ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) Free Days

Updated 2026-09-04 · Free · No sign-up

ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) is free thursdays 5pm–9pm. ICA Free Thursday Nights: admission is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 9pm — advance tickets required. The ICA is also free for all on six holidays (MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day), and 18-and-under are always free. Advance tickets required for Free Thursday Nights Verified on ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art)'s own page, last checked 2026-09-04.

At a glance

Free dayThursdays 5pm–9pm
Who qualifiesEveryone
ReservationAdvance tickets required for Free Thursday Nights
What's includedMuseum admission; also free-for-all on six listed holidays; 18 & under and BPS students always free
Regular adult price$20 adult
Sourceicaboston.org · checked 2026-09-04

Upcoming free days

  • Thursday, Sep 10, 2026
  • Thursday, Sep 17, 2026
  • Thursday, Sep 24, 2026
  • Thursday, Oct 1, 2026
  • Thursday, Oct 8, 2026
  • Thursday, Oct 15, 2026

Dates computed from the published schedule rule as of 2026-09-04 — an institution can still cancel one for a private event or holiday. Confirm on the official page before you go.

The fine print

Eligibility: Everyone. Museum admission; also free-for-all on six listed holidays; 18 & under and BPS students always free. Skipping the ticket window here saves $20 adult per adult.

Worth knowing: The ICA Watershed in East Boston is a free art space open every summer — and the museum is free on six national holidays, which almost no one seems to know.

Also free in Boston

Museum of Fine Arts Boston (published dates) — or see the full free museum days in Boston guide.

↥ Check another museum →   Browse all free museum & zoo days →

FAQ

When is ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) free?

ICA Free Thursday Nights: admission is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 9pm — advance tickets required. The ICA is also free for all on six holidays (MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day), and 18-and-under are always free.

Do I need a reservation for ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art)'s free days?

Advance tickets required for Free Thursday Nights

What does a free day at ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) include?

Museum admission; also free-for-all on six listed holidays; 18 & under and BPS students always free

How much is ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) normally?

$20 adult. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.

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