Museum Events

Saturday Science - Saturday Drop-in Science Workshop for Families

Join us for the Saturday Science Drop-in Workshop at the Randall Museum, designed specifically for families. This engaging event allows children aged 4 and up to explore simple science topics through hands-on, project-based activities. Participants will create fun projects to take home, encouraging further exploration of science concepts. The workshop takes place every Saturday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, with registration available at the front desk from 10:00 to 10:30 am. Pricing is $10 per parent-child combination, with $5 for each additional child. Come and foster a love for science in a supportive and fun environment!

Randall Museum

Sat, Apr 26 • 10:30 AM

Afternoon Art - Saturday Drop-In Workshop for Families

Join us for the Afternoon Art drop-in workshop at the Randall Museum, where families can explore their creativity with hands-on art activities guided by instructors. Perfect for all ages, this event allows children under 8 to participate alongside a paying adult. The workshop runs on Saturdays from 1 PM to 4 PM. A drop-in cost is $10 for a parent-child combo, with an additional $5 for each extra child. Registration is available at the front desk between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in arts and crafts together!

Randall Museum

Sat, Apr 26 • 1:00 PM

Fort Mason Historic District Walking Tour

Join the Fort Mason Historic District Walking Tour for an invigorating waterfront stroll. Starting at the Gatehouse (Equator Coffees Cafe), participants will explore the historic Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture and adjacent areas, discovering facts about its evolution from a military post during World War II to its current role as a vibrant cultural venue. Enjoy stunning views, historical insights, and beautiful architecture while learning about this unique landmark. The tour is free to participate, but donations are welcome, and registration in advance is recommended.

Fort Mason Center

Sat, Apr 26 • 2:00 PM

The Tallest Dwarf

Diagnosed with hypochondroplasia dwarfism as an adult, filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman explores her condition in this captivating documentary. Through personal reflections and conversations with her family, especially her father, Wyman raises essential questions about societal perceptions of dwarfism and the complexities of identity. The film features interactions with members of the little people community, offering a profound and humorous look at their experiences and viewpoints. 'The Tallest Dwarf' invites audiences to reflect on biases and understandings surrounding human diversity.

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

Sun, Apr 27 • 12:00 PM

Imprints: Asawa and Friends

Join us this afternoon to hear stories of Ruth Asawa’s influence from those who knew her as family, friend, and collaborator. This panel discussion will feature speakers who have personal connections and insights into Asawa's impact on the San Francisco community, highlighting her remarkable contributions as an artist, educator, and friend. Free RSVP is required, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Sun, Apr 27 • 2:00 PM

Takeout Tuesdays: Lunchtime Conversations About Art

Join museum docents and fellow art lovers for interactive lunchtime encounters with selected artworks from the collection, focusing on the theme "Tree & Serpent." Participants will gather via Zoom to explore compelling works using high-resolution images, uncovering fun facts and joining in the conversation. This event promises engaging discussions about art and culture.

Asian Art Museum

Tues, Apr 29 • 12:00 PM

Curator’s Choice Lecture | McSweeney’s 78: The Make Believers

Join us as Natasha Reichle, Associate Curator of Southeast Asian Art, leads a special curator’s choice discussion with McSweeney’s 78: The Make Believers co-guest editor Vu Tran and contributing author Doan Bui. Following this program, enjoy refreshments and a walking tour from the museum to Myrtle Alley in Little Saigon, where the Tenderloin Museum will host an evening program as part of First Thursdays Art Walk. This event presents a unique anthology exploring the Vietnamese diaspora, combining highbrow and lowbrow narratives. Published on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, contributors share their collective experiences through a mix of perspectives and languages.

Asian Art Museum

Thurs, May 1 • 3:45 PM

2025 Spring Artisan Market

The Cha May Ching Museum Boutique's popular Artisan Market is returning with a new addition – the Junior Market! For three days only, support local artists and shop one-of-a-kind items from over 20 vendors. Saturday and Sunday will also feature our first-ever Junior Market. Admission to the Spring Artisan Markets is free, and no entrance ticket is required. Members get early access on Friday, May 2 from 9–10 AM.

Asian Art Museum

Fri, May 2 • 10:00 AM

DinoNight!

Prepare for an exciting after-hours event at the California Academy of Sciences! DinoNight! invites dino-lovers of all ages to enjoy a prehistoric party filled with fun activities. Experience hands-on crafts, magic shows, and a costume parade among life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Guests can participate in face painting, take photos with the glow-tastic Doloresaurus, and enjoy a planetarium show. Whether you're a tiny T. rex or a daring explorer, this event offers something for everyone, making it a perfect family-friendly outing. Don't forget your dinosaur gear!

