General Information

Guidelines

The Adler’s mission as a cultural and educational institution guides its operating procedures. Any event held at the Adler Planetarium must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Any client seeking to use the Adler Planetarium for a private event will assume full responsibility for the conduct of all persons attending the event. The client will be responsible for any damage done to the premises by the client’s guests, agents, employees or independent contractors.

• Events cannot create any hazard or undue hardship to the Adler and its collections, exhibits, facilities, staff or visitors.

• Events must be in conformance with established Adler regulations (as stated in the contract agreement form) for use of the facilities. Such use must not be in conflict with or interfere with any existing Adler functions.

• All costs associated with an event will be the responsibility of the sponsoring organization.

• The Adler facilities are not available for the following: religious meetings or events which involve gambling or related activities. The Museum is closed to Private Events Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

• Events cannot be alcoholic beverages only - all catered events must include a combination of food and beverage.

• The Adler is a smoke-free environment.

• Additional guidelines may apply.

Reservations and Deposits

You may place a tentative hold on a date without paying a deposit. Tentative holds will be honored for ten (10) working days unless another group requests a contract. In this case, your hold will have first right of refusal and required to sign the con­tract and give deposit within two business days. If a confirmation of the date is not received, the date will be automatically released.

A signed contract must be received by the Private Event Department within three weeks from date of execution and must be accompanied by fifty percent of the venue rental as a non-refundable deposit. The balance of the fee will be due sixty (60) days prior to the date of the event.

Planning and Setup

The Adler Planetarium and Food For Thought Catering invites you and other key members of your group to visit the Adler in advance of your event to view our facilities and coordinate your menu. Arrangements can be made for your full rental needs, such as tables, chairs and the purchase of floral centerpieces through Food For Thought caterers as well. Decorations may be as creative as you like but must be freestanding. Helium-filled balloons may not be used. Signs may be placed on easels or tables but not affixed to exhibits or walls unless approved five (5) business days prior to the event by the Adler’s Private Events Department.

The Adler prohibits the use of fog machines, lasers, confetti and glitter, sparklers and fire­works. Clients may employ their own vendors for equipment and services. Names and telephone numbers of all vendors employed directly by the client must be submitted to the Private Events department thirty (30) days in advance of the event. The Adler is not responsible for the set-up, removal or storage of props, decorations and signage, or for any equipment rented from an outside vendor.

Parking

Limited metered parking is subject to availability along Solidarity Drive. The parking lot south of the Adler is available for a fee. Rental of parking lots may be arranged through:

Soldier Field-Auto Parking Department
425 East McFetridge Drive, Gate O
Chicago, IL 60605
Attn: Amy Whealan
(312) 235 7202

Parking arrangements are the responsibility of the client and not of the Adler Planetarium. It is encouraged that clients arrange for parking accommodations as far in advance as possible. The Adler Planetarium is not responsible for parking conflicts that may arise form Northerly Island concert bookings, special events at Soldier Field or any other Museum Campus event.

Valet parking is permitted by Soldier Field approved vendors but must be arranged by the client along with the rental of a parking lot from Soldier Field Auto Parking Department.

Request Additional Information

Event Planning Inquiry Form