As summer winds down and fall weather draws us indoors, Chicago museums are welcoming visitors with a new round of free admission days. Many institutions are offering no-cost entry for Illinois residents (don’t forget to bring that proof of residency!), and a few are even opening their doors for free to everyone. Don’t wait too long, though: Some of the best deals—including free entry to the Art Institute of Chicago and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry—wrap up in just a few weeks.
Here’s your guide to upcoming free Chicago museum days through the end of 2025.
RECOMMENDED: The best free museum days in Chicago
Museums with limited free admission days:
The Art Institute of Chicago
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Thursdays from 5 to 8pm until September 25, 2025.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Anyone 18 and under, Illinois educators (pre-K-12), active-duty military personnel and LINK and WIC cardholders.
Chicago History Museum
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: September 10 and 24; October 8, 13 and 25; and November 6, 12 and 19.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Illinois teachers, active-duty and veteran military personnel, active-duty Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department personnel and Illinois residents 18 and under.
The Field Museum
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Wednesday until September 24, 2025.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active-duty military personnel and veterans and Illinois teachers.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: September 2–4, 7–10, 14–17, 22–24, 29 and 30; and October 1–6, 8, 14 and 15.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers and Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade).
Museums with year-round free admission days:
Adler Planetarium
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Wednesday 4–10pm, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Teachers and active-duty, reserve and veteran military personnel and their families (up to five admissions).
Museum of Contemporary Art
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Tuesday from 5 to 9pm, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Anyone 18 and under, Illinois teachers, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active-duty military personnel, police and fire department personnel and veterans.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Thursday, year-round ($10 suggested donation).
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Illinois teachers, active-duty military personnel and their families, veterans and infants under 12 months.
DuSable Museum of African American History
Upcoming free days: Every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active-duty military personnel, first responders, Illinois public school students and several other groups.
Glessner House
Free first-come, first-served tours for Illinois residents on the first and third Thursday of each month. Tours depart at 1pm.
Swedish American Museum
Upcoming free days: The second Tuesday of every month, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 1 year old.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Upcoming free days: Every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active-duty military personnel and children under 6.
Museums that are always free:
National Museum of Mexican Art
National Public Housing Museum
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
Keep in mind that the dates above are subject to change and may not include fees to view special exhibits. We recommend that you visit each museum’s website for admission details.