The holiday madness is over, but the fun in SF is just getting started! This weekend, Jan 3-4, skip the usual grind and check out Dog Man: The Musical over in Oakland if your kids are obsessed with graphic novels, or swing by the de Young for a totally free art fix on Saturday. We've rounded up the best of the weird, wonderful, and totally local before things get back to normal next week.
Quick Picks
Free de Young Museum Day for Bay Area Residents
de Young Museum
Museum general admission is free for Bay Area residents every Saturday—perfect for an indoor culture hit.
GLOW: Light Art Exhibition
Exploratorium
The Exploratorium's indoor light art show, GLOW, is back through Jan 25th, keeping everyone mesmerized when the fog rolls in.
Free “Legion of Honor” Museum Day for Bay Area Residents
Legion of Honor
Another free museum day for us locals on Saturday; the Legion of Honor gardens and views are great even if the weather is iffy.
Free de Young Museum Day for Bay Area Residents
This is our secret weapon for a free Saturday outing—general admission to the de Young is free for Bay Area residents every Saturday. You can wander through the collections or check out the latest exhibits like *Art of Manga* without breaking the bank.
Why we picked it: It’s a genuinely free cultural staple for locals that tourists often miss.
GLOW: Light Art Exhibition
The Exploratorium brings back its popular light art exhibition, GLOW, running through late January. It’s super cool for older kids and teens who love science meets art, especially if the weather is gross outside.
Why we picked it: A limited-run, highly visual indoor experience perfect for a chilly early January weekend.
Free “Legion of Honor” Museum Day for Bay Area Residents
Another great local perk: general admission is free for Bay Area residents at the Legion of Honor on Saturdays. The views from Lands End are incredible, even if you're only making a quick stop.
Why we picked it: It offers stunning views and world-class art for free to locals.
Dog Man: The Musical
If your kid is obsessed with Dav Pilkey's graphic novels, this is a must-do, even if it means a short trip across the bridge. It's described as hilarious and heartwarming—classic Dog Man energy.
Why we picked it: A stage adaptation of a wildly popular book series that's actually happening this weekend.
In-Person Free Coding Workshop For Kids
Moonpreneur is running a free, hands-on robotics and coding workshop this Saturday morning in South SF. It’s a fantastic way to dip your older kids into STEM without a huge commitment.
Why we picked it: It's a genuinely free, high-value STEM activity focused on robotics.
SF's $10 Chinatown Walking Tour w/ Free Egg Tart + Hong Kong Tea Tastings
For just over ten bucks, you get a walking tour of Chinatown that *includes* a free egg tart and tea tasting—that's a bargain for feeding the family while learning about the neighborhood. It's a great, low-key way to explore a classic SF spot.
Why we picked it: It's a super cheap, curated local experience with a tasty payoff.
Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz
Catch the Warriors taking on the Utah Jazz at the Chase Center for some live basketball action. If your older kid is into sports, this is the prime SF experience right now.
Why we picked it: A classic SF weekend activity that offers high energy for teens and tweens.
Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” Free Museum Weekend
If you or a friend have a Bank of America card, you might get free entry to select museums this weekend—check which SF spots are participating for 2026! This is a great way to check out a spot you normally skip.
Why we picked it: It's a potential free entry hack to a major SF museum that’s often pricey.
Master of Magic Xavier Mortimer
If you have a kid who loves illusion, Xavier Mortimer is doing his magic show this weekend at the stunning Palace of Fine Arts. It’s a great sophisticated evening out for tweens/teens who are tired of daytime activities.
Why we picked it: A high-caliber, slightly off-beat live performance happening Saturday night.
Cirque du Soleil ECHO
The massive Cirque du Soleil show, ECHO, is wrapping up its run mid-January, so this is a great weekend to catch it before it's gone. It's a visually stunning blend of acrobatics, technology, and storytelling that will blow everyone's minds.
Why we picked it: It's a limited-time, high-quality spectacle that truly wows all ages.
Free “Legion of Honor” Museum Day for Bay Area Residents
Sunday is your second chance to hit up the Legion of Honor for free if you live locally. The building itself is gorgeous, and the outdoor areas are perfect for a quick runaround if the kids get restless inside.
Why we picked it: It's a free weekend opportunity for locals to see a beautiful museum and coastal views.
Free de Young Museum Day for Bay Area Residents
Sunday is also a free day at the de Young for Bay Area residents, so you can pair it with a walk through the Botanical Garden nearby. It’s an easy, no-cost way to fill a morning or afternoon.
Why we picked it: The second chance for a free, family-friendly museum day this weekend.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
When the fog lifts, there’s nothing better than getting out on the water for views of the bridge and Alcatraz. It’s a classic SF activity that feels less touristy when you do it in the quiet of early January.
Why we picked it: Perfect for a crisp, clear January day when the bay views are at their best.
Magnificent Magnolias Viewing
Late January is when the magnolias start to explode with color here, so this weekend is the *very* beginning of peak bloom season. It’s a gorgeous, gentle walk perfect for toddlers and picture-taking.
Why we picked it: Early season blooms are happening, making it the perfect time to visit before the big crowds arrive.
Randall Museum (Free Drop-in)
This is our go-to local gem—it's a small, free science/nature museum with live animals and often has drop-in art activities. It's tucked away in Corona Heights, so tourists rarely find it.
Why we picked it: It's genuinely free, focused on nature/science, and a well-loved local spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in San Francisco this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04) the best genuinely free entry options are the Free de Young Museum Day and Free “Legion of Honor” Museum Day for Bay Area Residents on Saturday, and the same two museums repeat the free entry on Sunday. The In-Person Free Coding Workshop For Kids on Saturday morning is also completely free if your kid is 7-14!
Is there anything fun to do indoors if it rains Sunday?
Definitely! Check out the GLOW: Light Art Exhibition at the Exploratorium—it runs through Jan 25th and is a super cool indoor spectacle. You could also use your local resident pass for the Free “Legion of Honor” Museum Day on Sunday.
What's best for my 4-year-old this weekend?
For younger kids, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Randall Museum on Sunday (it's free and has live animals!), or you could check out the early stages of the Magnificent Magnolias Viewing at the Botanical Garden for some color before the mid-January rush.