Active Promotion - December 1 through December 31

Give the gift of endless holiday joy with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass! With access to 16 museums in the Balboa Park Cultural District, there's so much for everyone to explore all year. During the whole month of December, you'll receive two Guest Passes when you buy any Explorer Annual Pass Gift Voucher! Click here to give the gift of culture.

This offer is valid 12/1/25 – 12/31/25 and is only available on the Balboa Park Explorer website or over the phone at (619)-232-7502, Press 2. Gift Vouchers are available for Family, Adult, Senior, Student, and Youth Annual Passes. Each Guest Pass grants one admission to each of the 16 participating museums* for one day only, on the day of first use. Guest Passes are physical tickets that will be mailed with the physical Gift Voucher. Guest Passes are unnamed and can be shared. Guest Passes must be used within one year from the printed date. This promotion is limited to up to 4 Guest Passes per Household.

*Visit each museum's website to see their hours of operation.

Receive 2 Guest Passes with Purchase of Any Gift Voucher

Restitched: Feed Sacks in Mid-Twentieth Century Quilts at Mingei International Museum

NASCAR: Design and Innovation
San Diego Automotive Museum
Ongoing

Eduardo Chillida: Convergence
The San Diego Museum of Art
Ongoing

Restitched: Feed Sacks in Mid-Twentieth Century Quilts
Mingei International Museum
Ongoing

NextGen 2025
ICA San Diego Central
Ongoing

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

Let There Be Light
San Diego History Center
Wednesday, December 10 - Sunday, January 4 | During Museum operating hours

Highlights Tour
Mingei International Museum
Fridays, December 12, 19 & 26 | 1 PM - 2 PM
RSVP requested

Nat at Night
San Diego Natural History Museum
Friday, December 19 | 5 PM - 10 PM

Polar Express Family Day
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Saturday, December 20 | 11 AM - 4 PM

Let There Be Light at San Diego History Center

Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass

Museum Closures
- Most Balboa Park Explorer museums will be closed during the daytime on 12/5 & 12/6 in preparation for the evening festivities for December Nights.
- Museum of Us will open late at 11 AM on 12/10.
- Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum will close early at 3 PM on 12/11.
- Centro Cultural de la Raza will be closed 12/22 - 1/5.

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!