Explore Balboa Park

Bring your little Explorers to watch the classic film, The Polar Express, inside the San Diego Model Railroad Museum! Make your own holiday cards and ornaments, enjoy model train exhibits, and meet Santa.

🎥 Polar Express Showtimes
Saturday, 12/9 at 10:30 AM & 1:30 PM

🎅 Special Appearance from Santa
Saturday, 12/9 from 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

This event is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass! For more info about this event and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, visit sdmrm.org

Happy December, Explorers! Invite your friends and family for a day in the Park and enjoy art, science, history, and culture together.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1204. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

It’s the week of December Nights! Our Balboa Park Explorer museums are preparing for a busy weekend.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1127. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

*December Nights is organized by The City of San Diego, hosted in Balboa Park. For any info regarding December Nights, please visit DecemberNights.org

Get that deal! Until Monday, 11/27, get two FREE Balboa Park Explorer Limited Passes when you buy your first ever Balboa Park Annual Pass. Enjoy a year of general admission to 16 museums and share the love of Balboa Park's Cultural District with a couple of friends or family members. Exceptions and disclaimers apply.

Already a Passholder? Be sure to share with your friends and family!

Buy your Pass today at BuyMyExplorer.org

Thank you so much for spending last Sunday exploring with us in Balboa Park! We were joyfully overwhelmed by the amount of Explorers that participated in Explorer Family Day. Your support means so much to our team and the museums in Balboa Park. Thank you for playing! 🌟

For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit BuyMyExplorer.org. Be on the lookout for the next Explorer Family Day coming soon in Spring of 2024

Spend time with your crew in Balboa Park! Explorer participating museums are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, but there’s plenty of opportunities to visit throughout the week.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1120. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

Now on view at the San Diego Air & Space Museum! Breaking Barriers honors pioneering Black American aviators and astronauts throughout history. The centerpiece of this exhibit is an animatronic featuring Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., the first Black American brigadier general in the United States Air Force during World War II who was instrumental in integrating the Air Force. While working at the Pentagon, he created the Air Force Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, in 1953.

This exhibit is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For more info about this exhibit and SDASM’s hours of operation, visit SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org.

Welcome to another week of exploration! Another Explorer Family Day is coming up alongside virtual tours, opportunities for evening outings in the Park, and more.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1113. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

It’s time for another Explorer Family Day! Visit your favorite museums with your Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass, collect stamps on an official Explorer Scavenger Hunt, and win fun prizes like stickers, notepads, reusable straws, and more. For an extra challenge, flip to the back of the map for a list of artifacts inside the museums and see if you can find them all!

🌟 Explorer Family Day 🌟
Sunday, 11/19 from 10 AM - 4 PM
All ages welcome!

Annual Passholders can pick up an Explorer Scavenger Hunt at the Explorer table in Plaza de Panama on the day of the event. Not a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Passholder? Start exploring today at BuyMyExplorer.org

At Mingei International Musuem’s current exhibit, Over/Under, discover the wonders of weaving in over 75 works of textiles, basketry, garments, hats, toys, jewelry, and more. Try your hand at this art form by participating in one of the interactive tapestries in the gallery and commons level.

This exhibit is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For more info about this exhibit and Mingei’s hours of operation, visit Mingei.org

This month, we’re thankful for YOU and all of the ways that you support arts and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District! Here are a few opportunities to visit the Cultural District this week. We hope to see you soon!

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1106. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

It’s the gift fit for any season! The Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass is the personalized gift you’ve been looking for. With access to up to 16 museums in Balboa Park’s Cultural District for 365 days, the arts and culture lover in your life will have so much to experience all year long. ⭐️

Purchase a Balboa Park Explorer Pass gift voucher today at BuyMyExplorer.org! Looking to learn more? Visit Explorer.BalboaPark.org for more info.

Get crafty with Nature Studios at the San Diego Natural History Museum! Let your creativity soar in The Nat’s nature inspired maker space. All ages are welcome, and all supplies are provided!

