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

Well, May is on deck and in the cheatsheet world that means one thing: It’s time for Museums of The Arroyo Day!

For more than 30 years, MOTA has banded together a collection of museums and and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco for an annual day of free admission and family-friendly cultural activities. MOTA returns on Sunday, May 21, and there are five participants for the 2023 edition, including The Gamble House, Heritage Square Museum, Los Angeles Police Museum, Lummis Home, and the Pasadena Museum of History.

For those public transit enthusiasts out there, keep in mind you can take the Metro Gold Line to the Heritage Square Station, stroll over the first museum stop, then take advantage of a free shuttles set up by MOTA organizers that connects the other destinations for the day. Just make sure you head over to the MOTA website to stay updated on the timing and the shuttle routes (and yes, expect a crowd).

Of course if that doesn’t tickle the fancy, here are a few other free museum-ish events on the radar for the coming month:

• On May 11, Students from The Colburn School’s Dance Academy and Advanced Modern Ensemble bring a special performance to the MOCA Geffen Contemporary.
• On May 13, Bob Baker Marionette Theater comes to the El Segundo Museum of Art for a special live puppet performance.
• On May 20, experimental pop musician SPELLING headlines the next edition of The Getty’s Off The 405 concert series.
• On May 27, the Torrance Museum of Art hosts an opening reception for its two early summer exhibitions.
• UPDATE: The USC Pacific Asia Museum is offering free admission for all of May to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month.

And finally, per usual, make sure to review all your freebie options for the coming month by perusing our big list of free museum days here (The Getty, The Broad, etc..). Otherwise, scope out the May calendar of free dates below. And, as always, enjoy!

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles for April 2023

[MAY 4] 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 May free day open on April 26 at 9 a.m.)

[MAY 4] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 4] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 4]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 4] Martial Arts Museum (free every first Thursday of the month from 3 to 6 p.m.)

[MAY 7] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 7] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 7] Craft Contemporary pay what you can every Sunday)

[MAY 9] 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 9] Autry Museum of the American West (free on the second Tuesday of the month)

[MAY 11] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 11] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 11]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 14] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 14] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 14] Craft Contemporary pay what you can every Sunday)

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

[MAY 16] Los Angeles County Arboretum (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available starting May 1)

[MAY 16  South Coast Botanic Garden (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available)

[MAY 16]  Descanso Gardens (free on the third Tuesday of each month. Limited reservations available starting May 1)

[MAY 18] Japanese American National Museum (free ALL DAY every Third Thursday)

[MAY 18] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 18]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 21] Museums of the Arroyo Day offers free admission and special activities at 5 museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco.

[MAY 21] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 21] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 21] Craft Contemporary pay what you can every Sunday)

[MAY 25] Japanese American National Museum (free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays)

[MAY 25] Skirball Cultural Center (free on Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 25]  USC Pacific Asian Museum (pay what you wish every Thursday)

[MAY 28] Holocaust Museum LA (free every Sunday)

[MAY 28] Museum of Latin American Art (free every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[MAY 28] 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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