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.
Updated: February 1, 2025
Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium has free museum days for Illinois residents:
- Every Wednesday evening from 4 – 10 p.m. All tickets must be purchased online and in advance.
Admission is always free for Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12).
Art Institute of Chicago
Offers free admission days for Illinois residents during particular days of the year.
Upcoming free museum hours for Illinois residents at the Art Institute of Chicago:
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday from Jan. 6 – March 14, 2025
To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve 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 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 2025:
- Every Wednesday from Jan. 8 – March 26, 2025; Free tickets are available for advanced reservation online.
Free tickets include all general admission exhibitions, such as Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and Inside Ancient Egypt.
Note: Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12th grade) and active military personnel receive free basic admission year-round.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Offers free admission for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Illinois residents can receive free admission on the following days in 2025:
- February 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27
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 days for Illinois residents at the Shedd Aquarium in 2025:
- Feb. 4 – 6, 11 – 13, 18 – 20, and 25 – 27
Upcoming free evenings (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) for Illinois residents at the Shedd Aquarium in 2025:
- March 4, 11, 18, 25
- April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- May 6, 13, 20, 27
Admission is always free for EBT card holders, Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Note: Advance reservations are required; All adults must provide proof of residency in-person when redeeming tickets at the discounted rate.
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