Is there a free Museum Day in 2026?
Smithsonian Magazine's national Museum Day — the September event when participating museums gave out free tickets — hasn't been held since 2022, and no 2026 date has been announced. Some online calendars still list a mid-September “Smithsonian Day,” but there are no Museum Day tickets to claim.
The good news: you don't need it. Most major museums have a recurring free day or free evening, and plenty are free every day. Pick your state below for the dates, all checked on each museum's own website.
Alabama4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Alaska4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Arizona5 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Arkansas3 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
California18 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Colorado7 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Connecticut5 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Delaware5 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Florida11 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Georgia4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Hawaii4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Idaho4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Illinois12 museums with recurring free days · verified July 2026See every free day →
Indiana5 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Iowa3 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Kansas2 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Kentucky5 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Louisiana7 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Maine2 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Maryland3 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Massachusetts4 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Michigan6 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Minnesota3 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Mississippi3 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
Missouri3 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
Montana5 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Nebraska4 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
Nevada4 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
New Hampshire2 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
New Jersey2 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
New Mexico4 museums with recurring free days · verified September 2026See every free day →
New York18 museums with recurring free days · verified October 2026See every free day →
North Carolina4 museums with recurring free days · verified October 2026See every free day →
North Dakota4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Ohio11 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Oklahoma3 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Oregon5 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Pennsylvania8 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Rhode Island4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
South Carolina3 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
South Dakota4 museums with recurring free days · verified August 2026See every free day →
Tennessee2 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Texas13 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Utah3 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Vermont4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Virginia2 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Washington11 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
West Virginia3 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Wisconsin4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
Wyoming4 museums with recurring free days · verified June 2026See every free day →
New state guides added regularly — bookmark this page. Don't see your state? Tell us and we'll prioritize it. Meanwhile, our budget travel directory covers free and cheap things to do in all 50 states. Headed outdoors instead? See the 2026 free national park entrance days.