One of Los Angeles’s most anticipated cultural institutions is nearly ready to welcome its first visitors.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will hold its official Opening Night Celebration on Saturday, September 19, 2026, hosted by co-founders George Lucas and Mellody Hobson at One Lucas Plaza in Exposition Park, South Los Angeles.
The evening will be co-chaired by an expansive roster of artists, filmmakers, and public figures: Julie Bell, Tom Cruise, Guillermo del Toro, Greta Gerwig, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Jensen Huang, JR, Steven Spielberg, and Pharrell Williams.
Guests will receive an intimate first look at the museum three days before it opens to the general public on September 22.
The Lucas Museum was designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD and spans a 13-acre campus that includes new green space conceived by landscape architect Mia Lehrer and her team at Studio-MLA.
Inside, more than 30 galleries trace the arc of visual storytelling across human history — from prehistoric cave paintings and ancient sculpture to comics, illustration, photography, murals, and film. The building also houses two cinematic theatres alongside dedicated spaces for learning, dining, retail, and events.
The museum announced a new initiative called LM37, a free admission program created exclusively for residents of the 90037 ZIP code, home to the museum in Exposition Park.
Registration for the LM37 pass will open in August, and eligible residents can sign up for updates through the museum’s website to be notified when applications become available. The pass will give 90037 residents free admission for themselves and one guest, with a dedicated allotment of tickets reserved starting on opening day and continuing afterward.