Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago’s free summer music festivals
In the summer, the city’s downtown and lakefront are filled with the sound of sublime songs, slide guitars, haunting violins, and sultry saxes, as revelers…
Free and cheap
Free & cheap, Museums & art
Free museum days in Chicago
Update: Beginning Nov. 20, indoor museums and cultural institutions will be temporarily closed. Check back for updates. Experience Chicago’s award-winning museums, without spending a dime.…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
World Music Festival Chicago
Sept. 11 – 27, 2020 Free admission • Multiple locations The 22nd annual World Music Festival is your passport to musical acts from around the…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Grant Park Music Festival
Update: The 2020 Grant Park Music Festival has been canceled to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021. Check…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
Update: The 2020 Chicago Gospel Music Festival has been canceled to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021. Gospel…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music
Chicago Blues Festival
Update: The 2020 Chicago Blues Music Festival has been canceled to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021. The…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap, Music, Theatre & performing arts
Chicago SummerDance
Update: Chicago SummerDance 2020 has been canceled to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021. Check out this year’s…
Food & drink, Free & cheap
What to eat at Taste of Chicago 2019
This year’s Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest free-admission food fest, will feature 82 local restaurants, including 24 pop-ups and 17 food trucks. That adds…
Free & cheap, Museums & art
7 free things to do at the Chicago Cultural Center
From lunchtime concerts to provocative art shows, the Chicago Cultural Center is a creative epicenter, with free art exhibits, concerts, guided tours, and more. Here are…
Free & cheap, Parks & outdoors
Free summer fun in Chicago’s parks and gardens
Welcome to a summer of free things to do in serene green spaces throughout the bustling city. Morning yoga? Movie under the stars? Perhaps a…
Free & cheap
5 free off-the-beaten-path things to do in Chicago
You’ll feel just like one of the locals as you wander beyond downtown Chicago to discover little-known gems steeped in history and artistry. Best of…
Festivals & special events, Free & cheap
Chicago Air and Water Show
Update: The Chicago Air and Water Show 2020 has been canceled due to COVID-19. Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water…
Free & cheap, Holidays
5 free Halloween events in Chicago
Update: Halloween in Chicago is going to look a bit different this year. While there are plenty of safe and fun activities planned, many of…
Free & cheap, Itineraries
2-day budget Chicago itinerary
Here’s the skinny on two days of budget-friendly Chicago sights and experiences, covering everything from beer tastings to neighborhood tours and attractions you won’t want…
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 Shore Drive to Lake Street. Along…
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