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St. Pete museums will go admission-free Saturday
Entry fees are waved for a number of art museums and history museums.
Between 2005 and 2023, Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian Institution coordinated a Free Museum Day cross-country, on which all admission fees were waived at participating locations. The idea, of course, was to invite in those folks who might not normally go into an art, history or other museum in their town. Or maybe they just couldn’t afford it.
When the national program was discontinued, St. Petersburg was among the metropolitan areas that opted to keep the tradition alive, through the auspices of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance.
“It’s an incredible way for families to spend the day together experiencing art,” said Arts Alliance executive director Helen French. “We have so many museums in the community, I don’t know how you’re going to hit them all in one day. So try a new one – why not go when it’s free and see what you love?”
The 2026 Free Museum Day is this Saturday, Sept. 19. Nearly all of the city’s museums are participating.
According to French, picking up the Smithsonian’s lead was a no-brainer for the Arts Alliance. “Part of our mission is to help educate our community the arts that exist here. So what better way than to partner with some of these big institutions for access to the art that they have?
“And we talk about how we’re the City of the Arts. This is also a great way to put a little skin in the game, if you will. And this is just one part of the arts community.”
The Dali Museum. Photo provided.
Participating facilities for 2026:
The Dalí Museum. No advance reservations. Upon arrival, guests must present their resident ID (driver’s license, voter registration card, utility bill with name/address or campus ID with proof of address for dorm room). Those without proof of residency will be required to pay standard admission prices. The Dalí Dome is not included with Free Museum Day admission. 1 Dali Blvd., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg. Register online at this link for free entry; there are morning and afternoon slots available (precise timing is not necessary). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors must present a valid ID indicating Pinellas County residency. 255 Beach Dr NE., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Contemporary glass art at the Imagine Museum. Photo provided.
Imagine Museum. The contemporary glass art museum is offering free admission both Saturday and Sunday. Timed-entry advance registration is required at this link. 1901 Central Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
St. Petersburg Museum of History. Step into the past at the city’s house of history, at your leisure: No registration required; for Pinellas county residents (with ID) only. 335 2nd Avenue NE (located near the entrance to the St. Pete Pier, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. Advance registration is required,at this link. 150 Central Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Florida Holocaust Museum. Advance registration is not required. 55 5th Street S. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.).
FloridaRAMA. Advance tickets are required, at this link. 2606 Fairfield Avenue S., Bldg. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida. No registration required. With a day of family activities. 2240 9th Avenue S, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. No registration required. Limited capacity at one time. On the St. Pete Pier, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Morean Art Center (719 Central Ave.) and Queer Asian Museum (1106 Central Ave.) are free every day.
