Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) Free Days

Updated 2026-09-04 · Free · No sign-up

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is free weekdays 3pm–5pm — for L.A. County residents (M-F 3-5pm, onsite only); CA EBT cardholders; CA PreK-12 teachers; active/retired US military; USC students/faculty; children under 2. L.A. County residents get free admission Monday–Friday, 3–5pm (available onsite only, at the ticketing desk/kiosks). Also free daily for CA EBT cardholders with ID (up to 2 adults/4 children), CA PreK-12 teachers with ID, active/retired US military with ID, USC students/faculty, and children 2 and under. Resident free-hour tickets are onsite-only (not bookable online); EBT/teacher/military passes can be reserved online with ID verification Verified on Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM)'s own page, last checked 2026-09-04.

At a glance

Free dayWeekdays 3pm–5pm
Who qualifiesL.A. County residents (M-F 3-5pm, onsite only); CA EBT cardholders; CA PreK-12 teachers; active/retired US military; USC students/faculty; children under 2
ReservationResident free-hour tickets are onsite-only (not bookable online); EBT/teacher/military passes can be reserved online with ID verification
What's includedGeneral admission; parking, special exhibitions, Butterfly & Spider Pavilion, and 3D Theater are separate paid add-ons
Regular adult priceNot listed on the free-admission page; see nhm.org buy-tickets
Sourcenhm.org · checked 2026-09-04

Upcoming free days

  • Monday, Sep 7, 2026
  • Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026
  • Wednesday, Sep 9, 2026
  • Thursday, Sep 10, 2026
  • Friday, Sep 11, 2026
  • Monday, Sep 14, 2026

Dates computed from the published schedule rule as of 2026-09-04 — an institution can still cancel one for a private event or holiday. Confirm on the official page before you go.

The fine print

Eligibility: L.A. County residents (M-F 3-5pm, onsite only); CA EBT cardholders; CA PreK-12 teachers; active/retired US military; USC students/faculty; children under 2. General admission; parking, special exhibitions, Butterfly & Spider Pavilion, and 3D Theater are separate paid add-ons. Skipping the ticket window here saves Not listed on the free-admission page; see nhm.org buy-tickets per adult.

Worth knowing: The L.A. County resident free window is only sold in person at the Museum ticketing desk/kiosks, not online — a driver can't reserve it in advance.

Also free in Los Angeles

California Science Center (always free) · Griffith Observatory (always free) · Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) (2nd tuesday monthly) · Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (no regular free day) · The Broad (always free) · The Getty Center (always free) — or see the full free museum days in Los Angeles guide.

↥ Check another museum →   Browse all free museum & zoo days →

FAQ

When is Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) free?

L.A. County residents get free admission Monday–Friday, 3–5pm (available onsite only, at the ticketing desk/kiosks). Also free daily for CA EBT cardholders with ID (up to 2 adults/4 children), CA PreK-12 teachers with ID, active/retired US military with ID, USC students/faculty, and children 2 and under.

Do I need a reservation for Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM)'s free days?

Resident free-hour tickets are onsite-only (not bookable online); EBT/teacher/military passes can be reserved online with ID verification

Can visitors use Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM)'s free days?

The free days are for L.A. County residents (M-F 3-5pm, onsite only); CA EBT cardholders; CA PreK-12 teachers; active/retired US military; USC students/faculty; children under 2 — typically with ID or proof of residency. Visitors pay regular admission (Not listed on the free-admission page; see nhm.org buy-tickets).

What does a free day at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) include?

General admission; parking, special exhibitions, Butterfly & Spider Pavilion, and 3D Theater are separate paid add-ons

How much is Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) normally?

Not listed on the free-admission page; see nhm.org buy-tickets. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.

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