Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

2022 Festivals and Events

2022 Events. Following is the current status of all events we cover.  Most events are free, around $10 or less or are at a big discount.

To receive all the latest news on deals, discounts and free events in Chicago, sign up for the daily Chicago on the Cheap newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook. Cheers!

Any street festival or event held on a Chicago street cannot charge a mandatory entrance fee.  This is the law.  They can only request a suggested donation.  However, most festivals are for the benefit of the neighborhood to cover the costs of the fest and to use the profit for neighborhood schools, plantings, benches, etc.

2022 Festivals and Events

April 2022

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso 
  2. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 26-May 8
  3. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 26-May 8
  4. One of a Kind Show and Sale Spring Show April 29-May 1
  5. Navy Pier events

 

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

May 2022

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso 
  2. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb. 26-May 8, 2022
  3. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb. 26-May 8, 2022
  4. Polish Parade Dearborn Street Downtown May 7, 2022
  5. Greek Independence Day Parade May 22, 2022
  6. Chicago Riverwalk Season Celebration Celebration May 13-19, 2022
  7. Chicago Mayfest Lakeview May 21-22, 2022 
  8. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest  May 28-29, 2022
  9. Memorial Day Parade State Street Downtown May 28, 2022
  10. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest May 28-29, 2022

 

June 2022

  1. Uptown Art Week June 1-5, 2022
  2. Maifest Chicago Lincoln Square June 2-5, 2022
  3. Do Division Wicker Park June 3-5, 2022
  4. Lincoln Park Greek Fest June 3-5, 2022
  5. Gospel Music Experience June 4, 2022
  6. Chicago Blues Fest Millennium Park  June 9-12, 2022
  7. Millennium Park Summer Music Series Mondays and Thursdays June 20 to Aug. 18, 2022
  8. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  9. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 28-Sept 3, 2022
  10. Gold Coast Art Fair Grant Park June 18-19, 2022
  11. Andersonville Midsommarfest, June 10-12,2022
  12.  Grant Park Music Festival, June 15-August 21, 2022
  13. Millennium Park Summer Film Series, July 12-August 30, 2022
  14. Lincoln Park Greek Fest, June 3-5, 2022
  15. Taste of Randolph Street, June 17-19, 2022
  16. Wrigleyville Art Market June 14, 2022
  17. Hyde Park Summer Fest, June 11-12, 2022
  18. Wells Street Art Fair, June 11-12, 2022
  19. 57th Street Art Fair June 6-7 Hyde Park
  20. Made in Chicago Market June 13 West Loop 
  21. Old Town Art Fair June 12-13 Lincoln at Wisconsin Lincoln Park  
  22. Chicago World Naked Bike Ride June 25, 2022
  23. Chinatown Dragon Boat Races June 25, 2022  
  24. Pride Fest June 18-19, 2022
  25. Pride Fest Navy Pier June 25, 2022

July 2022

  1. Sundays on State
  2. Free July 4th weekend Fireworks
  3. SummerDance  Grant Park (Thursdays-Saturdays) July 6-Sept. 17, 2022
  4. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso 
  5. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 29-Sept 3, 2022
  6. Millennium Park Summer Music Series 
  7. Grant Park Music Festival Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Concerts 
  8. Millennium Park Summer Film Series July 12-August 30, 2022
  9. West Fest Chicago Ave. between Damen & Wood, July 9
  10. Taste of Chicago, Grant Park, July 8-10, 2022
  11. Fresh Fest Navy Pier July 8-9, 2022 
  12. Square Roots Music Fest July 8-10, 2022
  13. Southport Art Fest July 9-10, 2022 
  14. Bucktown Neighborhood and  Garden Walk July 9-10, 2022
  15. Millennium Art Festival July 15, 16, 17, 2022 at Michigan Avenue 
  16. Roscoe Village Burger Fest July 15-17, 2022 
  17. Disability Pride Parade July 23, 2022
  18. Newberry Library Book Fair, July 29-31, 2022
  19. Wicker Park Fest July 22-24, 2022
  20. Taste of Lincoln Avenue July 22-24, 2022, Lincoln Park 
  21. Randolph Street Market July 30-31, 2022
  22. Andersonville Sidewalk Sale July 29-31, 2022
  23. Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival July 29-31, 2022 
  24. Chinatown Summer Fair July 30-31, 2022

