Friends and family will undoubtedly need to chill out and take a break from all of the chaos (and shopping!) over the Black Friday weekend. And now they can add Wendy’s to their list of stops for a sweet deal. The popular restaurant is offering a cool deal on its iconic sweet treat, the Frosty, … [Read more...] about Enjoy Frosty for just 67 cents at Wendy’s for 10 Days
Expired
St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Celebrate the beautiful Swedish tradition of St. Lucia Day at the Swedish American Museum in the Andersonville neighborhood. The annual candlelit procession down Clark Street will take place on December 13, 2025. Starting at sunset around 4:45 pm, specially selected St. Lucia girls" wearing … [Read more...] about St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Smashburger offers buy-one-get-one burgers & hot dogs for two weeks
Get ready for meaty savings at Smashburger! Diners on a budget are always on the hunt for discounts at every restaurant. And one of the best ways to stretch your dining dollars is with a delicious buy-one-get-one deal. It’s even better, when the second item doesn’t cost anything at all. … [Read more...] about Smashburger offers buy-one-get-one burgers & hot dogs for two weeks
Andersonville Holiday Trolley
Get ready for the holidays with Swedish goods and hand-crafted gifts while riding the annual Andersonville Holiday Trolley on December 13-14, 2025. Roam through the Andersonville business district with a free holiday trolley that runs all weekend. Sip on steaming cups of … [Read more...] about Andersonville Holiday Trolley
Chipotle offers buy-one-get-one free entrée for all on Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 26
Enjoy a frugal feast at Chipotle before the big feast on Thursday! Often known as the biggest reunion night of the year, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving brings many back to their hometowns to reconnect with friends and family. And Chipotle invites fans to enjoy a meal together to catch up with … [Read more...] about Chipotle offers buy-one-get-one free entrée for all on Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 26
Chicago Holidays at Macy’s
For generations of Chicagoans, the essence of Christmas in Chicago is a stroll down State Street to view the holiday windows at Macey's (Marshall Field's) landmark department store, lunch at the Walnut Room surrounded by the ceiling-scraping tree, topped off with a visit with Santa. Macy's … [Read more...] about Chicago Holidays at Macy’s
QDOBA trots out free burritos for popular Thanksgiving tradition nationwide
Turkey is not the only course to gobble up this Thanksgiving. Families can also feast on bargain burritos, thanks to QDOBA. There are many Thanksgiving traditions around the country, but one of the most universal is the famous Turkey Trot. A chance to have a little fun and burn a few calories … [Read more...] about QDOBA trots out free burritos for popular Thanksgiving tradition nationwide
Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show
Lincoln Park Conservatory's beloved Winter Flower Show will explore the enchanting beauty of fireplaces and poinsettias with this year's show, "Fireside," which runs from November 26, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Cozy up at the enormous brick fireplace centerpiece and check out the thrilling … [Read more...] about Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show
How to enjoy free Thanksgiving dinner at home this year
This year, it isn’t a question of “Where can you get a free turkey for Thanksgiving?, but “Where can you get a Thanksgiving dinner for free?” For the sixth year, Ibotta is offering its “Thanksgiving Dinner On Us” program in an effort to feed millions of families this … [Read more...] about How to enjoy free Thanksgiving dinner at home this year
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
One of Chicago's most iconic holiday traditions is viewing the holiday trees from around the world at the Christmas Around The World exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. This year's display includes Holidays of Light, a celebration of global holidays that honor light … [Read more...] about Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs
Celebrate the season with festive live concerts every Friday with the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along starting on December 5, 12 and 19, 2025. Join a diverse group of choirs and ensembles as they light up the park with music. The holiday Sing-Along kicks off on Fridays from 6-7 pm, right … [Read more...] about Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs
Free Adler Planetarium at Night
Take your day to another dimension with a visit to Adler Planetarium on Wednesday nights. For Adler at Night, the planetarium is open late, from 4-10 pm so that visitors can experience the excitement of the sky and the cosmos at night. Illinois residents can explore the … [Read more...] about Free Adler Planetarium at Night




















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 