Columbus Museum of Art Free Sundays, LEGO® exhibit, discounts, & more

Columbus Museum of Art is a gem to explore in Columbus, and it’s accessible to all!

They offer FREE Sundays and other discounts at Columbus Museum of Art, such as $5 Thursday evenings, Blue Star Museum discounts, and more. 

Free Sundays at CMA

Take a day to appreciate art at Columbus Museum of Art during Free Sundays at CMA, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The free admission also includes most exhibitions, as well as Center for Creativity, Big Idea Gallery, and much more during free Sundays at CMA.

Free Sundays are made possible by the Free for the Future initiative to provide free access on Sundays for the next five years.

You can also pay just $5 for admission on Thursdays from 5-9 pm. 

Exhibitions and Galleries at Columbus Museum of Art

Families will enjoy The JPMorgan Chase Center for Creativity featuring the Big Idea Gallery to encourage imaginative play for everyone. You’ll also enjoy the art and exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists.

See the current exhibitions and galleries here. Explore art throughout the Museum galleries through hands-on activities, puzzles, and “Join the Conversation” stations. Safety and sanitation kits are provided for hands’ on activities.

Events at Columbus Museum of Art

Think Outside the Brick LEGO® Exhibition

November 16, 2024 – March 13, 2025

Columbus Museum of Art’s annual holiday celebration of the creative potential of LEGO® bricks returns. Bring your friends and family and celebrate the season by connecting with LEGO® and each other. 

Think Outside the Brick features an enormous collaboratively-built model of Columbus.

Don’t forget – everyone can enjoy FREE ADMISSION at CMA every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and $5 admission on Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. 

Activities in and near the exhibition include: Museum-wide scavenger hunt, a LEGO® bricks building area, and design-your-own Minifigure drawing station.

Downtown Holiday Trolley Hop

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 1:00 PM–6:00 PM

Free trolley rides to various merchants and cultural institutions in Downtown Columbus will be available to the public! Trolley riders receive FREE general admission to the Museum. Details here.

The Tony Hagood Trio Plays Jazz Holiday Standards

December 15, 2024 from 2:00–4:00 PM

This holiday jazz concert features arrangements from artists like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and much more! 

Tickets are $25 for non-members and $20 for members in advance; $30 for everyone at the door.

Winter Art Breaks

Every Thursday and Friday, December 19–January 3, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Sensory hour is from 10:00–11:00 AM
Stop by the Studio for creative activities for young families and teens while school is out for holiday break. Winter Art Breaks is a drop-in program that is included with admission or membership.

Wonderball 2024

Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 8:00 PM – Midnight
Experiences planned for 2025 will showcase a selection of creative experiences through the years ranging from dance, performance art, participatory experiences, and fashion to local music standouts.

Wear your favorite black & white attire and join us for a fashionable evening of local food, music, performances, and interactive, unexpected experiences. Wonderball celebrates creativity at Columbus Museum of Art and throughout the Central Ohio community.

This fundraiser is a splurge event, with tickets $150. Details and purchase here.

Regular events at CMA

Happy Hour

Schokko Café will offer happy hour specials every Tuesday–Friday from 3:00–5:00 PM!

The happy hour menu features $3, $5, and $10 light bites, drinks, and more! Schokko Café welcomes diners without requiring admission. Plus, enjoy the added benefit of validated parking when you visit.

Open Studio

Every Saturday from 11 am – 2 pm. Engage creative thinking through material exploration. There will be an enhanced session each month with a teaching artist who will lead a program based on prompts and provide creative instruction.

Individuals of all ages are welcome to step into the Studio to explore and experiment with our wide range of materials and supplies. Open Studio experiences are included with admission to CMA. Details. 

Art of Rest

CMA’s partnership with The Yoga Carriage at replenish returns with a new series of monthly collective community care gatherings. The Art of Rest incorporates curated mindful and restorative practices to invite in spaciousness and curiosity.

Program is $20. 1st Sundays, unless otherwise noted.

December 8: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Yoga @ CMA with Replenish 

Whether you are a beginner or advanced student this practice will allow you to reset the body, move at a slower pace and experience the practice of relaxation.

Program is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

December 12: 6:00–7:00 PM

Admission, events, and discounts at Columbus Museum of Art

Reminder: all visits should have a ticket reservation to ensure admission. See all discounted admission.

Color your own CMA Masterpiece for free admission:

Use one of the coloring sheets of the most iconic works of art to create your own masterpiece. Bring in your artwork to get 1 free general admission to the Museum for the day, and you can see these actual artworks and more that we hope will inspire you! 

Print the coloring sheets from the website, or pick one up at local restaurant partners, Forno (and order the breakfast pizza!) or Urban Meyer’s Pint House. Program end date unknown; check link above to see if it’s still available. 

