Active duty military families — this one is for you! The Blue Star Museums program is back for 2026 and it is one of the most generous military benefits out there. Free admission to over 2,000 museums, zoos, nature centers, and children’s museums across the country all summer long — just show your military ID at the door.
Find Participating Blue Star Museums Near You
2026 Blue Star Museums Program Dates
May 16, 2026 — September 7, 2026 The program runs from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day every summer. More museums are added to the list throughout the summer so check back regularly at arts.gov for the most current list of participating locations near you.Who Qualifies?
- Active duty U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard
- National Guard and Reserve members — regardless of activation status
- U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps
- NOAA Commissioned Corps
- Up to five family members per service member
- Dependents can use the program without their sponsor present
- Children under 10 without an ID can enter with their ID card-holding parent
How to Use the Program
- Visit arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums to find participating museums near you
- Show your military ID or dependent ID card at the door
- Bring up to five family members — all get in free
- No registration or advance tickets required at most locations
- There is no limit to how many museums you can visit — go as many times as you want all summer!
Pro Tips for Making the Most of Blue Star Museums
- Visit multiple times — since it’s free all summer you can go back to the same museum over and over. Great for children’s museums and zoos where kids never want to leave anyway
- Plan around PCS moves — if you’re moving this summer stop at museums along your route. Free admission makes it easy to break up a long drive without worrying about the cost
- Make a museum passport for your kids — give each child a small notebook to stamp or write down every museum they visit. Makes the whole summer into an adventure
- Check individual museum websites — some locations may have specific protocols or additional paid experiences not included in free admission
- Go on weekdays — less crowded and a much better experience especially at popular children’s museums and zoos
More Military Freebies
- Free SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Street Tickets for Military Families
- Free National Parks Pass for Military and Dependents
- 20 Restaurants That Offer Military Discounts
- Send a Free Military Care Package to Troops
- How to Get Into Museums for Free — 10+ Ways for Everyone
Blue Star Museums — Frequently Asked Questions
Blue Star Museums 2026 — Your Questions Answered
When does Blue Star Museums 2026 run? The 2026 program runs from Armed Forces Day Saturday May 16, 2026 through Labor Day Monday September 7, 2026. How many museums participate in Blue Star Museums? Over 2,000 museums, zoos, nature centers, and children’s museums participate nationwide. The list grows throughout the summer as more locations register. Do National Guard and Reserve members qualify? Yes — National Guard and Reserve members qualify regardless of their activation status. Just show your military ID at the door. Can dependents go without the service member? Yes — dependents with a military dependent ID card can use the program without their sponsor present. How many family members can a service member bring? Up to five family members per service member get free admission. Children under 10 without their own ID can enter with their ID card-holding parent. Do veterans qualify for Blue Star Museums? Veterans and retirees are not included in the program but many museums offer military discounts year round — always ask at the admissions desk.Looking for more military freebies and discounts? Check out my Freebies section — updated daily!
