May 2019 offers Los Angeles residents and visitors numerous opportunities for cost-free cultural experiences and Memorial Day weekend activities. The Los Angeles area features a rotating schedule of free admission days at museums and cultural institutions throughout the month. Additionally, Memorial Day weekend includes various free events, ceremonies, and recreational opportunities.
Free Museum Admission Schedule
Several Los Angeles museums waive their standard admission fees on specific days and times during May 2019. Most free admission periods exclude parking fees and specially ticketed exhibitions. Visitors should verify current hours and parking costs with official museum websites before visiting.
May 2019 Free Admission Dates
May 2, 2019 - Japanese American National Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Skirball Cultural Center: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - USC Pacific Asian Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Huntington Library: Free admission requires advance reservation passes, which book quickly. The source suggests reviewing June's free day schedule to plan when to obtain tickets. - Long Beach Museum of Art: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
May 3, 2019 - Norton Simon Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
May 5, 2019 - Museum of Latin American Art - Craft and Folk Art Museum: Pay what you can
May 7, 2019 - Kidspace Children's Museum: Free Family Night from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Natural History Museum: L.A. County residents receive free admission Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A valid ID or utility bill is required. - La Brea Tar Pits Museum
May 9, 2019 - Japanese American National Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - MOCA Grand: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Skirball Cultural Center: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - USC Pacific Asian Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Long Beach Museum of Art: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
May 12, 2019 - Museum of Latin American Art - USC Pacific Asian Museum: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Craft and Folk Art Museum: Pay what you can
May 14, 2019 - Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA): L.A. County residents with valid identification receive free admission after 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays throughout May. - Autry Museum of the American West
May 16, 2019 - Japanese American National Museum: All day - MOCA Grand: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Skirball Cultural Center: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - USC Pacific Asian Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Long Beach Museum of Art: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
May 19, 2019 Museums of the Arroyo Day features six museums and historic homes along the Arroyo Seco Parkway with free admission. Participating locations include: - Craft and Folk Art Museum: Pay what you can - Museum of Latin American Art
May 21, 2019 - Los Angeles County Arboretum - South Coast Botanic Garden - Descanso Gardens
May 23, 2019 - Skirball Cultural Center: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - USC Pacific Asian Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Japanese American National Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Long Beach Museum of Art: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Museum of Latin American Art: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
May 26, 2019 - Craft and Folk Art Museum: Pay what you can - Museum of Latin American Art
May 27, 2019 - LACMA: Free admission for the Memorial Day Holiday
May 30, 2019 - Skirball Cultural Center: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - USC Pacific Asian Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Japanese American National Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Always-Free Museums
The source notes that over two dozen museums in and around Los Angeles offer free admission at all times. These include: - The Getty - California Science Center - The Hammer Museum
Important Notices for May 2019
Griffith Observatory remained closed for repair projects through May 6, 2019. MOCA Geffen was closed through May 18, 2019 for repairs. LACMA offered free admission to L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays throughout the month.
Memorial Day Weekend Activities and Events
Memorial Day weekend in 2019 included various free ceremonies, parades, and recreational activities throughout the Los Angeles area.
Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parades
Memorial Day Parade, Canoga Park The 32nd annual event featured floats and music. A wreath-laying and commemoration ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. on May 27, 2019, followed by the parade at 11:00 a.m. The parade route ran along Sherman Way from Owensmouth to Cozycroft.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley A Memorial Day ceremony took place outdoors on May 27, 2019. Live music started at 9:00 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument. The event included a live band, color guard, aircraft flyover, and keynote speakers. Admission to the museum was not included, and RSVPs were suggested.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda A wreath-laying ceremony and outdoor speech occurred at 10:15 a.m. on May 27, 2019. A patriotic band concert took place indoors at 11:00 a.m. Museum admission was not included. Free tickets could be reserved online.
Beach and Outdoor Activities
Crystal Cove State Park Located between Laguna and Newport Beach, this location was recommended for Memorial Day weekend visits. The Beachcomber Cafe offered beachfront dining. Reservations were recommended and could be made through OpenTable, though day-of reservations were not available via that platform. Breakfast service began at 7:00 a.m.
Rosie's Dog Beach, Long Beach The only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County operated from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Located in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, it allowed off-leash fun for pets. Nearby Panxa Cocina offered outdoor patio seating for patrons with dogs.
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia A Memorial Day Carnival ran from Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26, 2019. A wristband for unlimited rides cost $30, with a 15% discount available through a provided link.
Festivals and Special Events
LA County Fair The fair operated from May 15 through May 26, 2019, at Fairplex in Pomona. The 2019 theme was "Art Unleashed." Activities included hands-on art activities, skating rink, petting zoo, concerts, carnival, and barnyard races. Hours were 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Festival of Sail at LA Fleet Week This event took place from May 23 through May 26, 2019, at the West Harbor Promenade in Downtown San Pedro Harbor. The Los Angeles Maritime Institute offered four sails daily, including Cannon Battles and Explore the Coast bilingual, STEM-based educational sails. Free deck tours and hands-on activities for kids and adults were available in the TallShip Village.
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) Free docent-led tours were offered at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Exhibits were always open on Sundays, with free tickets recommended and bookable online. Parking was free. The museum is located at 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach.
Additional Free Attractions
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The historic venue includes a museum detailing its history hosting Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and concerts. Visitors on Memorial Day could pay respects at the nearby Los Angeles National Cemetery.
Olvera Street The annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony provided a commemorative activity during Memorial Day weekend.
Planning Considerations
The source material emphasizes the importance of verifying event details before attending. Visitors should confirm: - Museum visiting hours - Parking costs (free admission days typically do not include parking) - Reservation requirements for free admission days - Whether specially ticketed exhibitions are included in free admission - Weather conditions for outdoor events
For Museums of the Arroyo Day on May 19, 2019, six museums and historic homes near the Arroyo Seco Parkway offered free admission. The Craft and Folk Art Museum and Museum of Latin American Art were specifically noted as participating locations with pay-what-you-can or free admission options.
The Huntington Library's free day requires advance reservation passes that book quickly. The source suggests monitoring June's free day schedule to determine optimal timing for obtaining tickets.
L.A. County residents can access free admission at several museums throughout the month. The Natural History Museum offers free admission to county residents Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with valid identification. LACMA provides free admission to county residents after 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Conclusion
May 2019 offers Los Angeles residents and visitors extensive opportunities for free cultural experiences and Memorial Day weekend activities. The free museum admission schedule spans the entire month, with multiple institutions offering complimentary entry on specific dates and times. Memorial Day weekend features diverse free events including parades, ceremonies, beach activities, and festivals. Visitors should verify all details with official sources before attending, as parking fees may apply and some activities require advance reservations.