With a new summer month comes a new opportunity to visit some of Chicago’s popular museums, especially on their free days.
Many museums have free days for Illinois residents once a week, while others have specific dates listed.
Here is a list of Chicago free museum days for August 2026.
Adler Planetarium
For the month of August, the museum will offer a free day Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Proof of residency is required to reserve a free admission day ticket. More information can be found on the planetarium’s website.
American Writers Museum
A free day is offered on the third Sunday of every month. For August, the museum is free on Aug. 16.
More information on the day’s events can be found here.
Art Institute of Chicago
The museum has Free Summer Thursdays running through Sept. 17. For August, the days are Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
Tickets can be reserved online in advance or in person at the admissions desks.
Chicago History Museum
The museum will host free days on Thursday, Aug. 13, and Thursday, Aug. 27.
Illinois residents can find more information here.
Field Museum
The museum has free days for Illinois residents every Wednesday throughout 2026. In August, free days are Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26.
Tickets on free days are only available to Illinois residents, with more information on requirements here.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Admission is free for Illinois residents on select dates. For the month of August, free admission will be offered on Aug. 24, 25, 26, 27 and 31.
Those interested in visiting these days can fill out the museum’s Illinois Free Day ticketing form here.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
The museum offers free admission to Illinois residents on Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. For August, visits are free Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25.
More information on free admission can be found in the museum’s Special Rates section.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Illinois residents can visit the museum for free from Monday, Aug. 24 through Wednesday, Aug. 26. Free tickets can be reserved online or in person.
Shedd Aquarium
For August, the museum will host free nights, from 5 to 9 p.m., on Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25.
Ticket reservations can be made in advance, with more information here.
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
There are free admission days for Illinois residents every Wednesday in 2026. For August, free days are Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26.
Free days require a valid ID, with more information found here.
Chicago Museums Always Free
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