Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

2021 Events

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2021 Events. Following is the current status of all events we cover.  It seems like more events are being planned.  Check back.  This will be updated.  Most events are free, around $10 or less or are at a big discount.

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It looks like all the fests and fairs this summer are going to require tickets, even if they’re free,  so I’ll be posting those as soon as the information becomes available.

2021 Events

May

  1. Free or cheap things to do around Chicago this week
  2. Free or cheap things to do around Chicago this weekend
  3. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 14-May 10
  4. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 14-May 10
  5. Navy Pier Fireworks every Saturday in May 9pm for 10 minutes
  6. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso Canceled
  7. Polish Parade May 4 Dearborn Street Downtown Canceled
  8. Kite Fest May 4 Cricket Hill/Montrose Beach  Canceled
  9. Hellenic Heritage Parade (Greek Independence Day Parade) May 5 Canceled
  10. Chicago Riverwalk Season Celebration Celebration May 13-19 Canceled
  11. Second Tuesdays on the Riverwalk May 14 Canceled
  12. Chicago Mayfest May 17-19 Lakeview May 28-30, 2021 Canceled
  13. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays May 29-Aug 28 and Saturdays May 25-August 31
  14. Memorial Day Parade May 25 State Street Downtown Canceled
  15. Randolph Street Market May 23-24 West Loop Canceled
  16. Free Millennium Park House Party May 23-25 Canceled
  17. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest May 25-26 Canceled
  18. Maifest Chicago May 30-June 2 Lincoln Square Canceled
  19. Gospel Fest May 31-June 1 Millennium Park Canceled
  20. Do-Division May 31-June 2 Wicker Park June 4-6, 2021 Canceled
  21. Gold Coast Art Fair June 1-2 Grant Park Canceled
  22. Chicago Blues Fest Preview Events No events 2019
  23. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest May 23-24 Lincoln Park Canceled

June – Most events below do not have confirmed 2021 dates or STATUS UNKNOWN. Check back often for updates.

  1. Year of Chicago Music May 21-June 7 
  2. Activate May-August 
  3. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  4. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 23-Sept 5
  5. Millennium Park Summer Film Series 
  6. Millennium Park Summer Music Series  
  7. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts 
  8. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts 
  9. Chicago Blues Fest June 5-7 Millennium Park    
  10. Lincoln Park Greek Fest June 5-7 
  11. 57th Street Art Fair June 6-7 Hyde Park 
  12. Hyde Park Summer Fest June 6-7 
  13. West Loop Fizz Fest June 6-7 
  14. Andersonville Midsommarfest June 12-14
  15. Printers Row Lit Fest June 6-7
  16. Wells Street Art Fest June 13-14 Old Town
  17. Old Town Art Fair June 12-13 Lincoln at Wisconsin Lincoln Park Dates confirmed.  No details,
  18. Chicago World Naked Bike Ride June 13 Location TBA
  19. Second Tuesdays on the Riverwalk 
  20. Made in Chicago Market June 13 West Loop 
  21. Ribfest Chicago June 14-16 Lincoln/Irving Park/Damen 
  22. Taste of Randolph Street West Loop 
  23. Pilsen Taco Fest June
  24. Festa! Pasta! Vino! Italian Street Festival June 19-21 
  25. Make Music Day June 21
  26. Chinatown Dragon Boat Races June 21
  27. Pride Fest June 20-21 Boystown
  28. Ravenswood on Tap June 20-21
  29. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June 24-August 9 (weekdays)
  30. SummerDance June 25-August 22 Grant Park (Thursdays-Sundays)
  31. Renegade Craft Fair June 26-27 
  32. Logan Square Arts Fest   
  33. Pride Fest Navy Pier June
  34. Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade June 30 Boystown 
  35. Millennium Art Festival June 26-28 Lake Street at Michigan Avenue  
  36. Chicago Mariachi Festival June Millennium Park

2021 Events – July

  1. Activate May-August 
  2. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  3. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 23-Sept 5
  4. Millennium Park Summer Music Series
  5. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts July 7-18 Dates confirmed. 
  6. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts July 2-21 Dates confirmed. 
  7. Millennium Park Summer Film Series
  8. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June-August 10 (weekdays)
  9. SummerDance June 25-August 22 Grant Park (Thursdays-Sundays)
  10. Free July 4 concert Millennium Park 
  11. Free July 4 Fireworks Navy Pier 
  12. Windy City RibFest July 3-5 Uptown
  13. West Fest Chicago Ave. between Damen & Wood West Town
  14. Second Tuesdays on the Riverwalk July 
  15. Fresh Fest Navy Pier July 
  16. Taste of Chicago July 8-12 Grant Park
  17. Windy City Smoke Out July 8-11 Dates confirmed, Discount tickets available for limited time.
  18. Square Roots Music Fest July 10-12 Lincoln Square 
  19. Roscoe Village Burger Fest July 11-12 
  20. Bucktown Garden Walk July 
  21. Southport Art Fest July 10-11  Dates confirmed.  No details.
  22. Chicago Auto Show July 15-19 Dates confirmed.  No details.
  23. Silver Room Block Party July 18 Hyde Park 
  24. Chalk Howard Street July 18-19 Rogers Park 
  25. Taste of River North July 17-19 
  26. Art Fest Michigan Avenue July 18-19 Downtown 
  27. Disability Pride Parade July 401 S. Plymouth to Daley Plaza 
  28. Chinatown Summer Fair July 17-18 Dates confirmed.  No details.
  29. Sheffield Garden Walk & Fest July 17-19 Lincoln Park 
  30. Newberry Library Book Fair July
  31. Andersonville Sidewalk Sale July
  32. Wicker Park Fest July 24-26
  33. Taste of Lincoln Avenue July 25-26 Lincoln Park
  34. Randolph Street Market July 25-26 West Loop
  35. Chicago Brewing District Dancing in the Streets July 31-August 1 West Town
  36. Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival July 30-Aug 1 Dates confirmed.  No details,
  37.  

