Chicago Museum Free Days 2012 – Updated January 9, 2012
All known information is listed on this page. If there are no dates for specific month, then that means that museum has not notified the public of any free days for that month.

Adler Planetarium Free Days
The Adler Planetarium is open 10am – 6pm during the summer; 10am – 4:30pm otherwise;

Free Days 2012:
January: 9-12, 17, 18, 23-26, 31
February: 1, 6-9, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
March: 6, 7

Art Institute of Chicago Free Days
Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every weekday, January 2–February 10, 2012.
January: 3-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-31
February: 1-3, 6-10

Brookfield Zoo Free Days
The Brookfield Zoo offers free admission to all U.S. Armed Forces active military and reservist personnel.

Free Days 2012:
Zoo admission is free on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28.
January: 10, 12, 14-15, 17, 19, 21-22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31
February: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28

Chicago Children’s Museum Free Days
The Chicago Children’s Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Location: 700 East Grand Ave at Navy Pier

Hours:
Daily 10am-5pm
Thursday evenings 5-8pm

Free Days 2011:
Free for everyone – Every Thursday evening, 5-8pm
Free for ages 15 and under – First Sunday of every month

Chicago History Museum Free Days
Location: 1601 North Clark Street. (Clark & North Ave)

Free Days 2011
November: None
December: None

DuSable Museum of African American History
Admission is FREE to all on each Sunday of the year. They also offer free admission rates (on school days) to all Chicago Public School students.

Location: 740 East 56th Place, Chicago

Free Days 2011: Every Sunday

Field Museum Free Days
The Field Museum is Free (basic admission) on the following dates.

Free Days 2012:
January: 11-13, 19-20, 24, 26-27, 31

Lincoln Park Zoo Free Days
The Lincoln Park Zoo is free and open to the public 365 days per year. Generally open 10am-5pm.

Location: Lincoln Park Zoo is located off Lake Shore Drive at the Fullerton Parkway exit.

Free Days 2012: Free to the public 365 days per year.

MCA Free Tuesdays
The Museum of Contemporary Art has Free Days every Tuesday. Special events every week. The museum is open 10am – 8pm on these free days.

Free Days 2012: Every Tuesday of 2012, 10am – 8pm.

Museum of Contemporary Photography
The MoCP is CLOSED when Columbia College Chicago is closed, including: Thanksgiving Weekend: Thursday- Sunday; Holiday Break and other holidays.

Location: Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave

Hours:
Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm
Thursday, 10am-8pm
Sunday, 12-5pm

Free Days 2012: The Museum of Contemporary Photography is Free every non-holiday day of 2012

Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is free (basic entry) to the public on various dates throughout the year. The museum is open Mon–Sat: 9:30am-4pm; Sun: 11am-4pm; Omnimax-only tickets on Free Days are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children. Normal prices apply for other features;

Free Days 2012:
January: 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31
February: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
March: 5

National Museum of Mexican Art
The National Museum of Mexican Art is free every day. Closed Mondays.

Location: 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago

Free Days 2011: Every Tuesday-Sunday.

Nature Museum Free Days
The Chicago Nature Museum has “Suggested Donation Days” every Thursday.

Location: 2430 N. Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park, just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Free Days 2011: Free Admission Every Thursday, 9am-4:30pm;

Shedd Aquarium Free Days
During Shedd Aquarium Free Days, general admission is free. Wild Reef admission is sold at a reduced rate. The aquarium is open Weekdays 9am–5pm and Weekends 9am–6pm.

Free Days 2012
January: 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31
February: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28

Swedish American Museum
The Swedish American Museum is free on the second Tuesday of every month. 10am-4pm.

Location: 5211 N Clark St, Chicago

Free Days 2011:
November 8
December 13

The Wrigley Field Ice Rink will return for the 2011 Holiday Season. The dates will be The Ice Rink at Wrigley Field will be open November 25, 2011 through February 26, 2012.

The City of Chicago has installed a temporary Ice Rink OUTSIDE Wrigley Field, which will allow local residents to take part in Wrigley Field Ice Skating. The Ice Skating rink at Wrigley Field is sponsored by the Chicago Park District, The Chicago Blackhawks and several private donors.

Since the Hockey Game at Wrigley Field, the public has fallen in love with the idea of Ice Skating at Wrigley Field. Residents had the opportunity to ice skate at Wrigley Field last year after the hockey game, but that only lasted for a short time.

