Enjoy San Francisco's Downtown First Thursdays. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite.
Happy New Year! The first weekend of 2026 kicks off with a busy lineup of performances, exhibitions and cultural events across the Bay Area. From college basketball and free museum days to circus acts and musical theater — there’s no shortage of ways to get out and try something new. Here’s our BARTable guide to what’s going on in the Bay Area this weekend.
Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options. BARTable partners with local organizations located near BART stations to shine a light on the incredible diversity of businesses, restaurants and happenings that are easily accessible by transit. Our partners provide special deals and prizes for our weekly giveaways, which you can find on our Contest and Deals page. Interested in becoming a BARTable partner? Learn more here.
Join the fun at Haas Pavilion. Photo courtesy of California Golden Blogs.
College Basketball: University of California, Berkeley v. Notre Dame
Jan. 2 | Downtown Berkeley
8 p.m. | 115 Haas Pavilion
Watch the Golden Bears as they take on Notre Dame this weekend at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. The arena is just 0.4 miles from Downtown Berkeley.
Experience Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece about art, love and legacy in this intimate Bay Area production. Shotgun Players brings the musical’s vivid characters and haunting score to life just 0.1 miles from Ashby.
Jan. 3–4 | Lake Merritt
Times vary | 10 10th St.
Catch Dog Man: The Musical, a high-energy, laugh-out-loud stage show based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved books. Packed with catchy songs, goofy humor and heart — it’s a fun, family-friendly outing that’s perfect for young fans and grown-ups alike. The show is playing at HJK Arts, 0.2 miles from Lake Merritt.
Through Jan. 4 | Embarcadero
Times vary | 211 Beale St. at Howard St.
Circus Bella debuts “Starlight Spectacular,” an immersive new show blending contemporary circus, dance and theatrical visuals into a magical winter experience. Catch world-class performers 0.3 miles from Embarcadero.
Visit the Asian Art Museum for free on the first Sunday of the month. This weekend, you'll see innovative art inspired by tech, and you can also explore the museum’s permanent collection spanning thousands of years of Asian art and culture. The Asian Art Museum is 0.2 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Through Jan. 18 | Embarcadero
Times vary | Parking Lot A, 76 Mission St.
Cirque du Soleil transforms Oracle Park's Parking Lot A into a surreal, high-flying world of acrobatics, dance and jaw-dropping spectacle under the Big Top. With shows running through mid-January, it’s a festive outing for families, date nights or visiting friends. Take BART to Embarcadero, then walk 1.2 miles, or transfer to the Muni Metro N Line at Embarcadero.
Walnut Creek on Ice is in full swing, giving skaters a festive place to hang this holiday season to skate and slide down Frosty's Summit. The rink offers public sessions, skate rentals and a festive atmosphere perfect for families or a fun night out. The rink is a quick 0.6 miles from Walnut Creek Station.
Through Jan. 19 | Powell St
Times vary | 333 Post St.
This weekend at the Holiday Ice Rink in San Francisco is Flashback Friday. Take a spin around the ice to the musical hits of the 80s. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is just 0.3 miles from Montgomery St or 0.2 miles from Powell St in the heart of downtown San Francisco.
Learn about science and light at this winter wonderland exhibit at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Find dazzling artwork, play experimental LED dungeon crawlers, paint the walls with digital light and shadow, walk inside hypnotic 3D illusions and more. Find delightful surprises around every corner, 0.6 miles from Embarcadero.
You needn’t pay a dime – or even a pretty penny! – to enjoy the breadth of the Bay Area’s offerings. Below you’ll find a roundup of free local events, including festivals, markets, museum admission-free days and more!
Check out the Oakland Art Murmur First Fridays Art Walk this weekend in the East Bay. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland.
Ring in 2026 at Downtown First Thursdays, a free monthly street party featuring DJs, pop-up performances and extended hours at participating galleries and cultural venues. The event spans several downtown blocks and is just steps from Montgomery St.
Stroll through
North Beach during this free monthly neighborhood celebration featuring live music, open galleries and late-night shopping. North Beach First Fridays brings together local artists, musicians and small businesses for a lively evening. The iconic San Francisco neighborhood is just 0.8 miles from
Montgomery St.
Explore Oakland’s creative scene during the First Fridays Art Walk, hosted by Oakland Art Murmur. Galleries and art spaces stay open late with rotating exhibitions, pop-ups, and street-level energy. Feel inspired just 0.2 miles from 19th St/Oakland.
Enjoy free general admission to the Oakland Museum of California on the first Sunday of the month. The museum showcases California art, history, and natural sciences and is just steps from Lake Merritt.
New events have just arrived in the Bay Area! New shows, one-time events, unique workshops, annual events or anything that's just popped up on our radar. Learn more about what qualifies as "BARTable" or use hashtag #sfbartable for the chance to be featured!
Don't miss “Into the Woods” at the San Francisco Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Broadway World.
Jan. 2–3 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Times vary | 301 Van Ness Ave.
Experience the beauty of classical Chinese dance and music when Shen Yun Performing Arts returns to San Francisco for a powerful live performance. Featuring colorful costumes, live orchestra and ancient stories brought to life, it’s an unforgettable cultural experience just 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Through Jan. 4 | Montgomery St
11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 701 Mission St.
This weekend, explore intergenerational stories of activism, identity and resistance at Makibaka: A Living Legacy, an immersive exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The show honors Filipino American movements and their lasting impact on the Bay Area, just 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.
Through May 17 | Montgomery St
10 a.m.–5 p.m. | 600 Montgomery St.
Step inside history at the newly opened Time Capsule Exhibition at Transamerica Pyramid Center, featuring artifacts buried beneath the site in 1974 and rediscovered 50 years later. Unearthed during the center’s recent remastering by Norman Foster, the capsule reveals everything from vintage media to the original recipe for San Francisco’s iconic Pisco Punch. Check it out, 0.4 miles from Montgomery St.
Through Jan. 17 | Powell St
Times vary | 450 Post St.
Journey into a darkly whimsical fairytale world when "Into the Woods" comes to the San Francisco Playhouse for the 2025–2026 season. Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this inventive musical weaves classic stories together with humor, heart and unexpected twists, just 0.3 miles from Powell St.
What are you doing this weekend?
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