Here in the City by the Bay, there’s always something cooking, whether it’s a jaunt across the elevated playspace of the 14-acre Presidio Tunnel Tops, taking an urban hike across the Golden Gate Bridge, celebrating gay culture in the Castro neighborhood, dancing yourself into a frenzy or chilling to incredible music. There’s always a festival of some sort unfolding, and one of the best things is that many of these events are free. We’ve put together our picks for the best things to do in San Francisco this weekend (you can check the website for each event for further details). Now: Grab that weekend by the horns!
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in San Francisco
Thrive City
Dec 29
From 2 to 5pm this Sunday, watch the menorah lighting and then enjoy live entertainment, including performances by Jerry’s Kosher Deli All Star Band, ice skating, arts activities and eating and drinking. Free, but advance registration is encouraged to ensure entry since the event may be overfull.
Union Square
Dec 25-Jan 2
Gather for the third lighting of the first giant public menorah in the U.S. outside of Israel happening Dec 27 at 2:30pm (the first is on the 25th). This menorah lighting ceremony has been held in San Francisco since 1975 (next year will mark a half century!). The fourth lighting is on Saturday, and Sunday is Bill Graham Menorah Day with a full schedule from 2 to 6pm: 2 to 4:45pm is the Dreidel House kids crafts, at 3pm Shamati performs live, at 4:45pm is the menorah lighting ceremony and at 5pm is the fifth lighting ceremony. The huge menorah sits in front of Macy’s. Free.
Golden Gate Park
Sunny Sundays
What good is a bright day if you can’t kick up your heels and dance? Every Sunday that’s sunny, head to where JFK Drive meets Music Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park anytime from 11am to 2pm to join other Lindy hop enthusiasts dancing to DJ-spun tunes. The streets are closed to traffic and open to dancers! If you’re not quite sure what Lindy hopping is, drop by from noon to 12:30 for a free lesson. No need to bring a partner. You’ll be dancing on asphalt so sneakers are encouraged. Free.
Chabot Space & Science Center
Nov 29-Jan 5
Scared to balance on those two thin ice skate blades? You’ll be so much more comfortable swanning gracefully along in your socks. Finally, a chance to try that triple Salchow without eating ice! At Chabot Space & Science Center in the Oakland hills, you can skate in your socks on a special planet-themed artificial ice tile floor that should give you all the slidiness of an ice rink. Wear your own socks or purchase on site (cotton or natural fiber is best for the simulated skate experience). A 30-minute session is free with your ticket to the science center (which is cool as hell anyway); make sure to book your session at the same time you buy your admission, 10am-5pm Friday through Sundays now through January 5. Tickets for the center are $25 adults, $19 youth and seniors, free for under 2.
145 Jefferson St. at Fisherman's Wharf
Through Jan 12
Marvel at a 500-square foot gingerbread village at Fisherman's Wharf with many San Francisco elements, created by Jon Lovitch, a previous Guinness World Book Record holder for the "largest entirely edible gingerbread village" (no fake snow, no cardboard: everything has to be edible). Open daily 11a-9p until January 12. Free admission. You can also make your own house with a class on December 8 for $29.
Visit the redwood park tucked in beside the Transamerica Pyramid daily from sunrise to sunset to view 20 major sculptures of Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, inspired by flora and fauna. Les Lalanne is the collective name used by these artists. These sculptures constitute the first public installation of Pyramid Arts, which will rotate twice a year. Free.
Attend the CinemaLit film series for a 6pm showing of a different vintage film each Friday. The café opens at 5:30pm with wine, beer, sparkling water, juice and fresh-popped popcorn for sale, and the movie begins at 6. The Mechanics’ Institute was built in 1906 to house the 1854 organization providing classes, a library and a chess room for residents (some say, “out of work gold miners”). Today it’s a cultural center as well as a library. The film series is curated by author Matthew Kennedy who has written several books on film.
We realize an hour isn’t very long, but if you embrace the calm and tranquility, an hour at the Japanese Tea Garden can reward you for the rest of the day. Each Friday from 9 to 10am, you can enter the garden with its arched bridge, pagodas, stone ornaments, koi ponds and, of course, gardens. San Franciscans can enter for free anytime (with ID), but visitors can have a free hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 10am. The teahouse, with tea and light snacks, is open for purchases at that time as well. Admission outside the magic hour is currently $19 for adults.
History buffs, come out for a video installation, Fort Point: A Bastion of Memory, created by artist Ben Wood in collaboration with the Fort Point National Historic Site. The 45-minute work consisting of historical photographs will be projected onto the interior walls of San Francisco’s Civil War fort to interpret area history, such as the lighthouse that once operated here, the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and more. Free (as is admission to the fort).
San Francisco City Guides offers walking tours of the Ferry Building, once the second busiest transit hub in the world at its peak in the 1930s (construction of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge created a devastating blow to ferry service). Tours are on Tuesdays at noon and Saturdays at 10am. Free, but a $20 donation is encouraged; guides can’t accept tips.
