Pick a date to see which Los Angeles museums are free that day. This calendar covers 23 kid-friendly museums across LA, Pasadena, Long Beach and Orange County: monthly free days (like LACMA’s second Tuesday and the Huntington’s first Thursday), weekly free days, LA County resident hours, Bank of America weekends, and museums that are always free. Check the box if you live in LA County to include resident-only free hours.
Free days this month
Free days, hours and reservation rules change. Always confirm on the museum’s website before you go. Last checked: .
Monthly free museum days in Los Angeles at a glance
| When | Museum | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Wednesday | Autry Museum | Reserve ahead; free parking |
| 1st Thursday | The Huntington | Tickets release the last Thursday of the prior month at 9 a.m. |
| 1st Friday, 2–5 p.m. | Kidspace Children’s Museum | Tickets about 2 weeks ahead |
| 1st Friday, 4–7 p.m. | Norton Simon Museum | Kids 18 and under free every day |
| 1st full weekend | LACMA, Skirball, Autry, MOLAA (Sat), Discovery Cube OC (Sun) | Bank of America cardholders only |
| 2nd Tuesday | LACMA | Timed tickets highly recommended |
| Every Thursday | Skirball (Noah’s Ark) | Noah’s Ark needs a separate timed ticket |
| Weekdays 3–5 p.m. | Natural History Museum | LA County residents; closed 1st Tuesday |
| Weekdays after 3 p.m. | LACMA | LA County residents |
Always-free museums for kids in LA
- California Science Center (Exposition Park): the space shuttle Endeavour and permanent exhibits are free; parking $20.
- California African American Museum (Exposition Park): always free.
- Griffith Observatory: free building and telescopes; paid parking, closed Mondays.
- The Getty Center and Getty Villa: free with a timed reservation; parking $25. The Getty Center closes March 15, 2027 for about a year.
- The Broad, MOCA Grand Avenue and the Hammer: free general admission; closed Mondays.
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (San Pedro): free, with a suggested donation.
For more ideas that cost nothing, see our 50+ things to do in LA with kids and best indoor activities for kids in Los Angeles.
Museums where kids are always free
- LACMA: LA County kids 17 and under.
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: kids 17 and under.
- Norton Simon Museum: kids 18 and under and students.
- Long Beach Museum of Art: kids 12 and under.
- MOLAA and Bowers Museum: kids under 12.
- Museum of Tolerance: kids under 5.
More ways to get in free
Bank of America Museums on Us
Bank of America and Merrill cardholders get one free general admission on the first full weekend of every month (Nov. 7–8 and Dec. 5–6, 2026). In the LA area that includes LACMA, the Skirball, the Autry, MOLAA (Saturdays) and Discovery Cube Orange County (Sundays). It covers the cardholder only, so kids and other adults may still need tickets. See the partner list.
Museums for All (EBT card)
Families with an EBT card get free or reduced admission (usually $0 to $3 a person) at the Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, the Huntington, Kidspace, the Skirball, MOLAA, Cayton Children’s Museum, the Children’s Museum at La Habra and Pretend City, among others. LACMA, the Norton Simon and the Academy Museum are also free with an EBT card. See all participating museums.
Free library museum passes
With an adult library card you can reserve free museum passes through the LA Public Library’s Explore L.A. (including the Aquarium of the Pacific, Discovery Cube LA, the Natural History Museum, the Skirball, the Petersen and the LA Zoo) and LA County Library’s Discover & Go (including the Natural History Museum, Autry and Skirball). Passes are released on the 1st of each month and go quickly.
Closures to know about
- La Brea Tar Pits: the museum building closed July 6, 2026 for about two years; the park grounds stay open.
- Japanese American National Museum: closed for renovation until January 23, 2027.
- Getty Center: closes March 15, 2027 for about a year.
- Zimmer Children’s Museum is now the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica Place.
Tips for a free museum day with kids
- Book the moment tickets open. Huntington and Kidspace free days often sell out within hours.
- Budget for parking: in Exposition Park, Mid-City and the Getty, parking often costs more than admission would have.
- Go early or late. Free days are busiest at midday; resident afternoon hours (3–5 p.m.) are quieter after school.
- Pair a free museum with a nearby park. See the best parks in LA for kids.
Planning this weekend? See our weekly list of things to do in LA with kids this weekend, updated every Thursday.
FAQ
What museums are free in Los Angeles every day?
The California Science Center, California African American Museum, Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Broad, MOCA Grand Avenue, Hammer Museum and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium have free general admission whenever they’re open. Some need a free timed reservation, and most charge for parking.
When is LACMA free?
LACMA is free for everyone on the second Tuesday of each month, free for LA County residents on weekdays after 3 p.m., and always free for LA County kids 17 and under. It’s closed on Wednesdays.
Is the Natural History Museum free for LA County residents?
Yes, on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. with tickets bought onsite. It’s closed on the first Tuesday of each month.
When is the Huntington free?
The first Thursday of each month. Free tickets are released at 9 a.m. on the last Thursday of the month before, and each household is limited to 5 free visits a year.
Is the Skirball free on Thursdays?
Yes, general admission is free on Thursdays. Noah’s Ark needs a separate 90-minute timed ticket, and free Thursdays fill up, so book ahead.
Sources: each museum’s official admission page, linked in the calendar and table above (checked November 3, 2026); Exposition Park venues; Bank of America Museums on Us; Museums for All; LA Public Library Explore L.A.; LA County Library Discover & Go; La Brea Tar Pits; Japanese American National Museum.
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