Franklin Park Zoo Free Days

Updated 2026-09-15 · Free · No sign-up

Franklin Park Zoo is free 1st & 2nd Sunday monthly — for Students living in Boston enrolled in Boston Pre-K or grades K-12, plus two family members. There is no free day for the general public. The one true free program is Boston Family Days: every student living in Boston enrolled in grades Pre-K-12 gets free admission with two family members on the first and second Sunday of each month through December 2026. Everyone else pays dynamic, date-based pricing — and MA EBT/WIC cardholders pay $7 per person for up to four. Not required for entry, but booking online in advance usually means the lowest price Verified on Franklin Park Zoo's own page, last checked 2026-09-14.

At a glance

Free day1st & 2nd Sunday monthly
Who qualifiesStudents living in Boston enrolled in Boston Pre-K or grades K-12, plus two family members
ReservationNot required for entry, but booking online in advance usually means the lowest price
What's includedGeneral daytime zoo admission
Regular adult priceDynamic date-based pricing — gate prices highest
Sourcezoonewengland.org · checked 2026-09-14

Upcoming free days

  • Sunday, Oct 4, 2026
  • Sunday, Oct 11, 2026
  • Sunday, Nov 1, 2026
  • Sunday, Nov 8, 2026
  • Sunday, Dec 6, 2026
  • Sunday, Dec 13, 2026

Dates computed from the published schedule rule as of 2026-09-15 — an institution can still cancel one for a private event or holiday. Confirm on the official page before you go.

Know before you go

  • Who qualifies: Students living in Boston enrolled in Boston Pre-K or grades K-12, plus two family members. Bring proof for every adult in the group — redemption is where residency gets checked, not booking.
  • Reservations: Not required for entry, but booking online in advance usually means the lowest price.
  • What's covered: General daytime zoo admission.
  • Schedule detail: Boston Family Days — Boston Pre-K-12 students + 2 family members only, through Dec 2026.
  • Worth knowing: Zoo New England prices like an airline — the same adult ticket costs more at the gate than online and varies by date. Library passes cut 40% for up to six guests.

Other ways in, no calendar required

  • Museums for All is worth knowing for any museum trip: a SNAP EBT card plus photo ID gets up to four people in for free to $5 at 1,700+ participating institutions nationwide — during all normal hours, not just special days. Check whether Franklin Park Zoo participates on the official list.
  • Zoo and aquarium memberships travel: the AZA reciprocal program gets members of other accredited zoos free or half-price admission at participating institutions — run your card through our reciprocity lookup before paying the gate rate.

Dates don't line up?

Regular tickets are on zoonewengland.org — book direct, there's no markup. Making a Boston trip of it? CityPASS Boston bundles several of the city's top attractions at a discount — check whether Franklin Park Zoo is in the current lineup before buying.

Also free in Boston

ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) (thursdays 5pm–9pm) · Museum of Fine Arts Boston (published dates) · Harvard Art Museums (always free) — or see the full free museum days in Boston guide.

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FAQ

When is Franklin Park Zoo free?

There is no free day for the general public. The one true free program is Boston Family Days: every student living in Boston enrolled in grades Pre-K-12 gets free admission with two family members on the first and second Sunday of each month through December 2026. Everyone else pays dynamic, date-based pricing — and MA EBT/WIC cardholders pay $7 per person for up to four.

Do I need a reservation for Franklin Park Zoo's free days?

Not required for entry, but booking online in advance usually means the lowest price

Can visitors use Franklin Park Zoo's free days?

The free days are for Students living in Boston enrolled in Boston Pre-K or grades K-12, plus two family members — typically with ID or proof of residency. Visitors pay regular admission (Dynamic date-based pricing — gate prices highest).

What does a free day at Franklin Park Zoo include?

General daytime zoo admission

How much is Franklin Park Zoo normally?

Dynamic date-based pricing — gate prices highest. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.

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