Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week. You can find a complete list of events by day on our Calendar page. Below the daily list are about 70 more Free or Cheap Things to do on any day.
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Free or cheap things to do in Chicago this week:
- Monday, Aug 21
- Tuesday, Aug 22
- Wednesday, Aug 23
- Thursday, Aug 24
- Run through Foam at Navy Pier
- Free Senior Seminars at Daley Plaza Chicago
- Free Floating Museum Chicago
- Friday, Aug 25
- Saturday, Aug 26
- Green City Market every Saturday
- Downtown Chicago farmers markets this week
- Free Saturday morning workouts at Millennium Park
- Explore Cook County Forest Preserve Nature Centers
- Southside Chicago Farmer’s Markets
- Green City Market West Loop
- Free Saturday gallery tours Chicago River North
- Free White City Walking Tours
- Bucktown Arts Fest Aug 26-27
- Sunday, Aug 27
- Neighborhood Farmers Markets Sunday
- Discount tickets to Randolph Street Market Festival
- Free Kids Events at Lurie Garden
- Monday, Aug 28
- Tuesday, Aug 29
- Wednesday, Aug 30
- Thursday, Aug 31
More free or cheap things to do in Chicago:
- Half-price tickets
- Free museum days in Chicago
- Free passes for museums, attractions at the library
- City Pass Chicago access to five city attractions on the cheap
- Go Chicago Card see top Chicago attractions on the cheap
- Free and cheap things to do with Kids in Chicago
- Check out Student Discounts
Free Museums and Exhibits
- Free museum days in Chicago
- Free Family Fun at Art Institute of Chicago
- Guide to the Art Institute of Chicago
- What you get on Free Day at the Adler Planetarium
- What you get on Free Day at the Field Museum
- What you get on Free Day at the Museum of Science and Industry
- What you get on Free Day at the Shedd Aquarium
- Ongoing exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center
Theater and film
- Look for half-price entertainment tickets
- $5 Civic Orchestra Tickets
- $15 Lyric Opera Tours
- Go to a discount performance at the Goodman Theater
- Go to a discount performance at the Harris Theater Mix at Six tickets
- Go to a discount performance at the Lookingglass Theater
- Go to a discount performance at the Steppenwolf Theater
- Regal Theaters $6 economy tickets
Educational
- Check out the Harold Washington Library Maker Lab
- Check out your local Chicago Public Library Branch
- ‘Scopes in the City
Dining
- Check out Revival Food Hall
- Have a cocktail on a Downtown Rooftop or Patio
- Eat and drink along the Chicago Riverwalk
Tours
- 50% Chicago Architectural Foundation River Cruises
- Free SC Johnson Headquarters Tour Racine, WI
- Free and Cheap Chicago area Brewery Tours
- Free tour First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple
- Free tour Old St. Patrick’s Church
- Free tour Holy Name Cathedral
Tourist attractions
Road trip
- Take a trip to a Chicago-area Casino Free Rivers Casino Shuttles Other Free Casino Shuttles
- A Day at the Races Arlington Park
Indoor Nature
- Free things to do at Lincoln Park Conservatory
- Free things to do at Garfield Park Conservatory
- Visit the Oak Park Conservatory
Kids
Stay at home
- Explore the Free Chicago Collections Consortium
- Read Magazines for free from Chicago Public Library
- Free and low cost ways to file your taxes
- Look for Unclaimed Money
Outdoors
- Chicago area Garage Sales Finder
- Free things to do at Northerly Island
- Free things to do at Maggie Daley Park
- Free things to do at Millennium Park
- Walk through the Lurie Garden
- Free Cook County Forest Preserves events
- Check out the talking statue exhibit: Statue Stories
- Explore the Chicago Lakefront Trail North
- Explore the Chicago Lakefront Trail South
- Guide to Lincoln Park Zoo
- Take a free art tour of Grant Park
- Take a free art tour of Lincoln Park
- Volunteer to help plant and care for trees
- Camp for $50 in a Chicago Park District park
- Camp in the Cook County Forest Preserves
- Ride the Chicago Water Taxi’s
- Visit Chicago Botanic Garden on the cheap
- Guide to Ravinia on the cheap
- Free tour Graceland Cemetery
- Chicago Ice Skating Rinks
If you know of a free or cheap event you think we should add, email us at info@chicagoonthecheap.com.
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JLK says
Hello. Am thrilled I found your site for Chicago. Although many events are discounted, being a Senior (mid-70s), my money is even tighter than it is for somebody that isn’t living on their savings. QUESTION: Do you have a listing of things for Seniors? (I’m an educated woman with a hearing impairment, and love dance, music and good theater. I rely on public transportation, so for safety’s sake, I would prefer to attend events in the Loop where I wouldn’t be attacked.)–Thanks!
Carol says
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the site. I don’t have a Senior specific page or post but I was thinking about it when I published this https://chicagoonthecheap.com/reflections-free-day-of-art-for-seniors/. There is a senior center at the Chicago Cultural Center called Renaissance Court. They publish a quarterly brochure https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/fss/supp_info/SeniorServices/RCSummer2016Brochure.pdf I’ll create a post soon. Stay tuned!