Night Dives: Illinois Resident Free Evenings

The translucent bells of moon jellies undulate in dark blue waters.

As a part of our longstanding Illinois Resident Free Hours program, Illinois residents with valid ID can enjoy free admission to the aquarium on select evenings.


We offer several reservation options for Free Evenings. 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

September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

October 6, 13, 20, 27

November 3, 10, 17, 24

December 1, 8, 15

Times

5 – 9 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.) 

Online Reservations

Please note that there is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Evening 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.