Austin Museum Day
Save the Date: September 20, 2026
Art by Breanna Carzoo
The 29th Annual Austin Museum Day is a free celebration of art, culture, history, music, nature, and science. Over thirty museums in the greater Austin area will welcome visitors with special programming including guided and self-guided exhibition tours, activities, and more for visitors of all ages.
This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
Participating Museums
Stay tuned for the Austin Museum Day map!
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Open 12pm–5pm | View the Austin History Center website
Join the Austin History Center for Museum Day and experience In Circulation: A Century of the Austin Public Library, an exhibition celebrating 100 years of library service in Austin. The event will feature art and craft activities, tours, refreshments, and opportunities for visitors of all ages to explore community stories and the history of our library system. There is free street parking downtown on Sundays.
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Open 1pm–5pm | View the AusPop website
AusPop stands at the crossroads of Music, Art & History. See both vintage and current music posters and learn about the graphic artists and the musicians. There will be cake.
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Open 11am–3pm | View the Bastrop County Museum website
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Open 10am–4:30pm | View the Blanton website
Enjoy free admission to Blanton Museum galleries. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn while participating in the UT campus crawl.
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Open 12pm–5pm | View the Brush Square Museums website
Join Brush Square Museums, site of the O. Henry and Susanna Dickinson historic homes, for this year's Austin Museum Day! We will hosting two activities: beeswax candle making at the O. Henry house and journal collaging at the Susanna Dickinson. We will also be celebrating O. Henry's 164's birthday during our event!
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Open 10am–5pm | View the Bullock Museum website
Join us for a day of exploring the Bullock Texas State History Museum!
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Open 12pm–5pm | View the CVC website
Step inside this unique historic structure that once served as the General Land Office. Explore exhibits relating to Texas history, the Texas Capitol, Texas land and the Governor’s Mansion. Join us for free guided tours of the Visitors Center at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00.
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Open 1pm–4pm | View the CCDC website
Learn about the history of historic Clarksville—an early Texas Freedom Community community—and about the land-marked Hezikiah Haskell House. Groove to the soul and blues sounds of Soul Man Sam starting at 2pm. Organizations devoted to preserving Austin's Black history and education will have information tables on site. Enjoy free refreshments and yard games.
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Open 12pm–4pm | View the Chateau Bellevue website
Step inside historic Chateau Bellevue and discover one of Austin’s most treasured landmarks. Enjoy guided tours featuring the fascinating stories of the North and Evans families, architectural highlights, and the Austin Woman’s Club’s role in preserving this beautiful mansion. Visitors can also explore special features, children can enjoy activities connected to our history, and learn how Chateau Bellevue continues to serve the Austin community today.
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Open 12pm–4pm | View the Dougherty Art Center website
Celebrate Austin Museum Day at the Dougherty Arts Center and see three exhibitions at the Julia C. Butridge Gallery: Mother Tongue, Father Tongue by Cristina Velásquez, On and On and On by Quentin Pace, and Out of Place by Yamin Lee. Have fun creating artworks inspired by personal stories, shared experiences, and creative expression with a free, all-ages art activity.
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Open 1pm–5pm | View the MACC website
The Emma S. Barrientos invites the public to a public tour, exhibit, and activities for Austin Museum Day. Tour our newly renovated facility and learn about the architecture of our building. View our beautiful exhibits in the three galleries. Participate in hands-on coloring activities, tour the exhibit and the building, and learn about the events the MACC has coming up for Latino/a Heritage month.
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Open 10am–3pm | View the Flower Hill website
Spend Austin Museum Day at Flower Hill Center exploring our historic home and beautiful grounds at your own pace. Along the way, meet staff and docents eager to share the stories, people, and moments that shaped this special place. Be sure to stop by the Carriage House, transformed into a hands-on creative studio where visitors of all ages can make, explore, and play.
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Open 12pm–5pm | View the Harry Ransom Center website
Explore our newest exhibition, Houdini’s Library, and view the Gutenberg Bible and the Niépce Heliograph. Interactive gallery tours and printing press demonstrations will be available throughout the day.
