Museum Store Sunday Returns Nov. 30 with Discounts, Gifts and Purpose-Driven Shopping Experiences

Holiday shoppers seeking unique gifts and meaningful alternatives to Black Friday can access discounts and events at 2,200+ museum stores worldwide, with every purchase directly supporting their favorite museums.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 2,200 museum stores across all 50 states, 25 countries and five continents will offer special discounts, events and gifts with purchase on the ninth annual Museum Store Sunday, taking place November 30, 2025.

Thousands of locally made and art-inspired items will be available for purchase online and in person, including home decor, books, jewelry, clothing, toys and gourmet food. Shoppers can also enjoy product launches, trunk shows, artist meet-and-greets, book signings, workshops and craft classes at several locations.

Museum store purchases directly support cultural institutions by funding exhibitions, educational programs and conservation efforts. Sales also support artisans and small businesses in shoppers' communities.

Locally made gift ideas include glass jewelry, vases and ornaments by glassblowers at the Chrysler Museum of Art's Perry Glass Studio in Norfolk, Virginia; mesquite and turquoise serving boards by Treestump Woodcraft, available at the Museum Store at the Phoenix Art Museum; and candles set in hand-thrown clay vessels by East Fork Pottery, available at the Mint Museum Store in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The number of participating cultural institutions has tripled since the Museum Store Association (MSA) launched Museum Store Sunday in 2017. The global advocacy campaign's slogan, "Shop with Purpose," conveys the organization's mission to promote economic sustainability and cultural engagement for museums and the communities they support.

Elizabeth Price, executive director of MSA, explains how museum stores are playing an increasingly vital role in sustaining the financial well-being of cultural institutions.

"As grant funding for cultural institutions declines nationwide, revenue from museum stores is more essential than ever," Price said. "Museum Store Sunday offers dynamic ways to give back during financially challenging times for consumers and cultural institutions alike. By shopping at museum stores, consumers can discover unique gifts, contribute to their favorite museums and enjoy meaningful experiences with family and friends without breaking the bank."

Colleen Higginbotham, president of MSA and deputy director for visitor experience at the Chrysler Museum of Art, highlights how shopping at museum stores enriches local communities.

"People want to shop locally but often don't know where to start," Higginbotham said. "Museum stores make it easy by offering artisan-made goods year-round, serving as a one-stop destination for intentional gifts—from birthdays to holidays and everything in between. Many museum stores also offer online shopping options, making it convenient to support creators and cultural institutions with every purchase."

While Museum Store Sunday takes place once a year, consumers are encouraged to shop at museum stores for any occasion. Approximately 90% of Museum Store Sunday shoppers say they are more likely to shop at museum stores year-round because their purchases support the educational mission of the museum [Source: Museum Store Sunday 2024 Shopper Survey].

Shoppers may find participating museum stores near them at www.museumstoresunday.org/find-a-store and those with online stores at www.museumstoresunday.org/find-an-online-store.

About the Museum Store Association

The Museum Store Association (MSA) is dedicated to advancing the nonprofit retail industry and the professionals engaged in it. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, MSA provides the tools and community to help cultural institutions, vendor members and their commercial partners to expand the visitor's experience, enabling them to take a piece of that experience home. For more information, visit www.museumstoreassociation.org.

SOURCE Museum Store Association