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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, December 2

SF State’s Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Final Week of 2026)
Wednesday, December 2 – 6:30 pm - Ends at 8:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Events are weather-dependent. Check the observatory's stories or follow its updates for confirmation each night.
| San Francisco State University Observatory
SF State's Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Final Week of 2026)

San Francisco State University Observatory hosts a free public open night with family-friendly astronomy talks, updates on astronomy research, and rooftop telescope observing. Programming is offered in English and Spanish, weather permitting. Located at SFSU Thornton Hall top floor Upcoming Weekly Schedule Through Dec. 4, ...

Drink & Draw Art Event & Raffle | The Knockout
Wednesday, December 2 – 6:30 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | The Knockout
Drink & Draw Art Event & Raffle | The Knockout

At Drink and Draw, artsy bar patrons draw to a theme and submit their artwork into a raffle for cocktails and other prizes at The Knockout in the Mission District. The artwork gets scanned online for all to admire. Drink and Draw happens every first Wednesday of the ...Monthly

Black Hammer’s Free “Hopped Up” Trivia Night (Every Wednesday)
Wednesday, December 2 – 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, December 3

Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design
Thursday, December 3 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free Admission every First Thursday
| Museum of Craft and Design
Free First Thursdays at SF's Museum of Craft and Design

There’s no better time to visit the Museum of Craft and Design than on their Free First Thursdays. Committed to making art, craft, and design accessible to everyone, the Museum of Craft and Design is free on the first Thursday of every month. Museum of ...Monthly

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. ...

Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum
Thursday, December 3 – 11:00 am - Ends at 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
| Berkeley Art Museum / Pacific Film Archive
Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum

The UC Berkeley Art Museum is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. Through art and film programs, collections, and research resources, the University aspires to be locally connected and globally relevant, engaging audiences from the campus, community, and beyond. Normally $18, the ...Monthly

SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)
Thursday, December 3 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
| 2nd Street between Market and Howard Streets
SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)

Downtown First Thursdays is back in 2026 for a full year of street parties in 2026, starting Jan 1, 2026, with a New Year’s Day Edition and returning every first Thursday with a new downtown block party. DJs – Live Performances – Dancing – Drag ...Monthly

SF State’s Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Final Week of 2026)
Thursday, December 3 – 6:30 pm - Ends at 8:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Events are weather-dependent. Check the observatory's stories or follow its updates for confirmation each night.
| San Francisco State University Observatory
SF State's Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Final Week of 2026)

San Francisco State University Observatory hosts a free public open night with family-friendly astronomy talks, updates on astronomy research, and rooftop telescope observing. Programming is offered in English and Spanish, weather permitting. Located at SFSU Thornton Hall top floor Upcoming Weekly Schedule Through Dec. 4, ...

16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)
Thursday, December 3 – 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, December 3 – 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

Friday, December 4

“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, December 4 – 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

History Museum: Free First Fridays (Redwood City)
Friday, December 4 – All Day | Cost: FREE | San Mateo County History Museum
History Museum: Free First Fridays (Redwood City)

Enjoy free admission from 10 am to 4 pm, every first Friday of the month, at the San Mateo History Museum. Explore the museum housed in the 1910 County Courthouse; listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it features a stained glass dome and mosaic tile floor. The History Museum is ...Monthly

North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl (SF)
Friday, December 4 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | North Beach
North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl (SF)

On the first Friday of every month, over a dozen North Beach galleries, museums, bars, and restaurants stay open late for a self-guided First Fridays Art Crawl with special events to showcase the ever-growing collections of art and entertainment that diversify North Beach. First Fridays Art Crawl ...Monthly

South First Fridays Art Walk (San Jose)
Friday, December 4 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | SoFA District (San Jose)
South First Fridays Art Walk (San Jose)

Join an eclectic evening of arts and culture in downtown San Jose’s SoFA district (and beyond) every first Friday of the month. Please note that South First Fridays is typically canceled in July and January due to the holidays. South First Fridays hours depend on ...Monthly

Baukunst First Fridays: Art, Music + Food (Bernal Heights)
Friday, December 4 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Baukunst
Baukunst First Fridays: Art, Music + Food (Bernal Heights)

Join us for Baukunst First Fridays, our brand-new monthly celebration blending art, music, and food! Every month, experience a vibrant evening of creativity, delicious bites, and fantastic tunes. Mark your calendars and bring your friends — let’s make every first Friday unforgettable! Baukunst First Fridays ...Monthly

“Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival
Friday, December 4 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Telegraph & 27th
"Oakland First Fridays" Street Festival

Oakland First Fridays is an immersive art and community experience on the first Friday of each month from 5-9:30pm for five huge blocks on Telegraph Avenue between 27th Street & 22nd Street. Photography from @skyhighoakland via Oakland First Fridays Oakland’s KONO district (Koreatown/Northgate) springs to life ...Monthly

Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk)
Friday, December 4 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Broadway/Telegraph
Oakland Art Murmur (First Fridays Art Walk)

Over 30 Oakland Art Murmur affiliate venues have coordinated openings on the first Friday of every month. Oakland Art Murmur presents a free monthly evening art walk, known as the ‘Art Murmur.” Every first Friday of the month, affiliate venues are open to the public from 6-9 ...Monthly

SF State’s Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Final Night of 2026)
Friday, December 4 – 6:30 pm - Ends at 8:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Events are weather-dependent. Check the observatory's stories or follow its updates for confirmation each night.
| San Francisco State University Observatory
SF State's Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Final Night of 2026)

San Francisco State University Observatory hosts a free public open night with family-friendly astronomy talks, updates on astronomy research, and rooftop telescope observing. Programming is offered in English and Spanish, weather permitting. Located at SFSU Thornton Hall top floor Upcoming Weekly Schedule Through Dec. 4, ...

2026 Twisted Holiday Festival: 24 New Theater Performances in SF (Dec 4-20)
2026 Twisted Holiday Festival: 24 New Theater Performances in SF (Dec 4-20)
PlayGround closes out the summer season with the inaugural Twisted Holiday Festival, December 4th – December 20th, 2026, at Potrero Stage and simulcast. This three-week “fringe style” new works festival features 8 productions and 24 performances of new holiday-themed works (with a twist!) by talented ...