63 Ellis St.
Downtown SF’s Free Outdoor EDM Party

Downtown San Francisco is getting a pair of free outdoor concerts this summer, including a June performance by French DJ and producer Habstrakt. The new Bloom Music Series On Ellis kicks off Thursday, June 18, 2026 transforming Ellis Street between Powell and Stockton into an open-air concert venue. Habstrakt, known ...

Town of Colma Free Summer Concert Series
Thursday, August 20 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Colma Community Center
Town of Colma Free Summer Concert Series

We’re excited to bring back the Summer Concert Series. Join us in August for three evenings of great music and entertainment. We will gather in the grass area at the Colma Community Center located at 1520 Hillside Blvd. from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Bring your lawn ...Every Thursday

Movies on the Square 2026: Free Double Features Every Thursday (Redwood City)
Thursday, August 20 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*FREE! ALL AGES!
| Courthouse Square
Movies on the Square 2026: Free Double Features Every Thursday (Redwood City)

20 years ago, we said it was gonna be big. Turns out… we were just getting started. From Movies on the Square to Shakespeare under the stars, Redwood City Events became more than a series. It’s the soundtrack of this city. And 20 seasons later? ...Every Thursday

Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)
Thursday, August 20 – 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, August 20 – 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

Free Karaoke Night Every Thursday (Bottom’s Up)
Thursday, August 20 – 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*FREE ENTRY ALL NIGHT
| Bottom's Up
Free Karaoke Night Every Thursday (Bottom's Up)

Thursdays Karaoke Night @ BOTTOM’S UP4704 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94112Thursdays, 10PM – 2AM21+Every Thursday

Friday, August 21

“Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)
Friday, August 21 – 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

“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 ...

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