Looking for free events and discounts on events in Chicago? You're in the right place. Search our free & cheap Chicago events calendar for things to do and ways to have fun in the windy city. Look at upcoming events in list view, choose a specific date, or click on the month-view to see everything happening this month at a glance.
Don't forget to also check out our guide to what's free and cheap in Chicago this week, as well as some of our popular sections like Free Museum Days in Chicago, Half-Price Tickets to Chicago Entertainment, Things to Do with Kids in Chicago, and Chicago Restaurant Deals.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unseen Oceans | All Day | Field Museum | |
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Free admission for Illinois residents | 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Contemporary Art |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| McCormick Tribune Ice Rink skating | 11:00 am to 10:30 pm | FREE | Millennium Park |
| Light up the lake | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unseen Oceans | All Day | Field Museum | |
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| McCormick Tribune Ice Rink skating | 11:00 am to 10:30 pm | FREE | Millennium Park |
| Light up the lake | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Adler at Night | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Adler Planetarium |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| Free Live Jazz Shows | 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | The Ritz Carlton Chicago |
Thursday, January 2, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unseen Oceans | All Day | Field Museum | |
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| McCormick Tribune Ice Rink skating | 11:00 am to 10:30 pm | FREE | Millennium Park |
| Light up the lake | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| Chicago Cultural Center Tours | 1:15 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | |
| Chicago RIverwalk and History Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| Vinyl Thursdays | 7:00 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Hotel Zachary |
Friday, January 3, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unseen Oceans | All Day | Field Museum | |
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| McCormick Tribune Ice Rink skating | 11:00 am to 10:30 pm | FREE | Millennium Park |
| Light up the lake | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| Chicago Cultural Center Tours | 1:15 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | |
| Chicago RIverwalk and History Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel |
| Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | DePaul University |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| Bubbles & Beats Happy Hour | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hotel Zachary |
| B.A.D Waves Remix | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | $5.00-14.00 | Redline VR |
Saturday, January 4, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unseen Oceans | All Day | Field Museum | |
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| McCormick Tribune Ice Rink skating | 11:00 am to 10:30 pm | FREE | Millennium Park |
| Light up the lake | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| Chicago RIverwalk and History Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel |
| Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | DePaul University |
| Revolution Brewing Tours | 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm | $10.00 | Revolution Brewing |
| The Paper Machete | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | The Green Mill |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| Hopewell Brewing Tour | 5:00 pm | $10.00 | Hopewell Brewing Co. |
