October – December 2024 Exhibitions & Events

OCTOBER

EVENT: DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS FIESTA                                                                                        
10/12/24

On Saturday, Oct. 12 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the California Museum’s 11^th annual Día de Los Muertos Fiesta will celebrate the opening of its new Day of the Dead-themed exhibit “Arte de Inspiración: Día de los Muertos 2024.” Highlights will include appearances by exhibit artists; entrées and custom cocktails for sale by Mayahuel Restaurant and Tequila Museum; live music and dance performances; sugar skull workshops; craft activities and more. For details, visit https://Fiesta2024.eventbrite.com.   

CLOSED FOR GENERAL ADMISSION
10/12/24

The California Museum will be closed on October 12 for general admission, in preparation for the Día de Los Muertos Fiesta that evening.

EXHIBITION: “ARTE DE INSPIRACIÓN: DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS 2024”                                                                                   
10/12 – 11/17/24

Opening at the California Museum’s Día de los Muertos Fiesta on Saturday, Oct. 12, the all-new exhibit explores the Mexican cultural tradition of honoring deceased loved ones each year on November 1 and 2 and features original altars and artwork by artists Adrián Arias, Krisztianna, and John Hancock and Juan Ramos. Members of the public are also invited to honor friends and family members who have passed with a remembrance in the exhibit’s accompanying community altar. Learn more at https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/upcoming/arte-de-inspiracion/. 

EVENT: I LOVE SUGAR SKULL WORKSHOPS
10/13/24 

In two workshops from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. led by Rob-O of I Love Sugar Skulls, participants will design and decorate “calaveras de azúcar” (sugar skulls) for Día de los Muertos. The $25 workshop fee includes a pre-made sugar skull, royal icing and assorted decorations, along with personalized instruction by Rob-O and admission to all current California Museum exhibits including “Arte de Inspiración: Día de los Muertos 2024.” To register, visit https://2024SugarSkullWorkshops.eventbrite.com.  

EXHIBITION: “¡PLEIBOL! IN THE BARRIOS AND THE BIG LEAGUES”
10/26/24 – 1/19/25 

“¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues / En los barrios y las grandes ligas” takes audiences on a journey into the heart of American baseball to understand the experiences of Latinas/os whose love for the game and incredible talent changed baseball and transformed American culture. This bilingual exhibit (English/Spanish) from the Smithsonian features historical photos and artifacts from Latinx communities nationwide. California Museum’s presentation includes historic relics used by California trailblazers including a jersey worn by California Hall of Famer Fernando Valenzuela, Jaime Jarrín’s Dodgers playbook, and Carmen Lujan’s Mercury Senoritas uniform, on loan from the Smithsonian and local collectors. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/upcoming/pleibol/ 

EXHIBITION: 17^th ANNUAL CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME ARTIFACT EXHIBITION
THROUGH 11/3/24 

Featuring artifacts and ephemera on loan from inductees’ personal collections, this temporary exhibition explores the lives and legacies of inductees in the 17th class of the California Hall of Fame, inspiring visitors to make their own mark on history. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/california-hall-of-fame/exhibitions/

NOVEMBER

EVENT: “THE POET AND THE SILK GIRL” BOOK TALK WITH SATSUKI INA
11/9/24

On Saturday, Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., author Satsuki Ina will discuss her new memoir “The Poet and the Silk Girl: A Memoir of Love, Imprisonment, and Protest.” The story follows the Ina family, who were among the 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry that the U.S. forcibly displaced and incarcerated during World War II. Satsuki’s talk will be followed by a book signing with light refreshments and an opportunity to explore the California Museum’s exhibit about the Japanese American incarceration, “Uprooted: An American Story.” Tickets are on sale for a reduced $5 admission at https://californiamuseum.org/satsuki-ina-book-talk 

THANKSGIVING – CLOSED 11/28/24 

DECEMBER

MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY
12/1/24 

The Museum Store Association’s international museum shopping event encourages visitors to shop unique, mission-specific gifts while supporting their local museum. The California Museum Store will offer patrons special discounts. Details will be posted November 1 at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/.   

EVENT: KLAMATH UNDAMMED
12/7/24                                         

Celebrating the completion of the Klamath River dam removal project – the largest of its kind in U.S. history – the public is invited to the California Museum on Saturday, December 7 to learn about the project from Tribal members who have led the decades-long campaign to restore the river. This FREE event will include panel discussions, film screenings, basketweaving demonstrations, and a book signing. Details will be posted November 1 at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/.   

CHRISTMAS EVE (12/24/24) – CLOSED

CHRISTMAS (12/25/24) – CLOSED

NEW YEAR’S EVE (12/31/24) – OPEN REGULAR SUNDAY HOURS, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

NEW YEAR’S DAY (1/1/25) – CLOSED

ONGOING PROGRAMS

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
1^st WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH 

Free admission when you present your Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® or U.S. Trust® credit or debit card and a photo ID on the first full weekend of every month. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-on-us-free-admission/. 

FIELD TRIPS
THROUGH SPRING 2025

The California Museum is now booking seven unique field trip experiences to inspire and educate students on California’s rich and diverse history and culture during the 2024-25 school year. To learn more about each experience and how to book, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/field-trips-groups/.  

