Free Admission to the Royal Alberta Museum for Alberta Culture Days 2026
Get Free admission to Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton during Culture Days 2026
Mark your calendars: the Royal Alberta Museum is opening its doors for free on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026, as part of Alberta Culture Days. It's one of only a handful of days each year RAM waives admission for everyone, so it's a great excuse to finally check out Western Canada's largest museum without spending a dime.
Here’s what you need to know before you go
Dates: Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, 2026
Where: Royal Alberta Museum, 9810 – 103A Avenue NW, Edmonton
Cost: Free for all visitors
Tickets: Book a timed ticket online in advance through RAM's ticketing site where possible; walk-ins are typically welcome too, admitted based on capacity, so arriving early is your best bet on a busy weekend. Tickets will be available to reserve closer to Alberta Culture Days.
Alberta Culture Days runs throughout the month of September province-wide, but RAM's free admission is specifically tied to this late-September weekend, when museums and heritage sites across Alberta open up as part of the celebration.
What to see with the kids at Royal Alberta Museum
Stories of Us: Building Alberta's Collection | This temporary exhibition in the Natural History Hall South Gallery pulls back the curtain on how RAM builds and cares for its collection of more than five million objects. Expect a genuinely fun mix of items, from a Klondike Kate outfit worn during the 1970 Klondike Days to a mammoth scapula found by a member of the public. It's a peek into how curators decide what gets preserved and why. Running through February 2027, so no rush if you don't get to it this visit.
Chez nous: la francophonie de l'Alberta | A newer changing exhibition exploring the history and living culture of Alberta's francophone communities. A good stop if you're interested in the province's lesser-told stories.
Natural History Hall | RAM's permanent home for millions of years of Alberta's natural history, including the fossils, geology, and wildlife exhibits the museum is known for.
Human History Hall | Walk through Alberta's human story, from Indigenous knowledge and traditions to the people who've shaped the province more recently. About half of the hall's exhibits touch on Indigenous history and perspectives.
The Bug Gallery | A perennial hit with kids (and the more adventurous adults), with live insects on display, including the hissing Madagascar cockroaches that seem to get a reaction every single time.
The Children's Gallery | Hands-on play for younger visitors, with activities like archaeological digs and interactive exhibits built for little hands.
Note that RAM's feature exhibition, Death: Life's Greatest Mystery, closes September 7, 2026, so it won't be on view during Culture Days weekend — but there's still plenty to fill an afternoon - and remember, kids get free admission until the 7th of September for Canada Strong Pass.
Visiting Royal Alberta Museum During Culture Days
Weekends during Alberta Culture Days tend to draw big crowds, so arrive early or expect lines, especially if you don't have a pre-booked ticket
Free admission applies to general entry; check RAM's site for any special guests, community fair activities, or added programming planned for the weekend
If you end up loving it, RAM's Mammoth Pass offers unlimited admission for a year — worth considering if a free visit turns into a family favourite
