Visit These Museums On SoCal Museums Free-for-All Day 2026
SoCal residents are blessed with a plethora of incredible museums covering everything from art to science and even movies. Every year dozens of these institutions come together to open their doors to the public for free on Museums Free-for-All day.
Looking for fun ideas on family-friendly things to do in the South Bay? Sign up for our newsletter and get it all delivered to your inbox, or check out our events calendar.
Museums Free-for-All 2026
This year’s Museums Free-for-All, which celebrates free arts and culture in Southern California, takes place on Sunday, February 22, 2026. From Santa Barbara to Orange County to Palm Springs, cultural institutions welcome guests for this region-wide tradition presenting art, design, cultural heritage, film, natural history, science, political history and more.
“For more than twenty years, SoCal Museums members have come together annually to collectively open our doors and welcome the public,” Cristian Hamilton, President of SoCal Museums and Vice President of Advancement, Autry Museum of the American West said in a press statement. “We believe arts and culture should be accessible to everyone, and Museums Free-for-All has become a community touchstone. The day encourages visitors to try something new, return to an old favorite, and experience the extraordinary diversity of free cultural experiences unique to Southern California.”
Looking for more to explore? Check out our guide to the Best Museums in Southern California.
Participating Museums
There are several museums across Southern California participating in the free day. While all of them are admission-free, some so require advanced reservations, so be sure to check each location’s policy. Check out the complete list of places participating in Museums Free-for-All below:
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
(Tickets will be first come first serve all day)
American Museum of Ceramic Art
(Advanced reservations are required. Visit amoca.org to make a reservation)
Autry Museum of the American West
(Advanced reservations are required. Visit theautry.org to make a reservation)
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
The Broad
(Advanced reservations are recommended. Visit broad.org to make a reservation)
California African American Museum
California Botanic Garden
(Advanced reservations are recommended. Visit calbg.org to make a reservation)
The Getty Center &Â The Getty Villa
(Timed tickets are required for The Getty Center. Visit getty.edu to make a reservation)
Hammer Museum
(Show a L.A. Metro TAP card at the Hammer Museum Store for 10% off your purchase, including membership)
Institute Contemporary Art, LA
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
(Advance tickets required. Visit tarpits.org to make a reservation)
Long Beach Museum of Art
(Advance tickets are recommended. Visit lbma.org to make a reservation)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
(Advance tickets are required. Visit lacma.org to make a reservation)
MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
(Advance tickets are recommended. Visit moca.org to make a reservation)
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
(Advanced reservations recommended. Visit sbnature.org; Sea Center not included)
Skirball Cultural Center
(Advance tickets recommended for both Noah’s Ark and general admission. Visit skirball.org to make a reservation)
Many of these museums and others offer free admission on other days throughout the year. A full calendar of free days can be found at socalmuseums.net/free.Â
Stay in the know by signing up for our newsletter, joining our Facebook group, and following us on Instagram.
RELATED STORIES:
The Best Car Museums for Kids in Southern California
Guide to Southern California Zoos & Aquariums