DOCENT ON DUTY

Join docent Steve Sasaki in “Uprooted: An American Story” or docent Doreen Wong in “Gold Mountain: Chinese Californian Stories” at designated times. Steve shares his family’s experiences of life in the incarceration camps and returning home after WWII, while Doreen dives into military history and her upbringing as a Chinese Californian. Their tours are free with the price of Museum admission. View the current Docent on Duty schedule at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/docent-on-duty/.  

FOURTH FRIDAYS

The California Museum invites all current California state employees to visit for free on the fourth Friday of each month from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission will be provided to the first 100 state employees with a current state employee ID badge who visit the Museum during the 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fourth Friday timeframe. Walk-in only. Offer does not apply to advance ticket purchases. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/fourth-fridays/.  

MUSEUMS FOR ALL

Organized by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this branded access program encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. Those receiving food assistance benefits can gain reduced $2 admission for themselves and up to three guests by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-for-all-low-income-access/.  

CONTINUING EXHIBITIONS

“CALIFORNIA INDIANS: THE FIRST PEOPLE”  

Initially developed under the direction of a Native Advisory Council in 2011, “California Indians: The First People” is the only exhibit of its kind in the state to present the unique contributions of California’s Native Peoples in their own voice. Through artifacts, original art, oral histories and an interactive language kiosk, the exhibit chronicles the histories and cultural legacies of over 100 tribes. Highlights include the Chipped Stone Bear, California’s official prehistoric artifact; baskets woven by Native artists; and a fur cape owned by Ishi. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/california-indians/.  

 “CALIFORNIA MISSIONS: A JOURNEY ALONG THE EL CAMINO REAL”     

Designed to correspond with State standards for 4th grade students, this exhibit includes rare artifacts from Missions across the state, such as iron tools handmade at Mission Santa Barbara, a marriage registry document written by Father Junípero Serra, an 1893 painting of Mission San Luis Rey on an original tile from that mission and more. In addition, oral history brings this pivotal chapter of history into the present through the modern perspective of Andrew A. Galvan, the first Native curator of Mission Dolores in San Francisco. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/california-missions/.  

“GOLD MOUNTAIN: CHINESE CALIFORNIAN STORIES”                                              

Discover the overlooked but significant history and contributions of Chinese Californians from the Gold Rush to the present in “Gold Mountain: Chinese California Stories.” This ongoing exhibit explores the history of Chinese immigrants who came to California in search of a better life and helped build the modern state while triumphing over racism and other obstacles with ingenuity and perseverance. In their stories, visitors will see the contributions Chinese Americans have made to our state’s economy, governance and culture. For more information, go to https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/gold-mountain/.   

“HEALTH HAPPENS HERE”                                                                                               

Learn how and why your zip code determines how long and how well you live in the multimedia exhibit “Health Happens Here.” Discover what Californians are doing to build health in communities across the state in this interactive journey through all the places and all the ways health happens in California. Through a series of high-tech games and interactive stations, visitors explore key factors that affect health beyond traditional diet and exercise while earning points that can be donated to one of 10 charities to make health happen for all Californians. Winner of the American Alliance of Museum’s “Excellence In Exhibition” award, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/health-happens-here/ for more information.  

UNITY CENTER                                                                     

Initiated in 1999 in response to a series of Northern California hate crimes and launched in 2017, the Unity Center at the California Museum celebrates the state’s diverse people, customs and cultures. Featuring multimedia exhibits exploring significant chapters of California’s civil rights history and a state-of-the-art classroom, the interactive 4,000 sq. ft. gallery encourages visitors to find common ground while embracing their own individuality. Through advocacy tools and engaging educational programs, visitors are empowered to be Unity Activists, exercising their rights and standing up for the rights of others – regardless of belief, background, identity or gender. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/unity-center/.  

“UPROOTED: AN AMERICAN STORY”

Reopened in 2023, this fully rebuilt, technology-enhanced signature exhibit focuses on the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and explores how they responded to their forced removal and incarceration, ranging from quiet endurance to heroic valor to conscientious resistance. The exhibit also highlights Japanese Americans’ ongoing efforts to ensure no other groups experience similar civil rights violations. All-new interactive displays and never-before-exhibited artifacts from survivors supplement visitor favorites from the previous installation including a video introduction by George Takei and a replica barracks and guard tower. New features include a theater experience and an AI-based component allowing visitors to hold virtual conversations with three incarceration survivors. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/uprooted/.  

“WOMEN INSPIRE: CALIFORNIA WOMEN CHANGING OUR WORLD”                                                                                              

Developed in collaboration with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and a statewide advisory council of historians, this all-new long-term signature exhibit features the stories of Golden State women from the 1700s to present who inspire change and reflection on the ongoing struggle for equality. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/women-inspire/. 

ABOUT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM:

The California Museum celebrates the state’s rich history, its diversity and its unique influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Established in 1998, the Museum is home to the official California Hall of Fame and many more exhibitions inspiring visitors to make a mark on history. Learn more or plan a visit at californiamuseum.org. 

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Press images and interviews available by email request. Onsite media tours must be scheduled a minimum of 48 hours in advance. For assistance, please email dwood@californiamuseum.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Danielle Wood, Communications & Marketing Director 
dwood@californiamuseum.org