Free Last Thursday Admission to Art Gallery of Alberta
Get free admission to the Art Gallery of Alberta on the last Thursday of every month
One of the best free things to do in Edmonton with kids are monthly, ongoing free admission deals in Edmonton! On the last Thursday of every month, the Art Gallery of Alberta opens its doors for free admission from 4–7 PM — no tickets, no membership, no catch. It's a standing monthly invitation to wander three floors of contemporary and historical art inside one of the city's most unique buildings.
And if you've got kids 17 and under, the AGA is an even easier win: they get in free all year round, every day the gallery is open. The last-Thursday deal simply means the grown-ups get to come along for free too.
What to expect on a Free Entry Thursday
The building itself is half the fun before you even see the art. Designed with a swirling exterior of zinc, glass and steel meant to echo the shimmer of the Northern Lights, the AGA is a genuinely stunning. Exhibitions rotate regularly, so there's almost always something new to discover across the gallery's bright, airy floors - and the relaxed evening hours make it an easy, low-pressure outing after school or work.
We love recommending this one for families who think a gallery might be "too much" for young kids. The 4–7 PM window is short and manageable, admission costs you nothing, and if the attention spans run out after twenty minutes, you've lost nothing but a great place to wander for an air conditioned walk. Pair it with a stroll around Sir Winston Churchill Square out front - or a splash in the fountain in the summer, and you’ve got a winning outing.
A few tips: the gallery gets busiest right at 4 PM, so arriving a little later in the window can mean quieter rooms. Admission is accepted until 30 minutes before closing, so aim to arrive by 6:30 PM at the latest. And check the AGA's site before you go - Free Entry Thursdays sometimes include artist demonstrations, tours, or hands-on activities layered on top of the free admission. Don’t skip the children’s gallery, it’s small but mighty!
Plan your visit: Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton. Free admission on the last Thursday of every month, 4–7 PM. Kids 17 and under are always free. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Check current exhibitions and any special Free Entry Thursday programming at youraga.ca.