International Museums Day

Celebrate International Museums Day with free admission and activities across participating museums and cultural sites in the Grande Prairie region. Explore exhibits, take part in hands-on activities and discover the stories, history and science that shape our community.

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Multiple locations across the Grande Prairie region
Cost: Free

Event Activities:

• Free admission at all participating locations.
• Free shuttle service between sites.
• Special exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages.
• Event passport with entry to win one of two museum prize baskets valued at $300.
• Free cookies at select locations while supplies last.
   

Participating locations:

• Grande Prairie Museum - The Grande Prairie Museum features a new exhibit on the history of movie theatres in Grande Prairie. It is also the first day the Heritage Village is open to the public for the 2026 season.  The Heritage Village showcases 15 local historic structures. Children’s activities will be available in the village, and light refreshments available in the community room. 
• Boreal Wetland Centre - The Boreal Wetland Centre invites visitors to explore scenic trails, join guided tours, and discover the unique biodiversity of local wetlands in its open-air Museum. Visitors are reminded to bring weather-appropriate clothing and footwear for unpaved walking trails.
• Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum - Experience galleries and interactive exhibits that bring the region’s ancient past to life, with fossil-themed activities designed for all ages.
• Art Gallery of Grande Prairie - Participate in drop-in art activities inspired by the travelling exhibition Athletic Aesthetics, hosted in the Grande Prairie Museums Community Room. All materials are provided.
• Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre - Explore exhibitions that highlight regional military history and stories of service, remembrance and community.
• South Peace Regional Archives - Explore the history of our community at the South Peace Regional Archives with hands-on heritage activities and a peek behind the scenes of heritage preservation.

Additional information:
International Museums Day is an annual event organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), in collaboration with UNESCO, to raise awareness of the role museums play in cultural exchange, education and community connection. The 2026 theme, Museums Uniting a Divided World, reflects the power of shared experiences to bring people together.