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.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chicago Summer Free Museum Days | FREE | ||
| Free Obama Center Activities | FREE | Obama Presidential Center | |
| Under The Picasso Noontimes | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 | |
| Wrigleyville Night Market | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Little Italy Festa | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | |
| Summerdance | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Spirit of Music Garden |
| Movies at Gallagher Way | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Grant Park Music Festival | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
| Vinyl Thursdays | 7:00 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Hotel Zachary |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
Friday, August 14, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chicago Summer Free Museum Days | FREE | ||
| Free Obama Center Activities | FREE | Obama Presidential Center | |
| Under The Picasso Noontimes | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 |
| Live on the Lake | 3:00 pm to 9:30 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 |
| Little Italy Festa | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | |
| Bubbles & Beats Happy Hour | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hotel Zachary |
| Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | |
| Summerdance | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Spirit of Music Garden |
| Movies at Gallagher Way | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Grant Park Music Festival | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
Saturday, August 15, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chicago Summer Free Museum Days | FREE | ||
| Free Obama Center Activities | FREE | Obama Presidential Center | |
| City News Cafe Free Concert Series | FREE | City News Cafe | |
| Chicago Air & Water Show | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | North Avenue Beach |
| Printers Row Art Fest | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | |
| Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | |
| Little Italy Festa | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | 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 |
| Revolution Brewing Tours | 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm | $10.00 | Revolution Brewing |
| Live on the Lake | 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| The Paper Machete | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | The Green Mill |
| Hopewell Brewing Tour | 5:00 pm | $10.00 | Hopewell Brewing Co. |
| Summerdance | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Spirit of Music Garden |
| Movies at Gallagher Way | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Grant Park Music Festival | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
| Summer Fireworks | 10:00 pm to 10:10 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
Sunday, August 16, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chicago Summer Free Museum Days | FREE | ||
| Free Obama Center Activities | FREE | Obama Presidential Center | |
| City News Cafe Free Concert Series | FREE | City News Cafe | |
| Maxwell Street Market | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Maxwell Street Market |
| Chicago Air & Water Show | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | North Avenue Beach |
| Printers Row Art Fest | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | |
| Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | |
| Little Italy Festa | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | |
| Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | DePaul University |
| Live on the Lake | 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
| Movies at Gallagher Way | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
Monday, August 17, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chicago Summer Free Museum Days | FREE | ||
| Free Obama Center Activities | FREE | Obama Presidential Center | |
| Under The Picasso Noontimes | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Movies at Gallagher Way | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Movies at the Pier | 6:30 pm | FREE | Navy Pier |
