Free Museum Days in Chicago for MLK Day
Free Museum Days for MLK Day
The Art Institute of Chicago offers free days for residents every Monday from Jan. 6 through March 14. To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve online in advance, the museum notes.
The Chicago History Museum will also offer free entry to Illinois residents for the holiday. The museum offers free admission on select holidays throughout the year, with this month’s including Jan. 20-24 and Jan. 28-31. The museum is always free for active duty military and veterans, active duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12.
The Shedd Aquarium will have free admission for Illinois residents Jan. 14 – 21 and Jan. 28 – 30.
The Chicago Botanic Garden will also be open for free to Illinois residents on Monday.
Other Free Museum Days
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago will offer “free winter weekdays” for Illinois residents, with free admission every Monday, Thursday and Friday through March 14.
The museum is typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. However, beginning Wednesday, March 5, the Art Institute will be open on Wednesdays, which means March 5 and March 12 will also be part of the Institute’s 2025 “free winter week days.”
Tickets can be reserved in advance.
Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium allows Illinois residents to visit the museum for free every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., including New Year’s Day.
Interested parties must reserve tickets in advance.
The museum said admission is always free for Illinois teachers.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Located in suburban Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden has a number of free museum days for Illinois residents through March. Preregistration is required and parking fees apply, the organization said.
Below are the winter free days for 2025:
- January: 6-12, 20
- February: 2-7, 17
- March: 17-20
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum offers the following free days for Illinois residents for winter 2025:
- January: 20-24, 28-31
- February: 4-7, 11-14, 17, 18-21, 25-28
More information can be found here.
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
The Chicago Children’s Museum will hold a free family day on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free day coincides with the return of the museum’s fan-favorite exhibit, Zoom Room.
More information can be found here.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Although pre-booking tickets is always required, the museum offers free admission every Wednesday.
Field Museum
Admission for Illinois residents is free on Wednesdays, the Field Museum says. Below are the free Wednesdays coming up this winter:
- January: 15, 22, 29
- February: 5, 12, 19, 26
- March: 5, 12, 19, 26
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Illinois residents can visit the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, formerly known as the Museum of Science and Industry, on the following days in winter 2025:
- 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
More information can be found here.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Illinois residents can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art for free every Tuesday. The museum is always free for visitors under the age of 18. The museum also has a pay-what-you-can policy.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The museum offers free admission days on Thursdays for Illinois residents, and on those days, a $10 donation is suggested. You have the option to reserve your admission tickets online or in person.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium offers free admission for Illinois residents on the following winter days:
- January: 7-9, 14-21, 28-30
- February: 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27
The Shedd will also offer free nights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 4, 11, 18, 25
For ticket reservations made online, there is a $5 convenience fee. For ticket reservations made over the phone, there is no fee.
More information can be found here.
Swedish American Museum
The museum, celebrating Swedish-American cultural heritage and tradition, offers free admission on the second Tuesday of every month throughout the year. Plus, children under 1 year old get in for free.
Museums that always offer free admission
The following museums always offer free admission:
• Adler Planetarium (free for Illinois teachers)
• Chicago History Museum (free for active duty military and veterans, active duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12)
• Museum of Contemporary Art (free for visitors under the age of 18 and pay-what-you-can policy)
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (free admission days on Thursdays for Illinois residents with a $10 donation suggested)
• Swedish American Museum (free admission on the second Tuesday of every month and free for children under 1 year old)
Conclusion
With the cold weather approaching, Chicago’s museums are offering a warm and welcoming escape for residents. From the Art Institute of Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to check the dates and times for each museum to plan your visit.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to reserve tickets in advance?
A: Yes, many of the museums listed require reservations in advance to ensure availability.
Q: Are there any museums that always offer free admission?
A: Yes, some museums offer free admission every day, while others offer free admission on specific days of the week or month. Be sure to check the museum’s website for more information.
Q: Are there any special events or exhibits happening during the free museum days?
A: Yes, some museums are offering special events or exhibits during their free museum days. Be sure to check the museum’s website for more information.
Q: Can I bring my children to the museum?
A: Yes, most museums are family-friendly and welcome children. However, some museums may have specific rules or restrictions for children, so be sure to check the museum’s website for more information.
