Shedd Aquarium is free tuesdays 5pm–9pm — for Illinois residents. All adults (18+) in the party must show a photo ID with an Illinois address at redemption; accompanied children don't need their own ID.. Illinois residents get free admission on designated 'Illinois Resident Free Days' (concentrated in Jan-Feb) and 'Free Evenings' (5-9pm, mostly Mar-Jun), and free Tuesday-evening hours that Shedd's own 2026 announcement says continue 'through the rest of the year.' All of the Jan-June 2026 dates Shedd has published so far have already passed; no enumerated Sept-Dec 2026 date list was found on the pages checked, only the general Tuesday-evening pattern. Advance reservation strongly recommended due to demand; booking online carries a $5 convenience fee per order for free-day/evening reservations, or reserve by phone at 312-939-2438 with no extra fee. Verified on Shedd Aquarium's own page, last checked 2026-09-04.
| Free day | Tuesdays 5pm–9pm |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Illinois residents. All adults (18+) in the party must show a photo ID with an Illinois address at redemption; accompanied children don't need their own ID. |
| Reservation | Advance reservation strongly recommended due to demand; booking online carries a $5 convenience fee per order for free-day/evening reservations, or reserve by phone at 312-939-2438 with no extra fee. |
| What's included | All exhibits plus seasonal Stingray Touch are included during Illinois Resident Free Hours. |
| Regular adult price | Non-resident general admission starts around $38.95/adult; Chicago residents get a fixed reduced rate (~$19.95/adult); prices vary by date and ticket package. |
| Source | sheddaquarium.org · checked 2026-09-04 |
Eligibility: Illinois residents. All adults (18+) in the party must show a photo ID with an Illinois address at redemption; accompanied children don't need their own ID.. All exhibits plus seasonal Stingray Touch are included during Illinois Resident Free Hours.. Skipping the ticket window here saves Non-resident general admission starts around $38.95/adult; Chicago residents get a fixed reduced rate (~$19.95/adult); prices vary by date and ticket package. per adult.
Worth knowing: Booking a free-day ticket online costs a $5 convenience fee per order, but calling the box office at 312-939-2438 lets you reserve for free.
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 →
Illinois residents get free admission on designated 'Illinois Resident Free Days' (concentrated in Jan-Feb) and 'Free Evenings' (5-9pm, mostly Mar-Jun), and free Tuesday-evening hours that Shedd's own 2026 announcement says continue 'through the rest of the year.' All of the Jan-June 2026 dates Shedd has published so far have already passed; no enumerated Sept-Dec 2026 date list was found on the pages checked, only the general Tuesday-evening pattern.
Advance reservation strongly recommended due to demand; booking online carries a $5 convenience fee per order for free-day/evening reservations, or reserve by phone at 312-939-2438 with no extra fee.
The free days are for Illinois residents. All adults (18+) in the party must show a photo ID with an Illinois address at redemption; accompanied children don't need their own ID. — typically with ID or proof of residency. Visitors pay regular admission (Non-resident general admission starts around $38.95/adult; Chicago residents get a fixed reduced rate (~$19.95/adult); prices vary by date and ticket package.).
All exhibits plus seasonal Stingray Touch are included during Illinois Resident Free Hours.
Non-resident general admission starts around $38.95/adult; Chicago residents get a fixed reduced rate (~$19.95/adult); prices vary by date and ticket package.. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.