Free Museum Weekend is March 4-5th! While you will hear people and see comments saying that it will be packed, we have successfully attended and enjoyed it numerous times. Here are some tips to keep in mind. 

First, you do have to register for FREE tickets ahead of time. It is nice to know the Museums are trying to keep it manageable. Tickets will be available on February 21st!

Second, choose a museum that is less popular. Of course, if you choose the Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento it is going to be very busy, that is a popular choice on any given weekend. I would also say if you choose the new SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, that one as well will probably be one of the more popular choices.

Third, arrive early! Most people like to sleep in on the weekends, so I have found when we arrived first thing at the opening, we were able to enjoy ourselves without a ton of crowds. I have witnessed it often, by the time we are leaving, it was definitely picking up in attendance.  You could also try the opposite tactic of going later, closer to closing, give yourself at least an hour and a half to explore. I would think that most people are either doing mid-morning or afternoon and that the later time as well is probably a good time to go.

Lastly, guess what, it's FREE, so if you go and it is much more crowded than you like, you can leave without losing out. You went, you tried, switch up your plan to enjoy a park day or whatever. Just pre-warn your children if that is your plan. I would tell my kids "hey let's go check it out, if it is too busy I'll take you guys to the park."

Here is the information from the SacMuseums website: 2023 marks the 25th consecutive year that Sacramento Area Museums have collaborated to present a FREE Museum experience!  This year, 20+ amazing museums located throughout the greater Sacramento area are excited to present a two-day FREE Museum Weekend on March 4-5! Similar to last year -- and in an effort to prevent large crowds -- advance tickets are required, capacity is limited, and availability may fluctuate by the museum. All guests must pre-register for free admission, otherwise, regular admission fees will apply.  To register for free tickets and/or more information about FREE Museum Weekend and/or Museum Membership Month (happening in March) click here. Stay tuned for more details on additional sponsors, ticket availability, and procedures.

This is not a confirmed list of participation, these are the museums under the Sacramento Museum tab.

With 32 museums and destinations, the Sacramento region is rich in culture, events, and education. Each museum offers unique things to do, learn and experience. Whether you're looking for art, history, science, or wildlife you will find it here.

Aerospace Museum of California - We have done this one on Free Museum Day because you can tour the airplanes outside and tour inside, I felt although it was busy, it wasn't super crowded and again, we arrived right at the opening, we were in and out in just over an hour.

California Agriculture Museum

California Automobile Museum - We've done this one and because the building is large, although busy it did not seem crowded.

California Museum

California State Capitol Museum

California State Library

California State Railroad Museum - I would say this is a popular choice. If you don't mind it being busy, enjoy it, or make another museum choice, we have quite a bit to choose from.

Crocker Art Museum

Don & June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum

Fairytale Town

Folsom History Museum

Leland Stanford Mansion

Locke Boarding House Museum

Maidu Museum - This would be a great choice, we visited this one on a Free Museum day, and it was not super crowded. There is also an outdoor space and trail to explore so I felt with it being spread out, it didn't feel busy at all.

Museum of Medical History

Roseville Utility Exploration Center - This one has a smaller space, we've done this one and it felt crowded, although it wasn't really that crowded. Just know this one is going to seem busy. I do like this center, it has a library and park all in the same area, so you could enjoy the library and park all in one trip. 

SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity - This will be popular because it is new. I still think it will be doable, it is spacious, and if you plan to arrive early or in those later hours, I would think that it would be manageable.

Sacramento Children's Museum - This one is another popular choice, especially with those who have little kids and again works with smaller areas, so just know this one will seem crowded even if it is really not that crowded.

Sacramento History City Cemetery

Sacramento History Museum

Sacramento Regional Fire Museum

Sojourner Truth African American Museum

State Indian Museum

Sutter's Fort - We've done this one on Free Museum Day, we arrived early, and had a great time, you could tell it was getting busier when we were leaving.

Verge Center for the Arts

I love that the Sacramento Museums get together and host these FREE days. It is very helpful for larger families and really with the way prices are up everywhere and for everything, this is helpful for all families of any size small or large.  We can all use ways to save a little money, so I appreciate these events.

I hope they will continue to do this annually or even consider doing this twice a year, that would be amazing for families to get out and explore their city and the amazing museums we have near us.