Museum · Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago: free entry days, tickets & hours
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the US, with Impressionist icons, American Gothic, Nighthawks and the Modern Wing.
Independent guide, not the official Art Institute website. Official links are under Sources.
Art Institute is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Illinois residents on the third Thursday of every month, 5-8pm; Illinois residents on Wednesday 11 November 2026; Illinois residents on weekdays 2-18 December 2026 (to 8pm on Thursdays); every day for children under 14; and more below.
- Otherwise: adult general admission (non-Illinois visitors) — $32.
Calendar
Free days at Art Institute
For Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us)
- SAT7NOVSaturday, 7 November 2026 · in 2 weeks
- SUN8NOVSunday, 8 November 2026 · in 2 weeks
- SAT5DECSaturday, 5 December 2026 · in 6 weeks
- SUN6DECSunday, 6 December 2026 · in 6 weeks
- SAT2JANSaturday, 2 January 2027 · in 2 months
- SUN3JANSunday, 3 January 2027 · in 2 months
For Illinois residents
- WED11NOVWednesday, 11 November 2026 · in 3 weeks · 11:00–17:00
- THU19NOVThursday, 19 November 2026 · in 4 weeks · 17:00–20:00
- WED2DECWednesday, 2 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 11:00–17:00
- THU3DECThursday, 3 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 11:00–17:00
- FRI4DECFriday, 4 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 11:00–17:00
- MON7DECMonday, 7 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 11:00–17:00
Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Free for current Illinois educators (pre-K-12 teachers, teaching artists, homeschool parents): Online voucher registration required.
- Third Thursday evenings are free for Illinois residents every month; the big free block this year is weekdays 2-18 December.
- Kids under 14 are always free, and Chicago teens under 18 get in free with proof of residence.
- Free guided tours run daily at 1pm and 3pm in English.
- Bags larger than 13 x 17 x 4 inches must be checked; the checkroom is free.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hoursFree for Illinois residents on the third Thursday of every month, 5-8pm · 17:00–20:00 | Illinois residents | Residency is verified by the billing-address zip code online, or at the admissions desk. | No |
| Free dayFree for Illinois residents on Wednesday 11 November 2026 · 11:00–17:00 | Illinois residents | — | No |
| Free dayFree for Illinois residents on weekdays 2-18 December 2026 (to 8pm on Thursdays) · 11:00–17:00 | Illinois residents | Museum is closed Tuesdays (8 and 15 Dec). Thursdays run until 8pm. | No |
| Free forFree every day for children under 14 | children under 14 | — | No |
| Free forFree every day for Chicago teens under 18 | chicago residents under 18 | Chicago residents only. | No |
| Free forFree for LINK and WIC cardholders and their households (Museums for All) | EBT cardholders (Museums for All) | Show the card plus a valid photo ID. | No |
| Free forFree for current Illinois educators (pre-K-12 teachers, teaching artists, homeschool parents) | illinois educators | Register online for a voucher and bring it with a valid educator ID. | Yes |
| Free forFree for active-duty military all year (Blue Star); households also free from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day | military members and families | Bring active-duty military ID. Family/household members are free only from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. | No |
| Free dayBank of America Museums on Us: free general admission on the first full weekend of each month | Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us) | Cardholder only, with matching photo ID. Ticketed exhibitions are not included. | No |
Official prices
Art Institute ticket prices
| Adult general admission (non-Illinois visitors) — Illinois residents $27, Chicago residents $20 (proof of residence required). Seniors/students/teens $26. Ticketed exhibitions cost extra. | $32 |
| Fast Pass (skip general admission lines, expedited access to ticketed exhibitions), adult — Skip the entry queues on busy days. | $40 |
| Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism ticketed exhibition (on top of admission, through 3 Jan 2027) — Over 70 experimental works from the height of Cassatt's career. | $7 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult general admission (non-illinois visitors)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Art Institute
GetYourGuideChicago: Art Institute of Chicago Fast-Pass Ticket★★★★★ 4.8 · 1.0k reviewsfrom $40
TiqetsThe Art Institute of Chicago: Fast Pass★★★★★ 4.7 · 660 reviewsfrom $40
GetYourGuideChicago: Art Institute Skip-the-Line Guided Tour 12 People Max★★★★★ 5.0 · 64 reviews2.5 hoursfrom $90.10
GetYourGuideArt Institute of Chicago Express Highlights Tour★★★★★ 5.0 · 8 reviews2.5 hoursfrom $84
TiqetsThe Art Institute of Chicago: Skip The Line Ticket + Semi-Private Guided Tour★★★★★ 5.0 · 5 reviews2.5 hoursfrom $90.10
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 11:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 11:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 11:00–20:00 |
| Fri | 11:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 11:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 11:00–17:00 |
Open to the public 11am-5pm (Thursday until 8pm); closed Tuesday. The first hour each day (10-11am) is reserved for members. Open regular hours on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4 and Labor Day.
111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Art Institute: common questions
Is Art Institute free?
Art Institute has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Illinois residents on the third Thursday of every month, 5-8pm; Illinois residents on Wednesday 11 November 2026; Illinois residents on weekdays 2-18 December 2026 (to 8pm on Thursdays); every day for children under 14; and more below. Otherwise the official ticket costs $32.
When are the free days at Art Institute for Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us)?
Upcoming free dates for Bank of America cardholders (Museums on Us): Sat 7 Nov, Sun 8 Nov, Sat 5 Dec and Sun 6 Dec. Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
When are the free days at Art Institute for Illinois residents?
Upcoming free dates for Illinois residents: Wed 11 Nov (11:00–17:00), Thu 19 Nov (17:00–20:00), Wed 2 Dec (11:00–17:00) and Thu 3 Dec (11:00–17:00). Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Who gets free entry to Art Institute?
Children under 14. Chicago residents under 18 — chicago residents only.. EBT cardholders (Museums for All) — show the card plus a valid photo ID.. Illinois educators — register online for a voucher and bring it with a valid educator ID.. Military members and families — bring active-duty military ID. Family/household members are free only from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day..
Do I need to book for free entry to Art Institute?
Online voucher registration required.
How much is a ticket to Art Institute?
Adult general admission (non-Illinois visitors) costs $32 on the official site.
What day is Art Institute closed?
Art Institute is closed on Tuesdays. Open to the public 11am-5pm (Thursday until 8pm); closed Tuesday. The first hour each day (10-11am) is reserved for members. Open regular hours on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4 and Labor Day.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Art Institute
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Sources
Where this comes from
- artic.edu/visit/free-admission-opportunities · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- artic.edu/visit
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.