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.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Architecture Biennial | FREE | ||
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Lincoln Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Lincoln Park Conservatory |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| Winterland at Gallgher Way | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| 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 |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| 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. |
| Art on the Mart | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
Sunday, December 28, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Architecture Biennial | FREE | ||
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Lincoln Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Lincoln Park Conservatory |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | DePaul University |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| 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 |
| Art on the Mart | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
Monday, December 29, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Architecture Biennial | FREE | ||
| 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 |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| 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 |
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Architecture Biennial | FREE | ||
| 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 |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Architecture Biennial | FREE | ||
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Lincoln Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Lincoln Park Conservatory |
| Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Maggie Daley Park |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| Jack Frost Fulton Market | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $21.00-66.00 | Fulton Market |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| 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 |








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 