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Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)

Every Friday

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 Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April.

Admission to the Japanese Tea Garden is free for San Francisco residents with valid ID. Free hours for everyone (even non-residents) are 9-10 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Please note that hours and costs change frequently. 

Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, SF
FREE for San Francisco Residents w/ ID
FREE for Everyone from 9-10 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Non Resident Fees
Adults: $12-16 (depends on season)

(February – November) $14
(December – January) $12
(Weekends year-round) $16

Seniors (ages 65+ w/ID) $7
Youth (ages 12-17) $7
Children (ages 5-11) $3
Children (under 5) FREE

Hours Of Operation
Last entry 30 minutes before closing

Spring – Summer Hours
March – October
9am – 5:45pm

Fall – Winter Hours
November – February
9am – 4:45pm

Free Hour
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9-10am

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Free from 9-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; otherwise non-resident admission is $12 - $16 depending on the season. San Francisco residents are always free with valid ID
Categories: *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Free Museum Day, In Person, Outdoors

Friday, May 15, 2026

9:00 am   Exhibit on Mental Health Human Rights Abuses  FREE*
*Free Exhibit * Limited Engagement
3:00 pm   Sacramento’s 2026 FoodieLand Night Market (May 15-17)  $12*
*$12; Kids 5 & under are free
4:00 pm   “The Promenade of Mermaids”: Flash Mob, Parade & Dance Party (Sac)  
4:00 pm   “Galactic” Star Wars-Themed Family Event at Burger King (Union Square)  FREE
4:30 pm   GG Park’s Free Happy Hour Concert in the Park  FREE
4:30 pm   Free Concert: Wreckless Strangers Live at Golden Gate Park (SF)  FREE
5:00 pm   Castro Night Market 2026 (March – Sept)  FREE
5:00 pm   Recology Artist in Residence Exhibitions  FREE
5:00 pm   CCA’s All-Campus Graduation Exhibition  FREE*
*Free all day
5:00 pm   I Wonder…What’s Changing Ocean Beach? Coastal Science and Art Exhibit Opening Party  FREE*
*Donations appreciated!
5:00 pm   Pleasant Hill Night Market: Food, Music & Performances  FREE
5:00 pm   $1 Drink Fridays: “Battle of the Decades” DJ Party (North Beach)  FREE*
*Free admission with RSVP on Eventbrite
5:00 pm   “Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid” Block Party + DJs (Oakland)  FREE*
*Most outdoor activities and entertainment is free and open to the public from 5-9pm. Regular Museum applies to enter the galleries
6:00 pm   Mirus Gallery San Francisco: “Cyclical Snakes and Infinite Inward”  FREE
6:00 pm   Dirtybird Social Club: Open Decks & Art Gallery at The Faight  $23.18*
*21+
6:30 pm   Improv(e) Your Dating Life  $30*
*$30, 18+
7:00 pm   The Dirty Talk Game Show  $20*
*Suggested 2 drink minimum, scholarships available
7:00 pm   FREE: AAPI Comedy Month “Crazy Funny Asians” Fridays (May 2026)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP 21+
7:00 pm   Salsa and Sangria: 3rd Friday Edition  $15*
*Event is club style and seating is for purchase which is seperate than entry fee. Must purchase table for guaranteed seating.
7:00 pm   Grandma Comedy  FREE*
*$10 suggested donation to help out the comics
7:00 pm   Festival of New Works Kick-Off & Playwrights Panel  FREE*
*Free with suggested donation
7:00 pm   Free Classical Guitar Night: Yuri Liberzon (Palo Alto)  FREE
7:00 pm   Ferry Flicks at Fort Point Beer Garden “Moonrise Kingdom”  $9*
*seating reserved for ticket holders, walk-ups welcome
7:00 pm   “Rush Hour Comedy Night” w/ SFs Best Black & Asian Comedians (The Function)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:00 pm   “HellaSecret” Speakeasy Comedy Show & Cocktail Night (Oakland)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
7:30 pm   Stand-Up Comedy Showcase: “Acidic Laughs” at Alpha Acid Brewing Co  FREE*
*Free Show!
8:00 pm   Catholic Guilt  $20*
*$20 - $40 Sliding scale
8:00 pm   “The Stoner Comedy Jam” Friday Nights (SF)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP (21+ with Valid ID) - One item minimum purchase per person required
8:00 pm   Coral 9 Anniversary Indie Rock Fest (Neck of The Woods)  $15
8:00 pm   San Jose Bike Party  FREE*
*Meet at 7:30 pm, roll at 8 pm.
8:00 pm   Greg Boy & The Boys, Send For Help, Remedy Feelin’, and Janky Band Live at Hotel Utah  $10*
*$10 in advance or at the door
8:00 pm   Yachtley Crew Benefit Concert  $40*
*All proceeds with benefit Communities in Schools of Western Nevada.
8:00 pm   $5 Off Tix: Darkly Comic “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” Live (May 15-June 27)  $47*
*Normally $52; $5 off with code FUNCHEAP
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*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $17.12) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
8:00 pm   “Bad Art” Comedy Show: Hilarious Art Fails (Oakland)  $1*
*Buy online and pay what feels good to you! Or it's $20 at the door.
9:00 pm   $5 Off: “Your Fucked Up Relationship” Live in SF (Every Friday & Saturday)  $16.37*
*$5 off with secret code FUNCHEAP (normally $21.49) No added ticketing fees. No Drink Minimum
9:00 pm   SF Neo-Futurists “The Infinite Wrench” (30 Plays in 60 Minutes, every Fri & Sat)  $18.60*
*$13 + roll of a die at the door, OR $16 online. Group discounts—bring friends!
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*Early Bird $10, GA Advance $15
9:00 pm   SF’s HellaSecret “Crazy Funny Asians” Friday Night Comedy Showcase (7p + 9p)  FREE*
*Free tickets, but RSVP Required. Donations ($5-$10) greatly appreciated. Otherwise, $15 adv / $20 door tickets also available
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*Free with RSVP. 21+
10:00 pm   Secret Guest List: Cobb’s Free Comedy Nights (Roast Battle Bay Area)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Must arrive 30 minutes early for guaranteed entry. All shows are 18 & over with valid photo ID. Like most comedy clubs, there is a two drink minimum.
10:15 pm   $5 Off: “The Ritual” Comedy Show in The Mission (SF)  $12.16*
*FUNCHEAP discount code for $5 off
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