Having Ice Skating at Wrigley Field will be a great opportunity for members of the community to get out and soak in the winter fun with their friends and family. Watch for more updates about Wrigley Field Ice Skating.

Checkout all the Chicago Winter Events.

Christkindlmarket (Kringle Market) 2011 is open Nov 23-Dec 24, 2011;
Sun-Thur 11am–8pm; Fri-Sat 11am 9pm;
(Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve: 11am-4pm).

Admission is Free.

For the 16th year in a row, Daley Plaza will be hosting Chicago Christkindlmarket 2011 (aka Kringle Market), a traditional German Christmas Market, from November 23rd to December 24th, 2011. Christkindlmarket 2011 will feature handmade gifts including ornaments, candles, woodcarvings, cuckoo-clocks, European chocolates, beer steins, toys, glass blown items and toys.

Featuring more than 50 vendors, Chicago Christkindlmarket 2011 will include both gift and food vendors. Traditional treats include hot cider, hot chocolate and spiced wine – with many German Christmas Market favorites such as bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, potato pancakes and more. Kringle Market has been a holiday tradition in Chicago for 16 years and is a great experience for anyone wanting to get out in the city during the season.

Christkindlmarket (Kringle Market) 2011 also provides a great opportunity to view Chicago’s 2011 Christmas Tree and Santa Claus at Daley Plaza.

Christkindlmarket 2011

See, taste and hear the holiday cheer. Experience a traditional Christkindlemarket (Kringle Market) 2011, based on the century old markets in Germany, in the heart of downtown Chicago. Christkindlemart (Kringle Market) 2011 features German and International vendors who display hand crafted ornaments, toys and unique gifts as well as traditional German foods, sweets and beverages.

Checkout all the Chicago Winter Events.

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE: This in NOT the official website of the Adler Planetarium. We are in no way affiliated with the Adler Planetarium. The Adler Planetarium does not inform us if they change their scheduled free days – and they very often do change their scheduled free days. We are not responsible if you show up at the Adler Planetarium and are asked to pay admission. Please contact the Adler Planetarium directly before making your trip.

Updated July 8, 2011

Adler Planetarium Free Days 2011
July: None
August: None
September: 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
October: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26

The Adler Planetarium Free Days is located in the Museum Campus. The Adler Planetarium Free Days have many days that overlap with Shedd Aquarium Free Days, and since both museums are located conveniently in Grant Park’s Museum Campus, it is easy to get a full day (or two) of free learning and exploration. (Download our Museum Free Days Calendar to see it all in an easy to read format)

Tickets to Planetarium showings are available for an additional fee.

Adler Planetarium Free Days are open daily 10am–6pm during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day); Daily 10am–4:30pm off-season (Labor Day to Memorial Day); The Adler Planetarium is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Free Days do not include free admission to the Planetarium Show. Free Days include free admission to the museum.

On Adler Free Days, the following items can be added to complete the experience:
Each theater show: $7
Historic Atwood Sphere Experience: $3
Special Guided Tour: $3

Adler Planetarium Free Days 2010
January 5, 11-15, 19, 26
February 2, 8-12, 16, 23
March 2, 9, 16, 23
April 20, 27
May 4, 11-12, 18, 25
June 7-11
September 7, 13-17, 21,s 28
October 5, 12, 19, & 26
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
December 7, 14, 21

Chicago Museum Free Days Calendar

During Field Museum Free Days you get free basic admission to the Field Museum. Includes SUE, Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and Inside Ancient Egypt as well as general exhibits. Special exhibits for an additional fee.

Field Museum Free Days 2011 (subject to change)
July: None
August 29 – 31
September 6 – 9, 14-15, 19, 22, 25, 30
October 2, 4, 11, 26, 31
November 1, 3, 7, 20, 28 – 29
December 4-8.

Early bird discounts are available on the Navy Pier website or Click Here for a $2 Coupon.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2011 opens at 10am daily. Winter Wonderfest has decreased the price of their wristbands this year. ($15 Standard, $18 Premium). Premium Winter Wonderfest writstbands include access to the ice skating rink.



Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2011 – Hours

December 2nd, 2011 – December 17th, 2011
Sunday through Thursday – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am. – 10:00pm

December 18th, 2011 – January 8th, 2012
Sunday through Thursday – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am – 10:00pm

Special Winter Wonderland Holiday Hour
Christmas Eve: December 24th, 2011 – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Christmas Day: December 25th, 2011 – CLOSED
New Years Eve: December 31st, 2011 – 10:00am – 8:00pm

Checkout all the Chicago Winter Events.



Navy Pier has extended the “Winter Wonderland” 2011 (aka Winter Wonderfest) to run an extra week into 2012. Winder Worderfest 2011 will be running daily from December 2nd, 2011 until January 8th, 2012. Admission to the Navy Pier Winter Wonderland is free but a wristband is required for some rides and attractions. For complete information about the festival’s admission policies, check out the official Navy Pier Winter Wonderland website.

While the winter wonderland website isn’t hard to navigate, there is a lot of information there, so I will attempt to break down the basics so that you can know what to expect from this festival.

Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink
Winter Wonderland Ferris wheel
Matterhorn Climb & Slide
Winter Wonderland Wind Glider
Navy Pier Reindeer Express Train Ride
Patch’s Lighthouse
Ice Dragons Kringle Carousel
Navy Pier Extreme Ice Trail Ropes Course
Pepsi Create-A-Cookie Cottage
Wonderland Inflatable Games
Winter WonderStage
Winter WonderFest Junior

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2011 – Admission
General Admission is free.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Regular Activity Wristband – $15.00
Includes unlimited single-day access to rides and activities excluding Ice Skate Rental.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Premium Activity Wristband – $18.00
Includes unlimited single-day access to rides and activities including Ice Skate Rental.

Premium Family Free Parking Package -$76.00
Includes 4 Premium wristbands (includes ice skating) and Parking.

Heres are some general Pro Volleyball rules:

• Each match will be a best of three rally-scoring sets.
• The first two sets are played to 21 points.
• The third set is played to 15 points.
• Teams must have a two-point advantage to win a set and there will be no caps used.
• Time between sets will be one (1) minute.
• If a server’s ball hits the net and falls into the receiving team’s space, the ball is in play.

AVP at Chicago’s Oak Street Beach – Schedule

Friday, August 27, 2010
Men’s and Women’s Main Draw Competition
Gates open at 12:30 PM.
Start time 1:30 PM. End time (Approx) 6:00 PM.

Saturday, August 28, 2010
Men’s and Women’s Main Draw Competition
Gates open at 7:00 AM.
Start time 8:00 AM. End time (Approx) 7:00 PM.

Sunday, August 29, 2010
Men’s and Women’s Main Draw Competition – Men’s Final at 12:30 PM, Women’s Final at 2:30 PM
Gates open at 7:15 AM.
Start time 8:15 AM. End time (Approx) 3:30 PM.

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Chicago Summer Events

Normal tickets for The Taste of Chicago (June 24 – July 3, 2011) are sold in strips of 12 tickets for $8.

Another advantage to getting your Taste of Chicago Discount Tickets ahead of time is that you won’t have to wait in the long ticket lines at The Taste of Chicago.

Taste of Chicago Discount Tickets

Admission is free, but you have to pay for food and drinks. Purchases are made by ticket only. Tickets are sold in strips of 11 for $7. Large items are generally 9-10 tickets, side portions 6-7 tickets, soft drinks 4 tickets. All daily restaurants offer a small “Taste” portion for 2-3 tickets – a great way to sample a large variety of all the food available. Discount tickets are available ahead of time.

Check the Taste of Chicago 2011 page for more information.

Saturdays, June 4, 2011 – September 10, 2011

Yoga at Millenium Park
8 AM: Yoga
9 AM: Pilates
10 AM: Zumba

Begin your weekend with a workout in Yoga, Pilates or Zumba. Workouts are presented by Millennium Park, McDonald’s Corporation and the Mayor’s Fitness Council, and take place on the Great Lawn of the Pritzker Pavilion.

Be sure to checkout all of our Chicago Summer Events

Want more free events? Get our Chicago Free Events iPhone App

The Chicago Turkish Festival features art, music and food from Turkey. Performances will include Authentic Turkish Music, Folk Dances, Whirling Dervishes and much more. For more information, visit the official Chicago Turkish Festival website.

2010 Chicago Turkish Festival

Without leaving the comfort of Daley Plaza, visitors will vividly experience Istanbul and various regions of Turkey together with the participants from Turkey and Turkish-Americans living in the culturally diverse community of Chicago. Visitors will be able to browse and buy Turkish products, souvenirs and handicrafts, find travel information, participate in activities for children, view many authentic demonstrations and performances, sample Turkish cuisine, and do much, much more at the Chicago Turkish Festival.

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