Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

2018 Events

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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.

To find all events check the calendar here. 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 and on Twitter. Cheers!

2018

June

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 26-Sept 1
  3. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 5 – August 21
  4. Grant Park Music Festival June 13-August 15 Millennium Park Wednesday Concerts
  5. Grant Park Music Festival June 15-August 17 Millennium Park Friday and Saturday Concerts
  6. Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade June 24 Boystown
  7. Millennium Park Summer Music Series June 18-Aug 16
  8. Pride Fest Navy Pier June 23
  9. Millennium Park Family Fun Festival June 25-August 10 (weekdays)
  10. Ravenswood on Tap June 23-24
  11. Logan Square Arts Fest June 22-24
  12. Chinatown Dragon Boat Races June 23
  13. SummerDance June 28-August 25 Grant Park
  14. Randolph Street Market June 23-24 West Loop
  15. Check back – dates and events below to be updated when info available.
  16. Windy City RibFest June 30-July 2 Uptown

July

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 26-Sept 1
  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 25-August 10 (weekdays)
  8. SummerDance June 28-August 25 Grant Park
  9. Free July 4 concert Millennium Park
  10. Taste of Chicago July 5-9 Grant Park
  11. Millennium Art Festival July 7-9 Lake Street at Michigan Avenue
  12. Square Roots Music Fest July 7-9 Lincoln Square
  13. West Fest July 7-9 Chicago Ave. between Damen & Wood West Town
  14. Roscoe Village Burger Fest July 8-9
  15. Bucktown Tree and Garden Walk July 15-16
  16. Southport Art & Music Fest July 15-16
  17. Chinatown Summer Fair July 16
  18. Celebrate Clark Street Fest Hiatus 2017 Clark Street bet Morse and Estes, Rogers Park
  19. Taste of River North July 21-23
  20. Disability Pride Parade July 22 401 S. Plymouth to Daley Plaza
  21. Sheffield Garden Walk & Fest July 22-23 Lincoln Park
  22. Art Fest Michigan Avenue July 21-22 Downtown
  23. Newberry Library Book Fair July 27-30
  24. Andersonville Sidewalk Sale July 28-30
  25. Wicker Park Fest July 29 – 30
  26. Taste of Lincoln Avenue July 29-30 Lincoln Park
  27. Randolph Street Market July 29-30 West Loop

August

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 26-Sept 1
  3. Millennium Park Summer Music Series June 12-Aug 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 Family Fun Festival June 25-August 10 (weekdays)
  7. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 13 – Sept 5
  8. SummerDance June 28-August 25 Grant Park
  9. Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival Aug 4-6
  10. Edge Fest Aug 5–6 5900 N. Broadway Edgewater
  11. Chicago Hot Dog Fest August 11-13
  12. Ginza Holiday Fest Aug 11-13 435 W. Menomonee St. Lincoln Park
  13. Northalsted Market Days Aug 12 – 13 Boystown
  14. Retro on Roscoe Aug 11 – 13 Roscoe Village
  15. Clark After Dark Aug 17 River North
  16. Festa Italiana Aug 18-20 Little Italy
  17. Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest Aug 18 – 20 6900N/1400W Rogers Park
  18. Chicago Air & Water Show Aug 19-20 North Avenue Beach/Downtown
  19. Ukrainian Days Festival Aug 26-27
  20. Chicago Turkish Festival CANCELLED 2017
  21. Taste of Greektown Aug 25-27
  22. Randolph Street Market August 27-28 West Loop
  23. Bucktown Arts Fest Aug 26-27
  24. Fifth Star Awards Aug 28 Millennium Park
  25. Chicago Jazz Fest Aug 31-Sept 3 Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Harris Theater rooftop

