The Ultimate Guide to Free Museums, Concerts, and Events for Retirees

Retirement can be a great time to enjoy the activities you love. What better way to do that than with a little art, culture, and entertainment? Sadly, ticket prices and admission fees can add up quickly and turn a fun night out into a burden on your wallet. Does that mean you just sit at home and never go out? Of course not! There are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy free or discounted access to some of the best events and museums around the US! From unique festivals to one-of-a-kind concerts, older adults can have fun and enrich their lives without breaking the bank. Here’s your ultimate guide to free museums, concerts, and events.

Museums

If you’re an art lover or a fossil enthusiast, I’ve got great news for you! Many museums offer free admission for seniors and retirees. Some also have free days or discounted rates for specific days or times of the week. For example, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., offers FREE admission to all visitors every day. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City has free admission every Friday evening between 4 pm – 8 pm. The Smithsonian Institution in D.C. has 19 museums and galleries, all of which offer free admission every day of the year. Here are all the best discounted and free museums to visit in the US:

• Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens: Located near Orlando, visitors aged 60 and older enjoy $10 admission.
• Art Institute of Chicago: Known as Chicago’s #1 museum, visitors aged 65 and older receive $8 off ticket prices.
• Boston Children’s Museum: If you’re in the Boston area and on the hunt for a great place to take the grandkids, look no further than the Boston Children’s Museum. If you visit between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. on a Sunday, you can enjoy $1 admission.
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex / United States Astronaut Hall of Fame: Visitors aged 55 and older receive discounted admission.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City: The Metropolitan, or “Met”, is not only the largest art museum in North America; they also offer an $8 discount to visitors aged 65 and older.
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Boasting over 100 art galleries and 450,000 works of art, this museum offers a $2 discount to visits aged 65 and up.
• Museum of Jewish Heritage: A living memorial to those who died in the Holocaust, senior visitors receive $2 off regular admission. Must be 65 and older.
• The Museum of Science: Located in Boston, science buffs who are sixty and older receive a $4 discount on general admission and a $1 discount at the planetarium.
• The National Baseball Hall of Fame: Baseball fans everywhere can rejoice! This baseball history museum offers a $6 discount on admission to visitors who are 65+.
• The Westmoreland Museum of American Art: With a focus on American art, this Pennslyvania museum boasts over 700 art pieces and FREE admission for everyone.

Concerts

Concerts are guaranteed fun, especially for music lovers. Fortunately, many venues offer special discounts for seniors. From discounted subscriptions to early bird pricing, seniors can enjoy more concerts for less! For example, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra offers discounted subscriptions for seniors aged 65 and over. The Carnegie Hall in New York City offers discounted tickets to seniors aged 65 and over on select dates. New Jersey seniors can also enjoy free concerts and events through the Garden State Arts Foundation. Some other great places to find free concerts for seniors include:

• Local parks
• Libraries
• City halls
• Websites, like Eventbrite and Goldstar
• Ticketmaster (If you’re an AARP member and at least 50 years old, you can purchase two-in-one tickets for certain shows!)

Theater & Dance

If you’re a theater kid at heart, I’ve got great news! Many cities have free theater and dance events. For example, The Public Theater in New York City offers FREE Shakespeare in the Park productions every summer. The Kennedy Center in D.C. offers free performances on their Millennium Stage every evening at 6 p.m. Additionally, the Boston Symphony Orchestra offers free outdoor concerts on the Esplanade every July 4th. Check theaters near you to see if they’ve announced any upcoming events.

Festivals & Events

Many cities have free festivals and events throughout the year. For example, the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. offers free events, including concerts, parades, and cultural demonstrations. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival offers free events throughout the city. The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is a free event every year. Some other great free festivals include:

• French Quarter Festival: Held every April in New Orleans, this musical festival is great for anyone who enjoys jazz. And while food and drinks cost money, admission is completely free.
• Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: Held every October at Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco, this festival features dozens of musical acts and is free for concertgoers of all ages.
• Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival: Art lovers in Cary, NC can enjoy two days of fun, food, and creativity every August. No wonder this is one of the most popular festivals in the South! Admission is also FREE.
• Musikfest: If you’re from Pennsylvania, then you may want to check out Musikfest! There are musical acts that span multiple genres. Comedy acts, like Jerry Seinfeld, are also part of the festival. Best of all, admission is completely free.
• 215 Festival: Bibliophiles everywhere should attend this free event! Held every April in Philidelphia, over a hundred authors and literary experts attend. Additionally, festival-goers can enjoy interactive exhibits and street performances.
• Richmond Folk Festival: With over six stages that showcase different music and dance from all across the country and globe, this Virginia festival is perfect for the whole family. And it’s free!
• Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Dedicated to folklife traditions, this free festival is held in Washington D.C. every June and July.

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