LOS ANGELES – The Getty Villa Museum will welcome visitors again on June 27, returning after a months-long closure caused by the devastating Palisades Fire. The museum was forced to shut its doors abruptly on January 7 when flames threatened the site. Still, thanks to the swift actions of Getty staff and Los Angeles firefighters, the historic institution was spared serious damage.
In the wake of the fire, Getty’s facilities team has worked tirelessly to restore the grounds, conducting deep cleanings of indoor and outdoor spaces, flushing water systems, replacing air and water filters, and removing more than 1,300 fire-damaged trees. The landscape will look different to returning visitors—lush greenery has given way to a more austere terrain, with visible scars from the blaze along the outer edges of the property.
The reopening comes with adjustments to ensure safety and ease congestion. The Villa will operate on a reduced schedule, open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with entry limited to 500 visitors per day. Free timed-entry reservations are now available online, and parking remains $25. Due to ongoing road closures, access is currently only possible via Pacific Coast Highway—the Sunset Boulevard entrance remains blocked.
Katherine Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, expressed profound gratitude to the staff and emergency responders who safeguarded the museum. “Their courage and dedication allowed us to protect this cultural treasure,” she said. “Now, we’re honoured to reopen and share it once more with the public.”
The occasion also heralds the debut of a major new exhibition, The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Ancient Greece, running from June 27, 2025, through January 12, 2026. This landmark show, the first of its kind in North America, explores the Mycenaean civilisation through more than 230 artefacts, including rare Linear B clay tablets—the earliest known form of Greek writing—and the exquisite Pylos Combat Agate, a stunning example of prehistoric Aegean artistry.
The previous exhibition, Ancient Thrace and the Classical World, was forced to close prematurely due to the fire, but Getty has since launched a virtual tour to allow audiences to experience its treasures remotely.
Cultural programming will also resume in full force. The Outdoor Classical Theatre returns this fall with a new production, Oedipus the King, Mama!, a collaboration with the Troubadour Theatre Company. Additionally, the museum will host a series of talks, tours, and online events tied to the Kingdom of Pylos exhibition.
Timothy Potts, Director of the Getty Museum, reflected on the significance of the reopening. “This moment is about more than just restoring access—it’s a testament to the resilience of art and the community that protects it,” he said. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
Visitors should prepare for potential delays due to lingering traffic restrictions, but Getty assures that it is working closely with local officials to streamline access.
Top Photo: © Artlyst 2025