August

  1. Activate May-August 
  2. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  3. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 23-Sept 5
  4. Millennium Park Summer Film Series
  5. SummerDance June 25-August 22 Grant Park (Thursdays-Sundays)
  6. Millennium Park Summer Music Series
  7. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts July 7-18 Dates confirmed. 
  8. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts July 2-21 Dates confirmed. 
  9. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June-August (weekdays)
  10. Edge Fest Aug 1-2  5900 N. Broadway Edgewater
  11. Chicago Hot Dog Fest August 
  12. Retro on Roscoe Aug 7-9 Roscoe Village
  13. Ginza Holiday Fest Aug 7-9 435 W. Menomonee St. Lincoln Park
  14. Northalsted Market Days Aug 6-8 Boystown Dates confirmed.  No details.
  15. Second Tuesdays on the Riverwalk August
  16. Clark After Dark Aug 20 River North
  17. Festa Italiana No event 2018 Permanently cancelled?
  18. Little Italy Festa Aug 13-16
  19. Edison Park Fest August 14-16
  20. Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest Aug 14-16 6900N/1400W Rogers Park
  21. Chicago Air & Water Show Aug 15-16  North Avenue Beach/Downtown
  22. Pilsen Fest Aug 17-18
  23. Taste of Greektown Aug 20-22
  24. Ukrainian Days Festival August
  25. Logan Square Food Truck Social Next Aug 29-20 
  26. Bucktown Arts Fest Aug
  27. Chicago Jazz Fest Aug 28-Sept 6 Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Harris Theater rooftop
  28. Fifth Star Awards TBA 2020 Millennium Park

September

  1. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 23-Sept 5
  2. Chicago Jazz Fest Aug 28-Sept 6 Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Harris Theater rooftop 
  3. Taste of Polonia Aug 31-Sept 1 Jefferson Park
  4. German American Fest Sept 6-8 Lincoln Square
  5. Von Steuben German Day Parade Sept 8 Lincoln Square (part of German American Fest )
  6. Festival on Prairie Avenue Sept 7 South Loop
  7. Randolph Street Market September 12-13 West Loop
  8. Ravenswood Art Walk Sept 14-15
  9. Lakeview East Festival of the Arts Sept 14-15
  10. Printer’s Row Art Fest Sept 11-12 Dates confirmed.  No details.
  11. Chicago Turkish Festival No event 2019
  12. Lakeview Taco Fest Chicago Sept 21-22
  13. Andersonville Arts Weekend Sept 19-22
  14. Andersonville Arts Fest Sept 21-22
  15. Annual World Music Festival Chicago Sept 13-29
  16. West Town  Art Walk Sept 27-28
  17. Revolution Oktoberfest Sept 27-28 Logan Square
  18. Hyde Park Jazz Fest Sept 25-26 Dates confirmed.  No details.
  19. St Alphonsus Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 27-29 Lakeview
  20. Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo Friday-Sundays September 27–October 27; October 14

2021 Events – October

  1. Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest Oct 5-6
  2. Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo Friday-Sundays September 27–October 27; October 14
  3. Double Ten Parade in Chinatown Chicago Oct. TBD
  4. North Park Village Harvest Festival Oct 13
  5. Columbus Parade Oct 14 Downtown
  6. Open House Chicago Oct 19-20
  7. Arts in the Dark The Halloween Parade Oct 19 Downtown
  8. Free Fall Festival at Jesse White Park Oct 19
  9. Fall Festival at Maggie Daley Park Oct 19
  10. Free Lincoln Park Spooky Zoo Oct 26
  11. National Museum of Mexican Art Day of the Dead Oct 27 Pilsen
  12. Clark Street Spooktacular Oct 27 Lincoln Park
  13. Logan Square Halloween Parade Oct 27
  14. Free Halloween events at Navy Pier October 26, 27, 31
  15. Northalsted Halloween Parade Oct 31 On Halsted from Belmont to Addison
  16. Halloween on The 606 Oct 31

