Chicago Free Museum Days (2023 Calendar)

Kelly R. said:  Free admission days at the Chicago Botanic Garden are offered several times throughout the year for Illinois residents. Preregister online up to two months in advance. There's always something in bloom, so this is a fun family outing any time of year.

Free Days for IL residents noted above

Kristy Pepping said:  Kids will love learning about space at the Adler Planetarium, where Illinois residents enjoy free museum entry every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm. Free days includes access to all of the Adler's world-class collections and interactive exhibits. Sky shows can be added on for a fee, including a Museum Entry+2 pass at a discounted price. Tickets must be reserved online, and Illinois residency will be verified during the checkout process.

Free Days Wednesdays

Kristy Pepping said:  MCA free days are every Tuesday for Illinois residents, and every day for kids and teens 18 and under! Illinois elementary and high school teachers are also free every day, along with visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, and active members of the police, fire department, military and veterans. Even with these generous discounts, MCA believes that art should be accessible to everyone, and will not turn anyone away if they are unable to pay the suggested admission fees any day.

Free Days Tuesdays for IL residents

Age 18 & under always free

Kristy Pepping said:  Wednesdays are free days at The DuSable, the country's oldest independent African American museum, with exhibits, programs and activities featuring African and African American history, culture and art. Military and first responders enjoy free admission every day.

Free Days Wednesdays

Shila said:  Mitchell Museum of the American Indian offers periodic free days announced on its website, typically once a month. Learn about the history, culture, and arts of the American Indian and First Nation peoples of the USA and Canada, with interactive activities and crafts for kids in most exhibits.

Free Days noted above

Alexandra F. said:  The Fire Museum of Greater Chicago is located in a 1916 firehouse, and while small in size, it is filled with the history of firefighting in Chicago. Items on display range from old photographs and artifacts to lovingly restored antique fire engines. They offer an open house to the public, with free admission, every fourth Saturday of the month (except December).

10am-2pm

Kristy Pepping said:  Illinois residents enjoy free admission at the world-class Art Institute of Chicago on Thursday evenings starting in May through the end of August! What's more, Illinois educators (including homeschooling parents), LINK & WIC cardholders, kids under 14 and Chicago teens under 18 are free every day. If you reserve your free tickets online, the discount will be applied based on the zip code provided with the billing address at checkout. Otherwise, stop by the admissions desk when you visit to request your free admission.

Free Days select Thursday evenings (5–8 pm) for IL residents

Always free for kids under 14 & Chicago teens under 18

Kristy Pepping said:  Illinois residents enjoy free admission to the Shedd Aquarium on select days throughout the year, which are announced on their website on a rolling basis. Guests have access to all open animal and permanent exhibits, as well as the chance to attend Animal Spotlights in the Oceanarium throughout the day, where animal care experts highlight animal adaptations of penguins, belugas, sea lions and dolphins.

Tickets must be reserved online in advance. Free admission is validated when you enter your billing zip code during checkout, and IDs for all adult ticket holders checked at your visit. Please note that there is a $3 transaction fee to reserve tickets online.

Free Days for IL residents noted above

Kristy Pepping said:  Illinois residents enjoy free admission to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum throughout the year on Suggested Donation Days, and can also choose to support the museum with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission. This is a wonderful, accessible and affordable family destination for exploring conservation-based exhibits anytime of year, with lots of interactive, hands-on learning opportunities, a small indoor playground and frequent family-friendly events.

Free Days Thursdays

Kristy Pepping said:  Head to the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum on Sundays for pay-what-you can admission, and learn the story of the Chicago River and its movable bridges. The museum starts at river level and goes up five stories to the Bridgehouse. At river level, visitors can view the massive gears of Chicago’s most famous movable bridge. Once at the top of the Bridgehouse, visitors have 360-degree views of the city and river. Check out their website to plan your preferred tour, as certain activities are only available on certain days. Note that the museum is only open between May and October!

