SoCal Museums – Free- For- All Day
- March 12, 2025
- 12:15 am
SoCal Museums Free-For- All Day shares one day of SoCal’s favorite museums making them free to the public giving California residents the chance to see, learn and enjoy. This Sunday March 16th, don’t miss your favorite SoCal Museum free of charge. SoCal and beyond shares cultural venues eager to welcome guests during this special one day only celebration of California culture. Of course, we started sharing all the details in Orange County but here are the museums offering free admission.
Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
OCMA showcases contemporary art from California and beyond. The museum features a dynamic collection of works across various mediums, providing visitors with a thought-provoking experience. On Museums Free-For-All Day, OCMA offers free admission, allowing guests to explore its latest exhibitions without charge, in fact OCMA located in Costa Mesa is Free to see all year. Open weekly Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-6pm OCMA is donation based and should be added to your list for your next weekend getaway in Orange County. Visit ocma.art for more information.
Bowers Museum
The Bowers Museum is renowned for its diverse collections and engaging exhibitions. Current exhibits include Art of the Pacific Islands, The Eternal Garden: Titanium Art by AKA Chen , MIAO: Masters of Silver, Sacred Realms: Buddhist paintings by Shashi Dhoj Tulachan, California Bounty: Image and Identity and more. On Museums Free-For-All Day, the museum offers free general admission for walk-up visitors. TAP card holders also receive a 10% discount on full-priced items in the Museum store. Please note that this discount cannot be combined with other offers, and exclusions may apply. Visit bowers.org for more information.
Laguna Art Museum
The Laguna Art Museum is a contemporary art museum in the heart of Laguna Beach California. Don’t miss this years Free- For- All Event where you can browse their California Cool Art Auction, the Latest and Greatest of Laguna Beach art, Christian Sampson’s Ocean Ions and more. Visit lagunaartmuseum.org for more information.
Brea Gallery
The Brea Gallery features a range of art exhibitions, including local, national, and international artists. The gallery provides a platform for various art forms, ensuring a rich cultural experience for all visitors. Open now is their Bitter/Sweet exhibit that honors the euphoria and despair inextricably tied to our most personal moments. On Museums Free-For-All Day, the Brea Gallery invites guests to explore its current exhibitions free of charge. Visit breaartgallery.com for more information.
Palm Court Art Complex
Irvine’s Palm Court is always free but its a great place to visit at the Irvine Great Park and should be added to your list of things to do in Orange County. The Palm Court Arts Complex is home to the Great Park Gallery, Great Park Artist Studios, Hangar 244, and a shaded outdoor plaza enhanced by 54 Canary Islands date palms. This cultural campus supports the development of a fresh approach to establishing an interdisciplinary, public arts program.
Planning Your Visit
Given the popularity of Museums Free-For-All Day, advance reservations are encouraged where available to ensure a smooth experience. For museums requiring reservations, please visit their official websites to secure your spot. For a comprehensive list of participating museums and any specific admission details, please refer to the official SoCal Museums website.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, Museums Free-For-All Day is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural offerings of Orange County and beyond. Don’t miss out on this chance to explore, learn, and experience the diverse art and history that Southern California has to offer.
Here’s the Full List Of Participating Museums
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
(Advance reservations are encouraged. Standby line will be available. Visit academymuseum.org to make a reservation.)
American Museum of Ceramic Art
(Advance reservations are required. Visit amoca.org to make a reservation.)
Autry Museum of the American West
(Advance reservations are required. Visit theautry.org to make a reservation. TAP card holders always receive $4 off regular admission at the Autry.)
Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
Bowers Museum
(Free General Admission for walk ups only. TAP card holders receive a 10% discount on full-priced items in the Museum store. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Exclusions may apply.)
The Broad
(Advance reservations are encouraged. Walk ups are available daily. Visit broad.org to make a reservation.)
California African American Museum
California Botanic Garden
(Free admission on Saturday, March 15th in lieu of Sunday, March 16th. Advance reservations are recommended. Visit www.calbg.org to make a reservation.)
Catalina Museum for Art & History
Columbia Memorial Space Center
Craft Contemporary
(Please check in at the front desk to receive an admission pass. TAP card holders receive a 10% discount in the Museum store.)
Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
The Getty Center
(Advance reservations required. TAP card holders receive a 10% discount in the Museum store.)
GRAMMY Museum
(TAP card holders receive a 10% discount in the Museum store.)
Hammer Museum
(TAP card holders receive a 10% discount in the Museum store.)
Holocaust Museum LA
(Advance reservations are required. Visit holocaustmuseumla.org to make a reservation.)
Institute Contemporary Art, LA
International Printing Museum
(Free tours on Saturday, March 15, 10am to 4pm. Reservations are required, visit printmuseum.org/events.)
La Brea Tar Pits
(Advance reservations are required. Visit tarpits.org to make a reservation.)
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
(TAP card holders receive a 20% discount in the LA Tienda museum store.)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
(Advance reservations are recommended. Visit lacma.org to make a reservation.)
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
(Advance reservations are recommended. Visit moca.org to make a reservation.)
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
(TAP card holders receive a 10% discount in the Museum store.)
Museum of Tolerance
(TAP card holders receive a 10% discount in the Museum store.)
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
(Advance reservations are recommended. Visit sbma.net to make a reservation.)
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
(Advance reservations are recommended. Visit sbnature.org to make a reservation. Sea Center not included.)
Santa Monica History Museum
(TAP card holders receive a ticket for free admission for future use, or gift it to a friend.)
Skirball Cultural Center
(Advance tickets are strongly recommended for Noah’s Ark. Visit skirball.org to make a reservation.)
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
(Historic house tour requires advance tickets. Visit sunnylands.org to make a reservation.) USC Pacific Asia Museum
Visit socalmuseums.org to plan your trip.
The 2025 Museums Free-For-All is sponsored by LAist, PBS SoCal and The SoCal Sound.
SoCal Museums – Free- For- All Day
SoCal Museums Free-For- All Day shares one day of SoCal’s favorite museums making them free to the public giving California residents the chance to see,
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