August 2002

  1. Millennium Park Summer Film Series
  2. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  3. Grant Park Music Festival Millennium Park Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Concerts through Aug. 21, 2022 
  4. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May -Sept 3, 2022
  5. SummerDance  Grant Park (Thursdays-Saturdays) July 6-Sept. 17, 2022
  6. Millennium Park Summer Music Series 
  7. Northalsted Market Days Aug 6-7, 2022 Boystown
  8. Sundays on State Aug, 7, 2022, and Aug. 21, 2022
  9. Windy City Smoke Out Aug. 4-7, 2022
  10. Chicago Brewing District Dancing in the Streets West Town Aug 5, 2022
  11. Retro on Roscoe Aug 12-14, 2022, Roscoe Village
  12. Ginza Holiday Fest, Aug. 13-14, 2022
  13. Little Italy Fest, Aug. 11-14, 2022
  14. Edison Park Fest August 12-14, 2022
  15. Clark After Dark Aug 18, 2022, River North
  16. Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest Aug 19-21 6900N/1400W Rogers Park
  17. Chicago Air & Water Show Aug  21-22, 2022, North Avenue Beach/Downtown 
  18. Ukrainian Day Aug, 20, 2022
  19. Taste of Greektown Aug 24-26, 2022 
  20. Chalk Howard Street Aug. 27, 2022
  21. Pilsen Fest  Now Aug. 27-28, 2022
  22. Bucktown Arts Fest Aug, 27-28,2022

 

September 2022

  1. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May-Sept 3, 2022
  2. SummerDance  Grant Park (Thursdays-Saturdays) July 6-Sept. 17, 2022
  3. Chicago Jazz Fest Sept. 1-4, 2022
  4. Lincoln Square Greektober Fest Sept. 2-5
  5. West Loop Art Fest Sept 3-4, 2022 
  6. Sundays on State  Sept. 4, 2022
  7. Printers Row Lit Fest Sept. 10-11, 2022
  8. Renegade Craft Fair Sept. 10-11, 2022
  9. German American Fest Sept 9-11, 2022, Lincoln Square 
  10. Ravenswood Art Walk Sept 10-11, 2022
  11. Renegade Craft Fair Chicago Sept 10-12, 2022 
  12. Lakeview East Festival of the Arts Sept 10-11, 2022
  13. Norwood Park Fall Festival Sept. 16-17, 2022 
  14. Lakeview Taco Fest Chicago Sept. 17-18, 2022
  15. Hyde Park Jazz Fest Sept 24-25, 2022 
  16. St Alphonsus Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 23-25, 2022,  Lakeview
  17. Annual World Music Festival Chicago, Sept. 30-Oct. 30, 2022
  18. Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches around Chicago
  19. St. Benedict’s Oktoberfest Sept. 30, Oct 1-2  
  20. Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo Friday-Sundays September 30–October 30  

October 2022 

  1. St. Benedict’s Oktoberfest Sept. 30, October 1-2
  2. Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo Friday-Sundays September 30–October 30  
  3. Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest  October 1-2
  4. Hyde Park Art Fair October 8-9  
  5. Columbus Parade  October 20 Downtown
  6. Open House Chicago October 15-16
  7. Arts in the Dark The Halloween Parade  October 29 Downtown
  8. Wicker Park Boo-palooza  October 22
  9. Free Lincoln Park Boo! at the Zoo Saturdays and Sunday October 8-22

We are working to confirm 2022 dates and details for the following events.

2021 events November

  1. Mag Mile Lights Festival Nov 22-23
  2. Randolph Street Market Nov 21-22 West Loop
  3. Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 28
  4. Free day at Morton Arboretum Nov 28
  5. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 22
  6. Chicago Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Nov 22-24
  7. Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs Nov 26-Dec 17   
  8. CTA Holiday Bus Nov 26-Dec 23 Select dates
  9. Caroling at Cloud Gate Fridays, Nov 29-Dec 20 Millennium Park
  10. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights November 29-Jan 5, 2020 Select dates
  11. Wreathing of the Lions Nov 29 Art Institute of Chicago
  12. CTA Holiday Train Nov 29-Dec 23 Select dates
  13. Garfield Park Holiday Flower Show Nov 29-Jan 5, 2020
  14. Made in Chicago Holiday Market Nov 20 West Loop
  15. Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show and trains Nov 29-Jan 5 2020
  16. 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

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

 

 

2023 Events

  1. Chicago Auto Show Feb. 11-20, 2023

Member of the Living on the Cheap Network

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 Living on the Cheap.

Living on the Cheap in the media