By Albert H. Fulcher
Managing Editor
Now in its 35th year, the San Diego Museum Council announced that San Diego Museum month is returning Feb. 1-29, for the first time expanding cultural sites in Tijuana and Baja California, making this the largest and most diverse Museum Month in its history with more that 70 regional sites offering half-off admission throughout the month.
“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 in a statement. “We hope this collaboration is the first of many to come as we promote our region as a global arts and culture destination.”
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. 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.
“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,” said Alethea Arguilez, executive director of First 5 San Diego.
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 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. Museum Month passes will be available beginning on Jan. 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. Digital versions of the Museum Month pass will also be made available on Feb. 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.
South Bay
Coronado Historical Association
Living Coast Discovery Center
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center
For more museums participating in the county, visit www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/museum-month/
