Southern California families, mark your calendars. The annual Museums Free-for-All is back on Sunday, February 22, 2026, and it is one of the best ways to explore arts and culture across the region without paying general admission.
Hosted by SoCal Museums, this long-standing tradition brings together museums from Santa Barbara to Orange County to Palm Springs, inviting the public to experience art, science, history, film, cultural heritage, and more, all in one special day.
“For more than twenty years, SoCal Museums members have come together annually to collectively open our doors and welcome the public,” said Cristian Hamilton, President of SoCal Museums and Vice President of Advancement at the Autry Museum of the American West. “We believe arts and culture should be accessible to everyone, and Museums Free-for-All has become a community touchstone.”
For families in the Inland Empire, this is a great opportunity to plan a day trip to Los Angeles, Claremont, Palm Springs, or even Santa Barbara and turn it into a memory-making outing.
Important Details to Know
• Free admission applies to general museum admission only
• Specially ticketed exhibitions are not included
• Regular parking fees may apply
• Some museums require advance or timed reservations
• Always check individual museum websites for hours and ticket details
You can view the full calendar of participating museums at socalmuseums.net/free.
Participating Museums
Here is the full list of participating institutions for 2026. Be sure to check reservation requirements before you go.
š¬ Film, Art & Design
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
First come, first served tickets available all day
The Broad
Advance reservations recommended
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Advance tickets required
MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
Advance tickets recommended
Palm Springs Art Museum
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Long Beach Museum of Art
Advance tickets recommended
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
Craft Contemporary
Institute of Contemporary Art, LA
šæ Nature, Science & Discovery
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Advance tickets required
California Botanic Garden
Advance reservations recommended
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Advance reservations recommended, Sea Center not included
Columbia Space Center
š History & Cultural Heritage
Autry Museum of the American West
Advance reservations required
California African American Museum
Fowler Museum at UCLA
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Lincoln Memorial Shrine
Museum of Latin American Art
Museum of Tolerance
Santa Monica History Museum
Wende Museum
The Forest Lawn Museum
š„ Family Favorites with Special Notes
The Getty Center and The Getty Villa
Timed tickets required for The Getty Center
Skirball Cultural Center
Advance tickets recommended for both Noah’s Ark and general admission
American Museum of Ceramic Art
Advance reservations required
Bowers Museum
Hammer Museum
Show an L.A. Metro TAP card at the Museum Store for 10 percent off your purchase, including membership
Why This Is Worth Planning
For local families in Upland, Claremont, La Verne, and surrounding communities, this is a great excuse to:
• Introduce kids to a museum they have never visited
• Revisit a favorite spot without the admission cost
• Pair a museum stop with lunch in a nearby neighborhood
• Make it a learning day that feels like an adventure
The weekend weather is dry, making it a comfortable time to explore. Just remember that this event is popular, so reservations are key where required. If you decide to make a day of it, check each museum’s website ahead of time and plan your route to make the most of your outing.
Have you attended Museums Free-for-All before? I would love to hear which museum is your family’s favorite.
