Friends and family will undoubtedly need to chill out and take a break from all of the chaos (and shopping!) over the Black Friday weekend. And now they can add Wendy’s to their list of stops for a sweet deal. The popular restaurant is offering a … [Read More...]
Latest Deals and Events

Free and cheap things to do this weekend in Chicago
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Chicago? There are tons of free and cheap events in the city. Here’s our list of the top free events, discounts, and deals to have fun around town on your Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There are … [Read More...]

St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Celebrate the beautiful Swedish tradition of St. Lucia Day at the Swedish American Museum in the Andersonville neighborhood. The annual candlelit procession down Clark Street will take place on December 13, 2025. Starting at sunset around 4:45 … [Read More...]

Smashburger offers buy-one-get-one burgers & hot dogs for two weeks
Get ready for meaty savings at Smashburger! Diners on a budget are always on the hunt for discounts at every restaurant. And one of the best ways to stretch your dining dollars is with a delicious buy-one-get-one deal. It’s even better, when the … [Read More...]

Andersonville Holiday Trolley
Get ready for the holidays with Swedish goods and hand-crafted gifts while riding the annual Andersonville Holiday Trolley on December 13-14, 2025. Roam through the Andersonville business district with a free holiday trolley that runs all … [Read More...]

Chipotle offers buy-one-get-one free entrée for all on Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 26
Enjoy a frugal feast at Chipotle before the big feast on Thursday! Often known as the biggest reunion night of the year, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving brings many back to their hometowns to reconnect with friends and family. And Chipotle … [Read More...]

Chicago Holidays at Macy’s
For generations of Chicagoans, the essence of Christmas in Chicago is a stroll down State Street to view the holiday windows at Macey's (Marshall Field's) landmark department store, lunch at the Walnut Room surrounded by the ceiling-scraping tree, … [Read More...]

Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show
Lincoln Park Conservatory's beloved Winter Flower Show will explore the enchanting beauty of fireplaces and poinsettias with this year's show, "Fireside," which runs from November 26, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Cozy up at the enormous brick … [Read More...]

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
One of Chicago's most iconic holiday traditions is viewing the holiday trees from around the world at the Christmas Around The World exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. This year's display includes Holidays of Light, … [Read More...]
Today’s Free & Cheap Events in Chicago
Featured Events

Free and cheap things to do this weekend in Chicago
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Chicago? There are tons of free and cheap events in the city. Here’s … [Read More...]

Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday
It's your special day so you deserve a gift. Lots of companies offer free stuff for your birthday. In some cases, … [Read More...]

Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week
If you’re looking for a way to entertain yourself, your family and your friends in Chicago without spending a lot of … [Read More...]

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Free Days
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Free Days Where: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive, … [Read More...]













Chicago on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at 