California Academy of Sciences

Fri, May 2 • 6:00 PM

Saturday Science - Saturday Drop-in Science Workshop for Families

Join us at the Randall Museum for our Saturday Science Drop-in Workshop, designed specifically for families! Engage in fun, project-based science activities that spark curiosity and creativity in kids aged 4 and up. Each workshop allows participants to create a project to take home and continue their discoveries. The event will be held on May 3, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Drop-in pricing is $10 for a parent-child combination, with an additional $5 for each extra child. Registration takes place at the front desk between 10:00 and 10:30 AM.

Randall Museum

Sat, May 3 • 10:30 AM

Elaine Sciolino - Adventures in the Louvre

Join us at Book Passage for an author event in celebration of Elaine Sciolino's new book, 'Adventures in the Louvre!'. Elaine Sciolino, a former New York Times Paris Bureau Chief, shares her journey of discovery into the world’s greatest museum. This event will take place on May 3, 2025, at 11:00 am. Attendees can explore the fascinating stories of the Louvre, its artworks, and historical significance through Sciolino's vivid storytelling. The event is free to attend and will be hosted in-person at Book Passage's Corte Madera Store. For inquiries, please contact books@bookpassage.com.

Book Passage

Sat, May 3 • 11:00 AM

Afternoon Art - Saturday Drop-In Workshop for Families

Join the Randall Museum for the Afternoon Art Drop-In Workshop designed especially for families. This engaging event features different hands-on art activities guided by experienced instructors, making it perfect for children aged 5 and up. Families can drop by anytime from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, allowing for a flexible visit. The workshop encourages creativity, and participants will enjoy making various art projects together. Note that children under 8 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Registration occurs at the front desk on the day of the event.

Randall Museum

Sat, May 3 • 1:00 PM

Meet & Greet with Dr. Soyoung Lee

Join us in welcoming Dr. Soyoung Lee, the museum’s new director, over tea and cookies on May 4 at the Asian Art Museum. This event is part of the First Free Sunday, where admission is free. Dr. Lee plans to focus on listening, learning, and building relationships across the museum and the Bay during her tenure as the Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO. Tea and cookies will be provided for attendees.

Asian Art Museum

Sun, May 4 • 11:00 AM

Members-Only Docent Tour

Join us for a Members-Only Docent Tour at the Asian Art Museum, where knowledgeable and friendly docents share fascinating insights about the collection and special exhibitions. This tour is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025, at 1:30 PM. Members save on private docent tours, allowing for a deeper exploration of the museum's world-class collections or special exhibitions. Reservations are required in advance, so be sure to secure your spot!

Asian Art Museum

Mon, May 5 • 1:30 PM

Finding and Understanding Exoplanets

Join us for the Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lectures, where we delve into the exciting field of exoplanet research. This lecture will explore significant progress in understanding exoplanets, including detection methods and the implications for our knowledge of the universe. Designed for those curious about astronomy and the mysteries beyond our planet, this event offers an engaging opportunity to learn from experts in the field.

California Academy of Sciences

Mon, May 5 • 7:30 PM

Takeout Tuesdays: Lunchtime Conversations About Art

"Take out" a taste of art! Join museum docents and fellow art lovers for interactive lunchtime encounters with selected artworks from the collection. We’ll gather on Zoom to look closely at compelling works using high-resolution images and uncover fun facts. Each weekly session explores a different topic; unmute to join the conversation.

Asian Art Museum

Tues, May 6 • 12:00 PM

Saturday Science - Saturday Drop-in Science Workshop for Families

Join us for the Saturday Science Drop-in Workshop at the Randall Museum, designed for families and children ages 4 and up. Each session, held every Saturday, engages participants with hands-on projects that explore simple science topics. This interactive experience not only aims to educate but also to inspire love for science, allowing children and parents to create fun projects together. Registration is available at the front desk before the workshop starts. The fee is $10 per parent-child combo, with an additional $5 for each extra child. Don't miss this opportunity to instill curiosity and excitement for science in your kids!

Randall Museum

Sat, May 10 • 10:30 AM

Gala for the Gardens

Join us on Saturday, May 10 for Gala for the Gardens, a benefit for the Gardens of Golden Gate Park celebrating nature, community, and the wonders of our planet. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the San Francisco Botanical Garden’s Celebration Garden, the Gala is an occasion to bring together friends old and new. Get ready to don your garden finery, toast with a signature floral cocktail, and peruse rare and exotic plants during the silent auction reception. Then sit down for an alfresco lunch and live auction in the company of fellow garden enthusiasts. We are thrilled to have as our special guest speaker Ferris Jabr, an award-winning science writer. Gala for the Gardens is the Gardens’ only fundraising event of the year.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Sat, May 10 • 11:00 AM

Takeout Tuesdays: Lunchtime Conversations About Art

Join museum docents for interactive lunchtime encounters with selected artworks from the Asian Art Museum collection. Each weekly session on Zoom explores a different topic with high-resolution images, engaging participants in discussions about compelling works. This session, titled 'CHURP! An Asian Avian Adventure,' features docent Peggy Mathers and invites you to uncover fun facts about art. Free tickets are available to ensure everyone can partake in this enriching experience.

