Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opens September 22: What Families Need to Know
Updated: 9 hours ago
After years of anticipation, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art officially opens to the public in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Located in Exposition Park, the striking new museum founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson is designed around the art of visual storytelling—and that makes it especially interesting for families.
This is not simply a museum about Star Wars. Families will find everything from illustration, comics and children’s-book art to painting, manga, murals, photography, movie history and objects from the Lucas Archives. For kids who connect with stories through images, movies and characters, it can be an unusually approachable art-museum experience.
Why the Lucas Museum Is a Big Deal
The museum’s approximately 300,000-square-foot building includes more than 100,000 square feet of gallery space across more than 30 galleries. The inaugural exhibitions feature roughly 1,300 works exploring how images tell stories across cultures and generations.
What Kids and Star Wars Fans Can See
One obvious family draw is the museum’s connection to filmmaking. The opening exhibitions include Star Wars in Motion, with material from the Lucas Archives such as concept designs, props and costumes. But children who love comics, animation, manga or picture books may be just as interested in the museum’s broader collection of narrative art.
Two theaters are also part of the museum, with drop-in film programming. That gives families an option to mix gallery time with a seated break during a longer visit.
Lucas Museum Tickets and Family Admission
Adults: $25
Seniors age 65+: $21
Children age 17 and under: Free
Active-duty military: Free
Members: Free
EBT cardholders: Free
An important detail for parents: even though children 17 and under are free, every visitor—including children—needs a timed-entry reservation. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Location
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, One Lucas Plaza, 3800 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90037, in Exposition Park.
Hours and Opening Day
The museum’s special public opening is Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Its regular weekly schedule lists Monday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Tuesday closed, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM–9:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Because opening day is a special Tuesday event, families should always confirm the current date and time shown with their timed reservation.
Free Things to Explore Without a Gallery Ticket
The museum sits on a 13-acre campus with landscaped park and garden areas that are open to the public. The Research Library is also free, and the museum says visitors can access the park, gardens, shop, café and restaurant without a gallery reservation. That makes the campus worth considering even if timed museum tickets are unavailable on your preferred day.
Parent Tips
Reserve timed tickets in advance—do not assume free admission for kids means no reservation is needed.
Build in extra time to explore the outdoor park and gardens before or after the galleries.
If your child is mainly interested in Star Wars, explain that the museum is much broader than a movie-prop museum; the collection is about storytelling through many kinds of art.
For younger kids, combine shorter gallery stretches with outdoor time or a theater break.
Check your reservation time and current operating hours before leaving home, especially during the opening period.
For current admission availability and timed entry, plan your visit and reserve tickets through the Lucas Museum before heading to Exposition Park.
Takeaway
The Lucas Museum adds something genuinely different to LA’s family museum scene: a place where fine art, comics, movies, illustration and popular culture can all live under the same roof. With free admission for kids 17 and under, it is likely to become an especially appealing Exposition Park stop for families—just remember that everyone still needs a reservation.
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