Experience Chicago’s award-winning museums without spending a dime. Enjoy free admission to top Chicago attractions like the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago and more on select dates throughout the year.
Chicago museum free days
Looking for other ways to save? Check out the Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card, which offers admission to several Chicago museums and attractions for one discounted price.
Here’s a list of upcoming free museum days in Chicago for 2026.
Free museum days in Chicago 2026
Check out our ever-growing list of free days for Illinois residents and other groups at Chicago cultural institutions in 2026, plus a few museums that are free all year long.
Art Institute of Chicago free days
The Art Institute of Chicago offers select free admission days for Illinois residents throughout the year.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Art Institute of Chicago:
- Free Winter Weekdays: Jan. 5 – Feb. 28, 2026
Free admission is available from 11 a.m. through closing each weekday (5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 8 p.m. on Thursdays).
The museum is always free for Chicago teens under the age of 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and current Illinois teachers and homeschool parents.
Adler Planetarium free days
The Adler Planetarium offers a variety of discounted ticket days throughout the year.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Adler Planetarium:
- Dec. 24, 2025
- Jan. 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, and 28, 2026
- Feb. 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, and 23, 2026
- March 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, and 25, 2026
- April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2026
All tickets must be purchased online and in advance. Admission is always free for Illinois teachers, active duty U.S. military, Chicago park district employees, and other groups.
Explore more: Plan your budget-friendly trip with more free attractions in Chicago.
Chicago History Museum free days
The Chicago History Museum offers free admission on select holidays and dates throughout the year.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Chicago History Museum:
- Jan. 19 – 23 and 27 – 30, 2026
- Feb. 16, 2026
Admission is 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 free days
The Field Museum offers free basic admission for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Chicago Field Museum:
- Every Wednesday throughout 2026
Free tickets are available for advanced reservation online and on site. The free tickets include all general admission exhibitions.
Illinois teachers and active military personnel receive free general admission year-round.
Shedd Aquarium free days
The Shedd Aquarium offers Illinois residents free access to all permanent exhibits on select dates throughout the year.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Shedd Aquarium:
2026 free days for Illinois residents:
- Jan. 6 – 8, 13– 20, and 27– 29, 2026
- Feb. 3– 5, 10– 12, 17– 19, and 24– 26, 2026
2026 free nights (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) for Illinois residents:
- March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2026
- April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2026
- May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026
- June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Admission is always free for Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry free days
Admission to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is free for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Museum of Science and Industry:
- Jan. 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, and 28, 2026
- Feb. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, and 26, 2026
- April 19, 2026
- June 4 and 19, 2026
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry 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).
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center free days
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center offers free entry on select dates and for certain groups.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the DuSable Black History Museum:
- Every Wednesday throughout 2026
Admission is always free for military and first responders, University of Chicago students, Chicago Park District employees, Illinois public school students, and other groups.
Museum of Contemporary Art free days
Museum of Contemporary Art; Photos by Ricardo Adame
The Museum of Contemporary Art strives to make art more accessible to everyone through various free and discounted admission programs.
Upcoming free admission days for Illinois residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago:
- Every Tuesday from 5 – 9 p.m.
The museum is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active members of the military, police, and fire departments, veterans and their families, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. The MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away.
More free museum days in Chicago
These beloved museums and cultural institutions throughout Chicago and the surrounding area offer a variety of free-admission opportunities throughout the year.
- American Writers Museum: Free admission for all on the third Sunday of every month.
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Illinois residents receive free admission every Thursday.
- Glessner House: Free tours for Illinois residents on the first and third Thursday of each month. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of residency is required.
- Swedish American Museum: Free admission every second Tuesday of the month
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art: Free admission for all every Wednesday. Admission is always free for active-duty service members and children 6 years and younger.
- Heritage Museum of Asian Art: The museum offers free admission on the third Friday night of each month.
- Driehaus Museum: Free Wednesday evening admission for all visitors after 4 p.m.
Chicago museums with free admission
These Chicago museums offer free entry to everyone all year long:
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- National Public Housing Museum
- National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
- Smart Museum of Art
- Hyde Park Art Center
- Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
- Mindworks: The Science of Thinking
- National Veterans Art Museum
- Fed Money Museum
Explore more: Find more free museums all around Chicago.
Dates are subject to change and may not include fees to view special exhibits. Visit individual museum websites for admission details.
