Here’s a Cheatsheet of Free Museum Days in L.A. For May 2024

Spring is rolling along, and we’re back with a fresh edition of your favorite freebie cheatsheet. Per usual, before we get to the main list, below are a few programming notes/events you might want to keep on your radar for the month to come:

• LACMA’s Free Friday Night Jazz series is back starting May 3, continuing weekly with concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza through the fall. Pro-tip: LACMA is free to visit for L.A. County Residents (with I.D.) on weekdays after 3 p.m., and on Fridays they stay open late, until 8 p.m. Makes for a great date night!
• Five museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco offer free admission for the annual Museums of The Arroyo Day, happening this year on Sunday, May 5. Participants include The Gamble House, Heritage Square, the L.A. Police Museum, the Lummis Home, and the Pasadena Museum of History. There’s a free shuttle too.
• Okay, it’s not necessarily free, but Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak at Skirball Cultural Center (just opened last week) has to be one of the best exhibitions I’ve seen so far this year. Or maybe I’m just nostalgic for my childhood…? Skirball admission is $18, but they are free every Thursday.

And that’s it for the notes!

If you want to get more ideas, you can visit our big free museum round-up here. For now, let’s continue on to this month’s list below.

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles for May 2024

** Remember to check the ticketing links to make reservations in advance (if applicable) and/or to verify the free museum hours/dates **

[MAY 1] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 2] The Huntington (free every first Thursday. Note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. Reservations for the March free day open on April 25 at 9 a.m.)

[MAY 2] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 2] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 2]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 2] Martial Arts Museum (free every first Thursday of the month from 3 to 6 p.m.)

[MAY 3 ] Norton Simon Museum is free every first Friday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m.

[MAY 5] Museums of The Arroyo Day offers free admission at five museums located adjacent to the Arroyo Seco.

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

[MAY 5] Craft Contemporary (pay what you can every Sunday)

[MAY 5] Santa Monica History Museum (free every first Sunday of the month)

[MAY 5] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 7] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 8 ] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 9] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 9] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 9]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 12] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 12] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 12] Craft Contemporary (pay what you can every Sunday)

[APRIL 14] USC Pacific Asian Museum (free admission every second Sunday)

[MAY 14] 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)

[MAY 14] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 15] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 16] Japanese American National Museum (free ALL DAY every Third Thursday)

[MAY 16] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 16]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 19] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 19] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 19] Craft Contemporary (pay what you can every Sunday)

[MAY 21] Descanso Gardens (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available starting on May 1 at 10 a.m.)

[MAY 21]  South Coast Botanic Garden (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available)

[MAY 21] Los Angeles County Arboretum (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available starting on May 1)

[MAY 21] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 22] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 23] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 23] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 23]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 26] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 26] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 26] Craft Contemporary (pay what you can every Sunday)

[MAY 28] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 29] The Autry offers free afternoon admission from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday.

[MAY 30] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 30] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 30]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

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