Manager’s Messages

San Francisco Botanical Garden will transform into a glowing after-dark wonderland this winter with Lightscape, an immersive holiday light and music trail that has wowed crowds in London, Chicago, Melbourne, and New York.

From November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026, visitors can wander a one-mile path with more than one million twinkling lights, tunnels of color, lantern trees, glowing sculptures, and water features. The trail is custom-designed for San Francisco and will also feature festive food and drinks, including hot chocolate to enjoy along the walk.

This one-of-a-kind experience highlights the Botanical Garden’s 55-acre winter landscape through a kaleidoscope of color, light, and sound. Visitors can gather with family and friends and take in dazzling displays like the Cathedral of Light, the Singing Tree, and the Meadow of Light.

Lightscape
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park, 1199 9th Ave
November 21, 2025 to January 4, 2026, 5:00 to 8:15 pm (timed entry every 15 minutes; closed Nov 24, 25, 27; Dec 1-3, 8-10, 15, 16, 24)

Lightscape Tickets:

• Adults: $32-$42
• Kids (5–17): $20-$24
• Ages 4 & under: Free
• Members: 20% off
• $5 extra for same-day purchase
• Flex Tickets: $60 adults / $40 kids
• $10 “Museums for All” tickets on select dates: November 21, 23, December 4, 7, 11, 17, 18, and January 4. Admission for up to four people may be redeemed through Museums for All by presenting a valid photo ID and EBT card at entry.

Adult tickets are:

• $42 – Peak
• $38 – Standard
• $32 – Off-Peak

Youth (5-17) tickets are:

• $24 – Peak
• $22 – Standard
• $20 – Off-Peak

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/lightscape-immersive-holiday-light-trail-in-golden-gate-park/

The 2025 holiday photo season has officially arrived. Visit Ghirardelli Square on this festive Christmas night with your loved ones to capture cherished memories with Santa. From 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. sing along to the annual holiday performance by the SF Boys Chorus. Warm up with a cup of peppermint hot cocoa, from Ghirardelli Chocolate, as you experience the magical lighting of the Square and the iconic Ghirardelli sign.

 Stop by Barrio to get a free queso with purchase of entree. Santa’s elf will also be handing out gift cards to Ghirardelli Square restaurants at random – you might be one of the lucky recipients.

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/ghirardelli-squares-holiday-lighting-ceremony/

Kick off the holiday season at the 39th Annual Building Lighting Ceremony and watch as Embarcadero Center illuminates the San Francisco skyline with 17,000 holiday lights!

Get into the holiday spirit at Embarcadero Center’s annual lighting celebration. Shop a festive market filled with local makers, enjoy live music, sip seasonal drinks, play games, and snack on delicious bites.

As the evening wraps up, stick around for the grand finale when 17,000 lights illuminate the Embarcadero Center skyline.

Pro tip: Arrive early. The first 400 guests will receive a complimentary drink token or food voucher courtesy of Bar Car and Off the Grid.

39th Annual Building Lighting Ceremony
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 4-6pm
Urban Patio of Three Embarcadero Center (Street Level & Adjacent Retail Space)
FREE – RSVP

Admission is free on a first come, first served basis. Must be 21 years or older to drink. A valid ID or Driver’s License is required.

Participating Retailers

• Apparel and Accessories: Ambiance, Arden Cove, Asalai Fashion Boutique, Level, Mitchel Jovial, Renueva
• Beauty and Wellness: BAKANA, JumpstartMD, OASIIS, Sephora
• Home Goods: Demby, Mawamo Candle Co, Portal Artisanal, Secrets of Cint, Sonia Denise Roberts, Viva Frida
• Food and Beverage: A Girl Named Pinky, Boho Petite, Camuchas Kitchen, Cheeky Bits Sweets, Company Confections, Dip N Sip, Embarc Wines, Off the Grid, Rosalind Bakery, Jerry’s Roast Pork
• Cards and Stationery: Hairy Ear Prints, Hyegraph Invitations and Calligraphy
• Fitness and Services: Fitness SF, Four Dental, The Shoeshine Guild
• Other: Plant’d, Utku Kids

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/embarcadero-center-lighting-ceremony/

San Francisco’s downtown is about to get a festive new destination as the city’s beloved food truck collective Off the Grid moves into its first brick-and-mortar space. The 30,000-square-foot former Uniqlo at 111 Powell Street, between Ellis and O’Farrell, which has been vacant for nearly four and a half years, will host Off the Grid’s Holiday Food Market, bringing together food, art, music, and immersive experiences across two levels later this month.

Off the Grid has been organizing food truck meetups across the Bay Area for about 15 years, helping boost the popularity of street food and community gatherings. Founder Matt Cohen said this pop-up gives the team a chance to experiment with experiential art, music, design, and, of course, food in a downtown retail space.

The indoor holiday market is part of San Francisco’s Vacant to Vibrant program, a city initiative that fills long-empty storefronts with small businesses and creative projects. Mayor Daniel Lurie announced five new Vacant to Vibrant pop-ups this week. Other recent openings include Dandelion Chocolate, TIAT (The Intersection of Art and Technology), The Wild Fox café, and clothing retailer Fibers of Being.

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/city-guide/grid-takes-sfs-uniqlo-holidays/

Come celebrate Earth Day at the 2025 launch of Secondhand Saturday with a special DJ set by Tangerine Meadows and Trippy Chris from Here and There Records, food vendors, coffee and refreshments, a great live music line up and lots of activities.

