Nearly all museums in St. Petersburg will drop admission fees this Saturday, Sept. 19. This happens as part of the city’s revived Free Museum Day. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance coordinates the annual event after the national program ended in 2023.

The Smithsonian Institution ran a nationwide Free Museum Day from 2005 to 2023 before discontinuing it. St. Petersburg chose to continue this tradition through the Arts Alliance to provide access to residents who might not visit museums or can’t afford the cost.

“It’s an incredible way for families to spend the day together experiencing art,” said Arts Alliance executive director Helen French, according to the St. Pete Catalyst. “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?”

French said picking up the Smithsonian’s lead was an easy decision. “Part of our mission is to help educate our community [about] 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?”

Nine facilities will participate in the 2026 event. The Dalí Museum, Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Museum of History, James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, Florida Holocaust Museum, FloridaRAMA, Woodson African American Museum of Florida, and Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center will all offer free entry.

Imagine Museum will extend free admission through Sunday. The Morean Art Center and Queer Asian Museum offer free entry every day.

Most locations require proof of Pinellas County residency. A driver’s license works. So does a voter registration card, utility bill, or campus ID. Several venues need advance registration through online ticketing systems, while others allow walk-in visits.

Operating hours differ by location. Most facilities open at 10 a.m. Closing times range from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg opens at 9 a.m., and the Florida Holocaust Museum will let in final guests at 4 p.m.

The Dalí Dome is not included with free admission at The Dalí Museum. Imagine Museum offers timed-entry slots that must be reserved in advance.