September

  1. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 26-Sept 1
  2. SummerDance June 23-September 10 Grant Park
  3. Millennium Park Summer Film Series June 13 – Sept 5
  4. Chicago Jazz Fest Aug 31-Sept 3 Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Harris Theater rooftop
  5. Taste of Polonia Sept 1-4 Jefferson Park
  6. akeview East Festival of the Arts Sept 9-10
  7. German American Fest Sept 8-10 Lincoln Square
  8. Von Steuben German Day Parade Sept 9 Lincoln Square (part of German American Fest )
  9. Annual World Music Festival Chicago Sept 8-24
  10. Festival on Prairie Avenue Sept 9 South Loop
  11. Ukrainian Village Festival Sept 9-10
  12. Ravenswood Art Walk Sept 16-17
  13. West Loop Art Fest Sept 16-17
  14. Lakeview Taco Fest Chicago Sept 16-17
  15. Randolph Street Market September 24-25 West Loop
  16. Hyde Park Jazz Fest Sept 23-24
  17. Oktoberfest Chicago Sept 29-Oct 1 Lakeview
  18. Free Family Festival Lincoln Park Zoo Sept 29-Oct 29; Oct 9

October

  1. West Town  Art Walk Oct 6-7
  2. Columbus Parade Oct 9 Downtown
  3. Double Ten Parade in Chinatown Chicago Oct. TBD
  4. Free Fall Festival at Jesse White Park Oct 7
  5. Fall Oktoberfest Chicago Riverwalk Oct 13
  6. North Park Village Harvest Festival Oct 15
  7. Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches around Chicago
  8. Free Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 7-9, 10, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30
  9. Arts in the Dark The Halloween Parade Oct 21 Downtown
  10. Free Halloween events at Navy Pier
  11. Free Lincoln Park Zoo Spooky Zoo Spectacular Oct 28
  12. National Museum of Mexican Art Day of the Dead Oct 29 Pilsen
  13. Maxwell Street Market Day of the Dead Celebration Oct 29 South Loop
  14. Randolph Street Market Oct 29-30 West Loop
  15. Clark Street Spooktacular Oct 29 Lincoln Park
  16. Logan Square Halloween Parade Oct 29
  17. Northalsted Halloween Parade Oct 31 On Halsted from Belmont to Addison
  18. Halloween on The 606 Oct 31
  19. Chicago Trick-or-treat and Halloween events

November

  1. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights November 24-26
  2. Caroling at Cloud Gate Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16 Millennium Park
  3. Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show and trains Nov 25-Jan 8
  4. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov 17-March 2018
  5. Christkindlmarket Market Nov 17-Dec 24 Daley Plaza
  6. McCormick Ice Rink Nov. 17- March 4 Millennium Park
  7. CTA Holiday Bus Nov 28-Dec 23
  8. CTA Holiday Train Nov 18-Dec 22
  9. Artisan Market Streeterville Nov TBA
  10. 900 N. Michigan Holiday Tree Lighting Nov. 16
  11. Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 17
  12. Mag Mile Lights Festival Nov 17- 18
  13. Randolph Street Market Nov 19-20 West Loop
  14. Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 23
  15. Free day at Morton Arboretum Nov 23
  16. Randolph Street Market Nov 26-27 West Loop
  17. Wreathing of the Lions Nov 24 Art Institute of Chicago
  18. Old Town Tree Lighting Nov. 28

December

  1. McCormick Ice Rink through March 5 Millennium Park
  2. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon Nov 17-March 2018
  3. Winter Wonder Fest Dec 1 -Jan 7 Navy Pier
  4. Chi-town Rising Dec 31 Downtown This atrocity has been cancelled!
  5. Renegade Craft Fair Dec 3-4 Bridgeport
  6. Santa’s  Misbehaving Dec 2 Downtown
  7. Made in Chicago Holiday Market Dec 3 West Loop
  8. CTA Holiday Bus Nov 28-Dec 23
  9. CTA Holiday Train Nov 18-Dec 22
  10. Christkindlmarket Market Nov 18-Dec 24 Daley Plaza
  11. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights December 2–4, 9–23, 26–31
  12. One of a Kind Show Dec. 7-10
  13. Ugly Sweater Skate Dec 9 Maggie Daley Park
  14. Late Night Andersonville Dec 8,15 and 22
  15. Bucktown Holiday Art Show Dec 9-10
  16. West Town Winter Fest Dec 9
  17. Holiday Remix Chicago Dec 9 Uptown
  18. Holiday Dose Market Dec. 11 West Loop
  19. St. Lucia Fest Dec 13 Andersonville
  20. St Lucia Celebration Dec 13 Daley Plaza
  21. Randolph Street Market Dec 16-17 West Loop
  22. Jingle Fest Dec 16 West Loop
  23. The Chicago Santa Crawl Dec 16 River North
  24. Skate with Santa Dec 16 Maggie Daley Park
  25. Tuba Christmas Dec 23 Loop
  26. Free day at Morton Arboretum Dec 25
  27. Navy Pier Fireworks Dec 31

