Free program for Boston students will immediately include performing arts

Local News

Boston students can immediately score free tickets to the Boston Ballet, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and other performing art institutions.

Boston students and their families will immediately have free access to live performances at some of the city’s premier venues as part of the Boston Family Days program, Mayor Michelle Wu announced.

Wu’s office announced Thursday that the program would expand on its museum partnerships with “free tickets, wraparound programming, and family-friendly events” at some of the city’s performing arts institutions.

These venues will host Boston Family Days performances from October 2025 to early January 2026, offering more than 2,500 free tickets for Boston students and up to two guests, city officials said in a statement.

“The addition of free performing arts tickets to Boston Family Days with a spectacular fall lineup builds on a transformative program for our students and their families,” Wu said in the statement. “I am grateful for the enthusiastic support of our incredible partners, which has enabled the City to expand the range of opportunities to new historic heights. By offering activities to spark wonderful curiosity, and discovery in all our students, we are investing in lifelong learning in our city.”

The lineup of performing arts partners includes the American Repertory Theater, ArtsEmerson, Berklee College of track, Boch Center, Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Huntington Theatre, and Wheelock Family Theatre, according to the statement. Some of the family-friendly performances scheduled for the fall season include the Boston Pops, Cirque de Soleil, and the musical “Annie.”

In addition to free tickets for students in grades Pre-K through 12, families will have opportunities to participate in backstage tours, creator talks, and other educational programming, city officials said in the statement. Following the fall season, the city will launch a spring performing arts season running through June 2026.

“Boston Public Schools is committed to expanding students’ access to robust and enriching learning opportunities that encourage creativity and meaningful engagement with the world around them,” Superintendent Mary Skipper said in the statement.

Boston Public Schools students are automatically enrolled, but students and their families from other schools can register for Boston Family Days through the city’s enrollment platform. Registered students and families will receive ticket reservation links and instructions prior to each event, according to city officials.

The Boston Family Days program was born out of the Boston Public Schools Sundays program and was expanded in December 2024 to include students from all Boston schools. Since then, more than 65,000 Boston students and their families have joined the program.