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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!

Saturday, May 9

The Box SF Artistica Creators Fest (May 9-10)
Saturday, May 9 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*TICKETS NOT REQUIRED
| The Box SF
The Box SF Artistica Creators Fest (May 9-10)

The Box SF’s Artistica Creators Fest (formerly known as Artists and Makers Fair) is a multi-day weekend event held monthly at the historic building located in the heart of San Francisco! Originally the William Randolph Hearst printing plant built in the 1920’s, The Box SF is now ...

“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 ...

MoAD: Museum of the African Diaspora Free Museum Day (SF)
Saturday, May 9 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Museum of the African Diaspora
MoAD: Museum of the African Diaspora Free Museum Day (SF)

MoAD, a contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora. Free Day MoAD hosts a ‘‍THRIVE @ MoAD Community Day’ every second Saturday with free admission to all of its exhibitions. Check ...Monthly

Sunday, May 10

The Box SF Artistica Creators Fest (May 9-10)
Sunday, May 10 – 11:00 am - Ends at 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*TICKETS NOT REQUIRED
| The Box SF
The Box SF Artistica Creators Fest (May 9-10)

The Box SF’s Artistica Creators Fest (formerly known as Artists and Makers Fair) is a multi-day weekend event held monthly at the historic building located in the heart of San Francisco! Originally the William Randolph Hearst printing plant built in the 1920’s, The Box SF is now ...

The Exploratorium’s Free Admission Day for Mother’s Day (2026)
Sunday, May 10 – 10:00 am - Ends at 3:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Typically pay what you can.
| Pier 15
The Exploratorium's Free Admission Day for Mother's Day (2026)
Every year, the Exploratorium typically celebrates Mother’s Day with one of its most beloved traditions: a Pay What You Wish Community Day. > Not yet confirmed for 2026 The museum has a long-standing tradition of opening its doors to the public on Mother’s Day for a day ...
Free Reggae in the Park 2026 “Crucial Sundays” (Golden Gate Park)
Sunday, May 10 – 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 ...

Mother’s Day Bonfire at Ocean Beach (2026)
Sunday, May 10 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Fire rings are first come, first serve
| Ocean Beach Fire Pits
Mother's Day Bonfire at 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 ...

Tuesday, May 12

San Francisco Botanical Garden’s Free Day (2nd Tuesdays)
San Francisco Botanical Garden's Free Day (2nd Tuesdays)

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse gardens in the world. A unique urban oasis, the garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, and showcasing over 9,000 different kinds ...Monthly

“Cartoonist Conspiracy of San Francisco” Collaborative Drawing Jam
Tuesday, May 12 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*buy coffee or food from the shop
| Finjan Qahwa
"Cartoonist Conspiracy of San Francisco" Collaborative Drawing Jam

The San Francisco Cartoonist Conspiracy meets from 7-9pm on the second Tuesday of every month at Finjan Qahwa. Generally, we draw collaborative jam comics, socialize and drink beverages.Monthly

Wednesday, May 13

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 13 – 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 ...

Friday, May 15

“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 15 – 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 ...

Castro Night Market 2026 (March – Sept)
Friday, May 15 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | 18th St & Castro St
Castro Night Market 2026 (March - Sept)

One of the Castro’s biggest street events is coming back for another season. The Castro Night Market returns for season two on Friday, March 20, 2026, taking over two blocks of 18th Street and turning them into a pedestrian-friendly night market filled with food, music, ...Monthly

Saturday, May 16

“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 ...

Retro Future Review: Free Indie & Synth Pop Mini Festival in GG Park
Saturday, May 16 – 2:00 pm - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Retro Future Review: Free Indie & Synth Pop Mini Festival in GG 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 17

SF’s “Civic Strings” Free Concerts (2025/26)
Sunday, May 17 – 3:00 pm - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*RSVP - donations are accepted
| First Baptist Church
SF’s “Civic Strings” Free Concerts (2025/26)

The San Francisco Civic Music Association presents “Civic Strings” free concerts from Dec. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026 at First Baptist Church! “Civic Strings” concerts – a smaller, string-focused ensemble, especially tailored for players getting reintroduced into classical music. This group is a string ...

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 ...