Free Friday Nights

Admission to the Whitney is free for all visitors every Friday evening from 5–10 pm. Enjoy art, drinks, special programming, music, city views, and more. Though admission is free, tickets are required and capacity is limited. Advance tickets are recommended.

Reserve free tickets

Major support for Free Friday Nights is provided by Jen Rubio and Stewart Butterfield and Paul Arnhold and Wes Gordon. Significant support is provided by Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand, and the Brown Foundation Inc., of Houston.

This week

Aug 29, 2025
5–8:30 pm

5 pm

Free Friday Nights
8 pm

15-Minute Tours: Highlights of the Exhibition

Floor 8

Free Second Sundays Tours
8:30 pm

15-Minute Tours: Highlights of the Exhibition

Floor 8

Free Second Sundays Tours

A DJ plays music on a laptop and mixer while a large crowd watches and takes photos.

Next week

Two people stand in front of a painting of a man in a yellow suit holding a rabbit.

Join us on upcoming Free Friday Nights. Tickets are available up to three weeks in advance.

Upcoming dates

August 29
September 5
September 12

Reserve free tickets View more dates

Plan your evening

A large group of people dance under purple lights, with “DECADE DOWNTOWN WHITNEY” projected on the wall.

On Instagram

See Free Friday Night photos shared by our visitors on Instagram. Share yours and tag us at @whitneymuseum.

Exterior view of the Whitney Museum building at nighttime. The windows are brightly lit and museum-goers are visible in the galleries and on the terrace

Know before you go

To best plan your evening, here is what you need to know before you visit.

Three women stand close together and smile at a crowded indoor event with people in the background.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Free Friday Nights.

Yes, though admission is free, tickets are required. Reserve free tickets online in advance or at the Museum. Capacity is limited, so we recommend reserving tickets in advance.

Yes, admission to the Museum is also free on the second Sunday of every month. Admission to the ground floor of the Museum is always free, which includes entry to the gallery on Floor 1. View a complete list of discounted and free admission policies, including free admission for visitors 25 and under.

Check our calendar to see events and activities happening on Free Friday Nights and browse open exhibitions to know what you will see in the galleries. You can explore the eight floors of the Museum in any order, but we recommend starting at the top and working your way down. Check out our guide to the essentials.

In the news

People dancing and smiling in the Museum's lobby

“Is there a better way to start Pride Month than with a pop-up surprise nighttime concert on the steps of The Whitney Museum of American Art, courtesy of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus.” —PIX11

“On Friday nights and on every second Sunday of the month, the Whitney offers visitors free entry, and it's one of the best date nights in the city.” —Condé Nast Traveler

“Visitors will need to reserve a ticket in advance online, and it’s popular so don’t dawdle, but with the museum remaining open until 10 pm on Fridays, you’ll get in.” —Forbes

“This past weekend, the Whitney Museum of American Art launched two new free-admission programs, Second Sundays and Free Friday Nights, to reduce barriers to entry to the museum and connect more New Yorkers to art and culture.” —The Village Sun

“DO: Whitney’s Free Friday Nights and Second Sundays. Probably the West Side’s most well-known cultural powerhouse, the Whitney Museum of American Art is obviously a part of the fun.” —Coolstuff.nyc