It's that time of year again! Each year, dozens of local museums open their doors, so local visitors can enjoy a free visit. This year, the free for all is scheduled for Saturday, January 25th.
While some museums offer free parking, don't leave your wallet at home, because some will still be charging for parking. Also be sure to check the NOTES section for any details on booking your free tickets, as a few museums will be pre-booking guests.
Can't make it to Museums Free for All this year? Not to worry! We have also listed any alternative free days under the ALSO FREE section, so you can visit on your own schedule.
Enjoy!
Kid Friendly Meter
🚗: Museum is family-friendly
🚗🚗: Museum has a dedicated kids area or room
🚗🚗🚗: Museum is fully intended for children
SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Contemporary arts and community arts education. ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 145 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California 91103 HOURS: 12 to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays and holidays) Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Opening in 2020. For Free-for-All day, the museum will host a pop-up outside) 🚗🚗 Autry Museum of the American West SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art and History of the American West ALSO FREE: Second Tuesday of every month ADDRESS: 234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065 HOURS: Tues-Fri: 10am-4pm, S/Su: 10am-5pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Classic and age-old cars, and rides on Sundays. ADDRESS: 610 Lairport St, El Segundo, CA 90245 HOURS: 10am-4pm daily. Rides in the cars on Sundays online 10am-3pm. *At The Broad, special exhibition Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again, will be free along with general admission SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Rotating art and interactive exhibits. ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day ADDRESS: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 HOURS: Tuesday & Wednesday | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday & Friday | 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday | 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. NOTES: Tickets can be reserved in advance for all visitors, to avoid the standby line. You can also follow the Broad on Twitter to get updates on the length of the standby line throughout the day. Reserve tickets here SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Celebrating world cultures through arts ALSO FREE: Family festivals on the 1st Sunday of every month (admission is free to the courtyard festival only) ADDRESS: 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706 HOURS: Tues-Sun: 10am-4pm 🚗 California African American Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art and cultural conversations about African Americans in CA. ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day ADDRESS: 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California 90037 HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 11am-5pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Exhibits and interactive science displays. ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day ADDRESS: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037 HOURS: Open daily: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. NOTES: Free admission is general admission only. IMAX films and some special exhibits will cost. A timed reservation with a convenience fee is required for Space Shuttle Endeavour or other special exhibits. SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: STEM, art, and play ADDRESS: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401 NORMAL HOURS: 7 days a week, 10am-7pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art and art courses and experiences. ALSO FREE: Admission on Sundays are donation/pay what you can based ADDRESS: 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 HOURS: Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 5pm. Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 6pm 🚗🚗 Columbia Memorial Space Center SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Space and STEM No free days, but admission is just $5 (3 and under free) ADDRESS: 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, California, 90242 NORMAL HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Beautiful gardens and meandering walking paths ALSO FREE: Free on the 3rd Tuesday of every month ADDRESS: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, CA 91011 HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily NOTES: You can reserve your free tickets online HERE SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art that focuses on history, culture, and religion. ALSO FREE: Always free to visit ADDRESS: 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205 HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-5pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Works from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas—past and present ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day ADDRESS: 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles, CA 90024 NORMAL HOURS: Wednesday: 12pm-8pm, Thursday - Sunday: 12pm-5pm 🚗 Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Historical and contemporary art by nationally recognized artists ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263 HOURS: Tuesday–Sunday • 11 AM–5 PM 🚗🚗 Getty Center SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art, architecture, and gardens. ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day. Parking is $15. ADDRESS: At N Sepulveda Blvd and Getty Center Drive, On the Westside. HOURS: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5:30pm. Saturday: 10am-9pm 🚗🚗 Getty Villa SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art, architecture, and gardens. ALSO FREE: Free every day. Parking is $15. ADDRESS: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 HOURS: Wednesday–Monday: 10am-5pm Closed Tuesdays NOTES: Free, timed tickets are required for all visits. Get your free tickets here SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Preservation of history of the people living around Glendora. ADDRESS: 314 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora, CA. 91741-2601 SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art, with a focus on the cultural, political, and social questions of our time. ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day ADDRESS: 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 HOURS: Tues-Fri: 11am-8pm. Sat/Sun: 11am-5pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation ALSO FREE: Free Admission every day ADDRESS: OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 HOURS: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday 🚗 Institute of Contemporary Art SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Contemporary art from local and unknown artists. ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 1717 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 HOURS: Wed-Fri: 11am-7pm. Sat/Sun: 11am-6pm. 🚗 International Printing Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Collection of Antique Printing Machinery. ADDRESS: 315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson, CA 90745. HOURS: Saturdays from 10am to 4pm 🚗 Japanese American National Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: History and Art of Japanese Americans ALSO FREE: Every Thursday, from 5pm-8pm, and all day every third Thursday of the month ADDRESS: 100 North Central Ave, LA, CA 90012 HOURS: Tues, Wed, Frid-Sun: 11am-5pm. Thurs: 12pm-8pm 🚗🚗🚗 Kidspace Children’s Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Play, STEAM, and exploration just for kids ALSO FREE: First Tuesday of the month, from 4pm-8pm ADDRESS: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103 HOURS: Tues-Fri: 9:30am-5pm. Sat/Sun: 10am – 5pm NOTE: Expect high attendance and arrive early to guarantee you will get in. 