2019 NO DATES BELOW ARE UPDATED

January

  1. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights January 1, 2018
  2. McCormick Ice Rink through March  Millennium Park
  3. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March
  4. Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show Jan 10-14
  5. Chicago Restaurant Week Jan 26-Feb 8
  6. Randolph Street Market Festival Jan 28-29
  7. Chinese New Year Events Jan 28

February

  1. McCormick Ice Rink through March  Millennium Park
  2. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March
  3. Chicago Restaurant Week through Feb 8
  4. Chicago Theatre Week Feb 8-18 City wide
  5. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle Feb 10 Wicker Park
  6. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 10-May 13
  7. Chicago Auto Show Feb 10-19
  8. Chinese New Year Events Feb 3-March 3
  9. Navy Pier: Global Connections Feb 10 and 24
  10. Love Dose Market Pops up February XX West Loop
  11. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 10-May 13

March

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show through May 13
  3. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show through May 13
  4. McCormick Ice Rink through March 11 Millennium Park
  5. Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon through March 11
  6. Navy Pier: Global Connections March 4
  7. March in the Downtown Chicago St. Pat’s Parade March 17
  8. St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17 Downtown
  9. Where to drink on St. Patrick’s Day
  10. Handmade Market at Empty Bottle March 10 Wicker Park To
  11. Southside Irish Parade March 11 Western from 103rd to 115th
  12. Northwest Side Irish Parade March 11 Raven from Neola to Northwest Highway to Harlem
  13. Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier March 18-26
  14. Randolph Street Market March 24-25 West Loop
  15. Macy’s Flower Show March 25- April 8 Downtown

April

  1. Macy’s Flower Show March 25- April 8 Downtown
  2. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  3. Free screenings Chicago Latino Film Festival No events 2018
  4. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 11-May 14
  5. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 28-May 10
  6. Hellenic Heritage Parade (Greek Independence Day Parade) April 29
  7. One of A Kind Show and Sale Spring Show April 27-29

May

  1. Free events at Daley Plaza under the Picasso
  2. Kite Fest May 5 Cricket Hill/Montrose Beach
  3. Polish Parade May 5 Dearborn Street Downtown
  4. Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 11-May 14
  5. Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show Feb 28-May 10
  6. Chicago Riverwalk Kick-off Celebration May 18-20
  7. Chicago Mayfest May 18-20 Lakeview
  8. Navy Pier Summer Fireworks Wednesdays and Saturdays May 26-Sept 1
  9. Memorial Day Parade May 26 State Street Downtown
  10. Randolph Street Market May 26-27 West Loop
  11. Free Millennium Park House Party May 26
  12. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest May 26-27
  13. Maifest Chicago May 31-June 3 Lincoln Square

June

  1. Gospel Fest June 1-2 Millennium Park
  2. Lincoln Park Greek Fest June 1-3
  3. Do-Division June 1-3 Wicker Park
  4. 57th Street Art Fair June 2-3 Hyde Park
  5. Chicago Blues Fest Preview Events June 4 and 7
  6. Chicago Blues Fest June 8-10 Millennium Park
  7. Ribfest Chicago June 8-10 Lincoln/Irving Park/Damen
  8. Andersonville Midsommarfest June 8-10
  9. Printers Row Lit Fest June 9-10
  10. Wells Street Art Fest June 9-10 Old Town
  11. Old Town Art Fair June 9-10 Lincoln at Wisconsin Lincoln Park
  12. Chicago World Naked Bike Ride June 9 Location TBA
  13. Taste of Randolph Street June 15-16 West Loop More info to come
  14. Pride Fest June 16-17 Boystown
  15. Gold Coast Art Fest June 17-18 Grant Park

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