Los Angeles Free Museum Day and Guide
Free Museum Days and Times for LA Museums
Many museums in Los Angeles have free museum days. Find these free days with this LAwithKids Free Museum Days in Los Angeles Guide. Because of the recent pandemic as well an ever changing economic situation, please consult each museum prior to attending. Please also make sure that you do not need to make an online reservation.
**If you see any information below that needs a correction, please contact us.
MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE EVERY DAY THEY ARE OPEN
California African American Museum: Free admission daily. Reservations are not required. Closed Mondays, except MLK Day. Parking fees apply in Exposition Park. (213) 744-7432 website: caamuseum.org
California Science Center: Free general admission daily. Some special exhibits and IMAX films require paid tickets. Parking is $20 before 5 pm and $24 after 5 pm. (323) 724-3623 website: californiasciencecenter.org
Fowler Museum at UCLA: Open Wednesday-Sunday. Always free admission. Hours are Wednesday 12-8 pm and Thursday-Sunday 12-5 pm. (310) 825-4361 website: fowler.ucla.edu
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. Always free admission. No reservations required. (310) 506-4851 website: arts.pepperdine.edu/museum
Getty Center: Free admission daily, but timed-entry reservations are required. Closed Mondays. Parking is $25 per car or motorcycle, $15 after 3 pm, and free after 5 pm during the Getty’s posted special summer parking period. (310) 440-7330 website: getty.edu/visit/center
Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades: Free admission, but timed-entry reservations are required. Parking is $25 per car or motorcycle, $15 after 3 pm, and $10 after 6 pm for evening events. (310) 440-7330 website: getty.edu/visit/villa
Griffith Observatory: Admission to the Observatory building, grounds, and public telescopes is free. Planetarium shows and parking cost extra. Open Tuesday-Friday 12-10 pm and Saturday-Sunday 10 am-10 pm. Closed Mondays. (213) 473-0800 website: griffithobservatory.org
Hammer Museum: Free admission daily. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. Closed Mondays. Advance reservations are not necessary for individuals. Parking is available under the museum; check current rates and validation details before visiting. (310) 443-7000 website: hammer.ucla.edu
LACMA: Free admission for LA County residents weekdays after 3 pm with valid ID. Children and teens 17 and under who live in LA County are free. NexGenLA is a free membership for LA County kids and teens that includes free admission for one guest. Advance timed-entry tickets are required. (323) 857-6000 website: lacma.org
La Brea Tar Pits: Free admission from 3-5 pm for LA County residents with valid ID. Parking fees apply. (323) 857-6300 website: tarpits.org
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes: Open Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5 pm, with last entry at 4:30 pm. Always free admission. (213) 542-6200 website: lapca.org
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery: Free admission. Regular hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11 am-4 pm, and by appointment, but the gallery closes during installation periods and City holidays. Note: the gallery is currently closed for install and is scheduled to reopen September 3. (323) 644-6269 website: lamag.org
MOCA: Free general admission at MOCA Grand Avenue with timed ticket. Special exhibitions and programs may have separate ticketing. (213) 626-6222 website: moca.org
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Free admission from 3-5 pm for LA County residents with valid ID. Parking fees apply. (213) 763-3466 website: nhm.org
William S. Hart Park and Museum: The park and museum have reopened in Santa Clarita. Admission is free; check the City of Santa Clarita or Hart Museum website for current tour information and hours before visiting. website: hartmuseum.org
TEMPORARILY CLOSED / CHECK BEFORE VISITING
Japanese American National Museum: JANM’s galleries are closed for renovation until late 2026. Check JANM’s website for off-site exhibitions, virtual programs, and reopening updates. (213) 625-0414 website: janm.org
LA MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON MONDAYS
Go to the everyday section for Free Monday Museums.
LA MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON TUESDAYS
The Arboretum of Los Angeles County: Free Community Day is the third Tuesday of each month. Advance online reservations are required and tickets are limited. (626) 821-3222 website: arboretum.org
Go to the everyday section for Free Tuesday Museums.
MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON WEDNESDAYS
Autry Museum of the American West: Free First Wednesdays. Advance registration is encouraged because some dates may sell out. Free parking for Autry visitors. (323) 667-2000 website: theautry.org
Go to the everyday section for additional Free Wednesday Museums.
LA MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON THURSDAYS
Skirball Cultural Center: Free general admission every Thursday. Noah’s Ark tickets on free Thursdays are first-come, first-served and subject to availability. Parking is free, except during some special events. (310) 440-4500 website: skirball.org
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens: Free admission on the first Thursday of each month with advance reservation. Free Day tickets are released the last Thursday of the month at 9 am for the following week’s Free Day and sell out quickly. (626) 405-2100 website: huntington.org
Go to the everyday section for Free Thursday Museums.
LA MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON FRIDAYS
Kidspace Children’s Museum: Free First Fridays are offered on select first Fridays; times and dates may vary, and reservations may be required. Check the Kidspace calendar before visiting. (626) 449-9144 website: kidspacemuseum.org
Claremont Lewis Museum of Art: Free admission every Friday. Also free on the first Sunday of each month and during Art Walk on the first Saturday evening of the month, 6-9 pm. (909) 621-3200 website: clmoa.org
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum – Harbor Museum: Free admission. Open Fridays, 10 am-3 pm. (323) 464-2727 website: lafdmuseum.org
Go to the everyday section for Free Friday Museums.
LA MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON SATURDAYS
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum – Hollywood Museum: Free admission. Open Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm. (323) 464-2727 website: lafdmuseum.org
Go to the everyday section for Free Saturday Museums.
LA MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE ON SUNDAY
Craft Contemporary: Pay what you wish on Sundays. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. (323) 937-4230 website: craftcontemporary.org
Museum of Latin American Art: Free admission every Sunday. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. (562) 437-1689 website: molaa.org
USC Pacific Asia Museum: Free admission every second Sunday of the month. Children 14 and under are always free. (626) 787-2680 website: pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu