Did you know that you can experience art, culture, and history at LA's storied museums without spending a dime?
Last updated February 4, 2026 by Homero Rosas Navarrete
Contributors: Brady Goodman-Williams
Every month, museums across the city open their doors for free on specific days so everyone can enjoy the rich tapestry of human experience, from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. Explore the city's cultural gems and embrace the spirit of art and knowledge, unburdened by admission fees.
If you only hit one free museum day, make it this one. SoCal Museums' Museums Free-for-All returns Sunday, 2/22 with free general admission at museums across Los Angeles in SoCal. Some spots require reservations, so be sure to plan ahead!
Photo: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
A recent addition to The Miracle Mile, step inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where immersive exhibitions bring Hollywood magic to life, revealing bold stories of filmmaking, iconic artists, groundbreaking technology, and cinema’s cultural impact; from glamorous to provocative and unforgettable moments.
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ARE FREE FOR ALL VISITORS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 16. ADVANCE TICKET RESERVATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. STANDBY ENTRY WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
YOUTH 17 AND UNDER ARE ALWAYS FREE.
Photo: La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Step into an Ice Age adventure at La Brea Tar Pits, where fossil discoveries emerge beneath Los Angeles, mammoth-sized exhibits amaze, and an active research site reveals how natural asphalt preserved prehistoric animals long ago.
FREE FOR LA COUNTY RESIDENTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 3 PM–5 PM
Photo: ICA LA
1717 E 7th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Discover ICA LA in Downtown LA’s Arts District — a bold, free contemporary art museum championing emerging voices, daring ideas, and innovative exhibitions that challenge perspectives, spark curiosity, and celebrate diverse stories shaping today’s culture.
FREE ADMISSION EVERY DAY. CLOSED MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
Photo: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Experience LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a vibrant downtown LA hub celebrating Mexican, Mexican-American, and Latinx culture through exhibitions, music, dance, food, and free community programs that honor history while shaping the future.
FREE ADMISSION WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY FROM 12PM TO 5PM.
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of nearly 152,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. Committed to showcasing a multitude of art histories, LACMA exhibits and interprets works of art from new and unexpected points of view that are informed by the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse population. It's also home to the iconic "Urban Light" sculpture!
FREE ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH:
ALSO FREE FOR L.A. COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH VALID I.D. AFTER 3 PM ON MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND FRIDAYS ALL MONTH LONG.
411 W Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
Over a 30-year period, industrialist Norton Simon amassed an astonishing collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The Norton Simon Museum continues to hold true to its namesake’s vision while organizing exhibits that demonstrate the richness and history of the collections. They also have an amazing Sculpture Garden filled with meandering paths and a serene water lily pond.
FREE EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 4 TO 7PM:
Friday, January 2, 2026
- Friday, February 6, 2026
- Friday, March 6, 2026
- Friday, April 3, 2026
- Friday, May 1, 2026
- Friday, June 5, 2026
- Friday, July 3, 2026
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Friday, September 4, 2026
- Friday, October 2, 2026
- Friday, November 6, 2026
- Friday, December 4, 2026
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Located in Griffith Park, the Autry Museum features world-class galleries filled with Native American art and cultural materials, film memorabilia, historic firearms, paintings, interactive areas, and more. Throughout the year, the Autry presents a wide range of public events and programs — including lectures, film, theater, festivals, family activities, and music — and performs scholarship, research, and educational outreach. The Autry’s collection of more than 500,000 pieces of art and artifacts, including one of the largest and most significant collections of Native American materials in the United States.
FREE DAY ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH:
ALSO FREE EVERY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY FROM 1-4PM
Photo: Fowler Museum
308 Charles E Young Dr N
Los Angeles, CA 90024
The diverse exhibitions at UCLA's Fowler Museum spotlight art and material culture from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas, blending past and present to spark curiosity, conversation, and fresh perspectives on global creativity.
FREE ADMISSION EVERY DAY. CLOSED MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
Photo: Elon Schoenholz, courtesy of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
250 South Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
AND
152 North Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles offers a unique opportunity to explore a vast collection of American and European contemporary art created after 1940, housed in an architecturally significant building designed by the renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. As the only artist-founded museum in Los Angeles, MOCA stands out for its dedication to presenting, collecting, preserving, and interpreting the art of our time, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and those looking to engage with contemporary expression and the changing definitions of art.
ADMISSION AT MOCA IS FREE EVERY DAY.
FREE ENTRY AT MOCA GEFFEN FROM 5–8PM ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
Friday, January 2, 2026
- Friday, February 6, 2026
- Friday, March 6, 2026
- Friday, April 3, 2026
- Friday, May 1, 2026
- Friday, June 5, 2026
- Friday, July 3, 2026
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Friday, September 4, 2026
- Friday, October 2, 2026
- Friday, November 6, 2026
- Friday, December 4, 2026
1200 Getty Center Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance. To fulfill this mission, the Museum continues to build its collections through purchase and gifts, and develops programs of exhibitions, publications, scholarly research, public education, and the performing arts that engage our diverse local and international audiences. All of these activities are enhanced by the uniquely evocative architectural and garden settings provided by the Museum's two renowned venues: the Getty Villa and the Getty Center.
FREE ADMISSION EVERY DAY (RESERVATION REQUIRED). THE GETTY CENTER IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS. PARKING IS $20, OR $15 AFTER 3PM.
Photo: Sarah M Golonka
10899 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
The Hammer 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 to inspire change. The Hammer understands that art not only has the power to transport us through aesthetic experience but can also provide significant insight into some of the most pressing cultural, political, and social questions of our time. A vibrant intellectual and creative nexus, the Hammer is fueled by dynamic exhibitions and programs — including lectures, symposia, film series, readings, and musical performances — that spark meaningful encounters with art and ideas.
FREE ADMISSION EVERY DAY
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
It's more than just dinosaur bones! The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States. There's a butterfly pavilion, gems & minerals exhibit, an electron microscope lab, and more fun for the whole family. Conveniently located in Mid-Wilshire, consider taking advantage of their free afternoon hours when you feel like playing hooky from work.
L.A. COUNTY RESIDENTS GET FREE ADMISSION FROM 3-5 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
The Skirball Cultural Center welcomes people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society. Open to the public since 1996, the Skirball is one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions and among the leading cultural venues in Los Angeles.
FREE ON THURSDAYS, NOON TO 5PM
221 S Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad and designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, this Grand Avenue museum offers an active program of rotating temporary exhibitions in addition to the 2,000 works of art in the permanent Broad collection, one of the world’s leading collections of postwar and contemporary art.
ADMISSION IS FREE EVERY DAY
1151 Oxford Rd.
San Marino, CA 91108
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens are world-renowned for their beauty and breadth. The Huntington is a research and cultural center surrounded by 130 acres spread across 16 specialized gardens. Originally the private estate of railroad magnate Henry Huntington, it is one of Southern California's must-see cultural destinations with magnificent collections of rare books, manuscripts, and famous works of art including Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy," Mary Cassatt's "Breakfast in Bed," a Gutenberg Bible, an illuminated manuscript of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, and a First Folio edition of Shakespeare.
FREE EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.
100 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Holocaust Museum LA continues its mission to commemorate those who perished, honor those who survived, educate about the Holocaust, and inspire a more dignified and humane world. Holocaust Museum LA is the first survivor-founded and oldest Holocaust museum in the United States. A group of survivors met in the 1960s and discovered that each of them had a photograph, document, or personal item from before the war. They wanted a place to memorialize their loved ones who perished and help to educate the public so that no one would ever forget.
FREE EVERY SUNDAY
CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL LATE 2026
As the national repository of Japanese American history, JANM creates groundbreaking historical and art exhibitions, educational public programs, award-winning documentaries, and innovative curricula that illuminate the stories and the rich cultural heritage of people of Japanese ancestry in the United States.
FREE FROM 5PM TO 8PM ON THURSDAYS
1418 Descanso Dr.
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Descanso Gardens is a story of plants and the people who loved them for their life-giving utility and their great natural beauty. While the tale unfolds over centuries, the connecting thread — from the indigenous people who relied on the plentiful oaks for food and their way of life to the 20th-century entrepreneur who sowed the seeds of a cultural institution — is a deep-seated love for this evocative and distinctive place. Descanso’s evolution into a botanic garden, open to the public and nationally accredited as a “museum of living collections,” is the most recent chapter in the rich history of this landscape.
FREE ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH
600 State Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90037
The California African American Museum (CAAM) explores the art, history, and culture of Black Americans, with an emphasis on California and the West. In addition to presenting a dynamic slate of exhibitions and public programs, CAAM houses a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art, artifacts, and historical documents, and a research library.
ADMISSION IS FREE EVERY DAY
628 Alamitos Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90802
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the pioneering museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Founded in 1996 by Robert Gumbiner, MOLAA houses a collection of more than 1,600 works of art including paintings, sculptures, drawings, mixed-media, photographs, and video art.
FREE EVERY SUNDAY, 11AM TO 5PM
1250 N. Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840
Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum is a community of people who examine, critique, and create contemporary art and culture. Recently expanded to 11,000 square feet, the arts complex located on the beautiful California State University campus, Kleefeld Contemporary is the only museum in Long Beach that is always free.
FREE ADMISSION EVERY DAY
301 N Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site located in what was the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia. Their mission is to cultivate their natural, horticultural, and historic resources for learning, enjoyment, and inspiration.
FREE ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH
5814 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Founded as a museum in 1973, Craft Contemporary reveals the potential of craft to educate, captivate, provoke, and empower. With a focus on contemporary art made from craft media and processes, Craft Contemporary presents dynamic exhibitions by established and emerging artists and designers who are often underrepresented in larger art institutions. Craft Contemporary complements these exhibitions with a creative line-up of educational programs, including hands-on workshops led by professional artists.
PAY WHAT YOU CAN EVERY SUNDAY. YOUTH UNDER 12 CAN ALWAYS VISIT CRAFT CONTEMPORARY FOR FREE.
399 N. Garey Ave.
Pomona, CA 91767
Exhibitions and programming at AMOCA embrace a wide range of topics – all relating to clay. Within this broadly diverse community, they strive to increase the aesthetic appreciation of clay as an art form. At the same time, AMOCA provides confirmed clay enthusiasts with encouragement, camaraderie, and exhibition opportunities.
THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH, ADMISSION PRICES ARE PAY WHAT YOU CAN:
Friday, January 2, 2026
- Friday, February 6, 2026
- Friday, March 6, 2026
- Friday, April 3, 2026
- Friday, May 1, 2026
- Friday, June 5, 2026
- Friday, July 3, 2026
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Friday, September 4, 2026
- Friday, October 2, 2026
- Friday, November 6, 2026
- Friday, December 4, 2026
YOUTH UNDER 12 CAN ALWAYS VISIT AMOCA FOR FREE.
Photo: Andrew Cullen
1401 S. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
The African American Firefighter Museum aims to acquire, preserve, and disseminate the rich heritage associated with African-American firefighters, emphasizing collaboration and educational initiatives. Notably, the AAFFM holds the distinction as the inaugural and sole museum exclusively committed to showcasing the contributions of African Americans in the US fire service. On the second floor, the museum gallery showcases an array of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that highlight the experiences of African-American firefighters from across the nation.
THE MUSEUM IS OPEN ON SUNDAYS FROM 1:00PM – 4:00PM. THERE IS NO COST TO TOUR THE MUSEUM; HOWEVER, DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. FREE STREET PARKING AVAILABLE.
PHOTO: LAGUNA ART MUSEUM
307 Cliff Dr.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Laguna Art Museum exists to engage and enlighten people of all ages through art that embodies and preserves the California experience. This OC institution presents exhibitions relevant to California artists and art enthusiasts throughout the year, and is home to the annual Art & Nature Festival, which celebrates the museum's unique relationship with our natural environment.
FREE ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 6 - 9PM
Photo: Taso Papadakis
644 N Main Street
Los Angeles 90012
The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) explores the Italian American experience in the context of the nation’s multicultural mosaic. The 6,000 square-foot museum is located in downtown Los Angeles and features an award-winning permanent exhibition, which is also accessible online, as well as temporary exhibitions, cultural-educational programming, and more.
ADMISSION IS FREE EVERY DAY
Photo: California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90037
The family-friendly California Science Center is home to over 150 interactive exhibits, including live animals, a 188,000 gallon kelp tank, and the Space Shuttle Endeavour. If you’re looking to expand your scientific adventure, check out one of their many special showings on their 7-story IMAX screen.
ADMISSION IS FREE EVERY DAY (IMAX SCREENINGS NOT INCLUDED)
Photo: The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
The Getty Villa was designed to evoke an ancient Roman villa. Its architecture and lush gardens provide a serene backdrop for a world-class collection of antiquities. Visitors can explore a vast array of artifacts, from intricate sculptures to delicate jewelry, and enjoy engaging exhibitions and educational programs.
ADMISSION IS FREE EVERY DAY (CLOSED TUESDAYS)
Photo: UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art
3333 Avenue of the Arts
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art unites OCMA and UC Irvine, presenting groundbreaking exhibitions, dynamic public programs, and a world-class modern and contemporary art collection across Costa Mesa and Irvine, expanding access, scholarship, and cultural impact.
GENERAL ADMISSION IS FREE, GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY LUGANO DIAMONDS. NO RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.
Photo: The Wende Museum
10808 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
Explore the Wende Museum in Culver City, where Cold War art and artifacts spark exhibitions, thought-provoking programs, and community experiences connecting history, politics, and culture to today’s changing world through education, collaboration, and civic engagement.
ADMISSION IS FREE ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY FROM 10AM—5PM.
Photo: Museum of Tolerance
9786 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Visit the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, an immersive multimedia experience confronting racism and prejudice worldwide, exploring Holocaust history, human rights, and moral choices through powerful exhibits that inspire dialogue, empathy, and social responsibility.
THE MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE IS PLEASED TO OFFER FREE ADMISSION ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2026, AS PART OF THE SOCAL MUSEUMS' ANNUAL FREE‑FOR‑ALL. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED.
Photo: East Los Angeles College
1301 Cesar Chavez Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
VPAM at East Los Angeles College is a community-rooted art museum and artist lab, championing underrepresented voices through exhibitions, dialogue, and learning while reflecting the diverse cultures of East LA, the San Gabriel Valley, and greater Los Angeles.
ALWAYS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. CLOSED SUNDAYS TO WEDNESDAYS.
Photo: Visit Pasadena
46 N Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
Founded in 1971, the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena celebrates the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands through exhibitions, education, and performances, fostering intercultural understanding with a world-class collection spanning 5,000 years of global creativity.
FREE ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH:
- Sunday, January 11, 2026
- Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Sunday, April 12, 2026
- Sunday, May 10, 2026
- Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- Sunday, August 9, 2026
- Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Sunday, December 13, 2026
DID WE MISS ONE OF YOUR FAVES? LET US KNOW! [email protected]
