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<\/p>\nBetween 2005 and 2023, Washington, D.C.\u2019s 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\u2019t afford it.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an incredible way for families to spend the day together experiencing art,\u201d said Arts Alliance executive director Helen French. \u201cWe have so many museums in the community, I don\u2019t know how you\u2019re going to hit them all in one day. So try a new one \u2013 why not go when it\u2019s free and see what you love?\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2026 Free Museum Day is this Saturday, Sept. 19. Nearly all of the city\u2019s museums are participating.<\/p>\n
According to French, picking up the Smithsonian\u2019s lead was a no-brainer for the Arts Alliance. \u201cPart 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?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we talk about how we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Dali Museum. Photo provided.<\/p>\n
Participating facilities for 2026:<\/p>\n
The Dal\u00ed Museum<\/a>. No advance reservations. Upon arrival, guests must present their resident ID (driver\u2019s 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 Dal\u00ed Dome is not included with Free Museum Day admission. 1 Dali Blvd., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.<\/p>\n Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg<\/a>. Register online at this link<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Contemporary glass art at the Imagine Museum. Photo provided.<\/p>\n Imagine Museum<\/a>. The contemporary glass art museum is offering free admission both Saturday and Sunday. Timed-entry advance registration is required at this link<\/a>. 1901 Central Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.<\/p>\n St. Petersburg Museum of History<\/a>. Step into the past at the city\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art<\/a>. Advance registration is required,at this link<\/a>. 150 Central Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.<\/p>\n The Florida Holocaust Museum<\/a>. Advance registration is not required. 55 5th Street S. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.).<\/p>\n FloridaRAMA<\/a>. Advance tickets are required, at this link<\/a>. 2606 Fairfield Avenue S., Bldg. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Imagine-Free-Museum-Day-300x209.jpg\")
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