The year was 2021. Like many public attractions around the world, SFMOMA closed for roughly a year during the pandemic. And in a push to rebuild audiences and improve equity, the legendary SF museum began to offer free admission days for Bay Area residents on the first Thursday of every month, saving visitors a cool 30 bucks.
For five years, we faithfully included SFMOMA in our monthly roundup of free museum days all over the city — that is, until the museum’s free admission program abruptly ended in February 2026 due to budget constraints.
Alas, all good things come to an end. But according to KQED, the museum still hopes to reassess and relaunch the program at an undetermined date in the future.
More ways to enjoy free admission at SFMOMA
In the meantime, SFMOMA still offers a few alternative ways to access the gallery spaces without spending a buck. Here’s the breakdown.
- Free admission for kids 18 and under: SFMOMA still offers free admission to kids and youth 18 years of age and under.
- Free Family Days: Every few months, the museum hosts a Free Family Day with additional art-making activities and performances in the Koret Education Center. General admission is free for up to two adults accompanying one child or teen (18 and under). The next Free Family Day is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2026.
- Free Community Days: Several times a year, SFMOMA also offers periodic Free Community Days with free admission for all visitors. They usually feature immersive activities and activations in line with the latest exhibition. Right now, the next Free Community Day is still TBA.
- Museums for All: EBT and Medi-Cal cardholders can get free or highly discounted admission to SFMOMA and other museums through this city program.
- Discover and Go: SF Public Library cardholders can register for free and low-cost passes to SFMOMA and more local museums.
- Always Free to See: Did you know that 45,000 square feet of SFMOMA’s building are open and free for the public to access during museum hours? Check out rotating installations on the first and second floors.
🌐 Learn more: SFMOMA.org/free-days
