La Brea Tar Pits to close for two-year renovation ahead of 2028 Olympics

The museum will undergo its first major update in 50 years to expand exhibition space and research facilities.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:19pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of visitors walking through the La Brea Tar Pits, with the bubbling asphalt and surrounding greenery blurred into soft, warm pools of color and light.As the La Brea Tar Pits museum undergoes a major renovation, visitors can still explore the outdoor park and active excavation sites during the two-year closure.Los Angeles Today

The iconic La Brea Tar Pits museum in Los Angeles will close on July 6, 2026 for a two-year renovation project to modernize the facility and increase exhibition and research space ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. While the museum building will be closed, the surrounding park and active excavation sites will remain open to the public during the project.

Why it matters

The La Brea Tar Pits is one of Los Angeles' most popular tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year to see the famous fossil beds and museum exhibits. The renovation will allow the museum to showcase more of its extensive collection of over 2 million prehistoric specimens and enhance the visitor experience just in time for the influx of tourists expected for the 2028 Olympics.

The details

The La Brea Tar Pits Museum will close on July 6, 2026 and is expected to remain closed for approximately two years. The renovation project aims to introduce new research spaces, updated exhibition areas, and expanded environments across the site to help visitors better engage with the scientific process of excavating and studying the tar pits' rich fossil record.

  • The La Brea Tar Pits Museum will close on July 6, 2026.
  • The museum is expected to remain closed for approximately two years.
  • The museum is scheduled to reopen just before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The players

La Brea Tar Pits Museum

One of Los Angeles' most iconic destinations, the La Brea Tar Pits Museum houses a collection of over 2 million prehistoric specimens and is a popular tourist attraction.

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What’s next

An exact reopening date for the renovated La Brea Tar Pits Museum in 2028 has not yet been announced.

The takeaway

The closure and renovation of the La Brea Tar Pits Museum is part of a broader effort by Los Angeles to modernize its cultural institutions and infrastructure ahead of hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics. The project will allow the museum to showcase more of its extensive fossil collection and enhance the visitor experience for the expected influx of tourists.