2025 Free Museum Days in Indianapolis

Did you know many museums around Indianapolis offer free admission on different dates throughout the year?

That means you and your family can enjoy all the benefits a day at the museum provides without breaking the bank.

We’ve created this handy-dandy guide so that you can take advantage of these excellent opportunities. Add these dates to your calendar and head to the museum for hands-on education and FUN! Be sure to bookmark this page and check back, as we will continue updating this list as museums release their free days for 2025.

Free Museum Days in 2025 around Indianapolis:

*Based on information from 2024, we will continue to update this article as more details are available. 

Related Article: Indiana Access Pass: Reduced Admission at Attractions Across Indiana in 2025

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Location: 500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-636-9378

• January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• June 21: Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration

Receive a $2 discount for the following any time:

Indiana Historical Society

Location: 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-232-1882

• January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Free Thursdays in the Summer during the Concerts on the Canal season. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm.*
• June 21: Juneteenth

Plus: With the Access Pass, families who qualify may receive admission into the museum for $2 per guest. The Indiana Historical Society offers complimentary admission year-round to active members of the military and their families as part of the Blue Star Museums Program. Children under age 5 receive free admission.

Related: Free things to do in Indianapolis

Indiana State Museum

Location: 650 West Washington Street
Phone: 317-232-1637

• January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• February 17: Presidents Day
• *June 17: Juneteenth

Plus: The Indiana State Museum offers discounted admission to families who qualify with the Access Pass and a myriad of other discounts for certain people/groups. Children under age 3 receive free admission.

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
Phone: 317-232-7615

Admission is always free.

Newfields

Location: 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-923-1331

• First Thursday of each month: Enjoy free admission on the first Thursday of the month

  • January 2, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • February 6, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  •  March 6, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • April 3, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • May 1, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • June 5, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • July 3, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • August 7, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • September 4, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • October 2, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • November 6, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • December 4, 2025 –  11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plus: Newfields is proud to be a part of the Access Pass program. Families that meet the requirements can visit Newfields and all participating locations for just $2 per family member per visit for up to two adults and dependent youth living in the household. Visit their Access Pass page to learn more about this program that makes cultural attractions more available to Indiana families. Children under age 6 receive free admission.

NCAA Hall of Champions

Location: 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-630-2001

• *January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• *February 19: Presidents Day

Plus: The NCAA Hall of Champions is proud to be a part of the Access Pass program. Families that meet the requirements can visit Newfields and all participating locations for just $2 per family member per visit. Children under age 6 receive free admission. Active Military Personnel receives free admission all year long.

Indianapolis Zoo

Location: 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-630-2001

• January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

More Ways to Save

Visit on a Celebration Day for $15 tickets:

Earth Day – April 22
Juneteenth – June 19
Independence Day – July 4
Halloween – October 31
Wildlife Conservation Day – December 4

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Location: 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-334-4000

• January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• February 17: Presidents Day
• September 21: Usually September
• December 24: Christmas Eve

First Thursday Night: From 4-8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, we welcome all visitors to pay $6 for admission to the museum and the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®! Visitors can purchase tickets on-site, but we strongly encourage online purchasing. When you buy ahead, you beat the crowds and enjoy every minute of your time at the museum!

Plus: The Children’s Museum is proud to make family learning available to more Indiana families through free or reduced admission days and reduced admission programs like Access Pass. Children under two always receive free admission.

With these discounted and free dates to choose from, you and your family will have some fun exploring the museums and learning together this year. We will continue to update this list as museums release their free days for 2024! If you learn of one that we haven’t included yet, let us know at [email protected].

Just a quick friendly note for you – always remember to double-check the event status before you set off on your adventure. We take all the measures to ensure our guides are as accurate as possible, but there are times when events change after we’ve published. We wouldn’t want you to be disappointed, so do take a moment to confirm before heading out. Happy exploring!