Free entry to NM museums and historic sites for active-duty military through Blue Star May16-September 7

Santa Fe, NM – Active-duty military personnel, including National Guard, Reserve, and their families, will receive free admission to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ eight museums and eight historic sites this summer through the Blue Star Museums program. 

The New Mexico Arts & Military program is launching the campaign to raise awareness of this opportunity for more than 43,000 active-duty military members, National Guard, and their families in New Mexico. Free admission runs from Armed Forces Day, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, September 7, 2026.

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The program includes free admission for up to five family members with a valid military ID. More information and a map of participating museums are available at arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums. 

“Participating in the Blue Star Museums program is an incredible opportunity for DCA museums and historic sites to share New Mexico’s rich artistic, historical, and cultural offerings with active-duty service members and their families,” said Kevin Lenkner, Program Coordinator for New Mexico Arts & the Military.  

Participating sites include eight state museums and eight historic sites across New Mexico, including the Museum of International Folk Art, National Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico Museum of Space History, Coronado Historic Site, Lincoln Historic Site, and Bosque Redondo Memorial. 

NMDCA also partners with the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services to offer free one-time admission passes to veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher. More information is available at nmdvs.org/state-veteran-benefits.

About New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs: Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, eight historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, NMDCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation.

About New Mexico Arts: New Mexico Arts (NMA) is the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. NMA’s mission is to ensure the arts are central to the lives of New Mexicans, including active-duty members of the military and their families, as well as veterans. For more information about New Mexico Arts visit nmarts.org.