Winter is upon us. Spend a Saturday evening at the Getty Center, when we’re open until 9pm—and enjoy strolling the Central Garden at magic hour, photograph sunset, and Instagram the lights in the trees. Saturdays starting December 3, hunt for the special holiday lights all around campus (starting at 5:30pm) and enjoy reduced-cost parking from 3pm to close.
We’re also open four extra days this year—more time to experience the holiday magic with your family! The Getty Center is normally closed on Mondays, but will be open Monday, December 26, and Monday, January 2, from 10am to 5:30pm. The Getty Villa is normally closed on Tuesdays, but will be open Tuesday, December 27, and Tuesday, January 3, both days from 10am to 5pm.
This year both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Saturday, so on both of those evenings (December 24 and December 31), the Getty Center will close at 5:30 instead of 9pm to allow staff to be home with their families.
Warm up and stop by for some inspiration in the galleries. This season it’s all about the mystique of alchemy, a blend of art, science, and spirituality. See The Art of Alchemy (through February 12) at the Getty Research Institute and zip over to The Alchemy of Color in Medieval Manuscripts (through January 1) at the Getty Museum for look into the history of pigments. A related exhibition, The Shimmer of Gold: Giovanni di Paolo in Renaissance Siena (through January 8), reunites several panels from an Italian altarpiece.
Visiting during the holidays? Share your #GettyLights photos with us on Instagram and Twitter. We’d love to see you enjoying the festivities.
Admission and Parking costs? Veteran or senior discounts?
Hi Fred, Thanks for commenting. Parking at the Getty Center is $15 per car, $10 after 4pm. There are no veteran or senior discounts. There is no admission fee to the Center itself, so the only cost is parking. The Metro 734 bus stops stops right at the front gate, making the visit almost entirely free. Metro bus fares are $1.75 regular and $0.75 seniors 62+ ($0.35 weekends). Hope you get to come visit!
—Annelisa / Iris editor
Do you still need to make a parking reservation?
Hi Bruce, No parking reservations needed or accepted. Come on by! Weekdays late morning/midday can be crowded in our parking lot but mornings, afternoons, and Saturday evenings are great times to visit.
Is the cafe open on these Saturday evenings for Getty Lights, or just the restaurant?
Hello Cynthia! For our Saturday nights, we have the courtyard coffee cart available until 8:30. The main cafe is open until 6pm, though with a limited menu from 3-6. Hope that is helpful!
Want to bring my grandchiildren, 8 and 11, to the Getty Villa for the Holiday Lights. What time should we plan to arrive? And also want to verify the lights are at the Villa?
Hi Cajie, Thanks for commenting. The lights are only at the Getty Center (1200 Getty Center Drive), *not* the Getty Villa. The lights begin at 5:30 pm. Hope you enjoy your visit!
The Getty spends millions on art but it felt like they spent a few thousand on lights, very disappointing.
Is this event happening every year or is it the first time in getty center?
Hi Justin! We’ve illuminated the trees the past two years. Hope you get a chance to visit!
Can we still bring our own food?
If I attend on December 26, will there be Getty Lights? Is it only on Saturdays?
Hello Cyn! There will be lights in the trees, but no light projections on Monday. Friendly reminder that our hours are 10am to 5:30pm on the 26th. Hope you enjoy your visit! —Sarah
Hi, I would like to come on 20th December. Are you open that day?
Hi Megumi, Yes! The Getty Center is open on Tuesday, December 20, 10am–5:30pm. The Getty Villa is closed. Here are the calendar events for that day. —Annelisa / Iris editor
Is the museum open New year’s day?
Not New Year’s Day, but we are open on Monday, January 2!