Upcoming 2025 Free Days and Nights at Shedd Aquarium

CHICAGO – On select days and times throughout the year, Shedd Aquarium offers free admission to Illinois residents, expanding access for guests to come face-to-face with aquatic life from around the world.

This year, during the Illinois resident free days and beyond, explore two new exhibits at Shedd along with an enhanced entry experience. At the heart of the aquarium in Shedd’s historic rotunda, Wonder of Water inspires awe with two towering saltwater and freshwater habitats. These ecosystems are ever-changing and growing with live corals, freshwater plants and an array of colorful fishes. In the reimagined Amazon Rising, guests are transported to a biodiversity hotspot for eye-to-eye encounters with animals such as an anaconda, river stingrays, poison dart frogs and piranhas. Live programs throughout the week give guests the unique opportunity to watch animal caretakers feed arapaima or electric eels and learn about their behaviors.

Admission also includes daily Animal Spotlights to join caretakers as they highlight amazing adaptations of dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions and more in the Abbott Oceanarium and touch experiences to discover the unique textures of different animals.

In addition, Shedd Aquarium will be closed to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, for routine maintenance, cleaning and projects that cannot take place outside of normal hours of operation or with guests in the building. Ahead of the closure, from Jan. 14-21, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission to the aquarium.

WHEN:

• January 7-9, 14-21, 28-30

• February 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27

Free Tuesday Evenings: 5-9 p.m.

• March 4, 11, 18, 25

• April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

• May 6, 13, 20, 27

CLOSED: Wednesday, Jan. 22 and Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025

HOW: Advance reservations are highly recommended due to the high demand. Guests can secure tickets ahead of a visit using Shedd’s website.

Please note that there is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Day reservations made online. However, you can reserve tickets by phone at no extra cost by calling 312-939-2438. 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.

VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/guest/fs?v=8e70628f5f636eaf9f6d&C=50

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium