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, January 1, 2026
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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, January 2, 2026
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bubbles & Beats Happy Hour | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hotel Zachary |
| ART on THE MART | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Chicago Riverwalk The Marina |
| B.A.D Waves Remix | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | $5.00-14.00 | Redline VR |
Saturday, January 3, 2026
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Sunday, January 4, 2026
| 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 |
| 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 |
Monday, January 5, 2026
| 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 |
| Happy Hour | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Canal Street Eatery | |
| WInterland at Gallagher Way | 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gallagher Way |