🧶 Nature Studio: Maker Space
Saturday, 11/4 & 11/11 from 10 AM - 2 PM

This activity is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For more info about The Nat’s events and hours of operation, visit sdnhm.org

Happy Halloween, Explorers! 👻 🧡

November’s creeping in, Explorers! It’s a great time of year to enjoy all of the art, science, history, and culture that’s abundant in Balboa Park.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1030. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

Now on view at the San Diego Automotive Museum! The Highwayman exhibit highlights the heroic efforts of the San Diego Highwayman, Thomas Weller, who helped 10,000 stranded travelers over the course of his lifetime. Hear his story and share your Highwayman experiences!

This exhibit is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For info about San Diego Automotive Museum’s exhibits and hours of operation, visit SDAutoMuseum.org

EXPLORER DISCOUNT! October is flying by which is why we wanted to remind you that Explorer Annual Passholders get 10% OFF at participating Spanish Village Art Center studios until 10/31. Show your Pass at checkout to receive this discount on handmade arts and crafts. It’s never too soon to start holiday shopping 😉

*You must show your valid Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass to receive discounts. Not valid for Glass Show & Patio Sale. Not all art studios are participating in the discount.

It’s almost Hallo-weekend! Get ready for festive fun in Balboa Park.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1023. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

MOPA@SDMA’s 17th Annual Juried Youth Exhibition, Explorations, has arrived! This exhibit showcases the creative perspectives of students in grades K-12 throughout San Diego County and Tijuana.

“This year’s theme inspired a visual exploration of the depths of our imaginations, our individual essence, and the recognition that we can all write our own adventures. The featured youth artists remind us that exploration has no limits and no end goal, but is an intentional journey of discovery with eyes wide open.”

Opening on Saturday, 10/21, Explorations is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass! (Pretty perfect, right?) Your Explorer Pass scan supports MOPA@SDMA. For more info, visit mopa.org

Unveil the secrets of light and color in Fleet Science Center’s upcoming exhibit, Color in a New Light. Discover the darkest of dark, light we can and can’t see, and the magic of mixing hues.

This exhibit is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass, opening at Fleet Science Center on Saturday, 10/21. For more info about this exhibit and Fleet’s hours of operation, visit fleetscience.org.

We’re halfway through October! What will you Explore this week?

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1016. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

Coming soon to Mingei International Museum! Washi Transformed presents over thirty highly textured two-dimensional works, expressive sculptures, and dramatic installations that explore the astonishing potential of this traditional medium.

Washi Transformed opens this Saturday, 10/14. This exhibit is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass! For more info about Mingei’s exhibits and hours of operation, visit Mingei.org

Celebrate with a splat! At the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Pumpkin Chuckin', watch in amazement as pumpkins are launched off the roof of the museum! Participate in other seasonal STEM activities like 3D-printing spider webs, mini pumpkin catapults, and observe the solar eclipse.

🎃 Pumpkin Chuckin'
Saturday, 10/14 from 9 AM - 1 PM

For more info, visit SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org

We are booked and busy in Balboa Park! Catch an exhibit before it closes or be the first to visit a new experience, get a head start on holiday shopping at an art sale, or begin your Halloween festivities. There’s so much to explore in the Park this week!

For more info about each event, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1009

🎨 SPECIAL OFFER AHEAD! For the month of October, participating studios in Spanish Village Art Center are offering 10% OFF to Explorer Annual Passholders! Show your Pass at checkout to receive this discount on handmade arts and crafts in a variety of mediums.

Spanish Village Art Center is open daily from 11 AM - 4 PM.

*You must show your valid Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass to receive discounts. Not valid for Glass Show & Patio Sale. Not all art studios are participating in the discount.

Looking for miniature scares? At the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, The San Diego 3-Railers Club display has transformed into Halloween town! If you look closely, you’ll find fall favorites like ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, and even some familiar characters ready for festive fun.

