San Diego Art Prize 2024 at San Diego History Center

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San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Opening January 7

William Gropper: American Agitator
The San Diego Museum of Art
Closing January 26

Beyond Urushi Roots and Resin: Urushi as a Link to Nature
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
Closing January 26

San Diego Art Prize 2024
San Diego History Center
Ongoing

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

Focus Tour: Faces of History - Portraits Through the Ages
Timken Museum of Art
Wednesday, January 8 from 2 PM to 3 PM

36th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
WorldBeat Center
Monday, January 20 from 12 PM to 6 PM

Lunar New Year AXIS Celebration
The Old Globe
Saturday, January 25 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Make at Mingei: Gyotaku Japanese Fish Printing
Mingei International Museum
Sunday, January 26 from 10 AM - 3 PM

Lunar New Year AXIS Celebration at The Old Globe

San Diego Natural History Museum

Museum Closures

• The San Diego Air & Space Museum will be closed on 1/20 in preparation for their upcoming exhibit.
• Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum will close at 5 PM on 1/21.
  

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.

Upcoming Changes to Explorer Passholder Access to Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum during Cherry Blossom Festival 

Starting March 2025, the Cherry Blossom Festival will require a special event ticket purchase. Explorer Passholders including Limited Passes, Parkwide Passes, and Annual Passes will be required to purchase Cherry Blossom Festival tickets to access Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum from March 13 through March 16, 2025. One-day festival tickets will be offered at $18 ($2 discount!) on the day of the event to all eligible Passholders.

All Explorer Passholders will enter through the General Admission line only. Click here to review the 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival FAQ page. Please contact the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum regarding Cherry Blossom Festival tickets and day-of offerings at (619) 232-2721. 

Balboa Park Explorer Passes must be valid and presented at time of purchase to receive the discount. Annual Passholders must present their ID at time of purchase. Festival tickets are good for one day of the event - you must purchase another ticket to enter on an additional festival day.

Cherry Blossom Festival at Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum