The 2018 Chicago Magnificent Mile Lights Festival will be attended by over half a million people lining Michigan Avenue … [Read More...]
Featured Events
Cheap Comedy tickets in Chicago
Cheap Comedy tickets in Chicago. Chicago is home to some world famous comedy clubs. From FREE to 50% OFF here's some … [Read More...]
Discount admission SNL The Experience
Discount admission SNL The Experience Where: Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N State St, (312) … [Read More...]
2018 Free Chicago Museum Days
2018 Free Chicago Museum Days. Visiting museums can be very expensive. Thanks to the Illinois General Assembly many … [Read More...]
Latest Deals and Events
Free concerts at Chicago Cultural Center
Free concerts at Chicago Cultural Center. The Chicago Cultural Center hosts two free concert series year round at 12:15p … [Read More...]
Think you’re saving on high-end stuff at outlet stores? Think again
Think you’re saving on high-end stuff at outlet stores? Think again. Outlet stores offer great deals, everytime I walk … [Read More...]
How to save money at Bed Bath and Beyond
How to save money at Bed Bath and Beyond. I'm not a big Bed Bath and Beyond shopper. I still look through their rebate … [Read More...]
Free Pilsen Community Market
Free Pilsen Community Market When: Sunday, November 18, 2018, 11 am to 3:30 pm. And every other Sunday through April … [Read More...]
Discount tickets to Randolph Street Market Festival
Discount tickets to Randolph Street Market Festival. The Randolph Street Market Festival has over 75 vendors on 2.5 … [Read More...]
Discount tickets One of a Kind Show and Sale
Discount tickets One of a Kind Show and Sale. If you're looking for some unique gifts for yourself, your home or someone … [Read More...]
Free family fun: ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Free family fun: ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo. Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for the brilliance of this annual fun, free, … [Read More...]
What you need to know about energy-saving light bulbs
What you need to know about energy-saving light bulbs. Several months ago I discovered that I was down to my last … [Read More...]
Save money with ComEd Smart Meter
Save money with ComEd Smart Meter. If you've had your Smart Meter installed you can sign up for notifications and … [Read More...]
Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 16
Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 16. When: Friday, November 16, 2018, 5:30PM, 6:00PM-8PM Where: … [Read More...]
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink Nov 16-March 10
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Where: Millennium Park, McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, 55 N. Michigan Admission: free. … [Read More...]
Eli’s Cheesecake Thanksgiving Dock Sale
Eli's Cheesecake Thanksgiving Dock Sale. If you've ever made a cheesecake (mine always crack) it makes more sense to buy … [Read More...]
2018 Chicago Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
The 2018 Chicago Magnificent Mile Lights Festival will be attended by over half a million people lining Michigan Avenue … [Read More...]
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza
Chicago's Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, Christkindlmarket is … [Read More...]
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon Nov 16-March 10
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon. Where: 337 E. Randolph St., (312) 742-3918. Hours Monday – Thursday: noon … [Read More...]
Staples: Free Tech Recycling Get $10 off
Staples: Free Tech Recycling Get $10 off. During the week of November 11-17, 2018, take your outdated tech to Staples … [Read More...]
900 N Michigan Holiday Tree Lighting
900 N Michigan Holiday Tree Lighting When: Nov. 15, 2018, 6PM-8PM Where: 900 N. Michigan Avenue Admission free Red … [Read More...]
Free entrance to America’s National Parks
Free entrance to America’s National Parks. America's Best Idea — our national parks — is even better when they're free! … [Read More...]
Attend a Chicago Police CAPS Beat meeting
Attend a Chicago Police CAPS Beat meeting. If you're like me and concerned about the increase in crime in your area … [Read More...]
Free events Newberry Library
Free events Newberry Library. Following are multiple lectures and events at the Newberry. Where: Newberry Library, 60 … [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...]
Wicker Park Community Shredding and E-Recycling
Wicker Park Community Shredding and E-Recycling. The Wicker Park-Bucktown Community is holds a series of community … [Read More...]
Harold Washington Library Free Business, Law and Money lecture series
Harold Washington Library free Business, Law and Money lecture series. The Chicago Public Library's FREE Business, … [Read More...]
