San Diego Museum Council

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San Diego Museum Council

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San Diego Museum Council is a diverse coalition of 80+ museums & cultural institutions in San Diego.

The San Diego Museum Council (SDMC) is a coalition of local arts and cultural organizations working cooperatively to increase access and awareness of the diverse museums in the region. We offer two countywide promotions to help encourage museum visitation annually: Museum Month in February and Kids Free San Diego in October.

11/03/2026

It's a free festival for the whole family! Stop by the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla on Sunday Nov. 8 from 12 to 2 p.m., for an art-filled, musical, magical and memorable day filled with creativity, connection, and play.

Enjoy art making guided by local educator, muralist, and storyteller Chikle; music by DJ Qúi Qúi; Henry the Magician from Ding D**g Magic; plus cookies, art, bubbles and more! You can even take a guided Murals tour at 12:15 and 1:15 p.m. Just reserve your spot at https://www.mhclajolla.org/growing-together.

Presented with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, Murals of La Jolla, and made possible with support from the M&I Pfister Foundation.

11/03/2026

Premiering on Veterans Day! Stay tuned for a special KPBS "Museum a Month" episode as host John Carroll visits San Diego's iconic Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. Go behind the scenes with John as he speaks with the memorial's Executive Director Neil O'Connell.

Premieres Nov. 11 on KPBS' Evening Edition at 5 p.m.

11/02/2026

The The New York Times takes a close-up look at “Visiones Nocturnas: Q***r Nightlife in Contemporary Art,” the exciting new exhibition at La Jolla's Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Writer Eilene Zimmerman goes behind the scenes with artist and project creator Andres Payan Estrada and MCASD Associate Curator Amy Crum.

The exhibition is on view through Jan. 17.

An exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego features artworks celebrating the spaces that often serve as sites of refuge for L.G.B.T.Q. communities.

10/30/2026

Halloween Day Special Free Ride!
All kids ages 12 and under IN COSTUME are welcome to one free ride on the Balboa Park Carousel from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Adults must have a ticket. The carousel is located near the San Diego Zoo entrance and is presented by Forever Balboa Park.

Fun Tip: Kids Free in October ends at the stroke of midnight on Halloween! So there's still time to get your coupons for 70+ museums at https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree/.

10/30/2026

TWO DAYS LEFT. How much FUN can your family squeeze in?

Kids Free in October is down to its final two days! October 30 and 31 are your last chance to turn “What should we do today?” into “Can we go to ONE MORE museum?”

Pick a favorite. Try somewhere new. Let the kids lead the adventure and enjoy the savings along the way.

One last October outing before the trick-or-treating begins? Now that’s a treat for everyone. Explore the FUN at https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/kid-free-in-october-is-back/

10/30/2026

The Museum of Making Music is bringing its Musical Instrument Petting Zoo to the Carlsbad Village Street Faire this Sunday, November 1.

Pick up a guitar, try your hand at the drums, or explore an instrument you’ve never played before. No musical experience needed, and all ages are welcome!

Sunday, November 1 | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carlsbad Village Street Faire
Find the museum at Space 503.

Stop by, have some fun, and make a little music!

10/29/2026

Double, double, toil and trouble! Start your Halloween day with The San Diego Shakespeare Society actors Rob Crisell, Michael Hoag, Kayla René, and Larissa Ryan as they interpret works of art from across the San Diego Museum of Art's collection. Experience in person a selection of spine-chilling scenes from Richard III, Hamlet, Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth!

Performances will be held one-day only on Oct. 31. Look for the meeting-point sign in the museum rotunda prior to each of the one-hour performances at 1 and 2:30 p.m. This is a free event with museum admission. See ticket link in comments.

Fun Tip: Kids Free in October ends at the stroke of midnight on Halloween! So there's still time to get your coupons at https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree/.

10/29/2026

Kids Free in October fun continues through Saturday including DIY pinch pot kits at the San Diego Archaeological Center. Get details and coupons at https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/kidsfree/.

10/29/2026

Hoot hoot! Come out on Halloween day for a very spooky Sip & Sort at the San Diego Archaeological Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take part in a delightfully macabre Zooarchaeology Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop and discover the ecology of local owls and learn how archaeologists use animal remains to better understand human lifeways.

Special guest Susan Arter, co-director of the San Diego Zooarchaeology Lab at the San Diego Natural History Museum, will be on hand to help identify faunal material in the pellets and answer questions about the field of zooarchaeology.

This event is ages 21+. Your ticket will include two owl pellets and two drinks per person. Cost: $40; SDAC Members $30. Get more information and tickets at: https://sandiegoarchaeology.org/event/zooarchaeology-owl-pellet-dissection-workshop/.

Address

P. O. Box 371322
San Diego, CA
92137

Website

http://www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/

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