Over 25 SoCal Museums Offer Free Admission This Sunday

Annual Museums Free-for-All event allows visitors to explore arts, culture, science, and history across the region.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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More than two dozen museums across Southern California, including the Academy Museum, LACMA, and the Getty Villa, will offer free general admission to the public this Sunday, February 22, as part of the annual Museums Free-for-All event. The event provides an opportunity for residents to discover the array of arts, culture, science, and history available at these institutions without having to pay for admission.

Why it matters

The Museums Free-for-All event promotes accessibility to the region's cultural institutions, allowing more people to engage with and appreciate the diverse offerings across Southern California. This supports the mission of many museums to make their collections and programming available to the broadest possible audience.

The details

The participating museums span a wide range of disciplines, from art and history to science and nature. Visitors can see ancient Roman and Greek art at the Getty Villa, explore the La Brea Tar Pits, or check out the latest exhibitions at the Academy Museum and LACMA. The free admission covers general museum entry, though some special exhibitions may require separate tickets.

  • The Museums Free-for-All event takes place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

SoCal Museums

An organization that coordinates the annual Museums Free-for-All event, which includes over 25 museums across Southern California.

California State Library Parks Pass

A program that allows California public library cardholders to check out a pass that grants free entry to California State Parks under certain conditions.

Museums for All

A nationwide initiative that allows people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to get free or reduced admission to hundreds of museums by presenting their EBT card.

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What they’re saying

“Many museums in California are part of Museums for All, a nationwide initiative that allows people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits — known as CalFresh in the state — to get free or reduced admission to hundreds of museums by presenting their EBT card.”

— Paris Barraza, Reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network (USA TODAY)

What’s next

Visitors should check the websites of individual museums to confirm their participation in the Museums Free-for-All event and any special instructions or requirements.

The takeaway

The Museums Free-for-All event provides a valuable opportunity for Southern California residents to explore the region's rich cultural offerings at no cost, promoting accessibility and engagement with the arts, history, science, and more.