November

  1. McCormick Ice Rink Nov. 15- March 8 2020 Millennium Park
  2. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov 15-March 8, 2020
  3. Christkindlmarket Market Nov 15-Dec 24 Daley Plaza
  4. Maxwell Street Market Day of the Dead Celebration Nov 3 South Loop
  5. Free Holiday Tree Lighting NewCity Nov 16 Halsted and Clybourn
  6. 900 N. Michigan Holiday Tree Lighting Nov. 21
  7. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 22
  8. Millennium Park Art Market Nov 22-24
  9. Mag Mile Lights Festival Nov 22-23
  10. Randolph Street Market Nov 21-22 West Loop
  11. Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 28
  12. Free day at Morton Arboretum Nov 28
  13. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 22
  14. Chicago Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Nov 22-24
  15. CTA Holiday Bus Nov 26-Dec 23 Select dates
  16. Caroling at Cloud Gate Fridays, Nov 29-Dec 20 Millennium Park
  17. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights November 29-Jan 5, 2020 Select dates
  18. Wreathing of the Lions Nov 29 Art Institute of Chicago
  19. CTA Holiday Train Nov 29-Dec 23 Select dates
  20. Garfield Park Holiday Flower Show Nov 29-Jan 5, 2020
  21. Made in Chicago Holiday Market Nov 20 West Loop
  22. Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show and trains Nov 29-Jan 5 2020
  23. Old Town Tree Lighting No info

2021 Events – December

  1. McCormick Ice Rink Nov. 15- March 8 2020 Millennium Park
  2. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov 15-March 8, 2020
  3. Winter Wonder Fest Dec 6-Jan 12 Navy Pier
  4. Christkindlmarket Market Nov 15-Dec 24 Daley Plaza
  5. Caroling at Cloud Gate Fridays, Nov 29-Dec 20 Millennium Park
  6. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights November 29-Jan 5, 2020 Select dates
  7. Garfield Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show Nov 29-Jan 5, 2020
  8. Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show Nov 29-Jan 5, 2020
  9. CTA Holiday Bus Nov 26-Dec 23 Select dates
  10. CTA Holiday Train Nov 29-Dec 23 Select dates
  11. One of a Kind Show Dec. 5-8
  12. Ugly Sweater Skate Dec 7 Maggie Daley Park
  13. West Town Winter Fest Dec 7
  14. Renegade Craft Fair Dec 7-8 Bridgeport
  15. Randolph Street Market Dec 12-23  West Loop
  16. St. Lucia Fest Dec 13 Andersonville
  17. Bucktown Holiday Art Show CANCELED
  18. Skate with Santa Dec 14 Maggie Daley Park
  19. Santa’s  Misbehaving Dec 14 Downtown
  20. Late Night Andersonville Dec 6 and 20
  21. Jingle Fest Dec 21 West Loop
  22. Tuba Christmas Dec 21 Loop
  23. Free day at Morton Arboretum Dec 25
  24. Navy Pier Fireworks Dec 31

 

 

The Bean Millennium Park in Chicago - a popular spot for visitors and tourists

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Millennium Park open

Lurie Garden open

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Free tennis at Maggie Daley Park

2022

January

  1. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov-March 2021
  2. Martin Luther King Day events Jan 20   City of Chicago  Art Institute of Chicago  Chicago History Museum
  3. Randolph Street Market Festival Feb   Canceled
  4. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle Wicker Park  Canceled
  5. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Canceled
  6. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Canceled

February

  1. McCormick Ice Rink Nov. – March Millennium Park  Canceled
  2. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov-March 2021
  3. Chicago Theatre Week Feb City wide February 25-March 7, 2021
  4. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Canceled
  5. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show February 27-May 9, 2021
  6. Chicago Auto Show Feb 12-21, 2021 No dates.
  7. Chinese New Year Events Feb 4, 10, 12
  8. Navy Pier: Global Connections Canceled

March

  1. McCormick Ice Rink Nov. – March Millennium Park  Canceled
  2. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov-March 2021 Closed for season
  3. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso TBA
  4. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show    Reopening March 26, 2021
  5. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show February 27-May 9, 2021
  6. Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier March TBA
  7. Chicago St. Pat’s Parade March 13 Downtown Canceled
  8. Northwest Side Irish Parade March 14 Raven from Neola to Northwest Highway to Harlem Canceled
  9. Southside St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 15 Western from 103rd to 115th Canceled
  10. Where to drink on St. Patrick’s Day
  11. Chicago Restaurant Week March 19 – April 4, 2021
  12. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle March Wicker Park Canceled
  13. Macy’s Flower Show March -April Downtown Canceled

April

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 14-May 10
  3. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 14-May 10
  4. Randolph Street Market April 24-26 West Loop Canceled
  5. One of A Kind Show and Sale Spring Show April 27-29 Canceled
  6. Navy Pier reopening April 30
  7. Free or cheap things to do around Chicago this week
  8. Free or cheap things to do around Chicago this weekend

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