Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

2017 Events

Chicago is packed with festivals, art fairs, and other events all year long.

Some event organizers have announced dates of their events which I’ve updated below. Many events don’t finalize dates and event detail until closer to the actual date so check back for more info.  Enjoy!

In summer we cover festivals and events that charge $10 or less admission and that are closer in and easy to access via public transit.  Chicago residents aren’t required to pay entrance fees to street festivals.  However many of these festivals are fundraisers for various neighborhood associations, schools and other organizations.  More info here.

July

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 27-Sept 2
  3. Millennium Park Summer Music Series June 12-August 21
  4. Grant Park Music Festival June 14-August 16 Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts
  5. Grant Park Music Festival June 16-August 19 Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts
  6. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 13 – Sept 5
  7. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June 19-August 20
  8. SummerDance June 23-September 10 Grant Park
  9. Art Fest Michigan Avenue July 21-22 Downtown
  10. Celebrate Clark Street Fest Hiatus 2017 Clark Street bet Morse and Estes, Rogers Park
  11. Taste of River North July 21-23
  12. Disability Pride Parade July 22 401 S. Plymouth to Daley Plaza
  13. Sheffield Garden Walk & Fest July 22-23 Lincoln Park
  14. SausageFest July 23-24 Weed Street Still no info
  15. Newberry Library Book Fair July 27-30
  16. Andersonville Sidewalk Sale July 28-30
  17. Wicker Park Fest July 29 – 30
  18. Randolph Street Market July 29-30 West Loop

2017 DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS TBA Check back soon

August

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 27-Sept 2
  3. Millennium Park Summer Music Series June 6-Aug 25
  4. Grant Park Music Festival June 14-August 16 Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts
  5. Grant Park Music Festival June 16-August 19 Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts
  6. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June 19-August 20
  7. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 13 – Sept 5
  8. SummerDance June 23-September 10 Grant Park
  9. Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival Aug 4-6
  10. Chicago Hot Dog Fest August 5-7
  11. Bucktown Tree and Garden Walk August 6-7
  12. Wrigleyville Summerfest Aug 6 – 7
  13. Taste of Lincoln Avenue Aug 6 – 7 Lincoln Park
  14. Edge Fest Aug 6 – 7 5900 N. Broadway Edgewater
  15. Ginza Holiday Fest Aug 12-14 435 W. Menomonee St. Lincoln Park
  16. Northalsted Market Days Aug 13 – 14 Boystown
  17. Retro on Roscoe Aug 12 – 14 Roscoe Village
  18. Clark After Dark Aug 18
  19. Ukrainian Days Festival Aug 20-21
  20. Festa Italiana Aug 18-21 Little Italy
  21. Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest Aug 19 – 21 6900N/1400W Rogers Park
  22. Chicago Air & Water Show Aug 20-21 North Avenue Beach/Downtown
  23. Chicago Turkish Festival Aug 24-27 Daley Plaza
  24. Taste of Greektown Aug 26 – 28
  25. Randolph Street Market August 27-28 West Loop
  26. Bucktown Arts Fest Aug 27–28

September

  1. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May May 27-Sept 2
  2. SummerDance June 23-September 10 Grant Park
  3. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 13 – Sept 5
  4. Chicago Jazz Fest Sept 1-4 Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Harris Theater rooftop
  5. Mag Mile Shopping Fest Sept 4-7 N. Michigan Avenue Cancelled
  6. Taste of Polonia Sept 2-5 Jefferson Park
  7. Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 8-10 Federal Plaza Cancelled
  8. Lakeview East Festival of the Arts Sept 9-11
  9. German American Fest Sept 9-11 Lincoln Square
  10. Von Steuben German Day Parade Sept 10 Lincoln Square (part of German American Fest )
  11. Annual World Music Festival Chicago Sept 9-25
  12. Shock Top Oyster Fest Sept 10 Roscoe Village
  13. Festival on Prairie Avenue Sept 10 South Loop
  14. Venetian Night Navy Pier Sept 10 Cancelled  Fireworks at Navy Pier still scheduled
  15. Ukrainian Village Festival Sept 10-11
  16. Ravenswood Art Walk Sept 10-11
  17. Fifth Star Awards September 14 Millennium Park
  18. Andersonville City Made Fest September 17-18
  19. West Loop Art Fest Sept 17-18
  20. Lakeview Taco Fest Chicago Sept 17-18
  21. Randolph Street Market September 24-25 West Loop
  22. Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 23-25 Lakeview
  23. Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo
  24. Grand Art & Design Festival 24-25 Now Christy Webber Fall Harvest Festival
  25. Hyde Park Jazz Fest Sept 24-25
  26. West Town Art Walk Sept 30-Oct.1

October

  1. Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches around Chicago
  2. Columbus Parade Oct 10 Downtown Oct. 10
  3. Double Ten Parade in Chinatown Chicago Oct. 8
  4. Free Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 7-9, 10, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30
  5. Free Fall Festival at Jesse White Park Oct 8
  6. Fall Festival Chicago Riverwalk Oct 8
  7. Free Fall Festival at Jesse White Park Oct 8
  8. West Town Art Walk Sept 30-Oct.1
  9. The Halloween Gathering Oct 22 Downtown
  10. Free Halloween events at Navy Pier
  11. North Park Village Harvest Festival Oct 15-16
  12. Andersonville Arts weekend Oct. 14-16
  13. Free Halloween Party at Jesse White Park Oct 28
  14. Randolph Street Market Oct 29-30 West Loop
  15. Clark Street Spooktacular Oct 30 Lincoln Park
  16. Logan Square Halloween Parade Oct 30
  17. Northalsted Halloween Parade Oct 29 On Halsted from Belmont to Addison
  18. Chicago Trick-or-treat and Halloween events

November

  1. Artisan Market Streeterville Nov 11-13
  2. 900 N. Michigan Holiday Tree Lighting Nov. 17
  3. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 18
  4. Mag Mile Lights Festival Nov 18-19
  5. CTA Holiday Train Nov. 19, 25, 26, 29, 30
  6. Randolph Street Market Nov 19-20 West Loop
  7. Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 24
  8. Free day at Morton Arboretum Nov 24
  9. Randolph Street Market Nov 26-27 West Loop
  10. Wreathing of the Lions Nov 25 Art Institute of Chicago
  11. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights November 25–27
  12. Christkindlmarket Market Nov 18-Dec 24 Daley Plaza
  13. McCormick Ice Rink Nov. 18- March 5 Millennium Park
  14. Caroling at Cloud Gate Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16 Millennium Park
  15. Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday trains Nov 25-Jan 8
  16. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon Nov 25-March 7
  17. CTA Holiday Bus Nov 29-Nov 30
  18. Old Town Tree Lighting Nov. 29

December

  1. Late Andersonville Dec 2
  2. Bucktown Holiday Stroll No info
  3. One of a Kind Show Dec. 1-4
  4. Renegade Craft Fair Dec 3-4 Bridgeport
  5. Running of the Santa’s Dec 3 Downtown
  6. Ugly Sweater Skate Dec 10 Maggie Daley Park
  7. Chicago Santacon Dec 10 Logan Square
  8. Bucktown Holiday Art Show Dec 10-11
  9. West Town Winter Fest Dec 10
  10. Holiday Remix Chicago Dec 10 Uptown
  11. Randolph Street Market Dec 10-11 West Loop
  12. Holiday Dose Market Dec. 11 West Loop
  13. Christkindlmarket Market Nov 18-Dec 24 Daley Plaza
  14. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights December 2–4, 9–23, 26–31
  15. CTA Holiday Train Dec. 1-3, 6-10,  13-17, 22-23
  16. CTA Holiday Bus Dec 1-Dec 23
  17. McCormick Ice Rink through March 5 Millennium Park
  18. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March 7
  19. Winter Wonder Fest Dec 2 -Jan 8 Navy Pier
  20. St. Lucia Fest Dec 13 Andersonville
  21. Chicago Cultural Center St Lucia Celebration Dec 13 Loop
  22. Late-er Andersonville Dec 16
  23. Tuba Christmas Dec 17 Loop
  24. Jingle Fest Dec 17 West Loop
  25. The Chicago Santa Crawl Dec 17 River North
  26. Skate with Santa Dec 17 Maggie Daley Park
  27. Made in Chicago Holiday Market Dec 18 West Loop
  28. Island Party Hut Winter Solstice Bash Dec 21 Riverwalk east of Columbus Bridge
  29. Free day at Morton Arboretum Dec 25
  30. Chi-town Rising Dec 31 Downtown
  31. Navy Pier Fireworks Dec 31

2018

January

  1. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights January 1, 2017
  2. McCormick Ice Rink through March 5 Millennium Park
  3. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March 7
  4. Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show
  5. Chicago Restaurant Week Jan 27-Feb 9
  6. Randolph Street Market Festival Jan 28-29
  7. Chinese New Year Events Jan 28