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Open 11am–3pm | View the History of Medicine Gallery website
Since 1853, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) has worked to improve the health of all Texans by supporting physicians in upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. This year’s History of Medicine exhibit invites visitors to explore how early Texas settlers discovered a landscape abundant in fresh, mineral-rich, and thermal waters. As hydrotherapy gained acceptance in the 18th century, physicians and entrepreneurs promoted these bubbling springs as powerful healing agents. Discover how Texans came to view water as medicine and how physicians, folk healers, and ambitious businesspeople helped transform natural springs into celebrated destinations for health, hope, and profit.
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Open 10am–2pm | View the Pioneer Farms website
Step back into the 1800s at Pioneer Farms and enjoy free admission! Explore our 90-acre living history museum, meet our interpreters, animal volunteers, and experience Texas history brought to life through hands-on demonstrations in historic buildings.
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Open 9am–5pm | View the Wildflower Center website
Featuring nearly 900 native plant species and miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore at UT’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Come out to enjoy free tours, immersive educational experiences, games, crafts, and a beautiful day in nature!
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Open 11am–3pm | View the Landmarks website
Explore Landmarks, The University of Texas at Austin’s award-winning public art program, featuring nearly 50 works of modern and contemporary art across campus. Get creative with a hands-on activity inspired by the current installation at Landmarks Video, or join a mini tour along Speedway, beginning at Monochrome for Austin.
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Open 9am–5pm | View the LBJ Presidential Library website
LBJ Presidential Library visitors will enjoy free admission and a day filled with activities that exemplify the beauty of Hispanic cultures. Enjoy arts and crafts for all ages, games, refreshments, and performances throughout the day and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
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Open 10am–2pm | View the MathHappens website
MathHappens Foundation will host a table at the Bullock. We will have a variety of Mathematical models, some math magic and a surprise make and take.
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Open 12pm–5pm | View the Mexic-Arte Museum website
Join Mexic-Arte Museum for Austin Museum Day! Screenprint stickers and mini-totes to take home while learning about Hispanic Heritage Month! Create a one-of-a-kind item and learn about one of our favorite printmaking methods.
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Open 10am–6pm | View the Museo Benini website
Guests will have the opportunity to explores Museo Benini's Sculpture Trail and Gardens, featuring more than 50 sculptures. They can also tour our 6,500 sqft museum, enjoy complimentary espresso, and meet interesting sculptors and artist Benini.
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Open 11am–4pm | View the Neill-Cochran House Museum website
Visitors will experience a day of education and family fun. Come enjoy seek-and-finds, lawn games, and crafts, as well as homemade lemonade and ice cream! After the fun on the lawn, you can then come inside and explore one of Austin’s oldest historic residences for free!
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Open 10am–3pm | View the Republic of Texas Museum website
The mission of The Republic of Texas Museum is to preserve the heritage of The Republic of Texas historic period and to educate the public about the history and culture of that time. Join us on Museum Day to see the historic exhibits including scale model dioramas and the interactive displays as the story of the Republic is told through the viewpoint of the women of the era. Children's activities will be included.
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Open 12pm–4pm | View the Science Mill website
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Open 10am–4pm | View the Texas Military Forces Museum website
Experience the dramatic story of Texas Military Forces history. See tanks, uniforms, cannons, jet, helicopters, battle flags, jeeps, halftracks, swords and dramatic battle dioramas up close and personal.
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Open 12pm–4pm | View the Texas Music Museum website
Come celebrate the diverse traditions of Texas music at the Texas Music Museum this Austin Museum Day! Discover the roots Texas music history through guided tours, family friendly activity sheets, and exhibits that highlight Austin music history! Join us from 12-4.
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Open 1pm–5pm | View the Texas Science & Natural History Museum website
Discover prehistoric giants, remarkable wildlife, and hands-on exploration at Texas Science & Natural History Museum! Experience Epic Encounters, our reimagined paleontology exhibit featuring extraordinary fossils and interactive experiences, and explore Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats, a captivating exhibition that sheds light on the surprising lives and ecological importance of bats.
