List: Free days at Denver museums, zoo and more in 2024

Brooke Williams
·4 min read

DENVER (KDVR) — As the weather is warming up, more and more Coloradans are looking to get out and do something.

For those who are pinching pennies, but want to check out a museum or maybe visit the zoo, there are a variety of free days that you can take advantage of.

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Many free days are possible thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. SCFD has a list with more free or discounted options at local parks, museums, galleries, exhibitions and more.

Here are some dates to mark on your calendar now.

Denver Art Museum free days

Free days at the Denver Art Museum typically fall on the second Tuesday of each month, with some Saturdays and Sundays. Attendees are still asked to reserve a ticket online.

  • Tuesday, Jan. 9

  • Saturday, Jan. 27

  • Tuesday, Feb. 13

  • Tuesday, March 12

  • Sunday, March 24

  • Tuesday, April 9

  • Sunday, April 28

  • Tuesday, May 14

  • Tuesday, June 11

  • Tuesday, July 9

  • Sunday, July 21

  • Tuesday, Aug. 13

  • Saturday, Sept. 7

  • Tuesday, Sept. 10

  • Tuesday, Oct. 8

  • Saturday, Nov.r 2

  • Tuesday, Nov. 12

  • Tuesday, Dec. 10

Denver Zoo free days

Tickets for free days at the Denver Zoo must be reserved in advance online only.

  • Sunday, April 7 (tickets released on March 27)

  • Sunday, Nov. 3 (tickets released on October 23)

  • Saturday, Nov. 9 (tickets released on October 30)

  • Sunday, Nov. 17 (tickets released on November 6)

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Denver Botanic Gardens free days

Free days at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield Farms and Plains Conservation Center require tickets. You can register for the free days online. Tickets are expected to go fast.

2024 Free Days for York Street and Chatfield Farms

  • Monday, Jan. 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

  • Thursday, Feb. 15

  • Saturday, March 9

  • Monday, April 22 (Earth Day)

  • Wednesday, June 5

  • Wednesday, July 3

  • Wednesday, Aug. 28

  • Friday, Nov. 29 (Thanksgiving Friday)

2024 Free Days at Plains Conservation Center

  • Thursday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Thursday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Thursday, June 13, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

  • Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

  • Thursday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

  • Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Thursday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science free days

  • Monday, Jan. 8- Free Day 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Jan. 28- Free Day 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Feb. 25- Free Day 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, April 28 – Día del Niño 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

  • Tuesday, June 4- Free Night 5-9 p.m.

  • Wednesday, June 19- Juneteenth 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 21- Free Night 5-9 p.m.

  • Tuesday, Sept. 10- Free Night 5-9 p.m.

  • Monday, Sept. 30- Free Day 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Oct. 20- Out! at the Museum 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Saturday, Nov. 2- Denver Arts Week: Night at the Museums

  • Monday, Nov. 18- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 8- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

No ticket is required for this museum.

Clyfford Still Museum free days

  • Sunday, April 28 – Día del Niño Celebration Program

  • Sunday, July 28 – Disability Pride (Americans with Disabilities Act) Celebration Program

  • Saturday, Nov. 2 – SCFD Free Day and Night at the Museums (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.)

Online registration for the free tickets opens one week in advance.

Additionally, Clyfford Still Museum is hosting pay-what-you-wish days:

  • Wednesday, May 29

  • Saturday, June 22

  • Friday, Aug. 16

  • Wednesday, Sept. 4

  • Thursday, Oct. 3

  • Tuesday, Dec. 3

MCA Denver

Teens and children are always free, but they have deals for all too.

On the first Saturday of each month, admission costs just a penny for Colorado residents. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, admission is $5 after 5 p.m., plus, there are happy hour discounts on drinks.

Colorado Railroad Museum

  • Thursday, March 28 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Thursday, May 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Thursday, Oct. 3 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Capacity is limited and the museum asks visitors to order tickets in advance online.

Museo de las Americas

Each first Friday of the month, the museum is open to the public for free from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

National Park free days in Colorado

The National Park Service has six free days throughout the year on Jan. 15, April 20, June 19, Aug. 4, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11 at these parks:

Colorado State Parks

Colorado Parks and Wildlife celebrates Colorado Day on the ​first Monday in August. Entrance is free that day at these state parks:

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Note that some museums and parks require reservations even on free days, so be sure to check online before you go.

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