The 2026 Free Days calendar from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District has been released, covering the metro area’s biggest nonprofit institutions, from the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Botanic Gardens to the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.
Many other nonprofits funded by the SCFD also offer annual free days — or they’re always free, such as the Broomfield Veterans Museum, city of Lakewood art exhibitions, Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, Foothills Art Center, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, the Aurora History Museum, and Louisville History Museum, according to the SCFD.
All free days take place during regular business hours unless otherwise noted. Check the full list, and a printable bookmark for the spots listed below, at . Some require online reservations, and all events are subject to change or cancellation.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
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- Sunday, Jan. 11
- Sunday, Feb. 1
- Monday, Feb. 9
- Friday evening, March 6
- Monday, April 13
- Sunday, April 26
- Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
- Monday, August 24
- Tuesday evening, Sept. 1
- Sunday, Oct. 11
- Saturday evening, Nov. 7
- Monday, Nov. 16
Free admission does not include IMAX or the Planetarium. Call 303-370-6000 or visit for more.
Denver Art Museum
- Tuesday, Jan. 13
- Tuesday, Feb. 10
- Tuesday, March 10
- Sunday, April 26
- Tuesday, May 12
- Tuesday, June 9
- Tuesday, July 14
- Saturday, Aug. 1
- Saturday, Sept. 12
- Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Saturday, Nov. 7
- Tuesday, Dec. 8
Note: General admission is free every day for those 18 and younger. Free days do not include admission to ticketed exhibitions. Call 720-865-5000 or visit for more.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
- Friday, Jan. 9
- Sunday, Jan. 25
- Sunday, Feb. 22
- Sunday, April 19
- Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Saturday, Nov. 14
- Saturday, Nov. 22
Due to demand, tickets will not be available at the gate. Instead, all reservations must be made online starting roughly two weeks before the date. Call 720-337-1400 or visit for more.
Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street and Chatfield Farms
- Monday, Jan. 19
- Thursday, Feb. 12
- Monday, March 9
- Wednesday, April 22
- Tuesday, June 9
- Wednesday, July 1
- Tuesday, Aug. 25
- Friday, Nov. 27
Denver Botanic Gardens, Plains Conservation Center
- Thursday, Jan. 15
- Thursday, Feb. 19
- Saturday, March 21
- Thursday, June 11
- Saturday, July 11
- Thursday, Aug. 20
- Saturday, Nov. 14
- Thursday, Dec. 17
Call 720-865-3500 or visit for more, including educational days for students.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
- Tuesday, Jan. 6
- Tuesday, Feb. 17
- Tuesday, April 7
DCPAccess Sale dates supported by SCFD include low-cost tickets to various upcoming shows. Visit for more.
