Open 9 am - 5 pm

Shedd Aquarium Continues Free Summer Evening Admission Offerings for Illinois Residents in August

On Select Dates, Night Dives Bring Illinois Resident Free Days to Evenings

August 07, 2023

A clownfish pokes out from behind anemone at Shedd Aquarium.

WHAT: Shedd Aquarium is continuing to offer evenings for Illinois residents to enjoy free admission, via the recently introduced series, Night Dives: Illinois Resident Free Evenings. Illinois resident guests can escape the heat and look nature in the eye for free in the evenings on these select dates, extending accessibility for those with work and other commitments during the daytime hours to take advantage of free admission.

With a valid ID, Illinois residents receive free general admission for the evening hours with advance ticket reservations. Free general admission also includes the option to view an animal spotlight at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Abbott Oceanarium, featuring animals like Pacific white-sided dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and California sea lions. Additionally, Stingray Touch, the seasonal, outdoor touch exhibit, will be open until 7:00 p.m., weather permitting. To register tickets in advance or plan your visit: www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit

WHEN: Illinois Resident Night Dives:

August 2023: Tuesdays and Thursdays in August, starting Thursday, August 10 and ending Thursday, August 31 from 5-9 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.).

  • This includes
    • Thursday, August 10
    • Tuesday, August 15
    • Thursday, August 17
    • Tuesday, August 22
    • Thursday, August 24
    • Tuesday, August 29
    • Thursday, August 31

PRICES: Admission for Illinois Residents during Night Dives: FREE

HOW: Advanced reservations are required. Tickets must be secured ahead of a visit using Shedd’s website.

Please note: A transaction fee applies to all Illinois Resident Night Dives tickets reserved online. This helps ensure access to as many neighbors as possible by validating orders.

All adults must provide proof of residency in person when redeeming tickets at a discounted rate. For the latest information about the aquarium hours and discounts, please visit the “Plan a Visit” page.

WHERE: Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill. 60605

VISUALS: High resolution photos of Shedd Aquarium can be found here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8e6c68875d65707cb49a.

Photo credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Video can be found here:
https://personal.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8e6c68875d6571b09caa.

Video credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Sam Cejtin