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...]
Featured Events
$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...]
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 movies Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens
Free movies Chicago Women's Park and Gardens. Pack a pcinic, grab a chair and blanket and enjoy free movies courtesy of … [Read More...]
Free Workouts at Gallagher Way
Free Workouts at Gallagher Way. Gallagher Way, formerly known as The Park at Wrigley, hosts free workouts from … [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...]
4th on 53rd Parade Hyde Park
4th on 53rd Parade Hyde Park. When: Wednesday July 4, 2018 11AM-4PM Where: 54th and Lake Park (Hyde Park Bank), … [Read More...]
Free July 4 concert Millennium Park
Free July 4 concert Millennium Park Head to Millennium Park for a free Independence Day Salute concert. Bring your … [Read More...]
Celebrate July 4 at the Chicago History Museum
Celebrate July 4 at the Chicago History Museum. Where: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St., … [Read More...]
Where to watch Chicago’s July 4 Fireworks
Where to watch Chicago's July 4 Fireworks. The City of Chicago discontinued the July 3 lakefront fireworks in 2011 so … [Read More...]
Showplace Icon Theater $5 ticket Tuesdays
Showplace Icon Theater $5 ticket Tuesday. When: Every Tuesday, All Day (Always call first, promotion end without … [Read More...]
Suburban Chicago July 4 Fireworks
Suburban Chicago July 4 Fireworks. A very dedicated person maintains a fantastic site providing information about … [Read More...]
Logan Square Arts Festival June 22-24
Head to Logan Square for three days of music, art, food, and drinks. Benefiting the restoration of Logan Square's … [Read More...]
Free Chicago SummerDance
Free Chicago SummerDance. The largest annual outdoor dancing series in the US returns with swing, waltz, salsa and … [Read More...]
Free lunchtime Grant Park Music Festival rehearsals
Free lunchtime Grant Park Music Festival rehearsals. The Grant Park Music Festival takes place every year from June … [Read More...]
Where to dine near the Broadway Playhouse
Where to dine near the Broadway Playhouse. Going to the theater can be expensive and if you want to make an afternoon or … [Read More...]
Free live DJ Series Navy Pier
Free live DJ Series Navy Pier. Head to Navy Pier’s South Dock at the Wave Wall Performance Platform for a DJ set as … [Read More...]
Free fireworks Wednesday nights at Navy Pier
Free fireworks Wednesday nights at Navy Pier. About the Navy Pier Fireworks Navy Pier is the destination for … [Read More...]
Volunteer at Wooded Island
Volunteer at Wooded Island. When: 4th Saturday, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, Sept. 22, 2018 … [Read More...]
Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events presents FREE … [Read More...]
What to watch on TV
What to watch on TV. I wasn't aware of this program. When I recorded something else this played back instead - … [Read More...]
Free at home Summer Brain Games from MSI
Free at home Summer Brain Games from MSI. Register now and you’ll receive a voucher good for a FREE Museum Entry … [Read More...]
Free events Navy Pier
Free events Navy Pier. Where: 600 E Grand Ave, 312-595-5629. City Stage in Polk Bros Park When: June 21, 2018, … [Read More...]
Chicago Pride Parade June 24
Chicago Pride Parade. Gird your loins ladies and gentleman the annual Chicago Pride Parade is happening and includes a … [Read More...]
Free movies at Lake Shore Park Streeterville
Free movies at Lake Shore Park Streeterville. Lake Shore Park will will host outdoor movies as part of the Summer Film … [Read More...]
Free event Harold Washington Library
Free event Harold Washington Library. Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, 19th Annual … [Read More...]
Millennium Park Free Family Fun Festival
Millennium Park Family Fun Festival offers arts and crafts, music, educational activities and more for kids of all … [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...]
Discount admission Peggy Notebaert Museum
Discount admission Peggy Notebaert Museum. Where: 2430 North Cannon Drive, 773-755-5191. When: Various dates. Free … [Read More...]
Discount Chicago Lakefront Cruises
Discount Chicago Lakefront Cruises. Wow a ton of discount cruises have come up! Yeah summer is almost here! When: … [Read More...]
Free Millennium Park Summer Music Series
Free Millennium Park Summer Music Series features a wide variety of genre-defying music from top local, national and … [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...]
Free park tour Midway Plaisance
Free park tour Midway Plaisance. As part of It's Your Park Day @ Midway Plaisance enjoy a free tour of the park and … [Read More...]
Harold Washington Library Free Author Lecture Series
Harold Washington Library Free Author Lecture Series. Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, … [Read More...]
Free movies Ward Park River North
Free movies Ward Park River North. Montgomery Ward Park will once again present outdoor movies as part of the Summer … [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 movies Grant Park Chicago
Free movies Grant Park Chicago. Grant Park will host four movies as part of the Summer Film Series at a new … [Read More...]
Free movies Navy Pier
Free movies Navy Pier When: Every Monday, June 18 through August 20, 2018. 7PM-9PM Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand, … [Read More...]
Free kids events Navy Pier
Free kids events Navy Pier. When: Wednesdays and Fridays, June 20–August 24, 2018 10AM-11:45AM Where: Navy Pier, … [Read More...]
Volunteer with Grant Park Advisory Council
Volunteer with Grant Park Advisory Council. The Grant Park Advisory Council (GPAC), the organization entrusted with … [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 Millennium Park concerts
Free Millennium Park concerts. Whether you're picnicking on the Great Lawn or you've snagged a free seat in the back … [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...]
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...]
Free grocery coupons
Free grocery coupons. If you haven't already noticed COTC has a tab on the main menu for "Coupons." I'm not much of a … [Read More...]
Guide to Chicago Water Taxi’s
Guide to Chicago Water Taxi's. The Chicago water taxi's are a fun and relaxing transit alternative that gets you from A … [Read More...]
Free Wednesday Millennium Park concerts
Whether you're picnicking on the Great Lawn or you've snagged a free seat in the back half of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion … [Read More...]
Free Movies at Gallagher Way
Free Movies at Gallagher Way. Where: 3637 N Clark St between Addison and Waveland (773) 388-8260. When: Every … [Read More...]
Free events Maggie Daley Park
Free events Maggie Daley Park. Family Game Night. Where: Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St., (312) … [Read More...]
Second Saturdays Madison Row
Second Saturdays Madison Row. When: May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13 and November 10, … [Read More...]
Free Events West Ridge Nature Preserve
Free Events West Ridge Nature Preserve. Where: West Ridge Nature Preserve (Park No. 568),5801 N. Western Ave.adjacent … [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 