Plenty of iconic Chicago museums are offering free admission days to Illinois residents as the summer winds down and through the fall, with at least one museum offering free admission on the federal holiday of Labor Day, which falls on Monday, Sept. 1.

Here’s a look at what free days are coming up at museums across Chicago, on Labor Day 2025 and through the fall season.

Art Institute of Chicago

  • Free admission for Illinois residents on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 25
  • Tickets can be reserved in advance online.
  • Admission is always free for those under 18, Illinois educators (pre-K-12), active-duty military and LINK and WIC cardholders.

Adler Planetarium

  • Free admission for Illinois residents on Wednesdays from 4 to 10 p.m.
  • Tickets must be reserved online and in advance.
  • Admission is always free for teachers and active-duty, reserve and veteran military personnel and their families (up to five admissions).

Chicago History Museum

  • Sept. free admission for Illinois residents: Sept. 1 (Labor Day), 10, 24
  • Oct. free admission for Illinois residents: Oct. 8 13, 25
  • Nov. free admission for Illinois residents: Nov. 6, 12, 19
  • The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
  • Admission is always free for Illinois teachers, active-duty and veteran military personnel, active-duty Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department personnel and Illinois residents 18 and younger.

Chicago Field Museum

  • Free admission for Illinois residents on Wednesdays through Sept. 24
  • The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
  • Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets online ahead of time.

DuSable Museum of African American History

  • Free admission for everyone on Wednesdays
  • The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
  • Admission is always free active-duty military, first responders, Illinois public school students and other groups.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

  • Sept. free admission for Illinois residents: Sept. 2-4, 7-10, 14-17, 22-24, 29, 30
  • Oct. free admission for Illinois residents: Oct. 1-6, 8, 14, 15
  • Beginning in September, the museum will open at 9:30 a.m. Closing times vary by date
  • The museum is always free for active-duty and veteran military personnel, Chicago firefighters and police officers, and Illinois teachers.

Shedd Aquarium

  • No free admission days are listed beyond August

Museum of Contemporary Art

  • Free admission for Illinois residents on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Admission is always free for those 18 and under, Illinois teachers, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active-duty military, police and fire department personnel and veterans.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

  • Free admission for Illinois residents on Thursdays
  • The museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The museum suggests a $10 donation at admission.
  • The museum is always free for Illinois teachers, active-duty military and their families, veterans and infants under 12 months.

Swedish American Museum

  • Free admission for all on the second Tuesday of each month
  • The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

  • Free admission for all on Wednesdays.
  • The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
  • Admission is always free for active-duty military and children under 6.

National Museum of Mexican Art

  • Free entry each day
  • The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

National Public Housing Museum

  • Free admission each day
  • The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture

  • Free admission each day
  • The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.