L.A. Museums Offer Free Admission on February 22, 2026, Including a Chance to See Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers

Los Angeles residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore over two dozen museums for free on Sunday, February 22, 2026, as part of the annual “Museums Free-for-All” event. Among the participating institutions is the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” are on display.

Exploring Los Angeles’ Cultural Gems

Organized by SoCal Museums, the “Museums Free-for-All” initiative aims to connect the community with the arts, history, science, and culture that Southern California has to offer. More than 800 museums exist in the region, and this event provides access to over two dozen of them without charge.

Featured Museums and Reservation Requirements

While general admission is complimentary, some museums require advance reservations or timed tickets, and special exhibitions may still have associated costs. Here’s a list of participating museums and their reservation policies as of February 18, 2026:

• Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the day.
• American Museum of Ceramic Art: Advanced reservations are required. Visit amoca.org to develop a reservation.
• Autry Museum of the American West: Advanced reservations are required. Visit theautry.org to make a reservation.
• Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College: No reservation information available.
• Bowers Museum: No reservation information available.
• The Broad: Advanced reservations are recommended. Visit broad.org to make a reservation.
• California African American Museum: No reservation information available.
• California Botanic Garden: Advanced reservations are recommended. Visit calbg.org to make a reservation.
• Columbia Space Center: No reservation information available.
• Craft Contemporary: No reservation information available.
• The Forest Lawn: No reservation information available.
• Fowler Museum at UCLA: No reservation information available.
• The Getty Center & The Getty Villa: Timed tickets are required for The Getty Center. Visit getty.edu to make a reservation.
• Hammer Museum: Present a L.A. Metro TAP card at the Hammer Museum Store for 10% off purchases, including membership.
• Institute Contemporary Art, LA: No reservation information available.
• La Brea Tar Pits & Museum: Advance tickets required. Visit tarpits.org to make a reservation.
• LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes: No reservation information available.
• Lincoln Memorial Shrine: No reservation information available.
• Long Beach Museum of Art: Advance tickets are recommended. Visit lbma.org to make a reservation.
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA): Advance tickets are required. Visit lacma.org to make a reservation.
• MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA: Advance tickets are recommended. Visit moca.org to make a reservation.
• Museum of Latin American Art: No reservation information available.
• Museum of Tolerance: No reservation information available.
• Santa Monica History Museum: No reservation information available.
• Skirball Cultural Center: Advance tickets recommended for both Noah’s Ark and general admission. Visit skirball.org to make a reservation.
• Wende Museum: No reservation information available.

Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will showcase Dorothy’s ruby slippers, a beloved artifact from the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” The Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. Also houses a pair of the iconic slippers, and they are a popular attraction there. The Smithsonian’s website details the slippers’ history and ongoing conservation efforts.

As the slippers approach their 80th anniversary, they are showing their age, and the Smithsonian is seeking support for their conservation and a fresh display case.