Updated in September 2026, this Vancouver Art Gallery guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is British Columbia‘s largest public art museum, housed in a former courthouse on Hornby Street. The Gallery discontinued its Tuesday evening by-donation admission, replacing it with Free First Friday Nights, a change some older guides still don’t reflect. This guide was updated in September 2026 to cover the current free admission programme. You can book in advance through Viator before your visit.
Quick facts about the Vancouver Art Gallery
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7 |
| Opening hours | Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–5pm (Fri to 8pm); closed Tuesday |
| General admission (BC residents) | $29.00 |
| General admission (non-BC residents) | $35.00 |
| Youth (13–18) & Child (12 & under) | Free |
| Annual Access Pass | $58.00 |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5–2.5 hours |
Why book Vancouver Art Gallery tickets?
- 🏛️ Free for everyone 18 and under: Every child and teen gets in at no cost, a policy running until the Gallery’s planned move to a new building.
- 🎟️ Free First Friday Nights: The Gallery opens free to all, courtesy of BMO, on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 8pm.
- 🌿 Housed in a heritage courthouse: The 1906 building was redesigned inside by celebrated architect Arthur Erickson.
- 📜 Home to Emily Carr: The Gallery holds one of the largest public collections of Emily Carr’s paintings.
- 💰 An annual pass for frequent visitors: Unlimited entry for 12 months costs just $58.
Opening hours at the Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery opens Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and Friday from 10am to 8pm. It’s closed every Tuesday.
Ticket prices for the Vancouver Art Gallery
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| General admission (BC residents) | $29.00 |
| General admission (non-BC residents) | $35.00 |
| Youth (13–18) | Free |
| Child (12 and under) | Free |
| Caregiver (attendant to persons with disabilities) | Free |
| Indigenous Peoples (self-identify at the desk) | Free |
| Annual Access Pass (12 months) | $58.00 |
Admission is free for everyone during Free First Friday Nights, the first Friday of each month from 4 to 8pm; reserve ahead to guarantee entry. Groups of 10 or more save $4 off general admission. The Gallery is cashless, accepting only card payments; Apple Pay, Google Pay and Discover aren’t accepted. Prices are current as of September 2026 and may change without notice. You can book through Viator to secure your preferred date.
5 great Vancouver experiences worth booking
- 🐋 See whales, seals and eagles from a heated catamaran on a whale-watching cruise.
- 🍴 On a Gastown food and history walking tour, combine tastings and stories.
- 🏔️ Combine Whistler and the Sea to Sky Gondola on a mountain day tour.
- ✈️ Take a Vancouver seaplane tour, and fly above the surrounding coastline.
- 🌉 See the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Vancouver Lookout on a Vancouver highlights tour.
How to get to the Vancouver Art Gallery
By SkyTrain, the Gallery is a short walk from Vancouver City Centre or Granville stations.
On foot, it’s in the heart of downtown, between Robson, Hornby, Howe and West Georgia streets.
Parking at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Paid parking is available in nearby downtown lots and parkades; the Gallery itself has no dedicated visitor car park.
How long to spend at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours exploring the galleries.
Accessibility at the Vancouver Art Gallery
The Gallery is wheelchair accessible, with street-level entrances on Hornby and Robson streets. Wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served, or can be reserved ahead by phone. Self-serve lockers store coats and bags free of charge.
What to see at the Vancouver Art Gallery
The heritage building. Built in 1906 as a courthouse, the interior was later redesigned by celebrated Canadian architect Arthur Erickson.
Emily Carr’s paintings. The Gallery holds one of the largest public collections of work by the acclaimed BC painter.
Contemporary Indigenous art. Rotating displays sit alongside historical works, reflecting the Gallery’s focus on Northwest Coast and Indigenous artists.
Rotating touring exhibitions. Major shows change throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s on before a visit.
The 1931 Gallery Bistro. Dining with gallery views is right next to the Gallery Store, which stocks art books and gifts.
Practical tips for visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visit on the first Friday of the month | Admission is free from 4 to 8pm, though reserving ahead is wise. |
| Bring a card, not cash | The Gallery no longer accepts cash payments. |
| Check current exhibitions before you go | Major shows rotate throughout the year. |
| Use the free lockers | Self-serve storage keeps coats and bags out of the way. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended, especially at weekends, and you can book through Viator. |
Frequently asked questions about the Vancouver Art Gallery
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Tuesday evening by-donation admission still running? | No, it’s been replaced by Free First Friday Nights, the first Friday of each month from 4 to 8pm. |
| Is admission free for children and teens? | Yes, everyone 18 and under gets in free. |
| Does the Gallery accept cash? | No, it’s cashless; card, debit and credit are accepted, but not Apple Pay, Google Pay or Discover. |
| Is the Gallery wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with street-level entrances and wheelchairs available on request. |
| Should I book in advance? | Yes, particularly at weekends. You can book in advance through Viator. |
Things to do near the Vancouver Art Gallery
Robson Square offers an ice rink in winter and a public plaza year-round, right beside the Gallery.
The Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch, with its distinctive coliseum-style architecture, is a short walk away.
Robson Street’s shops stretch out from the Gallery’s doorstep, Vancouver’s main downtown shopping strip.
The Orpheum Theatre, a restored 1927 movie palace, hosts concerts a short walk away.
Yaletown offers converted warehouse lofts, restaurants and boutiques a short walk south.
Alternative attractions to the Vancouver Art Gallery
The Museum of Anthropology, at UBC, holds one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art.
The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art showcases the work of the celebrated Haida artist, a short walk from the Gallery.
The Polygon Gallery, in North Vancouver, focuses on contemporary photography and media art.
The Contemporary Art Gallery, in Yaletown, presents free exhibitions of current Canadian and international art.
The Museum of Vancouver covers the city’s history, from its Indigenous roots to its more recent past.
More Vancouver travel
Other Vancouver travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Dare you take on the sway at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park?
- Bloedel Conservatory visitor guide: Marvel at the plants inside the weird geodesic dome.
- VanDusen Botanical Garden visitor guide: Ticket prices, seasonal hours and what to see.
- Science World in Vancouver: How much it costs, when it’s open and what to do inside.
- Flyover Vancouver visitor guide: What to expect on the simulated flight over Canada.
