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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!

Sunday, May 17

Free Reggae in the Park 2026 “Crucial Sundays” (Golden Gate Park)
Sunday, May 17 – 4:30 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Free Reggae in the Park 2026 "Crucial Sundays" (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 ...

Wednesday, May 20

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

‘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 ...

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

Friday, May 22

“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 ...

GG Park’s Free Happy Hour Concert in the Park
Friday, May 22 – 4:30 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
GG Park's Free Happy Hour Concert in the 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 ...

Saturday, May 23

“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 Free Bandshell Blues Fest in Golden Gate Park
Saturday, May 23 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
SF's Free Bandshell Blues Fest in 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 ...

Sunday, May 24

Free Reggae in the Park 2026 “Crucial Sundays” (Golden Gate Park)
Sunday, May 24 – 4:30 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Free Reggae in the Park 2026 "Crucial Sundays" (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 ...

Monday, May 25

Free National Parks Day: Muir Woods + Yosemite for Memorial Day 2026
Free National Parks Day: Muir Woods + Yosemite for Memorial Day 2026

Sometimes you’ve just got to get away from it all and clear your head with the peace and serenity of a national park. On certain “fee-free” days throughout the year, enjoy free entry to all national parks and monuments, including Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park, and ...

Memorial Day Bonfire Night at SF’s Ocean Beach (2026)
Monday, May 25 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Fire rings are first come, first serve
| Ocean Beach Fire Pits
Memorial Day Bonfire Night at SF's Ocean Beach (2026)

For the first time in four months, it’s finally legal again to have a bonfire at Ocean Beach. During the “No Burn” Season (which runs from November 1 to the end of February), bonfires are not allowed, but starting March 1, 2026, bonfires are back ...

Wednesday, May 27

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

‘Midweek Melodies’ Free Happy Hour Concert (Golden Gate Park)
Wednesday, May 27 – 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 ...

Thursday, May 28

“SOMA Nights” Neighborhood Block Party + Night Market (SF)
Thursday, May 28 – 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

Friday, May 29

“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 ...

GG Park’s Free Happy Hour Concert in the Park
Friday, May 29 – 4:30 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
GG Park's Free Happy Hour Concert in the 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 ...

Saturday, May 30

SF’s Free Kids Music Festival in Golden Gate Park
Saturday, May 30 – 10:30 am - Ends at 1:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
SF's Free Kids Music Festival in 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 ...

Sunday, May 31

Free Reggae in the Park: Dub Mission 30th Anniversary (Golden Gate Park)
Sunday, May 31 – 4:30 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Free Reggae in the Park: Dub Mission 30th Anniversary (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 ...

Thursday, June 4

SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals
Thursday, June 4 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
| SFMOMA
SFMOMA's "Free First Thursdays" Free Museum Day for Locals

2026 UPDATE: Sadly, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has confirmed that its Free First Thursday program is temporarily paused beginning February 2026. The museum says the program will be re-envisioned and relaunched at a future date, with updates to be shared once plans are finalized. As ...Monthly