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Plan your next museum outing around these upcoming free days.
Planning a visit your favorite Chicago museum anytime soon? Before you shell out for pricey entrance tickets, check to make sure you're not missing out on free admission days. Some of Chicago's top cultural institutions—including beloved spots like the Field Museum, Art Institute and Museum of Science and Industry—offer gratis entry on select dates for Illinois residents, offering up their world-class collections sans expensive ticket prices. No upcoming free dates at your museum of choice? For even more free things to do in Chicago, take a look through all the other local museums that are free or donation-only year-round. Consult our list of upcoming free days and perennially free museums in Chicago below and get ready to save some cash.
RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best things to do in Chicago
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) January 3–March 17, 2022
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Kids under 14, Chicago teens under 18, active military, LINK and WIC cardholders (and anyone in their households) and Illinois educators.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 15, 23
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military and Illinois teachers.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 9–12; February 1, 2, 7–9, 11, 13, 14, 16; March 1, 2, 7, 13, 14; April 21, 25; May 2, 4, 9, 17, 18; June 1, 14; September 6, 7, 12, 13–15, 19, 20, 26, 27; October 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18; November 1, 8
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers, EBT or WIC cardholders (for up to two adults and six children under 18) and Illinois teachers.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 13–17; February 7–11, 14–18
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military, Chicago police officers, Chicago firefighters and Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin teachers.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 13, 20, 27
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military (and their families) and Illinois teachers.
Free admission every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military and children under 6.
Free admission to the collection every Thursday; admission to the library is free year-round.
Free admission on the second Tuesday of each month.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 1
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children ages 12 and younger.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 2 and active, reservist and retired military.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active and retired military, EBT or WIC cardholders and up to six people (groups must include at least one child 15 years or younger).
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active and retired military, Chicago police officers, Chicago firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois resident children 18, non-Illinois resident children 12 and under and City Colleges of Chicago students, faculty and staff.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 5.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children 3 and under, EBT cardholders (up to four people per card).
Free every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children 6 and under.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Tribal members, children under 3.
Free admission daily, though you'll need to preregister for timed entry online and pay parking fees ($25 per car, $10 for senior citizens on Tuesdays, $30 per van, $65 per limousine, minibus, bus and RV). The Metra Union Pacific North line stops just outside the gates, which means you can avoid parking fees if you ride the train.
While suggested fees are posted, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy—no visitors are turned away. Free for Illinois residents and youth ages 18 and under.
Free admission daily with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Free admission daily (closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays).