The Halloween Display is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass! For more info about this exhibit and museum hours, visit sdmrm.org 👻 🚂

Happy October, Explorers! This month is full of exciting activities for you to enjoy. Follow along for more opportunities to Explore Balboa Park! 🎃

For more info about each event, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek1002

Take flight with the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s TOP GUN: Maverick Movie Night! Dive into the adrenaline-rushing world of fighter pilots, breathtaking aerial maneuvers, and heart-racing drama. Plus, enjoy a free bag of popcorn!

🍿 TOP GUN: Maverick Movie Night
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Friday, 10/6 from 6 PM - 10 PM

This event is included with the Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass! Reserve tickets in advance at SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org

Experience four decades of photographs cataloging nature's dazzling beauty and its capacity for destruction in MOPA@SDMA’s new exhibit, James Balog: Photographs from the Anthropocene! The exhibition is divided into five sections—Survivors, Techno Sapiens, Altering Earth, On Fire, and Vanishing Ice. Now on view!

Your Balboa Park Explorer Pass scan supports MOPA@SDMA! For info about this exhibit and MOPA@SDMA’s hours of operation, visit mopa.org

Hi, Explorers! We’re trying something new for this week. Since there aren’t as many events as usual, we’ve included some suggestions of exhibits in the Park that are included with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass so you can still make the most out of your visiting experience.

If you’re new to our crew, the Balboa Park Explorer Pass is one pass that includes general admission to some of your favorite museums in Balboa Park! For more info, visit Explorer.BalboaPark.org. Happy Exploring!

For links to each event, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek0925.

A new experience for young Explorers has entered the orbit! Moon Base San Diego at the San Diego Air & Space Museum has launched with hands–on, interactive and immersive learning activities. Experience life in a lunar lander capsule, read about space in the book nook, and play out-of-this-world activities in a spacecraft. 🚀

Moon Base San Diego is an ongoing exhibit included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass! For more info about the exhibit and hours of operation, visit sandiegoairandspace.org

Now on view! ICA San Diego’s annual NextGen celebrates emerging artistic voices and highlights the innovative work being produced across the San Diego region by seven graduating artists. The artists selected for this year’s exhibition work across media–from painting and photography, to installation, sculpture and video–combining found objects with personal mementos, mining their family histories, cultural legacies, and identities. 💡

Your Balboa Park Explorer Pass scan supports ICA San Diego! For info about this exhibit and museum hours of operation, visit icasandiego.org

We’re ready for another warm week in Balboa Park! For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek0918. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org 🌳

Data is beautiful and science has style! See the beauty that can emerge from scientific research in the Art of Science exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum. In collaboration with the UC San Diego Library, see the winners of the Art of Science competition, showcasing the work of UC San Diego students and researchers.

This exhibit is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass! To learn more about this exhibit and The Nat’s hours of operation, visit sdnhm.org

Explore your ingenuity and creativity with themed science activities at Fleet Science Center’s Demo Days! Fleet staff guide the way as you work with scientific concepts and develop skills, ask questions along the way, and make a friend or two. Participate in the hands-on activity or make your own project to take home!

☀️ Solar Eclipse Science Demo Day
Saturday, 9/16 from 10 AM - 2 PM

🎃 Spooky Science Demo Day
Saturday, 10/21 from 10 AM -2 PM

Demo Days are included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass! For more info about these events and Fleet Science Center’s hours of operation, visit fleetscience.org

It’s a great time to spend time in Balboa Park! Between performances at The Old Globe, a special edition of Nat at Night, and a weekend full of activities, there’s an event to suit everyone in your crew.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek0911. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! What will you Explore? ☀️

Float like a Cadillac, sting like a Beemer! Explore the relationship between moonshine running and the origins of NASCAR at the San Diego Automotive Museum's newest exhibit, Bootleggers: A Trip Down the Whiskey Road. Take a look at the heavily modified whiskey cars that were the inspiration for modern hot rods and discover their connection to California history.

This exhibit is included with your Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For info about San Diego Automotive Museum’s hours of operation, visit sdautomuseum.org

Happy September, Explorers! We’re excited to enter a new season and share exciting events with you.

For links to each event and a printable calendar, visit go.explorebalboapark.org/ThisWeek0904. For more info about the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, visit explorer.balboapark.org