If this year’s snowiest start to winter in almost half a century is any indication of what the rest of the season could look like, Chicago area residents are sure to have plenty of days best spent indoors throughout the start of the new year.
The many museums and cultural attractions around Chicago provide both refuge from the cold and entertainment people of all ages can enjoy.
Give your wallet a break and schedule your next visit on one of the many free admission days offered next year for Illinois residents.
Here’s a look at the museums in Chicago offering free admission in the early months of 2026:
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago, located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, has a free winter weekdays program for Illinois residents.
Starting January 5 and continuing through February 28, free admission is available from 11 a.m. through closing.
The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until 5 p.m. and Thursdays until 8 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Though tickets are free, the museum has online ticket reservation. You first select the date you wish to attend, and then select your ticket choice. The ticket options will show a cost at that point, however, once you get to the “select quantity” screen and enter your local billing zip code, the free pricing will be reflected.
You can also visit the admissions desk on the day of your visit to verify your residency and receive free admission if you do not wish to reserve a ticket in advance.
More information on the museum’s free admission opportunities is available here.
Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium, located at 1300 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, is free for Illinois residents on several days throughout the first four months of the year.
Here’s a look at the dates:
January: 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28 February: 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 23 March: 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 25 April: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29Adler Planetarium is open Friday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and open Wednesday nights from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with timed ticket entry.
Additional dates are likely to be added throughout the year and can be seen here.
Tickets must be reserved in advance, which can be done here.
DuSable Black History Museum
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, located at 740 East 56th Place, offers free admission on Wednesdays throughout 2026.
Tickets can be reserved in advance here.
The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, located at 5700 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, offers several free admission days for Illinois residents throughout the first half of 2026.
Here’s a look at the dates:
January 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, 28 February 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 April19 June 4, 19More information is available here.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art, located at 220 East Chicago Avenue, offers free admission on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 2026 for Illinois residents.
The museum also offers pay-what-you-can admission, though all discounts are available in person only. More information is available here.
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 North Clark Street, offers free admission in January and February 2026.
Free admission days for Illinois residents are January 19 through 23 and January 27 through 30, February 16 and Tuesdays through Thursdays in February.
More information is available here.
Shedd Aquarium
Illinois residents can visit the Shedd Aquarium, located at 120 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, for free on specific days throughout the first half of the year.
Here’s a look at the free days:
January 6-8, 13-20, 27-29 February 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26And the free nights (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.):
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12, 19, 26 June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30Shedd recommends advance registration because of high demand for the free hours tickets.
More information is available here.
Field Museum
Field Museum, located at 1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, has free admission on Wednesdays for Illinois residents.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
More information is available here.
Hence then, the article about free admission days at chicago museums for the start of 2026 was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Free admission days at Chicago museums for the start of 2026 )
Also on site :