Free Chicago Museum Days
Free Museum days for Illinois residents to Chicago museums is a great perk. Chicago has some world renown museums and visiting the museums on free days is helpful on the wallet.
The free museum dates have been announced by most museums and here is the list for Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and others.
Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium has free museum days for Illinois residents:
- Every Wednesday evening from 4 – 10 p.m.
All tickets must be reserved online and in advance.
Art Institute of Chicago
Offers free admission days for Illinois residents during particular days of the year.
Free museum days in 2024 for Illinois residents at the Art Institute of Chicago are:
- Thursday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free admission tickets for Illinois residents must be reserved online in advance.
Note: The Art Institute is always free for Chicago teens under the age of 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators.
Chicago History Museum
Free admission on select holidays and dates throughout the year are available to Illinois residents.
The announced dates for Illinois residents to receive free admission are on the following days in 2024 - 25:
- Dec. 18
- Jan. 20 – 24, 28 – 31, 2025
- Feb. 4 – 7, 11 – 14, 17, 18 – 21, 25 – 28, 2025
Note: Always free for active duty military and veterans, active duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12.
Field Museum
Offers free basic admission, plus discounted passes to explore a ticketed exhibition or enjoy a 3D movie, for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Free museum days at the Field Museum in 2024:
- Every Wednesday all year long
Tickets for free days are only available onsite. Free tickets include all general admission exhibitions, such as Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and Inside Ancient Egypt.
Museum of Science and Industry
Offers free admission for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Here are the free admission days announced for the Museum of Science and Industry for 2024:
- None remaining in 2024
Note: The Museum is always free for United States military active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers and Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade).
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Offering suggested donation admission where Illinois Residents can enjoy free admission during these Suggested Donation Days,:
- Every Thursday the museum is open for Illinois residents. Visitors can enjoy free admission during these Donation Days or support the museum with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission.
Note: Always free for active-duty service members with ID and their families, Illinois teachers, and children under three.
Shedd Aquarium
Illinois residents receive free access to all permanent exhibits, including special exhibits Underwater Beauty and seasonal Stingray Touch, on select dates throughout the year.
Upcoming free evenings (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) for Illinois residents at the Shedd Aquarium in 2024:
- Dec. 3, 10, 17
Note: Advance reservations are required; no tickets will be available onsite. All adults must provide proof of residency in-person when redeeming tickets at the discounted rate.
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