Free Second Sundays

Admission to the Whitney is free for all visitors all day on the second Sunday of every month. Enjoy art, all-ages artmaking related to art on view, storytimes from The New York Public Library, tours, the Whitney’s restaurants, 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 Second Sundays is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Significant support is provided by Julie and Doug Ostrover.

This month

Aug 10, 2025
10:30 am–3 pm

Children and adults dance together in a brightly lit room, following the same energetic dance moves.
Children and adults dance together in a brightly lit room, following the same energetic dance moves.

Free Second Sundays, February 9, 2025. Photograph by Filip Wolak

Next month

A woman in a black lace dress with long braids poses reclining on two white chairs on a small stage, serving as a live model for a figure drawing session. In the foreground, a young kid in pink holds a clipboard and draws, seated next to a grownup who admires the drawing. Around them, people of various ages observe or participate. The event is part of Free Second Sunday at The Whitney Museum of American Art.
A woman in a black lace dress with long braids poses reclining on two white chairs on a small stage, serving as a live model for a figure drawing session. In the foreground, a young kid in pink holds a clipboard and draws, seated next to a grownup who admires the drawing. Around them, people of various ages observe or participate. The event is part of Free Second Sunday at The Whitney Museum of American Art.

Figure Drawing on a Second Sunday, April 2024. Photograph by Filip Wolak.

Join us on upcoming Free Second Sundays. Free tickets are released a month in advance.

Upcoming dates

  • August 10

  • September 14

  • October 12

Reserve free ticketsView more dates

Plan your day

A dancer in a white tank top performs outdoors while a group of people watches in the background.
A dancer in a white tank top performs outdoors while a group of people watches in the background.

Free Second Sunday at the Whitney Museum, 2024. Photograph by FIlip Wolak

On Instagram

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

Large modern building with “Whitney” sign in bold letters, yellow taxi passing by on the street below.

Know before you go

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

Three people stand talking in an art gallery, with one person holding up a phone and gesturing.
Three people stand talking in an art gallery, with one person holding up a phone and gesturing.

Installation view of Amy Sherald: American Sublime (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, April 9-August 10, 2025). As Soft as She Is..., 2022. Photograph by Filip Wolak

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Free Second Sundays.

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 from 5–10 pm on Friday nights. 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 Second Sundays 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

A librarian reads the children’s book “Mine!” to a group of kids and parents at an event.
A librarian reads the children’s book “Mine!” to a group of kids and parents at an event.

Free Second Sundays at the Whitney Museum of American Art, 2024. Photograph by Filip Wolak

“Second Sundays offers free all-day admission to visitors and special programming for families. On the second Sunday of every month, guests can enjoy all-ages arts & crafts activities, tours, classes, and other special events connected to exhibitions on view at the Whitney or significant community events like Earth Day or Pride Month.” —EcoXplorer

“‘It’s nice that our kids are old enough that we get to come in, and now for Mother’s Day, I couldn’t think of anything better to do with my girls,’ said Mira’s mom, Julie Fuhrmann.” —PIX11

“Officials of the Whitney saw a gap they could fill when Sunday story times at libraries in New York City disappeared.” —The New York Times

“Starting in January, families can celebrate contemporary American art more easily than ever, thanks to a major free admission initiative from the Whitney Museum of American Art.” —New York Family Magazine

“La buena noticia es que los amantes del arte podrán visitar el Whitney Museum of American Art, uno de los museos más populares de la Gran Manzana, de manera gratuita en alguas fechas gracias a dos programas: Free Friday Nights y Second Sundays.” —Telemundo

“Sunday will be Funday at the Whitney Museum of American Art, with a real-life version of a popular PBS Kids character joining a celebration of the late legendary dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey.” —New York Post

On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.

The Whitney Museum will open at noon on July 31