Free Sundays at CMA

Everyone can enjoy free Sundays at CMA from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The free admission also includes all exhibitions, as well as Center for Creativity, Big Idea Gallery, and much more during free Sundays at CMA.

While Sunday admission is free, visitors can reserve a dated, timed admission ticket to enter. Special exhibition fees may apply on Sundays.

$5 Thursdays evenings at CMA

Thursday is a perfect night to head to CMA with friends or a date! Admission is just $5 from 5 – 9 pm. (Closed Christmas Eve)

Blue Star Museums Program

CMA is also part of the Blue Star Museums Programs, so active duty, retired military, veterans and their families get free admission. Simply show your active-duty military personnel or military family I.D. at the admission desk for free entry.

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to CMA through the Columbus Member Advantage program.

No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

Member Advantage partners for 2023 include:

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• COSI

Reciprocal memberships with the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association® are accepted. Please call 614.221.6801 to reserve your timed admission tickets using your reciprocal benefits. See list of NARM institutions here.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Culture Pass

Columbus Museum of Art has a partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Library to offer free visits through their Culture Pass program. This program aligns with our mission to create great experiences with great art for EVERYONE.

As part of the Culture Pass program, CML customers can borrow a one-time pass (which must be checked out in person) to visit the Museum. These passes can be found at all 23 Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.

More details and information about the Culture Pass program can be found by clicking here.

Culture Pass: Free admission to the Zoo, FPC, CMA, and more from the library

General Admission for Columbus Museum of Art

Adults • $20
Seniors (60+), Students (18+), Children (4-17) • $10
Thursdays (5:00PM – 9:00PM) • $5
Children (0-3) • FREE
Members • FREE
Sundays • FREE
Veterans and active military and their families • FREE

Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Special evening hours of Thursdays from 5-9 pm.

Closed July 4, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and all Mondays. Closing at 3:00 PM July 3, September 23, Thanksgiving Eve, December 24, and December 31. Open on Easter and New Year’s Day.

Membership

Individual memberships start at just $75 and members can bring a guest. Family memberships are $100 and include a guest and children under 18. 

Parking at CMA

CMA operates a parking lot off East Gay Street where members can park for free and all other visitors play a flat fee of $5. Visitors are encouraged to pay for parking at the gate. Members still receive validated parking from the Admissions Desk.

Visitors to the Museum Store and Schokko Café enjoy free parking. Just bring your Museum ID or receipt to the admissions desk.

Columbus Museum of Art
480 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614.221.6801
website

Check out other Free and Discounted Museum Days in Columbus!

Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus

Seasonal Events TBA for 2024 at CMA

CMA Community Days

January 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

CMA is kicking off our first Community Day of 2024, with generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Enjoy a day filled with activities including FREE general admission AND special exhibition admission to Accra! 

All are welcome, registration is encouraged.

Black History Month Pop-up Concert featuring the Columbus Cultural Orchestra

February 10, 2024 from 2:00–3:00 PM

In celebration of Black History Month, enjoy a free performance by the Columbus Cultural Orchestra.

Valentine’s Day Celebrations with CMA

My Funny Valentine with the Tony Hagood Quintet

Sunday, February 11, 2024, 2:00–4:00 PM

The Tony Hagood Quintet will share a concert of love songs leading up to Valentine’s Day.

There will be many familiar crooner standards such as My Funny Valentine, At Last, But Beautiful, Unforgettable, as well as some more upbeat romantic songs to celebrate the holiday like L-O-V-E, Fly Me to the Moon, There is No Greater Love, Cheek to Cheek, and much more!

Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members in advance, and $30 for everyone at the door. Register here.

#HeartsforArt

February 13–18

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with #HeartsforArt.  This initiative was launched by Columbus Museum of Art and Oakland Museum of California in 2014, Hearts for Art is a fun way for visitors to express their love for art.

When you visit CMA, pick up a red paper heart at the admission desk and place it in front of a work of art that you love.
Share your art crush by posting a picture of your favorite work of art across your favorite social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) using hashtag #HeartsForArt and tag @columbusmuseum. We’ll share some of our favorites art crushes!

The Art and Science of Sexual Attraction

February 15, 2024 from 7:00–8:45 PM

This event is 21+

Spice up your Valentine’s Day with a deep dive into the non-verbal ways we communicate and interpret sexual desire in our relationships. Bring curiosity and an open mind as we explore this phenomenon through an interactive gallery experience followed by a workshop led by Dr. Meghna Mahambrey, founder of SPARK Relationship + Sexual Wellness. Couples of all gender and sexual identities are warmly welcome.

Tickets are $80 for member couples and $90 for nonmember couples. Registration also includes general admission to CMA galleries, and a glass of wine for each registrant. Register here. 

Valentine’s Day at CMA Intimate Dining Experience

February 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Ages 21+

Bring your Valentine for a fine-dining, 4-course meal with wine pairings under the stars in Edwards Court at CMA. 

