Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago Air and Water Show
Aug. 15 – 16, 2026 Free admission • Chicago lakefront The Chicago Air and Water Show has been an iconic Chicago event since 1959. The…
Chicago Cultural Center
Free and cheap
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Jazz Festival
Sept. 3 – 6, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park The oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals, the Chicago Jazz Festival boasts an incredibly…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
World Music Festival Chicago
Sept. 25 – Oct. 4, 2026 Free admission • Multiple locations The 26th annual World Music Festival is your passport to musical acts from across…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
July 24 – 25, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park Gospel music has deep roots in Chicago. The Chicago Gospel Music Festival, one of the…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Blues Festival
June 4 – 7, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond A legendary Chicago event since 1984, the Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Grant Park Music Festival
June 10 – Aug. 15, 2026 Free admission • Millennium Park Experience a Chicago summer tradition like no other. A local staple for more than…
Free & cheap, Museums & art
Free museum days in Chicago
Experience Chicago’s award-winning museums without spending a dime. Enjoy free admission to top Chicago attractions like the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago…
Free & cheap, Holidays
Free Halloween events in Chicago
Halloween in Chicago is so much more than just trick-or-treating. There are magical nighttime parades, authentic Day of the Dead celebrations, spine-tingling ghost tours, and…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago SummerDance
Free admission • Grant Park and parks citywide Enjoy live music and dancing on an open-air dance floor during the annual Chicago SummerDance festival. This…
Free & cheap
10 free off-the-beaten-path things to do in Chicago
You’ll feel just like one of the locals as you wander throughout Chicago to discover little-known gems steeped in history and artistry. Best of all,…
Free & cheap, Parks & outdoors
Your guide to the Chicago Riverwalk
Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Along the…
Free & cheap, Museums & art
Free things to do at the Chicago Cultural Center
From architecture tours to provocative art shows, the Chicago Cultural Center is a creative epicenter, with no-cost art exhibits, concerts, guided tours, and more. Here are…
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