San Diego Museum Council Announces 35th Annual San Diego Museum Month in February
Largest Museum Month ever includes expansion into Tijuana/Baja California,
70+ participating locations, including LEGOLAND® California Resort and SEA LIFE® Aquarium
One of first endorsed events of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Museum Council has announced that San Diego Museum Month will return for its 35th year from February 1-29, 2024. For the first time ever, the popular program is expanding to include cultural sites in Tijuana and Baja California, making this the biggest and most diverse San Diego Museum Month ever, with more than 70 regional cultural sites offering half-off admission throughout the month of February.
This year, San Diego Museum Month is also an officially endorsed project of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, a year-long international showcase that recognizes cities for their effective use of design to enhance economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life through unique experiences and explorations that stimulate thinking and bring communities together. San Diego Tijuana is the first cross-border region to be designated World Design Capital and the first time a U.S. city has been selected.
San Diego Museum Month was created in 1989 to promote the region’s diverse range of high-quality cultural offerings during a traditionally slow period for most local museums. It has since grown to become a wildly popular program with both locals and tourists alike. In 2023, more than 110,000 people enjoyed half-off admission at local museums during Museum Month. The expansion into Mexico is expected to set a new record for participation.
The program has also grown over the years to include a broader range of San Diego institutions beyond traditional museums, including aquariums, nature and wildlife centers, gardens, historic sites, state parks, and more. In 2020, 40 museums participated in Museum Month. In 2024, there will be more 70 participating locations, including the newest additions of LEGOLAND® California Resort and SEA LIFE® Aquarium at LEGOLAND® California Resort, California Wolf Center, WNDR Museum and Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum. For a full list of participating locations, visit the San Diego Museum Council website.
Museum Month 2024 is supported by First 5 San Diego. Additional funding is provided by the California Arts Council, San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, County of San Diego and The Pecus Group.
Enhancing museum accessibility is a critical component of Museum Month. To this end, the San Diego Museum Council has once again partnered with the Serra Cooperative Library System, offering convenient access to Museum Month passes for local residents in communities across San Diego County.
How to Participate: The Museum Month pass is available for free at local libraries throughout San Diego County. Each Museum Month pass can be used for up to four half-priced admissions at any of the participating museums. (Additional fees may apply for special exhibitions and events at some museums.) Guests can use their Museum Month pass to visit as many museums as they would like from Feb. 1-29, 2024. Museum Month is not valid in conjunction with any other discounts or with the Balboa Park Explorer pass.
Museum Month passes will be available beginning on January 26 at over 80 public libraries located throughout San Diego County, including branches managed by the City and County of San Diego and the Cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Escondido, National City and Oceanside. Passes will also be available at the San Diego Law Library and Oceanside Welcome Center.
Digital Passes: Digital versions of the Museum Month pass will also be made available on February 1 on the San Diego Museum Council website. Guests will be able to download passes for each museum they would like to visit directly to their phones.
Note: Certain museums may only accept printed Museum Month passes. Others, such as Birch Aquarium, require advanced online reservations. Be sure to check the website for any restrictions before visiting.
“As we celebrate cross-border collaborations during the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, we're excited to welcome Baja California museums and galleries to Museum Month for the first time,” said San Diego Museum Council Executive Director Bob Lehman. “We hope this collaboration is the first of many to come as we promote our region as a global arts and culture destination."
“One of the best ways for children to learn is through hands-on experiences and that is exactly what museums allow them to do,” said Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director of First 5 San Diego. “Museum Month provides such a great opportunity for parents to engage their children in art, science, music, history and more. Most importantly, they get to do it together as a family, which is vital for the healthy development of children. With half-off admission to more than 70 museums and other sites this year, both in San Diego and in Baja, there really is something every family can enjoy together, while learning and connecting.”
About First 5 San Diego
The first five years of life are critical to a child’s development. These years shape a child’s success in school and in life. First 5 San Diego supports parents and others to help children during these early years. The Commission leads the greater San Diego community in promoting the vital importance of the first five years of life to the health and well-being of children, families and society. The ultimate goal of the Commission’s work is that all children ages zero through five are healthy, loved and nurtured, and enter school as active learners. Learn more at www.first5sandiego.org or call toll-free 1-888-5-FIRST5. Stay up to date on social media – Facebook @First5SanDiego, X (formerly Twitter) @First5SD and Instagram @first5sandiego.
About Serra Cooperative Library System
Serra is a network of public libraries in the southern California counties of Imperial and San Diego. You can find your local library to discover services and programs available throughout the region. Our goal is to work collaboratively with each other to provide materials and shared services when possible. We are a special district of the State of California, with funding primarily from the State, but augmented through member contributions and grants.
About San Diego Museum Council
The San Diego Museum Council (SDMC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization comprised of more than 70 member museums across San Diego County whose mission is to increase awareness, connect, serve and advocate for the diverse institutions within its membership. Each year, SDMC connects hundreds of thousands of San Diego residents and visitors to a range of arts and culture offerings through three signature programs, including Museum Month (February), The Big Exchange (May) and Kids Free San Diego (October), in partnership with the San Diego Tourism Authority. More information is available at www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org or (619) 957-4660. SDMC can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
Photo Credit:
San Diego Museum of Natural History
