2026 Sacramento Free Museum Weekend
If you haven’t heard about Sacramento’s annual Free Museum Day, it’s time you learn about this fantastic freebie. Free Museum Weekend is one of the best annual things to do in Sacramento with kids.
You likely know about the California State Railroad Museum, but there are also science museums, an aerospace museum, historic sites, and many more museums to explore for educational outings. Kids have the chance to learn and experience culture and history at Sacramento area museums.
Free Museum Weekend is a great way to save money, especially if you have a large family. This annual event is just one of the many ways you can get free admission to some of the top museums in Sacramento for kids.
Keep reading below for everything you need to know on how to prepare for Free Museum Weekend.
When is Sacramento Free Museum Weekend?
Each year, Free Museum Weekend usually takes place during the first weekend of March. Tons of Sacramento area museums open their doors for free. Free Museum Day began as a single day, but has since expanded to a two-day weekend.
In 2026, Free Museum Weekend in Sacramento takes place on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, 2026.
How to Get Tickets for Free Museum Weekend in Sacramento
While over 20 Sacramento museums open their doors for Free Museum Weekend, pre-registration is required for free reservations.
Pre-registration for 2026 Free Museum Weekend opens on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 9am PST. Save the pre-registration date, and set a reminder in your calendars! Pre-register on the official Free Museum Weekend website. Tickets go fast!
Capacity is limited, and free admission availability goes quickly. This is not an event that you can show up to on the day of and requires planning. That said, you can still visit museums in Sacramento during Free Museum Weekend, but regular admission rates will apply if you didn’t reserve free tickets.
Expect Sacramento area museums to be busy during the Free Museum Weekend dates. However, don’t let the crowds deter you from enjoying a wonderful free museum day or weekend.