Free Tree Walks around Chicago
Free Tree Walks around Chicago Treekeepers offers free tree walks around Chicago from time-to-time. Each walk is … [Read More...]
Hours of fun with Chicago Landmarks
Hours of fun with Chicago Landmarks. While looking for information about these guys below I stumbled into this City of … [Read More...]
Seated: Earn Gift Cards Dining Out plus $5 to sign up
Earn Gift Cards Dining Out plus $5 to sign up. What is Seated? Seated is an app that you use to make reservations at … [Read More...]
Save money at Chicago area used book sales
Save money at Chicago area used book sales. Used book sales are a great way to buy books on the cheap and to help … [Read More...]
Near North Library Free movie screening
Near North Library Free movie screening. Where: Near North Library: 310 W. Division Street, (312) 744-0991. Always … [Read More...]
Get a free Chicago CityKey card
Get a free Chicago CityKey card. As of June 13 there are still free CityKey cards available. When the CityKey card … [Read More...]
AMC Theaters: $5 ticket Tuesdays
AMC Theaters: $5 ticket Tuesdays. $5 Tuesdays are back! In fact they are permanent. AMC Stubs members (join for free) … [Read More...]
Senior Savings Day at Walgreens
Senior Savings Day at Walgreens. On the first Tuesday of the month, Walgreens offers customers age 55 and older a 20% … [Read More...]
Hours of free fun tracking Chicago crime
Hours of free fun tracking Chicago crime. If you're like me and concerned about the increase in crime in your area (and … [Read More...]
$20 off Sam’s Club membership
$20 off Sam’s Club membership. If you've been thinking about getting a Sam's Club for warehouse shopping, now is the … [Read More...]
Free days Pritzker Military Museum and Library
Free days Pritzker Military Museum and Library Where: Monroe Building, 104 S. Michigan, 2nd and 3rd floors … [Read More...]
Free Holiday Events Block 37
Free Holiday Events Block 37. Where: Block 37, 108 N State Street, Level 1 near Zara When: November 8, 15, 21; … [Read More...]
How to save money at Target
How to save money at Target. I follow a procedure, outlined below, so I never pay full price at Target. Get the Target … [Read More...]
Save Money with Target Cartwheel
Save Money with Target Cartwheel. Every week I look through Cartwheel to see if there are any deal(s) for things I need … [Read More...]
Free 2-day shipping at Target.com no min purchase
Free 2-day shipping at Target.com no min purchase available from November 1 through December 22. Gird your loins kids - … [Read More...]
Free and cheap events at Northerly Island
Free and cheap events at Northerly Island. Northerly Island offers free and cheap adult and family friendly events year … [Read More...]
Free Flu Shots around Chicago
Free Flu Shots around Chicago. These clinics provide flu vaccinations at no charge for adults of all ages and all … [Read More...]
Macy’s State Street Holiday Windows and Tree
Macy’s State Street Holiday Windows and Tree. It's official the holidays are here with the Macy’s Holiday Windows … [Read More...]
Macy’s Free Family Fun Days
Macy's Free Family Fun Days. As part of the annual Macy’s State Street Holiday Windows unveiling and Tree lighting enjoy … [Read More...]
Capital Grille Chicago Dining Deals
Capital Grille Chicago Dining Deals Where: The Capital Grille, 633 North St. Clair Street, The Lounge Only, (312) … [Read More...]
Donate to Near North Library Book Sale
Donate to Near North Library Book Sale When: Saturday, December 1, 2018 (10:00AM – 4:00PM) and Monday, December 3, … [Read More...]
Newberry Library: Free Genealogy Research Seminar
Newberry Library: Free genealogy research seminar When: First Saturday of the month. 9:00-10:00am Jan. 6, Feb 3, Mar … [Read More...]
Art at the Mart Wed-Sun at Dusk
Art at the Mart Wed-Sun at Dusk When: September 30 - December 30, 2018 begins at dusk Wednesdays through … [Read More...]
Free tickets US Pizza Museum
Free tickets US Pizza Museum Where: Roosevelt Collection, 150 W. Roosevelt at 1146 S. Delano Court West between … [Read More...]
City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops
City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops. The City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer … [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 