Chicago Free Museum Days (2025 Calendar)

On the last Friday of the month, all guests can enjoy free admission to the Illinois Holocaust Museum. 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.

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.

Illinois residents enjoy free admission to the Shedd Aquarium on select days throughout the year. Through May, Illinois residents are also free on Tuesday evenings between 5 and 9 p.m. Illinois Resident Free Days include access to all open animal and permanent exhibits and seasonal Stingray Touch. 

Wednesdays are free days at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, a small art museum displaying gemstone treasures, unique rocks, minerals, fossils, antiques, and 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!

Wednesdays are free days for Illinois residents at the Field Museum. Tickets for Free Days are available online or onsite, but reservations are recommended as tickets are limited. Be prepared to show proof of residency - a list of acceptable documentation is available on the Museum's website.

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.

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 include access to 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.

Illinois residents enjoy free admission to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum every Thursday for their weekly 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 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. Parking fees still apply.

Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum 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.

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).

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.

Admission is always free at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Housed inside an 1870's mansion and set in a tranquil forest preserve alongside the Des Plaines River, the museum is a local family favorite. Children will love visiting the live animal exhibits (turtles, owls, etc), nature displays and play areas, and exploring the hiking trails surrounding the museum. The museum also regularly hosts story times and other free family friendly programming.

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.

Open daily and always free since it was first established in 1868, the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the best things to do in Chicago with kids for those who live here as well as those who are visiting. Parking fees do apply, though the zoo is also easily accessible via public transportation. Be sure to check out their website for a list of daily activities and educational animal experiences.