Posted on January 20, 2026 by jeffgarcia
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.
For more information, please visit the following link
https://sf.funcheap.com/japanese-tea-gardens-free-admission-hour-golden-gate-park-351/
Posted on January 18, 2026 by jeffgarcia
San Francisco launched Yerba Buena Illuminated, a massive, year-round 95-foot-tall nightly light show on the Humboldt Bank Building at Market & Yerba Buena Lane starting January 12, 2026, featuring rotating digital art from emerging artists, transforming a blank wall into a public art canvas and aiming to revitalize downtown with culture and economic energy.
The illuminated facade faces both Market Street and Yerba Buena Lane, transforming a previously blank wall of the 1908 Beaux-Arts building into a permanent canvas for public art. The site sits within the Yerba Buena Entertainment Zone, surrounded by restaurants, bars, museums, hotels, and cultural venues.
Featured artists at launch include:
- Emmett Feldman, whose work has appeared on landmarks including the Empire State Building and the Vatican. His piece Blooming Oåasis draws inspiration from nearby Yerba Buena Gardens.
- Ben Stokes, a San Francisco artist known for large-scale projections around the world. His work Frozen in Motion highlights iconic San Francisco scenes.
- Henry Hu, whose projection Pulse of Nature explores the intersection of urban and natural environments.
For more information, please visit the following link
https://sf.funcheap.com/city-guide/sfs-massive-95foottall-light-show/
Posted on January 11, 2026 by jeffgarcia
The Napa Lighted Art Festival is a celebration of creative arts, technology and lights, and supports innovative techniques using light and light technologies as a growing art medium.
This walkable outdoor experience is free in Downtown Napa, featuring 15 lighted art installations for 5 weeks from January 17 – February 15, 2026. Projection artwork will be displayed on three iconic downtown buildings for the first 9 nights of the festival: January 17-25, 2026.
Napa Lighted Art Festival 2026
January 17 – February 15, 2026
Friday-Saturday: 6-10pm | Sunday-Thursday: 6-9pm
Downtown Napa
FREE
Projection artwork will be displayed on three iconic downtown buildings for the first 9 nights of the festival: January 17-25, 2026.
Additional 2026 Lighted Art Festival Events
Artist Meet and Greet
Saturday, January 17th, 4:30-6pm
Meet the minds behind the magic! Join us on Saturday, January 17th for an exclusive Artist Meet and Greet at the Aerena Gallery (600 Main Street) in downtown Napa. From 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM, meet the Napa Lighted Art Festival artists and learn about the inspiration behind the work.
Bookmine Story Hour
Saturday, February 7, 5-6pm
If you are looking for a gnome hunt kick-off activity, BookMine will be hosting a story hour for ages 8 and under located by Bop, the gnome in the gardens at CIA at Copia (500 First Street) from 5-6pm.
Oxbow Gnome Hunt
Saturday, February 7, 6-8pm
Find all 12 of the giant Roaming Gnomes at the Oxbow District gnome hunt from 6-8pm! Families can pick up a passport at the Napa Yard (585 First Street) to set out on a fun adventure to collect stamps from each gnome. During the hunt, you can learn about where these gnomes have traveled and where they are heading next. This walkable exploration around the Oxbow District will have music, drinks, and giveaways and will be fun night for the whole family.
For more information, please visit the following link
https://www.visitnapavalley.com/events/annual-events/napa-lighted-art-festival/
https://sf.funcheap.com/2026-napa-lighted-art-festival-opening-day-jan-17-feb-15/
