Here’s a Cheatsheet of Free Museum Days in L.A. For January 2023

You’re going to do it. 2023 will be the year. You’re finally going to take advantage of all those free museum days your friends and family share on TikTok and IG. Sound right? If so, you came to the right list.

Of course we have the usual calendar listing after the jump (scroll down for that), but first I want to highlight a few free events/openings happening at L.A. museums next month. You might just want to save the date:

• On January 8, the Japanese American National Museum offers free admission of part of their 2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival.
• Starting January 15, MOCA (always free) welcomes the first west coast exhibition documenting the career of artist, dancer, and choreographer Simone Forti. As part of the exhibition, visitors can experience “Dance Constructions” on select times on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays following the opening.
• Celebrate MLK Day with free King Day festivities at California African American Museum (also always free admission) on January 16.
• On January 28, the Torrance Art Museum (always free to visit) hosts an opening reception for their two new spring exhibitions, which includes Bridging The Pacific, a collection of works created by Japanese-American artists living in the SoCal area.

Now, as I always say, if you want to review all your free options, make sure to review our big list of free museum days here (including The Getty, The Broad, etc..). As for this month’s schedule of special days, see below!

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles for January 2023

[JANUARY 5] The Huntington (free every first Thursday. Note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. Resevrations for the January free day open on December 29 at 9 a.m.)

[JANUARY 5] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[JANUARY 5] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 5] USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[JANUARY 5] Martial Arts Museum (free every first Thursday of the month from 3 to 6 p.m.)

[JANUARY 6] Kidspace Children’s Museum (Free from 3 to 6 p.m. Advanced reservation required. Reservations usually open two weeks out from date of event).

[JANUARY 8] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 8] Craft Contemporary pay what you can every Sunday)

[JANUARY 8] USC Pacific Asian Museum (free admission every second Sunday)

[JANUARY 10] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (free on the second Tuesday of each month. Also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[JANUARY 10] Autry Museum of the American West (free on the second Tuesday of the month)

[JANUARY 12] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[JANUARY 12] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 12] USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[JANUARY 15] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 15] Craft Contemporary (pay what you can every Sunday)

[JANUARY 17] Los Angeles County Arboretum (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available starting January 2)

[JANUARY 17]  South Coast Botanic Garden (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available)

[JANUARY 17]  Descanso Gardens (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available starting January 3)

[JANUARY 19] Japanese American National Museum (free ALL DAY every Third Thursday)

[JANUARY 19] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 19] USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[JANUARY 22] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 22] Craft Contemporary (pay what you can every Sunday)

[JANUARY 26] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[JANUARY 26] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 26] USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[JANUARY 29] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JANUARY 29] Craft Contemporary  (pay what you can every Sunday)

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As a reminder, it’s ALWAYS good to verify the status of free days before you visit, so be sure to check the official museum websites to verify visiting hours, parking costs, and any other pertinent details. Keep in mind free admission days may not include specially ticketed exhibitions. For any errors, omissions, or corrections, please email us at [email protected].

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