2018 Free Chicago Museum Days. Visiting museums can be very expensive. Thanks to the Illinois General Assembly many … [Read More...]
Featured Events
Free Days at Brookfield Zoo
Free Days at Brookfield Zoo. Where: Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd; Brookfield, 708-688-8000. When: No free days … [Read More...]
Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week
Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week. You can find a complete list of events by day on our Calendar page. … [Read More...]
Latest Deals and Events
Free Chicago Financial Planning Day
Free Chicago Financial Planning Day 2017 When: Saturday, October 20, 2018 (10:00AM – 2:00PM) Where: Harold … [Read More...]
Chicago Cultural Center: Ongoing Exhibitions
Chicago Cultural Center: Ongoing Exhibitions. Head over to the Chicago Cultural Center to check out FREE exhibitions … [Read More...]
Free stargazing event
Free stargazing event. Adler astronomers and educators are bringing the the Universe a little closer to you. With … [Read More...]
Watch the Annual Chicago Bridge Lift tradition
Chicago is a city of bridges. For residents it can be quite irksome when a bridge goes up just as you're trying to walk … [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...]
Trolley & Double Decker Bus Deal
Trolley & Double Decker Bus Deal. If you're thinking about taking a tour, have guests coming in or you're … [Read More...]
Downtown Chicago farmers markets this week
Downtown Chicago farmers markets this week. The downtown Chicago farmers markets are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and … [Read More...]
Maximize Q4 2018 Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back
Maximize Q4 2018 Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back . If you have a regular Chase Freedom credit card (not Freedom Unlimited) … [Read More...]
Free events The 606 Chicago
Free events The 606 Chicago. Guide to the 606. The 606 is offers free things to do for all ages spring, summer and … [Read More...]
Northwest Chicago Film Society: $7 movies
Northwest Chicago Film Society: $5 movies. Are you a movie buff? Do you like a good deal? Check out these great films … [Read More...]
Free Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concert
Free Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concert When: Thursday, September 20, 2018, 6:30-8:30PM Where: Jay Pritzker … [Read More...]
Starbucks Happy Hour Deal Sept 14
Starbucks Happy Hour Deal Sept 14. Starbucks has been offering Happy Hour deals almost every Friday beginning at 3PM … [Read More...]
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...]
Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day Sept. 22
Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day Sept. 22. Every year Smithsonian Magazine offers free general admission-for-two … [Read More...]
Chicago Cultural Center Free International Screenings Program
Chicago Cultural Center Free International Screenings Program When: Wednesdays, May 30-October 3, 2018, … [Read More...]
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...]
Secure your credit with a credit freeze
Secure your credit with a credit freeze. We've all heard how 143 million people's vital credit information was been … [Read More...]
Free DePaul Art Museum
Free DePaul Art Museum Where: 935 W. Fullerton, 773.325.7506 When: Hours: Mon - Tu : Closed, Wed - Th : 11 - 7PM, … [Read More...]
Free lectures and workshops Lurie Garden
Free lectures and workshops Lurie Garden The Lurie Garden offers seasonal FREE lectures and workshops. All events are … [Read More...]
Discount tickets Expo Chicago
Discount tickets Expo Chicago. When: Sept. 28-30, 2018 Where: Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Festival Hall Purchase … [Read More...]
Free Kids Events Lurie Garden
Free Kids Events Lurie Garden. The Lurie Garden offers seasonal FREE Family and Kids programming. All events are garden … [Read More...]
Newberry Library: Free Shakespeare
Newberry Library: Free Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Project of Chicago theatrical reading series presents free … [Read More...]
Vintage Garage Chicago
Vintage Garage Chicago Sunday. Where: The Vintage Garage Chicago, 5051 N. Broadway in Uptown. When: On the third … [Read More...]
Free Baroque concert Millennium Park
Free Baroque concert Millennium Park When: Wednesday, September 12, 2018, 6:30 PM-8:30PM Where: Jay Pritzker … [Read More...]
Free Chicago World Music Festival Sept 7-23
Free Chicago World Music Festival Sept 7-23 The Annual World Music Festival Chicago is a city-wide, multi-venue … [Read More...]
Activate: Art Music People Alleys
Activate: Art Music People Alleys. The Chicago Loop Alliance hosts a FREE monthly event, Activate, billed as "pop-up … [Read More...]
Apply Online to Vote by Mail
Apply Online to Vote by Mail. You may now apply online to Vote By Mail. Vote when and where you want. COTC tip: … [Read More...]
Renegade Craft Fair Chicago Sept 8-9
Renegade Craft Fair Chicago May 12-13. If you're looking for gifts that are unique and not mass-produced consider … [Read More...]
Discount admission SNL The Experience
Discount admission SNL The Experience Where: Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N State St, (312) … [Read More...]
Save money on groceries: try a no-spend month
If you’re looking for a way to save some cash consider having a no-spend grocery month. We all have a stockpile of … [Read More...]
50 ways to save money on groceries
Most families food budgets are one of their biggest monthly expenses. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture a … [Read More...]
Free Admission Shedd Aquarium Sept 4-30
Free Admission Shedd Aquarium Sept 4-30 The Shedd is offering a fantastic discount deal just for Illinois residents, … [Read More...]
Eataly Saletember Sale
Eataly Saletember Sale. I love Eataly but prices can be steep. If I'm going to dine or just walking by I'll look … [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...]
Cheap eats West Loop Chicago
Finding a great place to eat, on the cheap, is easy in the West Loop. This area has many excellent restaurants and more … [Read More...]
Discount Chicago Lakefront Cruises
Discount Chicago Lakefront Cruises. Cool off on a Lakefront cruise! When: Various dates and times. Where: Navy … [Read More...]
Green City Market every Wednesday
Green City Market every Wednesday. The Green City outdoor market is open Every Wednesday May 9-October 24, 2018 … [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...]
Chick-fil-A free Chicken Nuggets Deal
Chick-fil-A free Chicken Nuggets Deal. No more calendar Chick-fil-A is discontinuing it's popular calendar of food … [Read More...]
How to get rid of junk mail
How to get rid of junk mail. A great way to start out the new year is to work on reducing your junk mail. Every coupon … [Read More...]
Grant Park Needs Our Help
Grant Park Needs Our Help. Current Grant Park Advisory Council (GPAC) leadership removed by Chicago Park District The … [Read More...]
Green City Market West Loop
Green City Market West Loop When: Saturday June 2–October 27, 2018 8am–1pm. Where: Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. … [Read More...]
Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo
Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo. When: Fridays–Sundays, September 28-October 28, 2018 and Monday, October 8, … [Read More...]
Free fireworks Saturday nights at Navy Pier
Free fireworks Saturday nights at Navy Pier. About the Navy Pier Fireworks Navy Pier is the destination for … [Read More...]
Buy a Ventra card before yours expires
Buy a Ventra card before yours expires. Update 8/20/18 I received my replacement Ventra card on August 17 and it has … [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...]
Earn Gift Cards Dining Out Plus $5 Sign up Bonus
Earn Gift Cards Dining Out Plus $5 Sign up Bonus. Seated has greatly devalued their program however for now you can … [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...]
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 