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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, June 30

Golden Gate Park Band’s Free Symphony in the Park (2024)
Sunday, June 30 – 1:00 pm - Ends at 2:45 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are welcome.
| Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Golden Gate Park Band's Free Symphony in the Park (2024)

The Golden Gate Park Band presents its 142nd season in Golden Gate Park’s music concourse. That’s right, this 30-piece symphony has been playing free concerts in Golden Gate Park since 1882. For 2024, 25 free weekly concerts take place most Sundays at 1 pm. Concerts are approximately ...Every Sunday

Tuesday, July 2

“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 each month admission ...Monthly

de Young Museum Free Day (First Tuesdays)
Tuesday, July 2 – 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

SF’s “Conservatory of Flowers” Free First Tuesdays (Golden Gate Park)
Tuesday, July 2 – 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, July 2 – 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

Wednesday, July 3

Bay Area Discovery Museum: Free Admission Day (Sausalito)
Wednesday, July 3 – 10:00 am - Ends at 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Admission is free to Bay Area residents. Must show proof of residency (photo ID or piece of mail) in one of the nine Bay Area counties.
| Bay Area Discovery Museum (Fort Baker)
Bay Area Discovery Museum: Free Admission Day (Sausalito)

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor children’s museum at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Museum is the only children’s museum in the U.S. to be located in a national park and is known for its emphasis on creativity through ...

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

Thursday, July 4

Golden Gate Park Band’s 4th of July Symphony in the Park
Thursday, July 4 – 1:00 pm - Ends at 2:45 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are welcome.
| Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Golden Gate Park Band's 4th of July Symphony in the Park

The Golden Gate Park Band presents its 142nd season in Golden Gate Park’s music concourse. That’s right, this 30-piece symphony has been playing free concerts in Golden Gate Park since 1882. For 2024, 25 free weekly concerts take place most Sundays at 1 pm. Concerts are approximately ...Every Sunday

SF’s New Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays”
Thursday, July 4 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Second Street (South of Market)
SF's New Monthly Block Party: "Downtown First Thursdays"

Get ready, San Francisco, for a brand new free monthly party coming to Downtown SF starting May 2, 2024 – Downtown is getting a whole new makeover. Downtown First Thursdays is put together by Into the Streets, the group that organizes Bhangra & Beats, and the ...Monthly

Friday, July 5

Contemporary Jewish Museum Free Admission Day (First Fridays)
Friday, July 5 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Contemporary Jewish Museum
Contemporary Jewish Museum Free Admission Day (First Fridays)

The Contemporary Jewish Museum engages audiences of all  backgrounds through dynamic exhibitions and programs that explore contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. And the architecture of the Museum itself is a work of art. Embracing a range of artistic disciplines and media, ...Monthly

SF’s Castro Art Walk 2024 (Every First Friday)
Friday, July 5 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free self-guided tour
| Castro Merchants
SF's Castro Art Walk 2024 (Every First Friday)

The Castro Art Walk is back for 2024 as a regular monthly event, every first Friday of the month! Please come and (re)discover the coolest arts district in San Francisco – The Castro Arts District. Participating small businesses extend their business hours to host special ...Monthly

South First Fridays Art Walk (San Jose)
Friday, July 5 – 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

“Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland)
"Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid" Block Party + DJs (Oakland)

Reconnect with family, friends, and community during Friday Nights at OMCA. These free events provide a gathering place each week, including live music, hands-on activities, Off the Grid (OTG) food trucks, and late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions with a Museum ticket. Limited ...Every Friday

“Oakland Art Murmur” 2024 (First Fridays Art Walk)
Friday, July 5 – 6:00 pm - Ends at 9:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Broadway/Telegraph
"Oakland Art Murmur" 2024 (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.” 2024 Update: Art Murmur is still on! Despite Oakland First Fridays being on ...Monthly

San Francisco Bike Party (First Fridays)
Friday, July 5 – 8:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Secret Location (SF)
San Francisco Bike Party (First Fridays)

San Francisco Bike Party  (not to be confused with Critical Mass) is a monthly celebration of biking for riders of different ages, types, and skill levels to enjoy. Every month is a different theme and you’re encouraged to dress up. San Francisco Bike Party is held on ...Monthly

Saturday, July 6

2024 Fillmore Jazz Festival (July 6-7)
Saturday, July 6 – 10:00 am - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Fillmore Street btwn Geary and Washington
2024 Fillmore Jazz Festival (July 6-7)

Blending art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend on Fillmore Street in San Francisco between Jackson and Eddy ...

Sunday, July 7

Asian Art Museum: Free Admission Day (Every First Sunday)
Sunday, July 7 – 10:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Special exhibitions may require separate admission surcharge
| Asian Art Museum
Asian Art Museum: Free Admission Day (Every First Sunday)

Through the power of art, the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco brings the diverse cultures of Asia to life. Located in the heart of San Francisco, the museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art, boasting more than 18,000 ...Monthly

2024 Fillmore Jazz Festival (July 6-7)
Sunday, July 7 – 10:00 am - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Fillmore Street btwn Geary and Washington
2024 Fillmore Jazz Festival (July 6-7)

Blending art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend on Fillmore Street in San Francisco between Jackson and Eddy ...

Oakland Museum of California’s Free First Sundays (OMCA)
Sunday, July 7 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Additional $6 fee for access to special exhibitions
| OMCA (Oakland Museum of California)
Oakland Museum of California's Free First Sundays (OMCA)

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) brings together collections of art, history, and natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California and its people. Sunday Hours – 11am to 5pm – Please check website as hours may change seasonally Free – ...Monthly

“Castro Art Mart” Mini Block Party on Noe St. (Every First Sunday)
Sunday, July 7 – 11:00 am - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Market & Noe
"Castro Art Mart" Mini Block Party on Noe St. (Every First Sunday)

The Castro Art Mart Features LGBTQ Artists, Live Music, and Drag Performances every 1st Sunday of the month on Noe St and Market St (Next to the Lookout Bar), 11-5pm. Come enjoy this Free, Family & Friendly event hosted by Castro Merchants, while supporting local artists, ...Monthly