Free July FAQ

How does Free July admission work?
Free admission is available to residents of the City of Philadelphia throughout the month of July. Simply visit the Barnes or Calder Gardens during regular hours and check in at the box office or ticketing desk—no advance reservation is required. Admission is available on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to daily capacity.

To receive free admission, each visitor must present their own valid ID showing a Philadelphia address. Additional forms of identification may be considered. Eligible visitors can also request a free PLUS ticket, which provides same-day admission to both the Barnes and Calder Gardens.

Please note: Free admission is available only to residents of the City of Philadelphia and cannot be reserved in advance. Tickets are distributed daily until capacity is reached.

Do I need to reserve tickets in advance?
No. Free July admission is available on a walk-up basis only. Visit the box office at the Barnes or the ticketing desk at Calder Gardens, present a valid Philadelphia ID, and receive admission for that day, subject to availability.

Can I use a college or university ID?
Yes. Students with a valid college or university ID are eligible, provided their institution is located within the City of Philadelphia.

Do residents of Philadelphia’s suburbs qualify?
No. This offer is available only to residents of the City of Philadelphia. The following ZIP codes are eligible:
19102, 19103, 19104, 19106, 19107, 19109, 19111, 19112, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19118, 19119, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19125, 19126, 19127, 19128, 19129, 19130, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19136, 19137, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19149, 19150, 19151, 19152, 19153, and 19154.

How do I verify eligibility?
Visitors will be asked to present a valid photo ID, student ID, or other documentation showing a Philadelphia address or affiliation with a Philadelphia-based college or university.