Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is free tuesdays 5pm–9pm — for Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings; also always free for anyone under 18, Illinois K-12 teachers, visitors with disabilities plus one caregiver, active military/veterans/police/fire, and MCA members.. MCA Chicago offers free admission for Illinois residents every Tuesday from 5-9pm, per the museum's own visit page. Online ticket purchase encouraged to manage occupancy; groups of 10+ must call the Box Office (312-397-4010) in advance. Verified on Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's own page, last checked 2026-09-04.
| Free day | Tuesdays 5pm–9pm |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings; also always free for anyone under 18, Illinois K-12 teachers, visitors with disabilities plus one caregiver, active military/veterans/police/fire, and MCA members. |
| Reservation | Online ticket purchase encouraged to manage occupancy; groups of 10+ must call the Box Office (312-397-4010) in advance. |
| What's included | General museum admission. |
| Regular adult price | $22/adult for non-Chicago residents; $19/adult for Chicago residents (per the museum's own visit page). |
| Source | mcachicago.org · checked 2026-09-04 |
Eligibility: Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings; also always free for anyone under 18, Illinois K-12 teachers, visitors with disabilities plus one caregiver, active military/veterans/police/fire, and MCA members.. General museum admission.. Skipping the ticket window here saves $22/adult for non-Chicago residents; $19/adult for Chicago residents (per the museum's own visit page). per adult.
Worth knowing: MCA's Museums for All program lets any LINK/EBT cardholder in for a suggested $3 each, for up to six people, any day — not just Tuesdays.
Another way in free: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago participates in Bank of America's Museums on Us — cardholders get free general admission on the first full weekend of every month.
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) · Field Museum (wednesdays) · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (published dates) — or see the full free museum days in Chicago guide.
↥ Check another museum → Browse all free museum & zoo days →
MCA Chicago offers free admission for Illinois residents every Tuesday from 5-9pm, per the museum's own visit page.
Online ticket purchase encouraged to manage occupancy; groups of 10+ must call the Box Office (312-397-4010) in advance.
The free days are for Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings; also always free for anyone under 18, Illinois K-12 teachers, visitors with disabilities plus one caregiver, active military/veterans/police/fire, and MCA members. — typically with ID or proof of residency. Visitors pay regular admission ($22/adult for non-Chicago residents; $19/adult for Chicago residents (per the museum's own visit page).), or can get in free on a Museums on Us weekend with a Bank of America card.
General museum admission.
$22/adult for non-Chicago residents; $19/adult for Chicago residents (per the museum's own visit page).. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.