February

  1. McCormick Ice Rink through March 5 Millennium Park
  2. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March 7
  3. Chicago Theatre Week Feb 9-19 City wide
  4. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle Feb 11 Wicker Park
  5. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 11-May 14
  6. Chicago Auto Show Feb 11-20
  7. Chinese New Year Events
  8. Navy Pier: Celebrate Neighborhoods of the World Feb 12-March 26
  9. Love Dose Market Pops up February 12 West Loop
  10. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 28-May 10

March

  1. McCormick Ice Rink through March 5 Millennium Park
  2. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March 7
  3. Peace of Earth Film Festival March 10-12 Music Box Theater Not free this year
  4. March in the Downtown Chicago St. Pat’s Parade March 11
  5. St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 11 Downtown
  6. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle March 11 Wicker Park
  7. Southside Irish Parade March 12 Western from 103rd to 115th
  8. Northwest Side Irish Parade March 12 Raven from Neola to Northwest Highway to Harlem
  9. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  10. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show through May 14
  11. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show through May 10
  12. Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier March 18-26
  13. Free screenings Chicago Latino Film Festival
  14. Randolph Street Market March 25-26 West Loop
  15. Macy’s Flower Show March 26- April 9 Downtown

April

  1. Macy’s Flower Show March 26- April 9 Downtown
  2. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  3. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 11-May 14
  4. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 28-May 10
  5. Hellenic Heritage Parade (Greek Independence Day Parade) April 30
  6. One of A Kind Show and Sale Spring Show April 28-30

May

  1. Kite Fest May 7 Cricket Hill/Montrose Beach
  2. Polish Parade May 7 Dearborn Street Downtown
  3. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 11-May 14
  4. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 28-May 10
  5. Chicago Mayfest May 19-21 Lakeview
  6. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  7. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 27-Sept 2
  8. Memorial Day Parade May 27 State Street Downtown
  9. Asian American Fest May 22-26 Daley Plaza
  10. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest May 27-28
  11. Randolph Street Market May 27-28 West Loop
  12. Free Millennium Park House Party May 27
  13. Chicago Blues Fest Preview Events May 30

June

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 27-Sept 2
  3. Millennium Park Summer Music Series June 12-August 21
  4. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 13 – Sept 5
  5. Grant Park Music Festival June 14-August 16 Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts
  6. Grant Park Music Festival June 16-August 19 Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts
  7. Maifest Chicago June 1 – 4 Lincoln Square
  8. Lincoln Park Greek Fest June 2-4
  9. Do-Division June 2 – 4 Wicker Park
  10. Gospel Fest June 2-3 Millennium Park
  11. 57th Street Art Fair June 3-4 Hyde Park
  12. Chicago Blues Fest Preview Events June 5
  13. Printers Row Lit Fest June 10-11
  14. Ribfest Chicago June 9-11 Lincoln/Irving Park/Damen
  15. Andersonville Midsommarfest June 9-11
  16. Chicago Blues Fest June 9-11 Grant Park
  17. America’s Cup 2018 Navy Pier and Lakefront
  18. Wells Street Art Fest June 10-11 Old Town
  19. Remix Chicago: Chicago’s Recycled Art Fair June Moved to Suburbs
  20. Old Town Art Fair June 10-11 Lincoln at Wisconsin Lincoln Park
  21. 6 Corners BBQ Fest June 10-11 Portage Park
  22. Chicago World Naked Bike Ride June 10 Location TBA
  23. Green Music Fest June 10-11 Wicker Park
  24. Taste of Randolph Street June 16-18 West Loop
  25. Pride Fest June 17-18 Boystown
  26. Gold Coast Art Fest June 17-18 Grant Park
  27. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June 19-August 20
  28. Logan Square Arts Fest June 23-25
  29. SummerDance June 23-September 10 Grant Park
  30. Randolph Street Market June 24-25 West Loop
  31. Elston Ave Sausage Fest June 3800 N. Elston Avondale Cancelled
  32. Renegade Craft Fair Chicago June The Hideout 1354 W. Wabansia Moving to Pitchfork in July
  33. Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade June 25 Boystown
  34. Chinatown Dragon Boat Races June 24
  35. Windy City RibFest June 30-July 2 Uptown

July

  1. Free July 4 concert Millennium Park
  2. Taste of Chicago July 5-9 Grant Park
  3. Millennium Art Festival July 7-9 Lake Street at Michigan Avenue
  4. Square Roots Music Fest July 7-9 Lincoln Square
  5. West Fest July 7-9 Chicago Ave. between Damen & Wood West Town
  6. Roscoe Village Burger Fest July 8-9
  7. Southport Art & Music Fest July 15-16
  8. Chinatown Summer Fair July 16

 

 

 

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