Free Days Sundays

Kristy Pepping said:  All guests can enjoy free admission to the Illinois Holocaust Museum the last Friday of every month. Reserve your tickets online to experience the world-class exhibitions and programs, including an interactive holographic theatre, and a first-in-the-world virtual reality experience that allows visitors to walk through concentration camps along with Holocaust Survivors who experienced them. While the exhibits cover tough content, there are warnings before anything becomes graphic.

Free Days last Fridays

Free Days over Spring Break for kids & students

Kristy Pepping said:   Illinois residents receive free museum entry at MSI on select dates throughout the year. This incredible science museum in Hyde Park has so many fun and interactive exhibits across a wide range of scientific fields; from watching baby chicks hatch to seeing a tornado form, kids will love learning at MSI! Special experiences are not included, but can be added in for a fee. Active military, veterans, Illinois teachers and first responders are always free, as well as individuals and families with an EBT or WIC card, and Illinois school groups on registered field trips - including home school families!

Free Days for IL residents noted above

Sierra Wolff said:  Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is excited to offer free admission for kids and students (5-22 years old) during the entire month of June. Tickets can be reserved online prior to visiting.

Ilise Angel said:  The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) today announced programming for this year’s Open House Chicago (OHC), a free festival that provides behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s most historically, culturally and architecturally important sites. The 2023 event, which will take place October 13-15, will feature 170+ locations across 20+ Chicago neighborhoods. Additionally, for the first time, the CAC will host two Friday events, including one exclusively for CAC members.

Fri: 5pm-9pm (for CAC members)

Sat & Sun: 10am-5pm

Shila said:  Wednesdays are free days at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, a small art museum displaying gemstone treasures, unique rocks, minerals, fossils, antiques, and more related earth science exhibits. Walk-ins are welcome but you can also reserve your spot online. Kids age six and under are always free. Be sure to check out the museum shop for sparkly souvenirs!

Free Days Wednesdays

Alexandra F. said:  On select Wednesdays throughout the summer, Blackberry Farm offers free admission for Illinois residents. Experience pioneer life at this living history museum offering plenty of hands-on fun and active learning.

The Farm is extra busy on their free days, so expect to wait in longer lines than usual. They also reserve the right to refuse admittance when park attendance reaches capacity. Free admission includes access to the Discovery Barn, Adventure Playground, Historical Sites and Little Farmer's Junction. Ride passes for access to park attractions including train, wagon, carousel, pony rides, and paddle boats are available for $4/person. The zipline is not available on Free Museum Days.

Alexandra F. said:  Free days at the Field Museum are offered to Illinois residents on select days throughout the year, so bookmark this list and keep an eye out for your next chance to see SUE the T-Rex, and all general exhibits, for free! Tickets for Free Days are only available onsite and cannot be reserved in advance. Be prepared to show proof of residency - a list of acceptable documentation is available on the Museum's website linked above.

Free Days for IL residents noted above

Kristy Pepping said:  Free days at the Chicago History Museum are offered at different times throughout the year for Illinois residents, and every day for Illinois residents 18 and under! Immerse yourself in the history of our great city at this engaging museum, where kids who love trains will enjoy stepping inside an old L train car, or pretending to be a steam train conductor in the interactive engine car. The Museum also offers free and discounted admission to groups including Illinois teachers, non-Illinois residents 12 and under, veterans, active military, police and firefighters.

Free Days for IL residents noted above

Always free for IL residents 18 & under

Kristy Pepping said:  Free Family Days at the Chicago Children's Museum are made possible with the support of the Pritzker Foundation, and include free admission for all, as well as family activities & performances specially created for kids ten and under. Advance tickets or reservations are not necessary, and a $10 discount on parking at Navy Pier is also available with validation.

Free Days Last Thursdays, Jan - May, Sept-Oct

Shila said:  Enjoy free admission to the Joliet Area Historical Museum several days throughout the year, where the family can enjoy exhibits showcasing classic Route 66 memorabilia and a step-in Lunar Lander Simulator. This state-of-the-art Apollo Exhibit, a favorite for kids, celebrates the historic 1969 moon landing and honors former Joliet resident, Dr. John C. Houbolt.

Free Days noted above