As the Chicago winter rolls in, stay warm by planning some essential indoor activities at your favorite Chicago museums during the season. Illinois Free Days are back to offer free admision to the city's world-class exhibitions. From the Art Insitute of Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission on select days over the next few months. Plus, Chicago Public Library cardholders can score free perks including various museum passes. Be sure to bring along proof of Illinois residence for free entry, but there's still options for out-of-towners to enjoy free admission year-round. So take a look and pencil in your next Chicago adventure.
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Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Monday, Thursday and Friday from January 8 to March 22, 2024.
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: Every Wednesday in 2024.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military and Illinois teachers.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 22-24, 28-31; February 5-8, 11-15, 20-22, 26-29; April 21.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers, Link cardholders (for up to two adults and six children under 18) and Illinois teachers.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Tuesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Anyone under 18, Illinois teachers, active military, police and firefighters.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Wednesday 4pm-10pm, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Chicago teachers, active military.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 15-19, 23-26, 30-31; February 1-2, 6-9, 13-16, 19-23, 27-29; March 12, 27-28.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active and retired military, Chicago police officers, Chicago firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents ages 18 and under, non-Illinois residents ages 12 and under and City Colleges of Chicago students, faculty and staff.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Thursday, $10 suggested donation.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military (and their families) and Illinois teachers.
Upcoming free days: Free admission for all visitors on the last Friday of every month.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 5, Link cardholders.
Upcoming free days: Every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military, Link cardholders, first responders, Illinois public school students.
Upcoming free days: Every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military and children under 6.
Upcoming free days: Every Thursday; admission to the library is free year-round.
Upcoming free days: The second Tuesday of every 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.
Upcoming free days: Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from January 2-February 29, 2024.
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.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: January 9 - 16, 23 - 25, 30, 31; February 1, 6 - 8, 13 - 15, 20 - 22, 27 -29. Every Tuesday evening (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) in March, April, May and June.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Link cardholders, active military, Chicago police officers, Chicago firefighters and Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin teachers.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children ages 3 and under, Link cardholders (up to four people per card).
Upcoming free days: January 15, February 19, March 27 and April 10.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Tribal members, children under 3.
Free admission daily (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Free admission daily with reservation.
Free admission daily (closed Mondays) with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Free admission daily (closed Sundays and Mondays).
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