The Walker Art Center’s Free First Saturday pairs complimentary gallery admission with activities designed for families. Visitors can make art, watch a family-friendly film, and join a guided tour during the monthly program.
Free gallery admission makes the day easier to plan
A visit can begin with the art itself, without paying for gallery admission. The Walker offers free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The family activities run for a shorter window, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so visitors can plan to make art or join a program and still have time to see the galleries. The Walker recommends reserving tickets online, and free admission tickets are also available at the Main Lobby desk on the event day. Because gallery admission is free all day, families can arrive early, take a break, or explore at their own pace.
Art-making gives families a chance to create together
Looking at art is only one way to spend Free First Saturday. The Walker also offers family-friendly activities, including opportunities to make art. The activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month, creating a daytime window for families to try something hands-on while visiting the museum. The exact projects can vary from month to month, so the program page is the place to check what is planned for a particular date. For example, the Walker has offered projects such as making shadow puppets and assembling a small paper-plate pandeiro. These are examples from a past program, not a promise about every Saturday.
Kid-friendly films offer another way to enjoy the visit
Families can add a film stop to their gallery visit. The Walker’s Free First Saturday information points visitors to the Bentson Mediatheque, where a family-friendly film selected by the Walker team is shown. This gives the day a different pace: visitors can spend time with artworks in the galleries, then watch a short film together. The general program page does not identify a specific film or screening time, and titles may change, so it is best to check the current event listing before making plans around a particular movie. Film screenings are part of the broader family program, which also includes art-making and free gallery admission.
Free tours help families explore the galleries together
A gallery visit can be more engaging when someone helps connect the artworks and ideas. On Free First Saturday, the Walker offers an educator-led family tour at 11:30 a.m. and a Spanish-language tour at 3 p.m. Both meet in the Main Lobby. These scheduled tours give visitors a guided way to spend time with the art, whether they want a family-focused introduction or a tour in Spanish. The Spanish-language tour is listed at 3 p.m., when the family activities are scheduled to end, while gallery admission continues until 5 p.m. Tour availability and details may change, so visitors can check the Walker’s program page when planning a specific visit.
