Many museums around Indianapolis offer free admission on select dates throughout the year. That means your family can enjoy hands-on learning and fun without breaking the bank.
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Museums in this guide:
We’ve created this guide so you can take advantage of these excellent opportunities. Add these dates to your calendar and head to the museum! Be sure to bookmark this page and check back, as we’ll continue updating this list as museums release their free days for 2026.
Free Museum Days in 2026 Around Indianapolis
Conner Prairie
Location: 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038
Phone: 317-776-6000
June (Exact date TBD): Juneteenth
With the Access Pass, qualifying families receive admission for $5 per guest. Active military members and their families receive complimentary admission year-round through the Blue Star Museums Program. Children under 5 receive free admission.
Related: Indiana Access Pass: Reduced Admission at Attractions Across Indiana in 2026
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Location: 500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-636-9378
2026 Free Admission Days
- January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- June (Exact date TBD): Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration
- October 12: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- October (Exact date TBD): Dia de Muertos Community Celebration
Additional Discounts
The Eiteljorg offers discounted admission for Time Travelers Program members, active-duty military and veterans, AAA members, convention attendees with a badge, and downtown hotel guests with a room key. Visit their website for complete discount details. Children under 5 receive free admission.
Indiana Historical Society
Location: 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-232-1882
2026 Free Admission Days
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Advance registration strongly recommended)
- June (Exact date TBD): Juneteenth
- October (Exact date TBD): Hoosier Latino Celebration
With the Access Pass, qualifying families receive admission for $5 per guest. Active military members and their families receive complimentary admission year-round through the Blue Star Museums Program. Children under 5 receive free admission.
Related: Free Things to Do in Indianapolis
Indiana State Museum
Location: 650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-232-1637
2026 Free Admission Days
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 16: Presidents Day
- June (Exact date TBD): Juneteenth
The Indiana State Museum offers discounted admission for families who qualify with the Access Pass and other discounts for certain groups. Children under 3 receive free admission.
Newfields
Location: 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-923-1331
2026 Free Admission Days
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- May (Exact date TBD): Gardens & Museum Day
- June (Exact date TBD): Juneteenth
First Thursday of Each Month (Free Admission)
Advance ticket reservation required.
- January 1, 2026: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (New Year’s Day, check holiday hours)
- February 5, 2026: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- March 5, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- April 2, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- May 7, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- June 4, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- July 2, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- August 6, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- September 3, 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- October 1, 2026: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- November 5, 2026: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- December 3, 2026: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Newfields participates in the Access Pass program, allowing qualifying families to visit for $5 per family member. Children under 6 receive free admission.
NCAA Hall of Champions
Location: 700 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-916-4255
2026 Free Admission Days
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 16: Presidents Day
- June (TBD): Juneteenth
The NCAA Hall of Champions participates in the Access Pass program, allowing qualifying families to visit for $5 per family member. Children under 6 receive free admission. Active military personnel receive free admission year-round.
Indianapolis Zoo
Location: 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-630-2001
2026 Free Admission Day
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Location: 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-334-4000
2026 Free Admission Days
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Advance ticket reservation required)
- February 16: Presidents Day
- September (Exact date TBD): Fiesta de la Familia
- December 24: Christmas Eve
First Thursday Night ($6 Admission)
From 4-8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, all visitors pay $6 for admission to the museum and the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. Online purchasing is strongly encouraged.
The Children’s Museum participates in the Access Pass program ($5 per family member). Children under 2 always receive free admission.
Other Ways to Save on Museum Admission
Bank of America “Museums on Us”
Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders receive free general admission on the first full weekend of every month (Saturday and Sunday). Participating locations typically include Newfields, Conner Prairie, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The offer covers the cardholder only; guests are not included.
Blue Star Museums
Active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, receive free admission to participating museums each summer. The program runs from Armed Forces Day (May 16, 2026) through Labor Day (September 7, 2026). Participating locations typically include Indiana Historical Society, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, and more.
Always Free Museums in Indianapolis
Indiana State Police Museum
Location: 8660 East 21st Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-899-8293
Admission is always free. Donations are welcome.
Related: Family Fun: The Indiana State Police Museum
Indiana War Memorial Museum
Location: 431 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-232-7615
Admission is always free.
2026 Free Museum Days Calendar: Quick Reference
Recurring Monthly
- First Thursday: Newfields (free, see hours above)
- First Thursday, 4-8 p.m.: The Children’s Museum ($6)
January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Eiteljorg Museum
- Indiana Historical Society
- Indiana State Museum
- Newfields
- NCAA Hall of Champions
- Indianapolis Zoo
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
February 16: Presidents Day
- Indiana State Museum
- NCAA Hall of Champions
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
June: Juneteenth (Dates Vary)
- Conner Prairie
- Eiteljorg Museum (Exact date TBD)
- Indiana Historical Society (Exact date TBD)
- Indiana State Museum (Exact date TBD)
- NCAA Hall of Champions (June 19)
- Newfields (Exact date TBD)
Fall Celebrations
- September (Exact date TBD): Fiesta de la Familia at The Children’s Museum
- October (Exact date TBD): Hoosier Latino Celebration at Indiana Historical Society
- October 12: Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Eiteljorg Museum
- October (Exact date TBD): Dia de Muertos at Eiteljorg Museum
December 24: Christmas Eve
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
With these discounted and free dates to choose from, your family can have fun exploring museums and learning together this year. We’ll continue updating this list as museums release their free days for 2026! If you learn of one we haven’t included yet, let us know at [email protected].
A quick note: Always double-check the event status before you head out. We take care to keep our guides accurate, but events can change after publication. Happy exploring!
