Joe Seer via Shutterstock.
One of Los Angeles’ most celebrated cultural institutions is turning five, and it’s throwing a party, completely free of charge. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is opening its doors for a full Free Day on Sunday, August 16, giving visitors access to all galleries, exhibitions, workshops, and even a movie screening at no cost.
🎬 A full day of free programming
The museum opens at 10 a.m. with free admission, no reservation required. Just show up and walk in. From there, the day is packed with activities running through the museum’s closing at 6 p.m.
Here’s what’s on the schedule:
🌽 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Esquites and aguas frescas by Fresh Fruit by Ruth, served at the Walt Disney Company Piazza. The first 100 servings of esquites are free, with food and beverages available for purchase after that.
🎀 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Ribbon-making workshop with the Brown Sugar Collective, where visitors can make personalized ribbons inspired by their favorite films and share the stories they want to see told on screen.
🌮 Noon – 5 p.m.: Tacos and treats from Fanny’s, the museum’s own restaurant, available for purchase in the Piazza.
💃 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Line dance workshops in the Piazza, led by Bootleg Linedance, a queer line-dance organization focused on community and making space for all bodies to belong. The 30-minute beginner-friendly sessions are free and open to everyone.
🎥 2 p.m.: A free screening of Munich in 35mm at the David Geffen Theater, the museum’s state-of-the-art cinema.
🏛️ Five years of the Academy Museum
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Since opening in 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has become one of L.A.’s premier cultural destinations, dedicated to the art, science, and history of filmmaking. Its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions explore everything from Hollywood’s golden age to contemporary cinema, with a building designed by architect Renzo Piano that has itself become a landmark along Wilshire Boulevard.
🎯 Key details
📍 Location: 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
📅 Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
🕙 Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
💵 Cost: Free admission, no advance reservation needed
🎟️ Note: All Free Day events are first-come, first-served