Secondhand Saturday returns to 37th ave. & Ortega every third Saturday of the month from April to November, featuring special themes and celebrations such as Spring Fun, Surf Swap, Summer of Love fashion show, seasonal workshops and more. Enjoy browsing from 60 incredible vendors offering a variety of vintage fashion, handmade goods, accessories, stylish home decor, art and more! A perfect family & dog friendly weekend outing for all ages!

Second Hand Saturday: Vintage Market 2025
Every Third Saturday
April to November 2025 | 10a-4p
Outer Sunset – 37th Ave btwn Ortega and Pacheco, SF
Free – No parking lot, but street parking is fairly easy in this neighborhood, even on Saturdays

See the latest updates: @secondhandsats | sunsetmercantilesf.com

2025 Dates
More fun monthly events coming soon!

• April 19th – 2025 Season Launch
• May 17th
• June 21st
• July 19th – Summer of Love
• August 16th – Back to School
• September 20th – Annual Surf Swap
• October 18th – Costume competition, Halloween & Dia De Los Muertos, Diwali exhibition
• November 15th – Season Finale!

Check out the goods at Secondhand Saturdays on 3rd Saturdays at 10am–4pm. Shop local vintage clothes and goods, enjoy live music from Bay Area artists, and visit booths by 50+ vendors – a community garage sale zone, delicious foods, refreshing drinks and more.

November 15 – Secondhand Saturdays Season Finale

Secondhand Saturdays, one of San Francisco’s favorite vintage and makers market in the Outer Sunset, is wrapping up 2025 with a bang on Nov 15th!

Join us for a Record Swap where you can buy, sell or trade old vinyl records while

DJ Matt Haze returns to spin some tunes! Browse over 60 vintage and local vendors, enjoy seasonal crafts & workshops for all ages, and find fun zones and free games such as mini putt and cornhole, as well as delicious food trucks . Plus, expect a few surprises as we close out the season in style.

Fun for all ages & entry is always FREE! Can’t wait to see you there!

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/sfs-secondhand-saturday-2025-w-sunset-mercantile-every-third-saturday-8/

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-325/

Autumn is calling… and this year, we’re heading to Camp SPARK for the San Francisco Fall Cider Fest!

Pack your flannel, lace up those boots, and channel your inner camper for a day of crisp air, golden leaves, and glamping-inspired fun at the San Francisco Fall Cider Fest— where cider tasting meets live music, camp activities, and festive competitions for the coziest fall escape of the season!

️ WELCOME TO CAMP SPARK

This isn’t your average fall fest— we’re throwing it back to the golden days of sleepaway camp!Think merit badges, team spirit, s’mores by the fire, and just the right amount of mischief… but with cider. Lots of cider.

It’s the nostalgic fall adventure your inner child has been waiting for— with grown-up perks like:

Tastings from 30+ craft cider makers, featuring fall flavors like honey-sage, agave ginger, sour blood orange, and tropical passionfruit!
15+ gourmet food trucks serving autumn-inspired bites!
Fire pits, s’mores and candy apples!
Live music!
Picture-perfect photo ops to capture your Camp SPARK memories!

Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest— bring your appetite and go for the glory of the “Pie Gobbler” sash!

Camp Games— from musical chairs to sack racing, compete for your honor, prizes, and collectible camp badges!

THE SAN FRANCISCO FALL CIDER FEST 2025: CAMP SPARK EDITION
SPARK Social SF | 601 Mission Bay Blvd. North, San Francisco
Saturday, November 8th: 12:00pm-4:00pm (Strictly 21+ only)
Sunday, November 9th: 12:00pm-4:00pm (Families welcome – anyone under 21 must be accompanied by their ticketed parent)
️Each ticket is valid for one day only

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/sf-fall-cider-fest/

FREE HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY: Nightmare on Front Street

​Get ready for a spook-tacular Halloween celebration in the heart of downtown San Francisco…and it FREE!

​Join us for Nightmare on Front Street, a hauntingly fun block party featuring themed cocktails, Multiple areas with live music and DJs , creepy-cool activities, and costumes galore — all happening within California’s first-ever Entertainment Zone on Front Street. Think New Orleans or any other major city where you can enjoy an adult beverage outdoors and enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors!

Experience Halloween like never before at some of San Francisco’s favorite venues, Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange, join Front Street for one massive outdoor celebration — where you can sip, dance, and mingle right in the street with your favorite spooky spirits.

What to Expect

​ Themed Food & Drinks

• ​Schroeder’s: Haunted beer hall with blood-red brews & monster-sized pretzels.
• ​Harrington’s Bar & Grill: Halloween-inspired bites & creative cocktails.
• ​Royal Exchange: Ghoulish potions & eerie snacks that will make your taste buds scream.

​ Costume Contests
Show off your best look at 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM

​
Prizes for Most Creative, Scariest, and Funniest costumes!

​ Live Music & DJs

• ​3–4 PM & 6–7 PM: Live band playing Halloween-themed covers.
• ​2–10 PM: DJs spinning spooky beats all day long.

​ Activities & Atmosphere
Explore each bar’s unique haunted theme, enjoy outdoor drinks, dance in costume, and celebrate Halloween San Francisco-style.

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/nightmare-front-street-free-halloween-block-party-downtown-sf/

Get into the Halloween spirit at our after-hours event.

Explore eerie artifacts from our collection, including 19th-century hand-blown glass eyeballs used to study infectious diseases. Plus, enjoy a specialty cocktail as you discover the weird and wild history of medicine.

Ocular Oddities: After Hours
Friday, October 31, 2025 | 5:30p – 7:30p
Truhlsen – Marmor Museum of the Eye, 645 Beach St, SF
FREE – RSVP Required (spots are limited)

This event is 21+.

For more information, please visit the following link

https://sf.funcheap.com/ocular-oddities-hours-museum-eye/