Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

Free Things to Do

CPL Maker Lab: Learn how to make things for free

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

CPL Maker Lab: Learn how to make things for free. The Maker Lab, at the Harold Washington Library Center, offers FREE workshops, open lab hours and drop-in demonstrations. Where:  Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, 3rd Floor, 312-747-4300. When:  Lab Hours Check here. Have … [Read more...] about CPL Maker Lab: Learn how to make things for free

Free family events North Park Village Nature Center

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free family events North Park Village Nature Center. North Park Village Nature Center is an oasis within the city offering free family events year round. Where:  North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., (312) 744-5472. For more info about NPV here. Schedule subject to change always … [Read more...] about Free family events North Park Village Nature Center

Free concerts at Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free concerts at Chicago Cultural Center. The Chicago Cultural Center hosts two free concert series year round at 12:15p-1pm on the 1st and 4th Mondays and every Wednesday. See schedule below. Chamber Mondays explore a rich diversity of chamber music, featuring Chicago’s most talented … [Read more...] about Free concerts at Chicago Cultural Center

Wicker Park Community Shredding and E-Recycling

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Wicker Park Community Shredding and E-Recycling. The Wicker Park-Bucktown Community is holds a series of community document shredding and electronics recycling events.  Arrive early the truck has been known to fill up and they will turn people away. 2019 dates/locations 10AM-12PM March 9 -  … [Read more...] about Wicker Park Community Shredding and E-Recycling

Harold Washington Library Free Business, Law and Money lecture series

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Harold Washington Library free Business, Law and Money lecture series. The Chicago Public Library's FREE Business, Law and Money lecture series continues with the following events: Where:  Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, (312) 747-4300. Event subject to cancellation … [Read more...] about Harold Washington Library Free Business, Law and Money lecture series

City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops. The City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, (BACP) offers FREE business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall Located at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805 unless indicated otherwise. You can register for a … [Read more...] about City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops

Newberry Library Free Genealogy Research Seminar

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Newberry Library: Free genealogy research seminar When: First Saturday of the month. 9:00-10:00am Jan. 5, Feb 2, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, Aug 3, Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, 2019.  Events subject to change.  Call in advance to confirm. Where: Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton Street, … [Read more...] about Newberry Library Free Genealogy Research Seminar

Free Shakespeare Newberry Library

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free Shakespeare Newberry Library. The Shakespeare Project of Chicago theatrical reading series presents free Shakespeare. Where:  Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, (312) 943-9090. Location and hours When: Saturday, October 12, 2019 10am-12:30pm. Free and open to the public; free … [Read more...] about Free Shakespeare Newberry Library

Free exhibits at Newberry Library

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free exhibits at Newberry Library. The Newberry Library is a fascinating place, a private research library with some incredible collections, exhibits and lectures and workshops many of which are free. Where:  Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, (312) 943-9090. Location and hours What Is … [Read more...] about Free exhibits at Newberry Library

Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory Where:  Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive, 312-742-7736. About Lincoln Park Conservatory The Lincoln Park Conservatory is the smaller of the Chicago conservatories but it’s still a fabulous place to walk through any day but especially on a rainy … [Read more...] about Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory

Free Art on Michigan Avenue

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free Art on Michigan Avenue When: Now through mid-October Where: Along North Michigan Avenue(see map below) Check out 20 custom-designed, 5-foot replicas of Chicago’s iconic Water Tower along North Michigan Avenue, on display through mid-October. This project continues a summer of public … [Read more...] about Free Art on Michigan Avenue

Harold Washington Library Free Exhibit

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Materials Science Exhibit Where:  Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, Grand Promenade on the 3rd floor of Harold Washington Library Center. When: Exhibit runs through January 30, 2020 The Exhibit Materials are everywhere in our daily lives, and yet we probably use them without … [Read more...] about Harold Washington Library Free Exhibit

Member of the Living on the Cheap Network

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 Living on the Cheap.

Living on the Cheap in the media