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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!

Tuesday, January 20

Author Chat: Literary History of Computing (Mountain View)
Tuesday, January 20 – 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free for everyone
| Computer History Museum
Author Chat: Literary History of Computing (Mountain View)
Whether you’re an expert, student, or simply curious, how can you truly grasp what is happening in computing? One powerful answer has endured: “Read a book!” In Readme, historian W. Patrick McCray explores how influential books shaped the trajectory of computing innovations and ideas that echo in ...
North Beach Noir: Free “Renegade Cinema” Night of SF Films (2026)
Tuesday, January 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

Learn to Meditate: Free Classes + Retreat (SF)
Tuesday, January 20 – 7:15 pm - Ends at 8:45 pm | Cost: FREE*
*by Donation - $15 suggested, no one turned away for lack of funds
| San Francisco Dharma Collective
Learn to Meditate: Free Classes + Retreat (SF)
The Buddha’s Meditation Instructions with Kitty Costello and David Onek Tuesdays, January 20 & 27 and February 10, 7:15 – 8:30 pm & Half Day Retreat Saturday, February 14, 9 am – 1 pm Whether you’re new to meditation or you want to revitalize your practice, let’s unpack and ...

Wednesday, January 21

Internet Archive’s Virtual Public Domain Day 2026 (SF)
Wednesday, January 21 – 10:00 am - Ends at 11:30 am | Cost: FREE*
*Free
| Virtual Event
Internet Archive's Virtual Public Domain Day 2026 (SF)
The Case of the Disappearing Copyright: Virtual Public Domain Day 2026! On January 1, 2026, creative works from 1930 and sound recordings from 1925 enter the public domain. Celebrate with us online January 21! This year we are hosting two ways to celebrate the public domain: A virtual ...
$1 Wing Wednesdays at Underdogs Cantina (SoMa)
Wednesday, January 21 – 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

“Hook-Up Horror Stories” Stand-Up Comedy Show (SF)
Wednesday, January 21 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| The Function
"Hook-Up Horror Stories" 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, January 21 – 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, January 21 – 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

“Wiener Wednesday” Free Hot Dog Night at Rye (SF)
Wednesday, January 21 – 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

2026 Napa Lighted Art Festival w/ Special Projection Artwork (Jan. 17 – Feb. 15)
Wednesday, January 21 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Downtown Napa
2026 Napa Lighted Art Festival w/ Special Projection Artwork (Jan. 17 - Feb. 15)

The Napa Lighted Art Festival is a celebration of creative arts, technology and lights, and supports innovative techniques using light and light technologies as a growing art medium. This walkable outdoor experience is free in Downtown Napa, featuring 15 lighted art installations for 5 weeks ...

Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)
Wednesday, January 21 – 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, January 22

Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling
Thursday, January 22 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| The Function
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

“SOMA Nights” Neighborhood Block Party + Night Market (SF)
Thursday, January 22 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Folsom St. (between 6th-12th)
"SOMA Nights" Neighborhood Block Party + Night Market (SF)

Join us for regular monthly art, food and cultural events on Folsom St (Between 6th-12th). Over 20 business participating, pop-up vendors, performances & street activations. SOMA Nights aims to foster a sense of community by connecting residents and local businesses during the Folsom Streetscape Project ...Monthly

SF’s Free 10,000 Sq ft Alternative Art Fair at Minnesota Street Project (Jan 22-26)
Thursday, January 22 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Minnesota Street Project
SF's Free 10,000 Sq ft Alternative Art Fair at Minnesota Street Project (Jan 22-26)

Minnesota Street Project presents ATRIUM, a new free alternative art fair bringing together 20+ established and emerging contemporary art galleries rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area. Timed for SF Art Week, ATRIUM transforms the 10,000-square-foot industrial warehouse at 1275 Minnesota Street in Dogpatch into ...

2026 Napa Lighted Art Festival w/ Special Projection Artwork (Jan. 17 – Feb. 15)
Thursday, January 22 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Downtown Napa
2026 Napa Lighted Art Festival w/ Special Projection Artwork (Jan. 17 - Feb. 15)

The Napa Lighted Art Festival is a celebration of creative arts, technology and lights, and supports innovative techniques using light and light technologies as a growing art medium. This walkable outdoor experience is free in Downtown Napa, featuring 15 lighted art installations for 5 weeks ...

“We’ve Got Sole” Hip Hop, Hoops + the Rise of Sneaker Culture (SF Main Library)
Thursday, January 22 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | San Francisco Main Library, African American Center, 3rd Floor
"We've Got Sole" Hip Hop, Hoops + the Rise of Sneaker Culture (SF Main Library)
“We’ve Got Sole” is a celebration of the Black community’s influence on Sneaker Culture. It pays homage to the legacy of the Black and Brown communities whose creativity, perseverance and style helped develop and shape what is now referred to as Sneaker Culture. The exhibit highlights ...
SF 2026: Let’s Talk About All These Elections
SF 2026: Let's Talk About All These Elections
SF 2026: Let’s Talk About All These Elections Presented by The Frisc and the San Francisco Public Press Seems like for every big SF issue, there will be a vote in 2026. The June ballot will have the fight for Nancy Pelosi’s seat and special supervisor elections that ...
16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)
Thursday, January 22 – 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

Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)
Thursday, January 22 – 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