Tickets for this splurge event include a plated dinner (menu below), wine pairing for each course, live entertainment by pianist Doug Hare, and access to cash bar with time to explore the open galleries before or after your dinner. Details here. 

Valentine’s Day Cocktail Celebration at CMA

February 16, 2024 7:00–10:00 PM

Celebrate your love at the Columbus Museum of Art. Tickets for this event include a cheesecake and wine pairing, light bites, live music by Andy Shaw Duo, cash bar, and exploring the open galleries at night. Cheesecake offerings are provided by The Cheesecake Girl and Schokko Café.

Cocktail Celebration tickets are $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Register here. 

Black History Month Pop-up Concert featuring the Columbus Cultural Orchestra

February 25, 2024 from 2:00–3:00 PM

In celebration of Black History Month, enjoy a free performance by the Columbus Cultural Orchestra.

Summer Art Workshops for Students

Workshops are Mondays–Fridays from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
$325 Non-Member / $300 Member
 
Each workshop is 5 days of in-person instruction at the Columbus Museum of Art for students entering 1st-8th Grade. Classes will be offered each week with the same theme split by grades/age.

Students can explore the galleries through private tours, have downtime outside on the gardens and have access to a variety of creative materials.

See themes, registration and more on website. 

CMA Community Days

August 11, 2024, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. 

Enjoy a day filled with activities in celebration of the last days of summer with a retro back-to-school themed CMA Community Day. 

Admission to CMA Community Days is completely FREE, including general access and entry to the exhibitions. We invite visitors of all ages to cultivate creativity and connection through our diverse range of exhibitions and inspired programming.

All are welcome, registration is encouraged. Details. 

BAM UnderCurrent

Friday, August 30, 2024 (rescheduled from May), from 5 pm – 9 pm
Event located at the corner of Gay and High Street

BAM (Bar, Art, Music) comes to the heart of Downtown for one night only as part of the new event series, UnderCurrent. Experience the street party under Janet Echelman’s sky-high sculpture on the corner of Gay and High Street.

The street will be closed to enjoy live music, great art, a cash bar, delicious bites, and creative experiences directly under Current. 

More details here. 

BAM Thursdays: Bar, Art, Music.

Thursdays, May 30–September 26 from 5 pm – 10 pm
BAM Thursdays (Bar, Art, and Music) are back! Every Thursday will bring fresh libations, great art, and music at the Museum. Sip and vibe with friends in our garden space, with limited seating also available inside Schokko Café.

BAM Thursday hours have been extended to 10:00 PM every Thursday, along with FREE general admission from 5:00–9:00 PM. See what’s on view and who is performing here.

The $5 discounted special exhibition admission ticket still applies to see Wendy Red Star: A Scratch on the Earth and Lesley Vance: always circled whirling.

Summer Art Breaks at CMA

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from July 30–August 15, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Sensory hour from 10:00–11:00 AM

Take a break from the heat with summer art making activities in My CMA Studio! Summer Art Breaks are included with cost of admission and open to all ages. Details here. 

Dia de los Muertos at the Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus Museum of Art hosts multiple Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events, including a community alter

Community Ofrenda at CMA
October 25 – November 3, 2024
An ofrenda is an altar, built to honor lost loved ones. Visitors may add a memento, photo, or word to remember and celebrate someone special from their lives.

The ofrenda was created by Renee Zamora, a Columbus artist who works with printmaking, mixed media and found objects. Artist Renee Zamora shares her story and one of her favorite parts about Dia de los Muertos, the ofrenda.

Admission is free to visit the Ofrenda. Read more, and build your own.

Community Conversation on Grief at CMA
Saturday October 27, 2022 at 6:00 pm: Join CMA and community partners in an honest and meaningful conversation about grief, loss, healing, and the origins of Día de los Muertos. This event is free and open to the public; registration requested.

Celebrate Dí­a de los Muertos at CMA
November 5, 2022 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Celebrate and learn about the rich history of Día de los Muertos with activations by artists including a community ofrenda, art-activities, vendors, tarot, dancing and live music from Al Son del Iya, craft cocktails & tasty bites available from Casa Mezcal Mexican Grill.

Cost of the program is $10 for nonmembers, $5 for members, children 3 and under are free. Details and registration on the Columbus Museum of Art website.  

Holiday Wow and Wonder Weekend

December 2-3, 2023

Start your holiday celebrations at CMA during Holiday Wow & Wonder! Embrace holiday wow moments with shopping deals, membership discounts, tastes of the season in Schokko Café, and a favorite holiday tradition Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®.

Saturday, December 2, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Enjoy $5 general admission all day, plus enjoy creative time in Open Studio from 10:30 AM–3:30 PM with guest artist Lynne Wise, and a screening of The Lego Movie at 2:00 PM.

Registration to The LEGO Movie is $5 for everyone including members. Registration for nonmembers includes Museum general admission.