If your ideal Saturday night involves art, music, dancing, and absolutely zero cover charge, consider your plans officially made.
The Brooklyn Museum is bringing back its beloved First Saturdays for 2026, reopening the doors after hours with a free, all out celebration of culture, creativity, and community–Brooklyn style. Held on select first Saturdays throughout the year, this iconic series turns the museum into a buzzing playground of live performances, DJ sets, film screenings, curator-led tours, hands-on art-making, and pop-up markets spotlighting local businesses–aka one of the most reliable ways to have a legendary night out without touching your wallet.
Fair warning, though: you may never want to experience a museum the “normal” way ever again.
The museum’s flagship, community-centered series kicks off the year with a powerful celebration of Black History Month on Saturday, February 7. Titled Imitate No One, the evening pays homage to innovative artists who re-envision tradition while building community.
Named after Jayne Cortez’s rallying cry to “imitate no one,” the night includes a tribute to the late poet, featuring a performance by her band The Firespitters, alongside readings by contemporary poets influenced by her work.
After that? It’s a stacked lineup of events you won’t want to miss. The schedule looks something like this:
- March 7 – Freedom Is an Everyday Struggle, celebrating Women’s History Month and the exhibition Everyday Rebellions: Collection Conversations
- April 4 – Inkwells for National Poetry Month
- May 2 – Alter/Altar for AAPI Heritage Month
- June 6 – A celebration of Pride Month
- August 1 – Caribbean culture and community
Founded in 1998, First Saturdays is both a longtime Brooklyn tradition and one of the borough’s hottest recurring events. The series has helped set the global standard for free, community-centered museum programming, with each edition tied to themes from the Brooklyn Museum’s exhibitions and collections–drawing crowds as diverse as the city itself.
Together, the programming celebrates national heritage months while spotlighting Brooklyn’s ever-evolving cultural landscape. As Lauren Zelaya, Director of Public Programs, puts it:
We are thrilled to welcome visitors to our upcoming season of spectacular performances, curiosity-sparking programming, and most importantly, joy. First Saturdays is an essential part of the Brooklyn Museum’s identity, and we are excited to amplify and celebrate the creativity of our borough and create new memories with our community.
While all programming is free, advance registration is required and includes general museum admission.
Tickets are released on a rolling basis, with members getting first dibs. You can learn more and stay updated via the Brooklyn Museum’s official First Saturdays page.
While you’re at the museum be sure to check out Monet and Venice, New York’s largest exhibit on the artist in over 25 years and the first spotlight on his Venice pieces since 1912. It’s only open through February 1st, 2026.