Home » Free Events

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!

Monday, August 3

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 Monday

SF Arcade Bar “Emporium” 8 Free Game Tokens for “Industry Night” (Every Monday)
Monday, August 3 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 2:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*8 free game tokens if you are part of the "industry"
| Emporium SF
SF Arcade Bar "Emporium" 8 Free Game Tokens for "Industry Night" (Every Monday)

Emporium Arcade Bar San Francisco, the dynamic venue known for its classic arcade games, colorful, fun-loving atmosphere, and renowned drink menu, now offers 8 free game tokens for anyone in “the industry” – so we’re assuming barstaff, restaurant staff, nightlife staff. Monday Nights are for ...Every Monday

“Motown On Mondays” DJ Night (Madrone Art Bar)
Monday, August 3 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 2:00 am | Cost: FREE*
*Free before 8pm; $5 after
| Madrone Art Bar
"Motown On Mondays" DJ Night (Madrone Art Bar)

at Madrone, dance the night away with hosts DJ Gordo Cabeza and guest DJS spinning originals, exclusive remixes, and close relatives of your favorite Motown songs during M.O.M. Motown on Mondays. Motown on Mondays Every Monday | 7 pm to 2 am Madrone ...Every Monday

Tuesday, August 4

Oakland’s “Mezcal & Mole” Comedy Night (Mondays & Tuesdays)
Tuesday, August 4 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Food/drink for purchase
| Mesa Maguey
Oakland's "Mezcal & Mole" Comedy Night (Mondays & Tuesdays)

Get ready for the return of HellaFunny comedy night to Temescal with a series of pop-up live comedy shows at unique spots all across the bay. This HellaFunny comedy show takes place at the just-opened Mesa Maguey, an upscale agave bar and Oaxcacan restaurant that’s a perfect date-night spot with lots ...Every Tuesday

de Young Museum Free Day (First Tuesdays)
Tuesday, August 4 – 9:30 am - Ends at 5:15 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free admission to general galleries; special exhibition fees still apply. Timed tickets required
| de Young Museum
de Young Museum Free Day (First Tuesdays)

Located in beautiful Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum is a landmark art museum founded in 1895. Your visit includes a whirlwind trip around the world as the museum’s collections feature priceless treasures and works of arts from the 17th through the 20th centuries ...Monthly

“Legion of Honor” Museum Free Day (First Tuesdays)
"Legion of Honor" Museum Free Day (First Tuesdays)

The Legion of Honor displays a collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an exquisite Beaux-Arts building in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Normally, general admission is $20 for adults, but on the first Tuesday of the month, admission ...Monthly

SF’s Conservatory of Flowers Free First Tuesdays (Golden Gate Park)
Tuesday, August 4 – 10:00 am - Ends at 4:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Conservatory of Flowers
SF's Conservatory of Flowers Free First Tuesdays (Golden Gate Park)

Whether you’re a native San Franciscan, a visitor from the other side of the world, or a budding botanist, the Conservatory of Flowers, located in Golden Gate Park, offers an intimate, up-close experience with nearly 2,000 species of rare, exotic, and endangered plants from more ...Monthly

SF’s Cartoon Art Museum’s “Pay What You Wish” Day (First Tuesdays)
Tuesday, August 4 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Pay What You Wish Day
| Cartoon Art Museum
SF's Cartoon Art Museum's "Pay What You Wish" Day (First Tuesdays)

Founded in 1984, the Cartoon Art Museum has something for everyone—from comic strips, comic books and anime to political cartoons, graphic novels and underground comix. People of all ages can view original cartoon art at exhibitions and screenings, produce their own comics and animation at ...Monthly

SF’s Free Concerts & Food Trucks: “Civic Center Soundtrack” (Every Tue/Thu)
Tuesday, August 4 – 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 ...

SF’s Free Arcade Game Night at The Detour (First Tuesdays)
Tuesday, August 4 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free unlimited play wristband with any purchase from bar
| The Detour SF
SF's Free Arcade Game Night at The Detour (First Tuesdays)

Paid rent in SF? Hella Broke? Then first Tuesdays are the night for you.  The Detour hosts “Free Play Tuesday” with all arcade games on free play with purchase from the bar. Come enjoy all the video game glory from today and yesteryear while enjoying ...Monthly

Wednesday, August 5

SF’s GLBT History Museum: Free First Wednesday
SF's GLBT History Museum: Free First Wednesday

Located in SF’s Castro District, the GLBT Historical Society Museum is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of its kind in the United States. The museum celebrates 100 years of the city’s vast queer past through dynamic exhibitions and programming. Normally, admission is $10, but on ...Monthly

Walnut Creek’s Locust Street Festival 2026
Wednesday, August 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 8:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Walnut Creek Downtown
Walnut Creek's Locust Street Festival 2026

Mark your calendars for an epic street festival series, once a month on Wednesday evenings in July and August. Join us for these 2 vibrant street festivals in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek! Locust Street Festival is the ultimate celebration of community, creativity, and ...

Drink & Draw Art Event & Raffle | The Knockout
Wednesday, August 5 – 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

Thursday, August 6

Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design
Thursday, August 6 – 10:00 am - 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

Lunchtime Concert w/ Fely Tchaco (Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026)
Thursday, August 6 – 12:30 pm - Ends at 1:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens
Lunchtime Concert w/ Fely Tchaco (Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026)
Thu, Aug 6 | 12:30pm – 1:30pm Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts. San Francisco, CA Born in Côte d’Ivoire and long based in the Bay Area, Fely Tchaco seamlessly blends traditional Ivorian sounds with Afro-pop, jazz and world music, delivering mesmerizing performances ...
Edgardo Cambón’s 40th Anniversary at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026
Thursday, August 6 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 7:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens
Edgardo Cambón's 40th Anniversary at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026
Thu, Aug 6 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm Crepe Myrtle Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens 3rd St. between Mission and Howard Sts. San Francisco, CA This year’s Yerba Buena Salsa Nights series builds on the YBG Festival’s long and deep history presenting the finest Latin bands on the scene, artists like ...
“First Thursdays” Live Music at The Village at San Antonio Center (Mountain View)
Thursday, August 6 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Event registration encouraged.
| The Village at San Antonio Center
"First Thursdays" Live Music at The Village at San Antonio Center (Mountain View)
Enjoy the vibrant sounds of Americano Social Club, blending jazz, swing, and Latin influences. Join us from 6–8pm in the park at The Village at San Antonio Center. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Event is free to attend. Enjoy free all-day parking in the ...
Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum
Thursday, August 6 – 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

SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals
Thursday, August 6 – 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

SF’s Free Concerts & Food Trucks: “Civic Center Soundtrack” (Every Tue/Thu)
Thursday, August 6 – 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 ...