Race: Power, Resistance, & Change at Museum of Us

A Lasting Respect: Japanese American Gardeners in San Diego
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
Opening November 1

Poetic Portraits: Allegory and Identity in Sixteenth-Century Europe
Timken Museum of Art
Opening November 5

Race: Power, Resistance & Change
Museum of Us
Opening November 14

Cutting Paper: Creating the Improbable
Centro Cultural de la Raza
Opening November 15

The following events are included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass.

Craft Construction Zone
San Diego Natural History Museum
Saturdays, November 1, 8, & 15 | 10 AM - 2 PM

Día de los Muertos Celebration
The Old Globe
Sunday, November 2 | 11 AM - 1:30 PM

Holiday Market
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
Saturday, November 22 | 10 AM - 4 PM

Holiday Photo Sale
San Diego History Center
Saturday, November 29 - Sunday, November 30 | 10 AM - 4:30 PM

Holiday Market at Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass

Museum Closures
- Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum will close early at 5 PM on 11/18.
- Timken Museum of Art will be closed 11/19-11/21 for exhibit installation.
- San Diego History Center will close early at 3 PM on 11/19.
- San Diego Natural History Museum will be closed on 11/20 for renovation.

Museum closures are subject to change at any time. Please contact each museum for the most up-to-date information on upcoming closures and special hours.

New Perks for Explorers!
Did you know Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passholders get a special early access hour at the San Diego Natural History Museum on the first Sunday of every month? Start each month feeding your appetite for adventure by browsing fossils, exploring extinct species, and seeing what's new at The Nat a whole hour before the museum opens to the general public!

Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passholders also get access to the Fleet IMAX Documentary Film Pass Add-On! For $75 you'll receive 10 documentary film tickets (a savings of $25!) that can be used anytime during regular business hours (special engagements are not included) while your Annual Pass is active. This add-on benefit is only available in person at the Fleet Science Center admissions desk.
Visit the Annual Pass Benefits section of our website to learn more about these new offers.

Give the Gift of Endless Joy this Holiday Season!
The holidays are just around the corner, so skip the shopping struggle and choose a gift that creates meaningful memories to last a lifetime. Give the gift of endless holiday joy with the Balboa Park Explorer Museum Pass! With access to 16 museums in the Balboa Park Cultural District, there is something for everyone to explore all year long. Click here to purchase a gift voucher and share the gift of exploring this holiday season!

Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass

For generations, residents and tourists have visited Balboa Park in December to find Santa Claus and his nine reindeer taking off, a cherished centerpiece of the event that encapsulates the magic of the season and serves as a prime example of the arts present in the Cultural District. Now, after decades of exposure to inclement weather, Santa and his team are finally getting the long-awaited touch-up they deserve!

Balboa Park Explorer is taking the reins of the Santa Restoration Project, partnering with DM Scenic Productions to ensure that Santa’s sleigh is ready for takeoff in time for this year’s December Nights.

By becoming a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passholder, you not only support the 16 participating museums with every scan - you also support projects like the Santa and Reindeer restoration which ensures holiday joy for generations to come!

Buy your Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass today at BuyMyExplorer.com.

Learn more about this restoration project!