🚗🚗 La Brea Tar Pits and Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Natural History of the LA area, including tar pits ALSO FREE: Free admission the first Tuesdays of every month (except July and August) and free Museum admission every Tuesday in September ADDRESS: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 HOURS: 9:30 am to 5 pm daily NOTES: Free for All tickets must be reserved in advance HERE SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: A focus upon the unique Mexican-American experience in Los Angeles and Southern California. ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 501 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 HOURS: M,W & Th, 12–5 pm, Fri-Sun 12-6 pm 🚗🚗 Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art from a wide variety of cultures and time periods ALSO FREE: L.A. County residents are free: Mon, Tues, Thurs: 3 pm–5 pm. Fri: 3 pm–8 pm ALSO FREE: Second Tuesday of every month ALSO FREE: On select federal holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, and Memorial Day ADDRESS: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 HOURS: Mon/Tues/Thurs: 11am-5pm. Fri: 11am-8pm. Sat/Sun: 10am-7pm 🚗 Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Features artists who innovate, explore, and take risk ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 6522 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 HOURS: Wed - Sun, 12PM - 6PM 🚗 Los Angeles County Fire Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: The Los Angeles County Fire Museum acquires, maintains, and restores antique fire apparatus. ALSO FREE: No free days, but admission is only a $5 donation for adults, and free for kids. ADDRESS: 16400 Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706 HOURS: Wednesday through Saturday 9AM to 2PM 🚗 Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Relics and history from the Holocaust. ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 HOURS: Mon-Thurs & Sat/Sun: 10am-5pm. Fridays 10am-2pm. 🚗 The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: An artist founded museum, featuring contemporary art. ALSO FREE: Every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm ADDRESS AND HOURS: Three different locations in Los Angeles, with various hours. Visit this website to see them all. **PARTICIPATING ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 26TH** SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Aims to present the Holocaust in historic and contemporary contexts. ALSO FREE: 3rd Tuesday of the month, after 2pm ADDRESS: 9786 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 HOURS: Sun-Fri: 10am-5pm (closed Saturdays). Closes at 3:30pm Fridays, during the winter 🚗 Muckenthaler Cultural Center SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Historical house hosts a wide range of theater productions and art exhibits. ADDRESS: 1201 W. Malvern Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833 HOURS: Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. 🚗🚗 Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Presents the “big picture” of the natural and cultural world ALSO FREE: Free admission the first Tuesdays of every month (except July and August) and free Museum admission every Tuesday in September ADDRESS: 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 HOURS: 9:30 am to 5 pm daily SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Modern and contemporary art. ALSO FREE: Free admission and parking daily ADDRESS: 1661 W. Sunflower Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92704 HOURS: Thursday, 11 am-8 pm and Friday–Sunday, 11 am–6 pm. 🚗 Pomona College Museum of Art SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Contemporary and historic works of art ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 330 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 HOURS: Tuesday - Sunday, 12-5 p.m. NOTES: Museum closes periodically for new installations, check website for details. 🚗 Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: California plant life and walking paths ALSO FREE: On special days throughout the year (including Mother’s and Father’s Day) ADDRESS: 1500 N College Avenue, Claremont CA 91711 HOURS: 8am-5pm daily 🚗🚗 Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (Please note free admission is for the museum only, not the Sea Center.) SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Anthropology, Zoology, and other Natural History ALSO FREE: Some Sundays. Click HERE to see a schedule. ADDRESS: 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA HOURS: 10am-5pm daily SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art and stunning architecture ALSO FREE: On special family days, throughout the year. ADDRESS: 1130 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 HOURS: Tues - Sun 11 am - 5 pm. NOTES: Check out their family guide to enjoying the museum with kids 🚗 Santa Barbara Historic Museum SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Relics from Chumash, Spanish, Mexican, Yankee, and Chinese cultures, including artifacts, photographs, furnishings and textiles, dating as far back as the 15th century. ADDRESS: 136 E De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 HOURS: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm. Sun 12pm-5pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Interactive displays meant to challenge individuals to celebrate discovery, and create a more just world. ALSO FREE: Every Thursday ADDRESS: 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 HOURS: Tuesday–Friday: 12pm-5pm. Sat/Sun: 10am-5pm NOTES: Arrive early - free for all tickets are first come first served. On Free for All day, Noah’s Ark timed-entry, one-hour tickets are limited and distributed first-come, first-served. SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Tranquil gardens and historical home tours. ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 37977 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 HOURS: Thursday - Sunday: 8:30am - 4pm SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Contemporary Art. ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503 HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm 🚗 Wende Museum of the Cold War SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Cold war artifacts and history ALSO FREE: Free admission every day ADDRESS: 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA. 90230 HOURS: Friday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Fine art ADDRESS: 823 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089 HOURS: Tuesday — Friday: 12 – 4 pm. Saturday: 12 – 5 pm NOTES: Visit the Museum website to check hours of operation before visiting, as they change seasonally. SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Intercultural understanding through the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands ALSO FREE: Thursdays from 5-8pm and on the Second Sunday of the Month ADDRESS: 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday: 11am-5pm. Thursdays: 11am-8pm. SUPER QUICK DESCRIPTION: Art and historical relics from the San Fernando Valley. ADDRESS: 7900 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406. (Entrance on Stagg St.) HOURS: Thursday-Saturday: 11am-4pm. Sunday: 11am-3pm |
