Museum and Galleries Month: Free exhibits, activities to check out this October

October is Museum and Galleries Month!

If you're looking for something interesting to do, several museums and cultural spaces are offering free admission, extended hours, special exhibitions, and activities in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month 2026.

Here are some museums, exhibitions, and activities you can check out this month:

1. Visit the UST Museum for free

The University of Santo Tomas Museum is offering free admission from October 5 to 28 in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month.

The museum is open from Mondays to Fridays and is closed on weekends. According to the UST Museum Visitors’ Guide, its hours are:

• Monday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Daily visitor cut-off: 4 p.m.

2. Explore the Ateneo Art Gallery for free on select days

The Ateneo Art Gallery is offering free admission every Friday and Saturday, as well as on select Sundays throughout October.

The gallery will also be open on two special Sundays:

• October 18: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• October 25: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

All ongoing exhibitions will be on view during these dates.

Regular museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

3. Spend a Saturday night at NMP Bohol

The National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol is extending its hours every Saturday in October through “Sabado Nights sa Museo.”

The program runs on October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Visitors can explore the museum’s galleries while enjoying activities, food and goods from concessionaires, and nightly entertainment featuring Boholano talents.

The first Saturday night on October 3 will feature Koro Seraphim.

Admission is free.

4. See works by emerging Filipino artists at ‘Traverse’

Art lovers can check out “Traverse: Creativity in Motion,” an exhibition featuring paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works by the 2026 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Awardees, finalists, and semi-finalists.

The exhibition is being held at the North and South Galleries on the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

Admission to the exhibition is free until October 18.

5. Join free STEAM activities at The Mind Museum

Families and young visitors can take part in free tinkering activities at The Mind Museum during its STEAM Fest weekend on October 3 and 4.

Activities include meeting artists and makers, a quiz bee, craftmaking, and more.

The activities will be held at the Special Exhibition Hall and Canopy Plaza from:

• 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free for all.

— LA, GMA News