National Museum of Mexican Art

What's On

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Vivir la Tierra: Acquisitions from the Permanent Collection 2010–2026

More than forty works acquired over sixteen years (photography, painting, sculpture and video) exploring land as a site of belonging, labour and memory, from 19th-century landscapes to contemporary Pilsen.

Now showing15 Aug – 7 Feb 2027Free

Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos

The museum's 40th annual Día de Muertos exhibition looks back through the permanent collection at how the holiday and the museum itself have evolved, with ofrendas, installations and a community memory space.

Now showing25 Sept – 29 NovFree

¡Tinta Ardiente!: Igniting Community Through Collective Action

Prints, objects and archive from Chicago's Latinx printmaking collective Instituto Gráfico de Chicago, shown with Mexican and Chicago print history from the museum's collection.

Now showing16 Oct – 21 Feb 2027Free

Permanent Collections

Nuestras Historias: Stories of Mexican Identity from the Permanent Collection

The museum's ongoing permanent-collection display, tracing Mexican identity across three thousand years from ancient Mesoamerica and colonial art to Chicano and contemporary work made on both sides of the border.

Permanent collectionFree

Visitor Information

Is National Museum of Mexican Art free to visit?

Yes, general admission to National Museum of Mexican Art is free. Admission is always free for all visitors; the Ray Castro parking lot on the east side of the museum costs $4 per hour.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.

What are the opening hours of National Museum of Mexican Art?

National Museum of Mexican Art is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00, with late opening until 20:00 on the first Wednesday of every month. Closed Mondays and on major holidays including New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day (12 October 2026), Thanksgiving (26 November 2026) and Christmas Day (25 December 2026). Admission is free.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is National Museum of Mexican Art?

National Museum of Mexican Art is located at 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608, United States, in the Pilsen area of Chicago. The nearest stations are Damen (CTA Pink Line), 18th Street (CTA Pink Line) and Bus 50 Damen at 19th Street.

What can I see at National Museum of Mexican Art?

Free Pilsen museum holding the largest Mexican art collection in the US, from Mesoamerican jade to Day of the Dead ofrendas. Current highlights include Vivir la Tierra: Acquisitions from the Permanent Collection 2010–2026, Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos and Nuestras Historias: Stories of Mexican Identity from the Permanent Collection.

Do I need to book National Museum of Mexican Art in advance?

National Museum of Mexican Art is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is always free for all visitors; the Ray Castro parking lot on the east side of the museum costs $4 per hour.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.

When is the best time to visit National Museum of Mexican Art?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.