Each year a portion of Fifth Avenue completely shuts down while museums along the avenue remain open for Museum Mile Festival, giving New Yorkers the unique opportunity to welcome the warmer weather by frolicking around (without having to look both ways before crossing the street) and explore museums along the way. And prepare yourself for an influx of culture because the annual event is returning this June!
Museum Mile Festival was first held back in 1978, so the museums themselves aren’t the only thing with a rich history! It started as a way to increase public awareness of its institutions and promote public support of the arts, and since its first iteration the total number of visitors has surpassed over one million–and for obvious reasons: not only does the event give you the chance to explore several museums and cultural institutions, but it allows you to do so for free!
The 47th iteration will return this year with a slew of fun art-focused activities for all ages, street musicians, food vendors, and more. It’s essentially NYC’s biggest block party, running along Fifth Avenue from 82nd Street to 105th Street–a stretch officially designated as “Museum Mile” because of the museums’ vast richness and cultural diversity, hence the name of the event!
Taylor Heery
On Tuesday, June 10th from 6 pm to 9 pm, eight museums and cultural institutions will be completely free for New Yorkers and visitors alike to pop in and out of as they please. And while the Met is pay-as-you-wish for NY residents, spots like the Guggenheim, Neue Galerie, and Museum of the City of New York can cost upwards of $30 for admission, so this is a great chance to get in sans handing over any cash. Plus, they’ll be open later than usual!
Here are this year’s participants:
Museums Participating in Museum Mile Festival 2025
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 5th Avenue at 82nd Street
- Neue Galerie New York: 1048 5th Avenue at 86th Street
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: 1071 5th Avenue at 89th Street
- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum: 2 East 91st Street btw 5th Avenue & Madison Avenue
- The Jewish Museum: 1109 5th Ave at E 92nd Street
- Museum of the City of New York: 1220 5th Avenue at 103rd Street
- El Museo del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street
- The Africa Center: 1280 5th Ave at 109th Street
You can also look forward to additional programming from the event’s junior partners, including the New York Academy of Medicine, Church of the Heavenly Rest, Asia Society, and AKC Museum of the Dog.
Museum Mile Festival will occur in rain or shine, so don’t forget to bring your umbrella if it starts to drizzle! Learn more about Museum Mile Festival NYC here.
📍 Fifth Avenue, 82nd Street to 105th Street
🗓 Tuesday, June 10th
⏰ 6 pm – 9 pm