Experience Chicago’s award-winning museums without spending a dime. Check out our ever-growing list of Chicago free museum days in 2025, plus a few museums that are free all year long.
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 Chicago museum days throughout 2025.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago offers select free admission days for Illinois residents throughout 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
- Thursday evenings, June 1 – Sept. 25, 2025
To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve online in advance.
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 Illinois educators.
Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium offers a variety of discounted ticket days throughout the year.
Upcoming free museum days for Illinois residents at the Adler Planetarium:
- 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).
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum offers free admission on select holidays and dates throughout the year.
Illinois residents can receive free admission on the following days in 2025:
- Jan. 20 – 24, 28 – 31
- Feb. 4 – 7, 11 – 14, 17, 18 – 21, 25 – 28
- March 4, 12, 27
- April 16 and 30
- May 8 and 26
- June 19, 21, and 28
- July 4, 24, and 30
- Aug. 13 and 28
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
The 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.
- Every Wednesday from Jan. 8 – June 25, 2025
Free tickets are available for advanced reservation online. The free tickets include all general admission exhibitions, such as Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and Inside Ancient Egypt.
Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12th grade) and active military personnel receive free basic admission year-round.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium offers Illinois residents free access to all permanent exhibits on select dates throughout the year.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents at the Shedd Aquarium in 2025:
- Jan. 7 – 9, 14 – 21, and 28 – 30
- 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
- June 3, 10, 17, 24
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.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Admission to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is free for Illinois residents on select dates throughout the year.
Illinois residents can receive free admission on the following days in 2025:
- Jan. 13, 14, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29
- Feb. 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27
- April 20
- June 12 and 19
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
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center offers free entry on select dates and for certain groups.
- Free admission for all every Wednesday.
Admission is always free for military and first responders, University of Chicago students, Chicago Park District employees, Illinois public school students, and other groups. Get more admission details.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art strives to make art more accessible to everyone through various free and discounted admission programs.
Illinois residents receive free admission:
- 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.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museumoffers weekly free days for Illinois residents.
- Illinois residents receive free admission every Thursday
Support the museum with a $10 suggested donation per household at the time of admission. every
Admission is always free for active-duty service members and their families, Illinois teachers, and children age two and under.
Glessner House
This historic home is located in the heart of the scenic Prairie Avenue Historic District, once known as “millionaires’ row”.
- Free tours for Illinois residents are offered on the first and third Thursday of each month.
Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and depart at 1 p.m. Proof of residency is required. The Visitors Center opens at 12:30 p.m. No reservations are taken in advance.
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
The Chicago Children’s Museum offers veterans and active military free admission every day with the presentation of valid military status identification.
Swedish American Museum
Enjoy free admission every second Tuesday of the month year-round at the Swedish American Museum. Children aged 1 year or younger are admitted free.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook showcases the art of cutting and polishing stone.
- Free admission for all every Wednesday
Admission is always free for active-duty service members and children 6 years and younger.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
The Illinois Holocaust Museum offers a variety of free admission days and discounted tickets throughout the year.
- Free to all the last Friday of the month
Reserve your free tickets in advance.
Free museums in Chicago
These Chicago museums offer free admission to everyone all year long:
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- National Museum Of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
- 21C Museum Hotel Chicago
- Smart Museum of Art
- Hyde Park Art Center
- Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
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.
