Free Days with Access for All at OMA means free admission to the Orlando Museum of Art from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, except November. Join us in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park to explore the galleries at your own pace, try sketching with materials we provide, or discover a new perspective on a guided Highlights Tour.
A museum visit can begin with a color that catches your eye, a detail your child points out, or a conversation with a friend about why you see the same artwork differently. That’s all part of the experience. Art gives us something to look at, and in many cases, something to talk about.
Access for All makes it easier to spend time with incredible artwork, with free admission to the Orlando Museum of Art. Come for an afternoon in the galleries or join us after work to sketch, explore, and see where the artwork takes you.
Access for All at a Glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| When | Third Thursday of each month, except November |
| Hours | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Admission | Free for all visitors |
| Location | Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803, in Loch Haven Park |
| Parking | Free parking at OMA for Access for All |
| November exception | No Access for All due to Festival of Trees |
Access for All is generously supported by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, helping us welcome more people into a shared experience of art.
What Happens on an Orlando Museum of Art Free Day?
There isn’t one right way to spend the day with us. You might settle into an exhibition that interests you, follow a question into a gallery talk, or come specifically to try sketching. Free admission gives you a chance to explore without feeling that you have to fit the whole museum into a single visit.
Start with our Current Exhibitions to see what catches your attention. Once you’re in the galleries, give yourself time with a few works rather than moving quickly from one to the next. Notice where your eye goes first, then look again for something you missed. The 2:30 p.m. gallery talk offers another way into the art, adding a different perspective to your own observations. You can also check out our article on How to Appreciate Art at a Museum.
The usual program below can help you choose when to come:
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m. | Museum opens for free admission |
| 2:30 p.m. | Gallery talks |
| 5 to 7 p.m. | Drop-in sketching in the galleries; materials provided |
| 7 p.m. | Docent-led Highlights Tour |
| 8 p.m. | Museum closes |
| Select dates | Free La CinOMAthéque film screenings; check the monthly listing for start times |
Take a Closer Look Through Sketching and Conversation
If an artwork makes you curious about how it was made, sketching gives you a reason to linger. From 5 to 7 p.m., we provide materials for sketching in the galleries, so you can try drawing without bringing supplies or planning a project in advance. You are also welcome to bring your own materials, but only pencils are allowed in the galleries.
Choose one shape, a line, or a small detail rather than trying to reproduce an entire work. As you draw, keep looking back at the artwork: you may notice a relationship between shapes or a detail that escaped your first glance. The sketch doesn’t need to be a finished piece; it can be a record of what caught your attention.
At 7 p.m., the docent-led Highlights Tour offers a guided look at selected works. It’s a chance to build on your own looking with more context, whether you’ve spent the afternoon exploring or are just arriving. Ask our team about the meeting point and any participation instructions when you come in.
Make a Free Evening of It
For friends or couples looking for free things to do in Orlando at night, an evening in the galleries gives you something new to talk about. Take turns choosing a work, then compare what drew each of you to it. A piece you might have passed by on your own could become the one you remember together.
Families can let children take the lead in the same way. Invite your child to choose an artwork and point out one thing they notice, then spend a little more time with whatever catches their interest. Focusing on a few discoveries leaves more room for conversation without turning the visit into a lesson.
With the galleries open until 8 p.m., there’s time to stop in after work, join a tour, or spend part of the evening sketching in the galleries. And because the experience is indoors, it offers another way to spend time together beyond Orlando’s theme parks and outdoor attractions.
See Art from Another Angle with a Free Film
On select Access for All dates, the exploration continues on screen. La CinOMAthéque, our collaboration with Enzian, brings experimental, avant-garde, and art films to OMA’s Truist Auditorium. It’s an opportunity to try something outside your usual movie choices and consider how artists use moving images to tell stories or explore ideas.
The free screenings include introductions and talkbacks, making conversation part of the experience. Films aren’t scheduled for every Access for All day, so check the individual listing for the title, start time, audience suitability, and any seating instructions before planning a film night.
Plan a Visit That Fits Your Day
Start by choosing the part of the program you’re most interested in, then leave some time on either side to explore. Our Visitor FAQ notes that most visitors spend one to two hours viewing the exhibitions; an activity or screening may call for longer. You don’t need to do everything for the visit to feel worthwhile.
You’ll find us at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Loch Haven Park, with directions on our Plan Your Visit page. Parking for Access for All is free. If you’re taking public transportation, check current Lynx routes and return service, especially when staying into the evening.
Strollers are welcome, and complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For accessibility questions or specific accommodations, contact education@omart.org or 407.896.4231 ext. 262 before your visit so you can discuss what you need with our team.
Plan meals or snacks around your gallery time: OMA does not have a permanent café, and food and drinks are not allowed in the galleries. Follow posted photography rules as you explore; flash photography is not permitted.
Other Ways to Visit for Less
Can’t make a third Thursday? Our Tickets page explains other admission options. Unlike Access for All, which welcomes everyone free of charge, these programs have eligibility requirements, so check the details before choosing a date.
Museums on Us offers one free general admission to eligible Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders on the first full weekend of the month. Bring your valid card and photo ID; the benefit doesn’t extend to accompanying guests. Museums for All is a separate program offering $3 admission with a valid SNAP EBT card and ID.
FAQs About Access for All at OMA
Is the Orlando Museum of Art free every Thursday?
No. Access for All offers free admission on the third Thursday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except November. Other Thursdays follow our regular admission policies.
Do I need a reservation for Access for All?
Our general museum policy does not require advance reservations. Check the monthly Access for All listing for activity-specific registration or seating instructions, especially for a film or tour.
Do I need a membership or a special card?
No. Access for All admission is free to everyone, not just members or visitors eligible for another admission program.
Are exhibitions included in free admission?
Access for All includes admission to exhibitions open that day. Gallery installations can affect availability, so check visitor notices and confirm admission separately for any specially ticketed event.
Can children come to Access for All?
Yes. Access for All welcomes families and includes activities for all ages. Review the individual film listing before choosing a screening for children.
Do I need to bring sketching materials?
No. Materials are provided during the scheduled 5 to 7 p.m. sketching activity. Our gallery sketching policy permits pencils only.
Is the La CinOMAthéque film free, too?
Yes. La CinOMAthéque screenings at OMA are free, but they take place on select Access for All dates, not every month. Check the listing before planning a film night.
Is parking free at the Orlando Museum of Art?
Parking at OMA is free for Access for All. Parking charges may apply during other special events, including Festival of Trees and Art in Bloom.
Ready to Explore OMA?
Choose an upcoming third Thursday at Access for All at OMA, check the program, and give yourself time to follow what interests you. You might leave with a sketch, a new favorite work, or a conversation that continues on the way home.
