SoCal’s annual Free-For-All is finally happening again after covid-induced closures interrupted this regional open day for the last two years. On Sunday, February 5, 2023, there’ll be free access to over 30 major institutions within Southern California. This initiative gives the public a chance to enjoy the best of art, cultural heritage, film, natural history, and science at world-class institutions.
“We are thrilled to be able to collectively welcome visitors from across the region on this special day once again. The Museums Free-for-All has always been a celebration of the varied and remarkable institutions in Southern California, and it is meaningful to continue this tradition of accessibility and joy,” says Briana Sapp, SoCal Museums President and Director of Marketing and Communications in a press release.
What museums can you visit for free?
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
American Museum of Ceramic Art (Advance tickets required)
Armory Center for the Arts
Bowers Museum
Catalina Museum for Art & History
Cayton’s Children’s Museum (Advance tickets required)
Craft Contemporary
Descanso Gardens (Advance tickets required)
Fowler Museum at UCLA
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Pepperdine University
Hammer Museum
The Getty Center
The Getty Villa (Timed tickets are required)
Japanese American National Museum
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum (Advance tickets required)
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Lincoln Memorial Shrine
Long Beach Museum of Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Muckenthaler Cultural Center
Museum of Latin America Art (MOLAA)
Museum of Tolerance
Museum of Ventura County
Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Santa Monica History Museum
Santa Paula Art Museum
Skirball Cultural Center
The Wende Museum
The Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum
USC Fisher Museum
USC Asia Pacific Museum
Will you get free access to special exhibitions?
Select shows and exhibitions may require paid tickets, so it’s best to check on the individual websites of your chosen museum before going.
What other museums can you visit for free in L.A.?
While the Free-For-All does save you the time of navigating and the free days of many of the best museums, it also serves as a reminder that almost every cultural institution offers free access on a particular day throughout the year. You can find our guide to free museums and galleries in L.A. here.