Chicago Museums reopening The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago have two essentially identical systems … [Read More...]
Featured Events
Free Covid testing Chicago Update
Free Covid testing Chicago. The City of Chicago operates testing sites and partners with community-based … [Read More...]
What’s open in Chicago Update
What's open in Chicago Update The State of Illinois imposed new restrictions for Chicago effective Monday, January 18, … [Read More...]
2021 Free Chicago Museum Days
2021 Free Chicago Museum Days. Covid status: 1/18/2021 Museums are able to open to the public with limited … [Read More...]
Latest Deals and Events
Free events Newberry Library
Free events Newberry Library Where: Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, (312) 943-9090. Free and open to the … [Read More...]
Save money dining with the Ritual App Get $10 free
Save money dining with the Ritual App Get $10 free I love Ritual. It's my favorite food ordering app. … [Read More...]
Museum of Contemporary Art reopening
Museum of Contemporary Art reopening Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., … [Read More...]
Get One Month Free Trial! One Day University Now Helps You Get Smarter Year-round With New Online Format.
Get One Month Free Trial! One Day University Now Helps You Get Smarter Year-round With New Online Format. Want to go … [Read More...]
Free Family Day Museum of Contemporary Art Virtual
Free Family Day Museum of Contemporary Art Virtual. The second Saturday of the month is FREE Family Time. … [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 BACP Business Education webinars
Free BACP Business Education webinars . Register here. The City of Chicago Business Affairs' and Cosumer … [Read More...]
Free movies Harold Washington Library
Free movies Harold Washington Library Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, Cindy … [Read More...]
Cheap Comedy tickets in Chicago
Cheap Comedy tickets in Chicago. All shows are virtual. Live Stream: "Comics Quarantined" Live Standup Comedy at … [Read More...]
Lincoln Park Zoo Free Kids Activities
The Lincoln Park Zoo offers several FREE Kids activities throughout the year Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. … [Read More...]
What to watch on TV: Tina Turner: One Last Time
What to watch on TV: Tina Turner: One Last Time What to watch on TV: Tina Turner: One Last Time In 2000, Tina … [Read More...]
Free Hyde Park Art Center Center Sunday
Free Hyde Park Art Center Center Sunday. When: Every first Sunday of the month from 1:00-4:00pm Where: 5020 S. Cornell … [Read More...]
Senior Savings Day at Walgreens
Senior Savings Day at Walgreens. On the first Tuesday of the month, Walgreens offers Balance Rewards/myWalgreens … [Read More...]
Hyde Park Art Center reopened
Hyde Park Art Center reopened When: Preregister for your visit using Event … [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...]
Chicago Theatre Week: Donate $15 and $30
Chicago Theatre Week: Donate $15 and $30. What is Chicago Theatre Week (CTW)Chicago Theatre Week 2021 will take place … [Read More...]
Chicago Restaurant Week: Dine for $25-$55
Chicago Restaurant Week: Dine for $25-$55 Chicago Restaurant Week returns on March 19-April 4, 2021 with possibly some … [Read More...]
Brookfield Zoo reopening
Brookfield Zoo reopening Where: Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd; Brookfield, 708-688-8000. Zoo … [Read More...]
Chicago Museums reopening Updated
Chicago Museums reopening The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago have two essentially identical systems … [Read More...]
Where to Ice Skate in Chicago
Where to Ice Skate in Chicago. Chicago has a quite a number of places to ice skate which can be free if you bring … [Read More...]
Explore Chicago Park District Parks
Explore Chicago Park District Parks. As I'm sure you know all effective Saturday, March 21 through Tuesday, April 7, … [Read More...]
Dunkin’ Free Coffee Mondays
Dunkin’ Free Coffee Mondays DD Perks Members check your app for this offer: Happy New Year — and happy … [Read More...]
Chicago History Museum reopening
Chicago History Museum reopening Where: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St., 312-642-4600 When: Monday, March … [Read More...]
Harold Washington Library Free Author Lectures
Harold Washington Library Free Author Lectures Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, … [Read More...]
Harold Washington Library free Business, Law and Money lectures
Harold Washington Library free Business, Law and Money lectures. The Chicago Public Library's FREE Business, Law and … [Read More...]
Lincoln Park Zoo reopening
Lincoln Park Zoo reopening Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive , (312) 742-2000 Zoo … [Read More...]
Harold Washington Library Free Lectures Virtual
Harold Washington Library Free Lectures Virtual Where: Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State Street, (312) … [Read More...]
Discount tickets 360 Chicago
Discount tickets 360 Chicago Where: 875 N. Michigan Avenue, (formerly John Hancock Center), 94th Floor, … [Read More...]
Free Chicago lectures
Free Chicago lectures. Attend some free virtual lectures of various topics. The only thing they have in … [Read More...]
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon open
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon open. The Skating Ribbon will close 2/28/2021. Where: 337 E. Randolph St., (312) … [Read More...]
Free Chicago Volunteer Expo
Free Chicago Volunteer Expo. When: Sunday, February 21, 2021 10AM-4pm Where: Virtual Admission … [Read More...]
Free Admission Shedd Aquarium February 22-26
Free Admission Shedd Aquarium February 22-26 When: February 22-26, 2021, 2021 Free Chicago Museum Days Where: John G. … [Read More...]
Explore Lake County Illinois Forest Preserves
Explore Lake County Illinois Forest Preserves. The Lake County Forest Preserve District has 31,000 acres of … [Read More...]
Free tax help for Chicago residents
Free tax help for Chicago residents Every year there is free tax help available at the Chicago Public Library. … [Read More...]
Where to donate items during Covid
Where to donate items during Covid. I was speaking to a friend with a large house who is doing a big clear out and … [Read More...]
ACA reopens Sign up for health insurance
ACA reopens Sign up for health insurance The Affordable Care Act marketplace has reopened through May 15. This … [Read More...]
Chicago’s best thrift stores
Chicago's best thrift stores. If you've never tried thrift store shopping it's a great way to save money. … [Read More...]
Where to watch Mars Landing
Where to watch Mars Landing Watch the Mars Landing Broadcast Show where Perseverance will land in the Jezero Crater on … [Read More...]
Free Covid testing Chicago Update
Free Covid testing Chicago. The City of Chicago operates testing sites and partners with community-based … [Read More...]
How to track Chicago snow plows
How to track Chicago snow plows The tracker has been disabled by the City as of late February. We haven't had … [Read More...]
Discount tickets for online entertainment
Discount tickets for online entertainment Tired of watching tv, cable, streaming, movies? Seen every episode of … [Read More...]
What’s open in Chicago Update
What's open in Chicago Update The State of Illinois imposed new restrictions for Chicago effective Monday, January 18, … [Read More...]
Discount tickets to Immersive Van Gogh
Discount tickets to Immersive Van Gogh Where: Germania Club Building, Lighthouse ArtSpace, 108 West Germania … [Read More...]
Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show
Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Where: Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave, Show House, … [Read More...]
One month of Disney+ free with cereal purchase
One month of Disney+ free with cereal purchase Enjoy movies, shows and more from Disney’s vast catalog, which includes … [Read More...]
Free Museum: The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago
Free Museum: The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. The Oriental Institute of the University of … [Read More...]
2021 Free Chicago Museum Days
2021 Free Chicago Museum Days. Covid status: 1/18/2021 Museums are able to open to the public with limited … [Read More...]
Dog-friendly parks around Chicago
Dog-friendly parks around Chicago Someone emailed me about dog-friendly parks. I'd been meaning to research … [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 