LA & OC Free Museum Days (2024 Calendar)

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County offers free admission to LA county residents every weekday from 3pm - 5pm. They offer unique experiences that allow guests to interact and get hands-on with the natural world all year long. Additional tickets must be purchased to see special exhibitions, Butterfly and Spider Pavilion, 3D Theater, and other special ticketed experiences. 

Japanese American National Museum offers free admission all day on the third Thursdays of every month as well as 5pm-8pm every other Thursday. This unique museum focuses on the story of Japanese Americans as well as diversity across the nation and the world. As the national repository of Japanese American history, JANM creates groundbreaking historical and arts exhibitions, educational public programs, award-winning documentaries, and innovative curriculum that illuminate the stories and the rich cultural heritage of people of Japanese ancestry in the United States.

Skirball Cultural Center hosts free days on Thursdays. This includes the popular Noah's Ark exhibit. There are also recurring family programs like family art studio, archaeology digs, and more for kids and their caregivers to enjoy together.

Families can enjoy free days at Craft Contemporary on Sundays when they offer pay-what-you-can admission. The whole family can explore craft, art, and design at Craft Contemporary, where not only can they view art, but they can make it, too! Exhibitions change frequently so pop in for some inspiration any time or join a family-friendly art program.

The Museum of Latin American Art offers free days every Sunday. Their mission is to increase knowledge and appreciation of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art through its collection, exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events.

The Huntington offers free days on the first Thursday of every month. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation. Free Day tickets are available the last Thursday of every month for admission the following week. Their extensive grounds are impressive and include a library, art museum and botanical gardens. Explore the Children's Garden or enjoy the Youth and Family Programs including workshops, preschool series, festivals, and even camps!

Kidspace is opening up its doors for free on the first Friday of every month. Advance reservations are required. Tickets are released approximately 2 weeks prior to the date of visit. This 3.5 acre campus features more than 40 hands-on exhibits for children.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosts free days on the second Tuesday of each month. It is always free for LA County residents under 18 and all LA County residents on weekdays after 3pm. LACMA features artwork covering the expanse of art history—from ancient times to the present.

The Autry has free days on the second Tuesday of every month. The Autry features world-class galleries filled with Native American art and cultural materials, film memorabilia, historic firearms, paintings, interactive areas, and more.

Admission to the Getty Center and the Getty Villa is always free for the whole family; just be sure to reserve a time for your visit. The tram ride, gardens and outdoor spaces, and art galleries are fun for families to enjoy together. For even more fun for the kiddos, pick up a set of art detective cards in the Museum Entrance Hall at the Getty Center.

Every day is a free day at Armory Center For the Arts. The Armory invites everyone who loves art to visit and learn with contemporary art exhibits, artist forums and screenings, plus performances from local talent. Exhibits often rotate but have included installations featuring inflatable lawn decorations, handmade ceramics, and more.

California African American Museum always offers free admission. CAAM’s permanent collection consists of over 5,000 objects ranging from the 1800s to the present. CAAM’s deepest holdings include art made or connected to African Americans in California and the western United States.

The Fowler Museum at UCLA always offers free admission. The Fowler explores global arts and cultures with an emphasis on Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Indigenous Americas—past and present.

If you're looking for things to do with kids in Los Angeles on a budget, admission to the permanent galleries at the California Science Center is always free, and does not require a reservation. Permanent exhibits include World of Life, Fire! Science & Safety, and Ecosystems. Timed tickets are required for the IMAX Theater and special exhibits.

The Hammer Museum always offers free admission. This museum champions the art and artists who challenge us to see the world in a new light, to experience the unexpected, to ignite our imaginations, and inspire change. They encourage families to download one of their family and teen guides ahead of your visit to enhance your understanding of their exhibitions.