CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with Chicago museum leadership, today announced for one night only, select Chicago museums will be open late for visitors under the Mayor's Open Chicago initiative as the city moves to Phase 5, Friday, June 11.
The move to fully reopen the city makes Chicago the largest city in the United States to reopen thanks to Chicago's diligence in following health and safety guidelines, wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and the dedication of our frontline and essential workers throughout the whole of the pandemic. Following the Mayor's equity first approach to COVID response guarantees that not just parts of the city will remain safe and open to residents, but that the entire city will move forward together.
"One of the best ways we can celebrate our city's reopening is by spending time at our renowned museums, which have undergone so many challenges over the course of this past year," said Mayor Lightfoot. "That's why I am thrilled that so many of our most iconic museums will be opening their doors until late this Friday night to give residents and visitors a headstart on returning to a sense of normalcy. I want to thank our museums' leadership teams for their collaboration and am looking forward to seeing our beloved cultural institutions fully and safely come back to life in the coming days, weeks, and months."
Chicago's iconic and historical museums will join the celebration of the city's reopening with extended hours, for just one night only, and will continue normal hours from June 12.
Museums with extended hours are listed below:
The Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.)
The iconic Field Museum, which features nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Right now, patrons can visit the Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Jane Goodall exhibit which highlights the world-renowned research Dr. Goodall did that gave the world a deeper understanding of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. They will remain open on Friday, June 11 until 9 p.m.
The Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.)
The Shedd Aquarium, home to over 32,000 animals will be open until 9 p.m. on Friday to celebrate Open Chicago. Whether you visit the Polar Play Zone, stroll over to the Abbott Oceanarium, or say hello to the giant pacific octopus with an average arm span of 14 feet, there will be plenty to do Friday night.
DuSable Museum (740 E. 56th Pl.)
DuSable Museum, the nation's oldest African American history museum will be open until 10 PM this Friday for their DuSummer outdoor entertainment series. The DuSummer series features Plaza performances from Jazz, House, Rhythm Latin and African, and Stepping Day through June and July. The museum officially opens on June 19th to celebrate Juneteeth Day and the 60th anniversary of the DuSable Museum.
Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.)
The Museum of Science and Industry is home to over 2,000 exhibits, displayed in 75 major halls making it one of the largest science museums in the world. MSI will remain open until 10 PM so guests can visit their iconic new exhibit, Marvel: Universe of Heroes, the largest exhibition celebrating the Marvel Universe.
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (3015 W. Division St.)
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is the only national museum focused on Puerto Rican arts and culture. The museum currently has an exhibit on Samuel Lind's Portales, which brings together several avenues of exploration within Samuel Lind's 50-year career, some of which have not been exhibited together before. NMPRAC will be open until 10 PM on Friday.
Won't be able to make it to the museums on Friday night? The museums will resume normal hours on the weekend at full capacity.
