Illinois Resident Free Hours
Our Illinois Resident Free Hours include access to all exhibits and seasonal Stingray Touch. Take a deeper look at our current available exhibits here.
We
offer several reservation options for Free Hours. For those who prefer to plan
ahead, online ticket reservations are available with a $5 convenience fee per
order. Alternatively, you can reserve tickets by phone
with no convenience fee by
calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time (CT). We also
provide free walk-up reservations; however, these are subject to availability
and typically sell out quickly. Advance reservations are highly recommended due
to the high demand for tickets.
Dates
2026 Free Nights (5 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
April 7, 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 2, 7, 14, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
Online Reservations
Please
note that there is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Hours reservations
made online. However, you can reserve tickets by phone
with no convenience fee by
calling 312-939-2438. This helps ensure access to as many neighbors as possible
by validating orders.
Illinois Resident Free Hours
Our Illinois Resident Free Hours include access to all exhibits and seasonal Stingray Touch. Take a deeper look at our current available exhibits here.
We offer several reservation options for Free Hours. For those who prefer to plan ahead, online ticket reservations are available with a $5 convenience fee per order. Alternatively, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time (CT). We also provide free walk-up reservations; however, these are subject to availability and typically sell out quickly. Advance reservations are highly recommended due to the high demand for tickets.
Dates
2026 Free Nights (5 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
April 7, 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 2, 7, 14, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
Online Reservations
Please note that there is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Hours reservations made online. However, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438. This helps ensure access to as many neighbors as possible by validating orders.
Tips for your Illinois Resident Free Hours Visit
-
Capacity
is limited — Free Hours tickets are subject to availability and typically sell out
quickly. Advance reservations are highly recommended due to the high demand for
tickets.
- Upon your visit, please present a valid state ID or driver’s license that proves your Illinois residence.
Shedd Aquarium is excited to joyfully welcome guests on special Illinois resident free hours again to look nature in the eye! Start planning your visit today!
Discounts and Free Hours
See the full range of access opportunities, from Illinois Resident Free Hours to discounts for teachers.
FAQs
-
During Illinois Resident Free Hours, Illinois residents get free access to the entire aquarium, including all available exhibits and Stingray Touch (seasonal availability).
-
All adults in your party (age 18+) are required to show a photo ID with an Illinois address to receive free admission during Illinois Resident Free Hours or a Chicago address to receive the daily Chicago resident price; children do not require proof of residency if they are accompanied by a resident adult with the appropriate ID. Current college and university IDs are valid proof of residency for students living in Illinois or Chicago while attending school.
If a resident’s photo ID does not list their current address in Illinois or Chicago, secondary documentation confirming residency will be accepted, including a utility bill, a bank statement, a lease agreement, a recent pay stub, or other official documentation that lists the resident’s full name and address in Illinois or Chicago. In this case, a photo ID is still required as well.
-
Our Illinois Resident Free Hours are only available to residents of the state of Illinois and do not apply to any guests from other states, even when they are visiting with an Illinois resident. Proof of residency, such as a state ID/driver’s license, will be required at the time of arrival for all adults in your party (age 18+).
-
No, children who live in Illinois do not need to show any ID to visit during Free Hours, as long as they are accompanied by an adult (age 18+) who is a resident of Illinois and has the appropriate proof of residency.
-
If you are an Illinois resident trying to book a free-hours visit online, you must select the “Illinois resident” check box when you enter the number of guests in your party to receive free general admission. Once you check the box indicating you are a resident, a separate set of drop-down menus will appear where you can enter the number of Illinois residents who will attend. If you enter your tickets in the “regular tickets” drop-down menu, the free-day offer will not be applied.
Please note that a $5 convenience fee is charged to all Illinois Resident Free Hours ticket reservations made online. Alternatively, you can reserve tickets by phone at no extra cost by calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time (CT). We also provide free walk-up reservations; however, these are subject to availability and typically sell out quickly. Advance reservations are highly recommended due to the high demand for tickets.