Overview
- Illinois residents can visit for free during daytime hours on January 6–8, 13–20, 27–29 and February 3–5, 10–12, 17–19, 24–26.
- Free evening visits for Illinois residents run on Tuesdays in spring: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, 19, 26; and June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
- Shedd will host its first-ever 21+ Heartbeat House Party on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 7–11 p.m., with tickets priced at $29.95.
- Partygoers are encouraged to wear pink and white for a night featuring a live DJ, dancing, themed bites, and "deep sea surprises."
- All events take place at Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and the free-entry offers apply only to Illinois residents.