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Open 9am–8pm | View the Texas State Capitol website
Completed in 1888, the Texas State Capitol in Austin is the seat of government for the State of Texas. Free tours of this historic landmark are available periodically between 12:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. with the last tour departing at 4:15 p.m.
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Open 8am–5pm | View the Texas State Cemetery website
The Texas State Cemetery provides a final resting place for individuals who have made significant contributions to Texas. Stephen F. Austin, governors, numerous legislators, judges, and unique individuals throughout Texas' history are some of the people buried at the Texas State Cemetery. Free guided tours will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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Open 11am–2pm | View The Austin Club website
Step inside the historic Millett Opera House, home of The Austin Club, and experience one of Austin’s most treasured landmarks during Austin Museum Day. Visitors will enjoy guided tours highlighting the building’s rich history, stunning architecture, and its role in shaping Austin’s cultural and social heritage since 1878. Guests will also have the opportunity to view historic photographs, artifacts, and learn about ongoing preservation efforts dedicated to protecting this iconic Austin landmark for future generations.
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Open 11am–2pm | View The Briscoe Center website
Stars, Stripes, and Symbols: America at 250, the Briscoe Center for American History’s newest exhibit, explores cultural artifacts, hagiographies, and vital documents that uncover both the history of the United States and how we tell our story. The Briscoe Center surveyed our collections for examples of symbols that illustrate many ways in which Americans—from government entities and corporations to activists and crafters—have chosen to celebrate, communicate, and critique American ideas and ideals. The collections contain a wealth of American symbols in renderings from serious to kitsch.
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Jones Center open 12pm–6pm; Laguna Gloria open 9am–3pm | View The Contemporary Austin website
Join The Contemporary Austin at both the Jones Center and Laguna Gloria for special Austin Museum Day programming.
At Laguna Gloria, we're teaming up with Elisabet Ney Museum to explore the connection between art and nature through a special activity designed by Austin-based artist Virginia L. Montgomery as part of the Ney's Breaking the Mold: Mobile Art Crates program, while also debuting a new self-guided tour app from The Contemporary Austin that uncovers the rich history and ecology of Laguna Gloria.
At Jones Center, be among the first visitors to experience newly opened exhibitions by artists Laura Lit and Moki Cherry.
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Open 1pm–4pm | View The Williamson Museum website
Join us at The Williamson Museum for free family fun on Austin Museum Day! Create animation-themed crafts in honor of legendary cartoon animator Tex Avery! Explore our new exhibit, Lights, Camera, Williamson County! showcasing television and films filmed in Williamson County.
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Open 10am–5pm | View the Thinkery website
Enter a world of wonder, play, and joy with Thinkery.
Thinkery – Meredith Learning Lab offers 40,000 square feet of joyful learning space filled with interactive exhibits and hands-on activations designed to spark children’s curiosity and most importantly make learning fun!
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Open 11am–4pm | View the UMLAUF website
Austin Museum Day at the UMLAUF features our rotating indoor exhibition and our permanent outdoor collection. We'll also host dozens of Texas Society of Sculptors practicing artists who will offer live demonstrations and discussion of their work. Museo Benini will also be doing an interactive activity, and Puro Coffee will be serving beverages on site.
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Open 11am–4pm | View the VAC website
The Visual Arts Center is giving away limited-edition posters by artist Pallavi Sen, created in conjunction with our exhibition How to Grow the Cowpea. Austin Museum Day guests are invited to pick up a free poster and see two of our fall exhibitions, How to Grow the Cowpea and Experimental Seeing. The exhibition, How to Grow the Cowpea, brings together 12 international artists to explore artistic and scientific methods of addressing climate change and environmental issues in Texas and around the globe. Experimental Seeing celebrates the UT photography program’s 60th anniversary, showcasing photographic works by 24 exceptional artist alumni.
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Open 10am–6pm | View the Women & Their Work website
Celebrate Austin Museum Day at Women & Their Work and go on a Red Dot scavenger hunt! Look for details as you explore the artwork of over 125 contemporary artists in the gallery. All ages are welcome.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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