2025 Chicago Museum Free Days

Visit Chicago's world-class museums with your kids and family for free on these special Free Admission days. This comprehensive guide highlights free admission days at top Chicago museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum, and many more. Plan your cultural adventures and discover opportunities to explore renowned art collections, fascinating exhibits, and cutting-edge science displays for free.

Most of the 2025 Museum free days dates have been announced, and often there are additional dates added during the year.

Please note that special exhibits and features may not be included in the free general admission. See individual destination web sites for details.

Here are some of the Chicago area's best museums that are offering free day opportunities in 2025.

Adler Planetarium
Admission to Adler Planetarium is free for Illinois residents every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm. Teachers and active duty military are free every day.

Art Institute
Admission at the Art Institute Chicago is free for Illinois residents on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays Jan. 6 through Mar. 14, 2024. Make reservations online.

Brookfield Zoo
General Zoo Admission is free Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays January 2 through February 27, 2025.

Chicago Botanic Garden
January 6-12, 20; February 2-7, 17; March 17-20; April 7-11; May 6, 8; June 10, 12, 19; July 8, 10; August 5, 7; September 9, 11, 30; October 2, 13; November 3-7, 10, 11; December 8-14. Ticketed events not included. Always free admission with NO registration required for Active-Duty Military; U.S. Military Reservists and Former POWs; LINK and WIC cardholders and Illinois Educators with IDs. Parking fees apply.

Chicago Children's Museum
No Free Days announced yet for 2025.

Chicago Cultural Center
Always free.

Chicago History Museum
Illinois residents ages 18 and under, and non-Illinois residents ages 12 & under are always FREE. Free days for all Illinois residents are January 20-24, 28-31; February 4-7, 11-14, 17, 18-21, 25-28.

DuSable Museum of African American History
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is free to visit on Wednesdays. Free admission is always available to military and to first responders - Police, Fire, EMTs with valid ID.

Field Museum
For Illinois Residents, every Wednesday in 2024 is free. Tickets for Free Wednesdays are only available on-site and cannot be reserved in advance.

Illinois Holocaust Museum
The Museum offers free admission to all on the last Friday of the month. Reserve your Free Day tickets online.

John G. Shedd Aquarium
Reserve your tickets in advance.
January 7-9, 14-21, 28-30
February 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27

Mindworks - the Science of Thinking
Free and open to the public, book your visit online.

Museum of Contemporary Art
Admission is FREE for Illinois residents on Tuesdays year round, and always free for ages 18 and under. Also free for Family Days once per month.

Museum of Science and Industry
Illinois residents receive free general admissions Museum Entry on select dates. Check back soon for more 2025 dates.
January 13, 14, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29
February 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27

National Museum of Mexican Art
Free Admission Every Day. Open Tuesdays to Sundays.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Every Thursday that the museum is open, Illinois residents can reserve their Donation Day tickets online or in person. Illinois residents can enjoy free admission during Donation Days, or support the museum with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission.

Smart Museum of Art
Always free.

Swedish American Museum Center
Members and children under the age of one are always free. Admission is free for all on the second Tuesday of the month.