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SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals

Every 1st Thursday
Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us

SFMOMA | 151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA

Free / RSVP

SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals

All residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us! From noon–8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, Bay Area residents can enjoy SFMOMA’s galleries filled with lively and inspiring art and related events — for free.

Tickets and event details become available about two weeks in advance, and reserving online is highly encouraged. Limit two adult tickets per reservation. Qualifying counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

SFMOMA’s Free First Thursdays
Every First Thursday, Noon-8 pm
SFMOMA, 151 Third St., SF
FREE for Bay Area Locals – Tickets Required (limited supply)

Admission to special exhibitions that require a surcharge is not included (but may be purchased for additional fee)

Enjoy a COMPLIMENTARY coffee when you attend First Thursdays! Buy one illy coffee drink; get one free (of equal or lesser value, while supplies last) at Steps Coffee on Floor 2. To redeem your offer, use the voucher that you will receive along with your pre-visit email from SFMOMA or at the visitor desk when you get your tickets on-site at the museum.

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*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Free Museum Day, In Person, San FranFREEsco
Venue: SFMOMA
Address: 151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA

Thursday, January 1, 2026

7:30 am   Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Day)  $22
All Day   SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
10:00 am   Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design  FREE*
*Free Admission every First Thursday
10:00 am   13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)  $15*
*$15 plus $10 per vehicle park entry fee
11:00 am   Cancelled: Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum  FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
11:00 am   San Jose’s New Year’s Day “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
12:00 pm   New Year’s (& Final) Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
1:00 pm   Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)  FREE*
*Open to all
3:00 pm   Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)  FREE*
*Tickets/RSVPs NOT required but it helps us to know you're planning to come. Supporting Members may enter up to an hour before downbeat for first choice seating. General Admission begins at 2:45pm.
4:30 pm   New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival  $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
5:00 pm   New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)  FREE
6:00 pm   Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin  FREE
6:00 pm   SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)  FREE
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:30 pm   Sadderday: An Emo/Pop-Punk/Screamo Dance Party | SF  FREE
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