Asian Art Museum

Tues, May 13 • 12:00 PM

Virtual Lecture Series - Layers of Color: The Beauty and Impact of Woodblock Prints

Join the Asian Art Museum for an enlightening virtual lecture on the tradition and influential art of Japanese Woodblock Prints. This one-hour session will explore the evolution of woodblock printing, its various uses, and its impact on major art movements, including Impressionism. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session, offering members an opportunity to delve deeper into this rich artistic heritage. Members at all levels are welcome to attend this event online via Zoom.

Asian Art Museum

Wed, May 14 • 10:00 AM

Coloring Couture: Artist Talk, Performance, and Workshop with Colleen Quen

Join renowned San Francisco-based couturière and artist Colleen Quen as she unveils her stunning Lunar New Year 2025 Snake Couture Creation, blending nature, spirituality, and vibrant colors. Through her unique paper-cut patterns and live Qigong watercolor painting performance, Quen invites everyone to connect, create, and transform together in a shared experience of cultural appreciation and artistic expression. The evening features discussions on her design philosophy and creative journey, live fashion drawing, and a hands-on workshop on paper pattern folding and traditional Chinese watercolor painting.

Asian Art Museum

Thurs, May 15 • 5:00 PM

Sharing Our Truths Through the Power of Comics with Rina Ayuyang

Join award-winning Bay Area cartoonist and writer Rina Ayuyang for a hands-on workshop where you will create your own comic. This workshop explores how comics can serve as a powerful artistic medium for healing, sharing stories, documenting history, celebrating culture, and empowering the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. This program is free with museum general admission, but space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Asian Art Museum

Thurs, May 15 • 6:00 PM

Voices of Silicon Valley in Concert

On May 15, join the avant-garde vocal ensemble, Voices of Silicon Valley, as they perform works by composer Peter Shin, including excerpts from the poignant piece 'Bits torn from words'. This moving performance addresses themes of anxiety disorder through a unique blend of vocal expressions, capturing the intensity of mental health challenges. Participants can expect a dynamic evening that bridges contemporary music with profound emotional narratives. The concert also highlights the contributions of the ensemble, founded by Dr. Cyril Deaconoff, emphasizing their dedication to elevating AAPI and BIPOC voices in the music scene.

Asian Art Museum

Thurs, May 15 • 6:30 PM

Birding the Hill

Join the Randall Museum’s resident birding guide for a bird walk on Corona Hill every 3rd Saturday of the month. This is a moderate/strenuous hike that includes a large staircase and some rocky terrain. Bring your own binoculars. (BYOB!) Meet at 8 am at 199 Museum Way in the front yard of the Randall Museum just past the curved entrance gate. There's parking on site. Muni 37 Corbett line stops 2 blocks away for those using public transportation. Space is limited so registration is required.

Randall Museum

Sat, May 17 • 8:00 AM

Asian Art Museum and Asian Women's Shelter: Jook-Off Cook-Off 2025

Join the Asian Art Museum for the Jook-Off Cook-Off 2025, a community celebration that features a cooking competition with a diverse lineup of some of the most exciting chefs in the Bay Area. Attendees can enjoy a variety of 'jooks' and vote for their favorites, contributing to the selection of winners announced by special guest judges. This event is a collaboration with the Asian Women's Shelter and includes admission to the exhibition 'Yuan Goang-Ming: Everyday War.' Members receive discounted tickets. Admission to the museum is free for children aged 12 and under.

Asian Art Museum

Sat, May 17 • 11:00 AM

First Thursdays at SFMOMA: Free Admission for Bay Area Residents

On the first Thursday of every month, all residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us! General admission is free, and tickets are available two weeks in advance. Surcharged exhibitions are not included and require separate paid tickets. Enjoy a complimentary coffee when you attend First Thursdays with a special voucher. This program is available for residents from Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Thurs, Jun 5 • 12:00 PM

Compelling Gallery Conversations

Explore the de Young’s permanent collection through in-depth conversations that are welcoming, inclusive, and engaging. Join us for a 40-minute conversation about two works of art, connecting with each other and artworks through meaningful dialogue and guided activities like poetry and sketching. Learn insightful stories behind artworks and leave with lasting memories! Conversations depart from Wilsey Court every Friday at 10:30 am, Saturday at Noon and 3 pm, and the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 am. Free for Bay Area residents.

Legion of Honor

Tues, Jul 1 • 10:30 AM

Bug Day

Check out an incredible array of insects at the Randall Museum’s annual Bug Day, one of San Francisco’s best family activities. Do you adore arthropods, or do creepy crawlies make you queasy? Either way you’ll find something here to inspire your inner entomologist. Join in the insect-inspired fun and learn how important these little creatures are to the earth and our survival here. Kids and their families can make their own fabulous bug-related crafts to take home, see and touch live exotic insects, take a scientific look at insects through microscopes, compete in the Insect Olympics, and perhaps even EAT a bug or two.

Randall Museum

Mon, Sep 8