de Young Museum Free Admission Day | First Tuesdays

Located in beautiful Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum is a landmark art museum founded in 1895. Your visit includes a whirlwind trip around the world as the museum’s collections feature priceless treasures and works of arts from the 17th through the 20th centuries from the Americas, textile arts, and art of Africa and Oceania.

Free Admission Day: de Young
First Tuesday of the month

On the first Tuesday of every month, admission to the permanent galleries is free (special exhibition fees still apply).

Free Things to See at the de Young

Even if you don’t attend on a free day, make sure to head up to the gorgeous glass-walled Hamon Observation Tower which offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views of downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, the Bay, and the Marin headlands.

Also, stroll through the whimsical Barbro Osher Sculpture Garden to see modern works and James Turrel’s site-specific sculpture Skyspace.

Access to both the Observation Tower and the Sculpture Garden are free to the public. Please note, the Tower Observation Level closes one hour before the museum closes.

Additional de Young Free & Discount Admission Programs

Free Saturdays for Bay Area Residents

Reserve Online and Skip the Line

Every Saturday, the de Young offers free general admission to all residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Saturdays feature engaging art experiences for the entire family, including art making, gallery guides, and tours with discussion and sketching in the permanent galleries.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
• Reserve your tickets in advance online. Please be prepared to verify with ID onsite.
• Free admission may be redeemed onsite with a driver’s license or postmarked envelope.
• Visitors ages 17 and under always receive free admission to the permanent collection galleries.
• Qualifying counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma

Accessibility Admission

Includes free general admission and discounted special exhibition admission during normal museum hours. We also offer dedicated Access Days for visitors with disabilities and a guest. Visit our full list of Accessibility programs for more information.

• • Free general admission and discounted special exhibition tickets may be redeemed by showing valid ID at the ticketing and membership desks, or by contacting access@famsf.org.
  • Valid ID includes documentation from a physician or a local or federal government agency, including a physician letter, a Medicaid or Medicare card, an SSD benefits letter, or a disabled transit pass.

Museums for All

All visitors receiving Medi-Cal and food assistance (SNAP benefits) are offered free general admission and are eligible to purchase a Museums for All membership.

• The free general admission offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Full-price admission to special exhibitions still applies.
• Free general admission may be redeemed by presenting a valid Medi-Cal or EBT card at the ticketing and membership desks, pending availability.
• Museums for All membership is a discounted ($48) Family membership and includes benefits for two members, two guests, and six youths through age 17 at the de Young and Legion of Honor.
• To purchase a Museums for All membership, visit the membership desk or museum store at the de Young or Legion of Honor. Eligibility required to join; please provide documentation in the form of a valid Medi-Cal or EBT card. Learn more.

Discover & Go – Free Admission via Libraries

Discover & Go offers free general admission for California library cardholders through select libraries in the area.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Full-price admission to special exhibitions still applies.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Discover & Go voucher at the ticketing and membership desks. Register online to receive a dated Discover & Go voucher prior to visiting, pending availability.

Bank of America’s ‘Museums on Us’

During Museums on Us weekends — the first full weekend of every month — Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank (US Trust) cardholders receive complimentary general admission.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Full-price admission to special exhibitions still applies.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank (US Trust) credit or debit card and photo ID.
• Offer available for account holder or cardholder only.
• Tickets are available on-site, day-of only, and are subject to availability; arrive early for best availability.

Sotheby’s Preferred

Sotheby’s Preferred members receive free museum admission.

• This offer applies to general admission and special exhibitions.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Sotheby’s Preferred membership card and photo ID.
• Offer available for the cardholder and up to three guests.
• Tickets are available on-site, day-of only, and are subject to availability; arrive early for best availability.
• Please note: cardholders cannot be guaranteed admission to special exhibitions on days when tickets are sold out.

Public Transportation Discount

Receive a $3 discount with proof of purchase from any Bay Area public transportation system, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, and more.

• This offer applies to general admission and special exhibitions.
• Discount may be redeemed by presenting a proof of purchase from any Bay Area public transportation system.
• This discount is available in person at the time of purchase only; it does not apply to online purchases or previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with other offers.

Veterans + Active military

All veterans and active military personnel are offered free general admission tickets and discounted special exhibition tickets.

• Free general admission applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
• Tickets may be redeemed by showing valid military ID at the ticketing or membership desks.

2026 Upcoming Special Exhibitions

Art of Manga
Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026
de Young Museum
A major exhibition featuring hundreds of original manga drawings.

Contemporary Painting in Papua New Guinea: Mathias Kauage and His Family
Through Mar 15, 2026
de Young Museum
Paintings by Mathias Kauage and his family, exploring contemporary life and culture.

The McCoy Jones Collection: Textiles from Central Asia and the Middle East
Nov 29, 2025 – May 24, 2026
de Young Museum
Textiles and embroidered works from Central Asia and the Middle East.

Embroidered Histories
Nov 29, 2025 – May 24, 2026
de Young Museum
Historic embroidered textiles showing detailed craft and design.

Boom and Bust: Photographing Northern California
Oct 18, 2025 – Jun 7, 2026
de Young Museum
Photographs documenting cycles of change in Northern California.

Rooted in Place: California Native Art
Aug 26, 2025 – Dec 6, 2026
de Young Museum
Works by California Native artists reflecting cultural roots and identity.

Arts of Indigenous America
Aug 26, 2025 – Aug 31, 2028
de Young Museum
Long-term installation of Native American art from across the Americas.

About Place: Bay Area Artists from the Svane Gift
Through Jul 5, 2026
de Young Museum
Bay Area artists in the Svane collection exploring landscape and culture.

Monet and Venice
Mar 21 – Jul 26, 2026
de Young Museum
Works by Claude Monet capturing views of Venice.

– Updated 1/8/26 – Event info last checked via famsf.org