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Free First Thursday: Seattle Art Museum

Thu May 7 2026

10 am–8 pm

Seattle Art Museum

Photo: Alborz Kamalizad

Call your friends and bring the family, admission is FREE to everyone at the Seattle Art Museum on the first Thursday of every month.

In addition to our regular hours, Seattle Art Museum will be open for Free First Thursday evenings from 5–8 pm to provide more opportunities to visit the galleries for free! Evening hours will feature extra activities like live music, drop-in art making, and in-gallery experiences for visitors.

Tickets are available both onsite and online.

11:30 am, 1:30 pm | Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection
These 60-minute tours meet at the top of the 3rd floor escalators.

noon–1 pm | Concert by Ladies’ Musical Club 

5–7:30 pm | Little Cloud Sky cotton candy by SweetArt
Both museum entrances
Little Cloud Sky is a commission from FriendsWithYou for SAM’s Brotman Forum. To celebrate its presence, enjoy cotton candy clouds spun live by SweetArt Cotton Candy while supplies last! 

5–8 pm | Drop-In art workshop: Seeds of light lantern making
South Hall
Inspired by SAM’s new public art piece DRIFT: Meadow, this activity invites participants to decorate, cut, fold, and illuminate paper to create glowing pod lanterns. Each lantern holds a suspended light and travels home with its maker, dispersing these artworks beyond the museum and into the community. Developed by teaching artist Jessie Blackmer.

5:30–6:30 pm | SAM Gallery artist talk
SAM Gallery
Celebrate the landscape of the Pacific Northwest with Into the Wild at SAM Gallery!

6–7 pm |  Beyond Mysticism Public Tour
This tour meets at the 4th floor special exhibition entrance.

6–7:15 pm | Musical performance by Josephine Howell Productions
South Hall
SAM is excited to welcome Josie Howell back for another amazing performance! Josie tirelessly supports her community through gospel events, concerts, and her work with the Emergency Feeding Program. She lights up every stage with an electrifying, heart-stirring experience you don’t want to miss.

Related program

Discounts

To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience art, SAM offers monthly free days and various discounts for visiting our locations.

view program

Related program

Free First Thursday

Get free admission on Free First Thursday at all SAM locations and take advantage of extended hours and art programming at Seattle Art Museum.

view program

What’s on at Seattle Art Museum

2026 Naramore Middle & High School Art Show

Seattle Art Museum

2026 Naramore Middle & High School Art Show

Wed Apr 1–Sun May 31 2026

  

10 am–5 pm

SAM Gallery Presents: Ethereal

Seattle Art Museum

SAM Gallery Presents: Ethereal

Wed Apr 1–Sun May 3 2026

  

10 am–5 pm

SAM Happy Hour

Seattle Art Museum

SAM Happy Hour

Thu Apr 30 2026

  

5–8 pm

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Seattle Art Museum

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Thu Apr 30 2026

  

6–7 pm

Member Tour: Beyond Mysticism

Seattle Art Museum

Member Tour: Beyond Mysticism

Fri May 1 2026

  

1:30–2:15 pm

2026 Naramore Celebration

Seattle Art Museum

2026 Naramore Celebration

Fri May 1 2026

  

6–7 pm

Teen Night Out

Seattle Art Museum

Teen Night Out

Fri May 1 2026

  

7–10 pm

Saturdays at SAM

Seattle Art Museum

Saturdays at SAM

Sat May 2 2026

  

11 am–2 pm

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Seattle Art Museum

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Sat May 2 2026

  

11:30 am–12:30 pm

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Seattle Art Museum

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Sat May 2 2026

  

1:15–2:15 pm

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Seattle Art Museum

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Sun May 3 2026

  

11:30 am–12:30 pm

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Seattle Art Museum

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Sun May 3 2026

  

1:15–2:15 pm

SAM Gallery Presents: Into the Wild

Seattle Art Museum

SAM Gallery Presents: Into the Wild

Wed May 6–Sun May 31 2026

  

10 am–5 pm

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Seattle Art Museum

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Thu May 7 2026

  

11:30 am, 1:30 pm

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Seattle Art Museum

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Thu May 7 2026

  

6–7 pm

Saturdays at SAM

Seattle Art Museum

Saturdays at SAM

Sat May 9 2026

  

11 am–2 pm

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Seattle Art Museum

Public Tour: Highlights from SAM’s Collection

Sat May 9 2026

  

11:30 am–12:30 pm

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Seattle Art Museum

Beyond Mysticism Public Tour

Sat May 9 2026

  

1:15–2:15 pm

Chanoyu: Tea Culture of Japan Demonstration

Seattle Art Museum

Chanoyu: Tea Culture of Japan Demonstration

Sat May 9 2026

  

3–4 pm