Field Museum Free Days

Updated 2026-09-04 · Free · No sign-up

Field Museum is free wednesdays — for Illinois residents, proof of residency required.. The Field Museum offers free general admission to Illinois residents every Wednesday, with proof of Illinois residency required at the ticket desk or online reservation. Free tickets can be reserved online in advance or obtained on site; advance reservation is recommended because free Wednesdays can fill up. Verified on Field Museum's own page, last checked 2026-09-04.

At a glance

Free dayWednesdays
Who qualifiesIllinois residents, proof of residency required.
ReservationFree tickets can be reserved online in advance or obtained on site; advance reservation is recommended because free Wednesdays can fill up.
What's includedFree general admission covers the permanent exhibitions, including SUE the T. rex.
Regular adult priceStandard adult basic general admission is roughly $27 (third-party ticket sources; add-on Discovery/All-Access passes for special exhibits and films cost more).
Sourcefieldmuseum.org · checked 2026-09-04

Upcoming free days

  • Wednesday, Sep 9, 2026
  • Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026
  • Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026
  • Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026
  • Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026
  • Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026

Dates computed from the published schedule rule as of 2026-09-04 — an institution can still cancel one for a private event or holiday. Confirm on the official page before you go.

The fine print

Eligibility: Illinois residents, proof of residency required.. Free general admission covers the permanent exhibitions, including SUE the T. rex.. Skipping the ticket window here saves Standard adult basic general admission is roughly $27 (third-party ticket sources; add-on Discovery/All-Access passes for special exhibits and films cost more). per adult.

Worth knowing: Free Wednesdays only cover basic general admission — special ticketed exhibitions, 3D films, and the Discovery/All-Access passes still cost extra, and the museum is also always free for active-duty military, Chicago police/firefighters, Illinois teachers, and children under 12.

Also free in Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago (published dates) · Adler Planetarium (wednesdays 4pm–10pm) · Art Institute of Chicago (3rd thursday monthly 5pm–8pm) · Chicago Children's Museum (no regular free day) · Chicago History Museum (published dates) · DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (wednesdays) · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (published dates) · Lincoln Park Zoo (always free) — or see the full free museum days in Chicago guide.

↥ Check another museum →   Browse all free museum & zoo days →

FAQ

When is Field Museum free?

The Field Museum offers free general admission to Illinois residents every Wednesday, with proof of Illinois residency required at the ticket desk or online reservation.

Do I need a reservation for Field Museum's free days?

Free tickets can be reserved online in advance or obtained on site; advance reservation is recommended because free Wednesdays can fill up.

Can visitors use Field Museum's free days?

The free days are for Illinois residents, proof of residency required. — typically with ID or proof of residency. Visitors pay regular admission (Standard adult basic general admission is roughly $27 (third-party ticket sources; add-on Discovery/All-Access passes for special exhibits and films cost more).).

What does a free day at Field Museum include?

Free general admission covers the permanent exhibitions, including SUE the T. rex.

How much is Field Museum normally?

Standard adult basic general admission is roughly $27 (third-party ticket sources; add-on Discovery/All-Access passes for special exhibits and films cost more).. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.

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