Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this weekend. Friendly Reminder: Always Confirm all details before heading … [Read More...]
Featured Events
Downtown Chicago Rooftops and Patios
Downtown Chicago rooftops and patios. Well it's almost that time again for glorious outdoor dining and drinking. … [Read More...]
2021 Free Chicago Museum Days
2021 Free Chicago Museum Days. I always recommend that everyone always call everywhere first to confirm … [Read More...]
Chicago Outlet Store Review: Urban Outfitters Surplus Store
Chicago Outlet Store Review: Urban Outfitters Surplus Store Chicago is the home of the only Urban Outfitters Surplus … [Read More...]
Latest Deals and Events
Volunteer at Open House Chicago
Volunteer at Open House Chicago When: October 16-17, 2021 Where: City-wide Register to volunteer What … [Read More...]
Free architecture tours Open House Chicago
Free architecture tours Open House Chicago. Open House Chicago is the annual Chicago Architecture Center event where … [Read More...]
Chicago Columbus Day Parade October 11
Chicago Columbus Day Parade October 11 The Columbus Day Parade celebrates the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus … [Read More...]
Free Thee Best Western Block Party
Free Thee Best Western Block Party When: Saturday, October 9, 2021 12:00PM-8:00PM Where: The Empty … [Read More...]
Handmade Market at Empty Bottle
Handmade Market at Empty Bottle connects the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique and … [Read More...]
Chicago Garage Sales
Chicago Garage Sales. Looking for Chicago-area garage sales, moving sales, yard sales, and estate sales? Use our handy … [Read More...]
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest Oct 2-3
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest When: Saturday-Sunday, October 2-3, 2021 Sat. 9am – 6pm and Sun. 9am – 6pm Where: … [Read More...]
Chicago Park District Pumpkin Patches
Chicago Park District Pumpkin Patches. This time of year, it's tempting to pack everyone in the car to drive to … [Read More...]
97 cheap and easy Halloween costumes
97 cheap and easy Halloween costumes. Halloween is just around the corner. Be creative and save money by skipping … [Read More...]
Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this weekend
Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this weekend. Friendly Reminder: Always Confirm all details before heading … [Read More...]
Free virtual lectures Art Institute of Chicago
Free virtual lectures Art Institute of Chicago Check out free to the public (non-member) virtual lectures and … [Read More...]
Free pumpkin carving instructions and templates
Free pumpkin carving instructions and templates. There are many sites online that offer free help for carving a … [Read More...]
Getting mega-value from your pumpkin
Getting mega-value from your pumpkin. Have your pumpkin yet? Good. Now, to get more value from it: Roast the … [Read More...]
South Shore Line deal
South Shore Line deal When: Weekday Eastbound Free Rides Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2021 Where: South Shore … [Read More...]
Visit Indiana Dunes State Park
Visit Indiana Dunes State Park. The Indiana Dunes are split into two parks - an Indiana State Park and a National … [Read More...]
Camp at the Indiana Dunes
Camp at the Indiana Dunes. The Indiana Dunes are split into two parks - an Indiana state park and a National … [Read More...]
Visit Indiana Dunes National Park
Visit Indiana Dunes National Park The Indiana Dunes are split into two parks - an Indiana State Park and a National … [Read More...]
Hyde Park Jazz Festival Sept 25-26
Hyde Park Jazz Festival Sept 25-26 When: September 25-26, 2021, Saturday 1 pm – Midnight and Sunday 1 pm – … [Read More...]
St. Benedict’s Oktoberfest Oct 1-3
St. Benedict's Oktoberfest When: October 1-3, 2021, Friday, 3:00 PM–10:00 PM, Saturday, 1:00 PM–10:00 PM, … [Read More...]
2021 Chicago Architecture Biennial Overview
2021 Chicago Architecture Biennial Overview. The Chicago Architecture Biennial is a month's long event offering some … [Read More...]
Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week
Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week. Friendly Reminder: Always Confirm all details before heading … [Read More...]
Free Sequence Chicago Navy Pier
Free Sequence Chicago Navy Pier When: Saturdays, October 2-November 27, 2021 3:00pm-6:00pm Where: Navy Pier, … [Read More...]
Free Oak Park Conservatory Fall Fest
Free Oak Park Conservatory Fall Fest When: Sunday, September 26, 2021 11:00am-2:oopm FREE - No Registration … [Read More...]
Pier Perks Days at Navy Pier
Pier Perks Days at Navy Pier When: Every Tuesday and Thursday. The deals vary by season. Where: Various … [Read More...]
