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 15, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| 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 |
| Christkindlmarket Chicago | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 | |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Christkindlmarket Chicago | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 | |
| 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 9:00 pm | $7.00 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| Free Live Jazz Shows | 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | The Ritz Carlton Chicago |
Thursday, December 17, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Christkindlmarket Chicago | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 | |
| Forte Happy Hour | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Forte |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 9:00 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, December 18, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Christkindlmarket Chicago | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 | |
| Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour | 2:00 pm to 12:00 am | $29.00 | DePaul University |
| 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 |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 9:00 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 |
Saturday, December 19, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greektown Public Art Exhibit | |||
| City News Cafe Free Concert Series | FREE | City News Cafe | |
| Chistmas Around the World | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm | Museum of Science and Industry | |
| Christkindlmarket Chicago | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Daley Plaza |
| 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 12:00 am | $29.00 | DePaul University |
| Chicago RIverwalk and History Tour | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel |
| 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 |
| Zoo Lights | 4:30 pm to 9:00 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 |
