Family Days Grants Boston Families Free Access to 9 Arts, Cultural Institutions
A new initiative in Boston will expand public access to Boston’s arts and cultural institutions. Mayor Michelle Wu announced on Sunday, Jan. 5, the creation of Boston Family Days, enabling Boston school-aged children and their families to access several of the city’s world-class museum experiences.
Beginning January 2025 and running through December 2026, Boston Family Days will be honored on the first and second Sundays of every month. Every student living in Boston and enrolled in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten through grade 12 will receive complimentary admission along with up to two guests to the following arts and cultural institutions:
- Boston Children’s Museum
- Franklin Park Zoo
- Institute of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Science
- New England Aquarium
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
- Museum of African American History
This initiative expands on a previous pilot program called BPS Sundays, which allowed Boston Public Schools (BPS) students and their families to receive free admission to designated cultural institutions across the city. In a news release, Wu said BPS Sundays gave more than 44,000 students and their family members the chance to explore Boston’s cultural arts attractions for free.
“To expand this opportunity to as many young people in our community as possible, we are overjoyed to welcome all Boston school-aged children and their families to utilize Boston Family Days,” she said. “Through exploration in these world-class cultural institutions, we hope to nurture curiosity and encourage lifelong learning in our city.”
“The Gardner has been a leader in lowering economic barriers; the Museum began offering free admission to BPS students in 1935. Joining the second phase of the Mayor’s initiative is a natural continuation of this legacy,” said Peggy Fogelman, the Norma Jean Calderwood Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Visit the City of Boston’s website for more details about Boston Family Days.