Free Chicago museum days 2016
Check out the always-updated list of free museum days!
Save your money and enjoy a day out at a Chicago institution!
Free museum days for Illinois museums:
Art Institute of Chicago
Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to IL residents every Thursday, 5-8pm.
Discounts for city residents.
(For more details, check out MonicaW’s Art Institute blog.)
Chicago Children’s Museum – Target Free Family Night and First Free Sundays
Free admission for kids 15 and under, the first Sunday of every month, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission for all, every Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m.
Chicago History Museum
Free days for January 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29.
DuSable Museum of African American History
Free on Sundays.
The Field Museum
Basic free admission for IL residents: January:3, 13, 18, 23, 24 and all of February! Chicago residents receive discounts ($2 – $4.50) on admission packages.
Millennium Park
Look for free events, such as a free festival of music, skating rink, performances and family activities for all ages.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Free every Tuesday for IL residents.
The Museum of Science and Industry
Various free days throughout each month. January 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29.
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Reopening January 25. Part of the Columbia College Chicago, this museum is exclusively devoted to photography and is—of course—free! If you are in the Loop, it is at 600 S. Michigan.
National Museum of Mexican Art – Free Admission every day
Free admission every day during museum hours, 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Suggested donation day is Thursday.
Shedd Aquarium
Free days are January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 22-26.
Smart Museum of Art
Admission is free. Part of the University of Chicago, this museum is located on the Hyde Park campus at 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue.