Landmarks Illinois $7 Lectures
Landmarks Illinois $7 Lectures. Landmarks Illinois sponsors a series of free inexpensive lectures Preservation Snapshots … [Read More...]
Visit the Oak Park Conservatory
Visit the Oak Park Conservatory. If you're looking for somewhere new to explore that's indoors consider taking a trip … [Read More...]
Free Halloween activities Chicago Park District website
Free Halloween activities Chicago Park District website The Chicago Park District website has a bunch of free videos … [Read More...]
Free Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Free Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest When: Fridays–Sundays, October 8–31, 2021 and Monday, October 11 (Columbus Day) 10 … [Read More...]
Chicago Pride Fest October 1-3
Chicago Pride Fest October 1-3 When: October 1-3, 2021 Friday 5pm-10pm; Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-10PM. Open rain … [Read More...]
Free tours Charnley-Persky House Museum
Free tours Charnley-Persky House Museum Where: Charnley-Persky House Museum, 1365 N. Astor Street, … [Read More...]
Free movies Navy Pier
Free movies Navy Pier When: Mondays and Thursday, July 8-August 30, 2021. Now September 29, 2021 … [Read More...]
Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches around Chicago
Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches around Chicago. Admission prices vary by day of visit and/or activities. Depending on … [Read More...]
Lincoln Yards Outdoor movies $10
Lincoln Yards Outdoor movies $10 Sterling Bay, the Davis Theater and the 2nd Ward are hosting a outdoor … [Read More...]
Free Flu Shots around Chicago
Free Flu Shots around Chicago Update: 9/8/21: There are no free flu shots available downtown in 2021. The … [Read More...]
Get a shopping discount with your flu shot
Get a shopping discount with your flu shot. This year Target, CVS and Jewel have deals. If you don't have health … [Read More...]
Andersonville Homecoming Sept 24-26
Andersonville Homecoming Sept 24-26 When: Sept September 24-26, 2021 Friday 5PM-10PM Saturday and Sunday … [Read More...]
Free Workouts at Gallagher Way
Free Workouts at Gallagher Way. Gallagher Way hosts free workouts from July-September. Where: 3635 N Clark St … [Read More...]
Art on the Mart Nightly
Art on the Mart Nightly When: Nightly 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. through Sept 16, 2021. Then 7:30pm and 8:00pm … [Read More...]
Free BACP Business Education webinars
Free BACP Business Education webinars . Register here. The City of Chicago Business Affairs' and Consumer … [Read More...]
Hallmark giving away one million greeting cards
Hallmark giving away one million greeting cards The gold standard in greeting card, Hallmark, is giving away one … [Read More...]
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 24-26
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 24-26 When: Friday-Sunday, September 24-26, 2021. FRI: 5:00pm-10:00pm SAT: … [Read More...]
Save money with Imperfect Foods Get $80
Save money with Imperfect Foods Get $80 Imperfect Foods is a subscription service that sells perfectly good produce … [Read More...]
Free movies at Millennium Park
Free movies at Millennium Park. Watch a movie al fresco and for free every Tuesday during the Millennium Park Summer … [Read More...]
Discount tickets to Chicago Artisan Market
Discount tickets to Chicago Artisan Market When: Sunday, October 17, 2021, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Where: Morgan … [Read More...]
Bears Park and Ride Deal at Navy Pier
Bears Park and Ride Deal at Navy Pier Where: Harry Caray's Tavern, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Tailgate Party … [Read More...]
Norwood Park Fall Festival Sept 17-18
Norwood Park Fall Festival When: September 17-18, 2021 Friday, 5pm-10pm Saturday 12pm to 10pm Where: Norwood Park, 6100 … [Read More...]
Free Admission Days Shedd Aquarium
Free Admission Days Shedd Aquarium When: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September, 2021, Check website for … [Read More...]
Discount CTA Passes
Discount CTA Passes. Since the L is semi-deserted and bus ridership is still down the CTA, as part of the … [Read More...]
Half-Price Tickets
Get ticket discounts of up to 50% (sometimes more) on Chicago's hottest musicals, comedies, concerts, talks, and more. See the half-price ticket deals.
This Week
Find out what"s happening in Chicago this week and what you can do that's inexpensive or free. See our list of things that are Free or Cheap this Week.
Day by Day
Our calendar lets you see a month at a glance, or click on a particular date to see events for that day. Check out our free or cheap Chicago events calendar.
Things to Do in Chicago
Things to Do with Kids
Eat, Drink & Save Money
Chicago for Visitors
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 