Museum · Seattle
Seattle Art Museum: free entry days, tickets & hours
Downtown Seattle's main art museum, a block from Pike Place Market: Northwest Coast Native art, African, European and American collections and the Hammering Man sculpture outside.
Independent guide, not the official SAM website. Official links are under Sources.
SAM is next free on Thursday, 5 November 2026 (in 7 days).
- Free First Thursday: free for everyone at SAM, 10am-8pm.
- Also free: children aged 14 and under; Bank of America Museums on Us: one free ticket per cardholder on the first full weekend of each month; Museums for All: free for up to five people with a SNAP, EBT or WIC card; caregivers accompanying a care recipient; and more below.
- Otherwise: adult admission — $29.99.
Calendar
Free days at SAM
For everyone
- THU5NOVThursday, 5 November 2026 · in 7 days · 10:00–20:00
- THU3DECThursday, 3 December 2026 · in 5 weeks · 10:00–20:00
- THU7JANThursday, 7 January 2027 · in 2 months · 10:00–20:00
- THU4FEBThursday, 4 February 2027 · in 3 months · 10:00–20:00
- THU4MARThursday, 4 March 2027 · in 4 months · 10:00–20:00
- THU1APRThursday, 1 April 2027 · in 5 months · 10:00–20:00
For Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us)
- SAT7NOVSaturday, 7 November 2026 · in 9 days
- SUN8NOVSunday, 8 November 2026 · in 10 days
- SAT5DECSaturday, 5 December 2026 · in 5 weeks
- SUN6DECSunday, 6 December 2026 · in 5 weeks
- SAT2JANSaturday, 2 January 2027 · in 2 months
- SUN3JANSunday, 3 January 2027 · in 2 months
12 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Free First Thursday covers both SAM downtown (until 8pm) and the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park (until 5pm).
- Kids 14 and under are always free, so a family visit costs only the adult tickets.
- Library cardholders (Seattle Public Library, King County, Pierce County, Kitsap) can reserve free museum passes for two people.
- Enter at First Avenue and Union Street: the First and University entrance by Hammering Man is closed until 10 Dec 2026.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free dayFree First Thursday: free for everyone at SAM, 10am-8pm · 10:00–20:00 | everyone | Also free that day at the Seattle Asian Art Museum (10am-5pm). Evening programs from 5pm. | No |
| Free forFree for children aged 14 and under | children under 15 | Children 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. | No |
| Free dayBank of America Museums on Us: one free ticket per cardholder on the first full weekend of each month | Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us) | Present the Bank of America card at the ticket counter; not applied to tickets bought online or at kiosks. Guests pay. | No |
| Free forMuseums for All: free for up to five people with a SNAP, EBT or WIC card | EBT cardholders (Museums for All) | Show the card in person at a Ticketing Desk. | No |
| Free forFree for caregivers accompanying a care recipient | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | No |
| Free forBlue Star Museums: free for active military and family (up to six people) from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day | military members and families | Valid for up to six people. In-person verification of military ID or status. 2027 dates computed from the stated period (Armed Forces Day 15 May - Labor Day 6 Sep 2027). | No |
Official prices
SAM ticket prices
| Adult admission — Seniors 65+ and military with ID $24.99; students and teens 15-19 $19.99; children 14 and under free. | $29.99 |
| First Fridays: $5 admission for seniors 65+ on the first Friday of each month — Tickets onsite and online. | $5 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult admission). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: SAM
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–20:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Wed and Fri-Sun 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-8pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 10am-3pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
SAM: common questions
Is SAM free?
SAM is free for everyone first Thursday: free for everyone at SAM, 10am-8pm. Also free: children aged 14 and under; Bank of America Museums on Us: one free ticket per cardholder on the first full weekend of each month; Museums for All: free for up to five people with a SNAP, EBT or WIC card; caregivers accompanying a care recipient; and more below. Otherwise the official ticket costs $29.99.
When is SAM free?
Free First Thursday: free for everyone at SAM, 10am-8pm. The next free date is Thursday, 5 November 2026.
When are the free days at SAM for Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us)?
Upcoming free dates for Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us): Sat 7 Nov, Sun 8 Nov, Sat 5 Dec and Sun 6 Dec. Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Who gets free entry to SAM?
Children under 15 — children 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.. EBT cardholders (Museums for All) — show the card in person at a Ticketing Desk.. Carers of visitors with disabilities. Military members and families — valid for up to six people. In-person verification of military ID or status. 2027 dates computed from the stated period (Armed Forces Day 15 May - Labor Day 6 Sep 2027)..
How much is a ticket to SAM?
Adult admission costs $29.99 on the official site.
What day is SAM closed?
SAM is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wed and Fri-Sun 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-8pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 10am-3pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about SAM
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/programs/free-first-thursday · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-art-museum · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/programs/discounts · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.