Museum · Chicago
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago: free entry days, tickets & hours
Contemporary art museum steps from the Magnificent Mile, with changing exhibitions and performances.
Independent guide, not the official MCA Chicago website. Official links are under Sources.
MCA Chicago is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings, 5-9pm; every day for anyone 18 and under; veterans and active military, police and fire department members; visitors with disabilities and their caregivers; and more below.
- Otherwise: adult admission, non-Chicago resident — $22.
Calendar
Free days at MCA Chicago
For Illinois residents
- TUE27OCTTuesday, 27 October 2026 · in 4 days · 17:00–21:00
- TUE3NOVTuesday, 3 November 2026 · in 11 days · 17:00–21:00
- TUE10NOVTuesday, 10 November 2026 · in 3 weeks · 17:00–21:00
- TUE17NOVTuesday, 17 November 2026 · in 4 weeks · 17:00–21:00
- TUE24NOVTuesday, 24 November 2026 · in 5 weeks · 17:00–21:00
- TUE1DECTuesday, 1 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 17:00–21:00
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
- Illinois residents: come Tuesday after 5pm, when the museum is open late and free.
- Anyone 18 and under is always free.
- Museums for All (LINK/EBT) is a $3 suggested ticket for up to six people.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hoursFree for Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings, 5-9pm · 17:00–21:00 | Illinois residents | — | No |
| Free forFree every day for anyone 18 and under | children under 19 | — | No |
| Free forFree for veterans and active military, police and fire department members | military members and families | — | No |
| Free forFree for visitors with disabilities and their caregivers | visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) | — | No |
| Free forFree for Illinois elementary and high school teachers | Illinois teachers | — | No |
Official prices
MCA Chicago ticket prices
| Adult admission, non-Chicago resident — Chicago residents $19; students, teachers and 65+ $14 ($10 Chicago). | $22 |
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 admission, non-chicago resident). 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: MCA Chicago
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–21:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Tuesday 10am-9pm; Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm; closed Monday.
220 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
MCA Chicago: common questions
Is MCA Chicago free?
MCA Chicago has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings, 5-9pm; every day for anyone 18 and under; veterans and active military, police and fire department members; visitors with disabilities and their caregivers; and more below. Otherwise the official ticket costs $22.
When are the free days at MCA Chicago for Illinois residents?
Upcoming free dates for Illinois residents: Tue 27 Oct (17:00–21:00), Tue 3 Nov (17:00–21:00), Tue 10 Nov (17:00–21:00) and Tue 17 Nov (17:00–21:00). Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Who gets free entry to MCA Chicago?
Children under 19. Military members and families. Visitors with disabilities (+1 companion). Illinois teachers.
How much is a ticket to MCA Chicago?
Adult admission, non-Chicago resident costs $22 on the official site.
What day is MCA Chicago closed?
MCA Chicago is closed on Mondays. Tuesday 10am-9pm; Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm; closed Monday.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about MCA Chicago
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
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Sources
Where this comes from
- mcachicago.org/visit · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.