This month, enjoy unique Halloween celebrations, tour local artist studios, check out global musicians, and browse the city’s longest-running outdoor market — all without spending a dime.
Free things to do in October
What are some free things to do in Chicago this month?
Chicago is bursting with free things to do this October, including no-cost events like Open House Chicago, spooky Halloween parades like Arts in the Dark, and vibrant cultural celebrations for Day of the Dead. You can also catch the final days of the Chicago World Music Festival and cheer on runners during the Chicago Marathon. Start planning your budget trip to Chicago with this round-up of the free things to do and see all month long.
1. Attend the World Music Festival
Through Oct. 4, 2026
This free festival brings music from around the world to Chicago. The 26th annual World Music Festival features a diverse array of international artists and groups at venues throughout Chicago, from neighborhood clubs to the Chicago Cultural Center.
This year’s final event is the outdoor Global Peace Party at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse, with performances by the Mary Hazboun Ensemble. Check out the remaining events in October:
Thursday, Oct. 1 at The Kehrein Center for the Arts
- Asase Yaa (NY/West Africa)
- Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (Chicago)
- Orchestra Azania Drum (Chicago)
Friday, Oct. 2 at Chop Shop + 1st Ward Events
- Grupo Rebolu (NY/Colombia)
- Radio Free Honduras (Chicago/Honduras)
Saturday, Oct. 3 at Beverly Arts Center
- The Klezmatics (NY)
- Los Vega (Mexico)
Saturday, Oct. 3 at Sleeping Village
- Saha Gnawa (NY/Morocco)
- Chamni Sripraram Thai Music Ensemble (Chicago/Thailand)
Sunday, Oct. 4 at Humboldt Park Fieldhouse
- Global Peace Party
2. Go behind-the-scenes during Open House Chicago
Oct. 17 – 18, 2026
Open House Chicago is a free architecture festival that lets you step inside some of the city’s coolest buildings, including private clubs, historic residential buildings, landmark theatres, and so much more.
This year, there are more than 200 sites spread out across 30 Chicago neighborhoods.
A few new and exciting places to check out this year include:
- Blackhawks Ice Center on the Near West Side
- Muddy Waters MOJO Museum in Kenwood
- Smashed Plastic Record Pressing in Hermosa
- Sears Sunken Garden in North Lawndale
- TimeLine Theatre in Uptown
- Cadillac Palace Theatre in the Loop
Explore this year’s top sites and start planning your route today.
3. See the Arts in the Dark parade
Oct. 24, 2026
Once a year, the mesmerizing Arts in the Dark takes over downtown Chicago with performances, life-size puppets, creative floats, and more.
This free evening parade celebrates Halloween as the artists’ holiday, featuring performances and artwork by some of the city’s top cultural groups. This year, the parade will move to a larger space on Columbus Drive.
Also, check out the kid-friendly Upside Down Parade in Washington Park on Oct. 31. Families are invited to don their costumes and become the parade, as they march by dance teams, musicians, acrobats, sports mascots, and more.
Check out more free Halloween events in Chicago.
4. Cheer on the Chicago Marathon
Oct. 11, 2026
The Chicago Marathon is one of just eight World Major Marathons, which means that elite athletes and beginning runners from all over the world come to Chicago for its famously fast course.
The 26.2-mile course starts and ends in iconic Grant Park, traveling through more than two dozen of the city’s unique neighborhoods. Check out the high-energy race day celebrations in Greektown, Chinatown, Pilsen, Northalsted, and beyond.
5. Shop Chicago’s oldest outdoor market
Oct. 4, 2026
Maxwell Street Market is Chicago’s oldest open-air market, dating all the way back to 1847. This seasonal Sunday marketplace includes food, handmade crafts, housewares, clothing, live entertainment, and more.
The October market will be a block party to close out the 2026 season, with live music, dancing, and local vendors.
6. Honor Day of the Dead
Throughout October
Día de los Muertos is a meaningful Mexican holiday that celebrates life and the memory of loved ones who have passed. Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood is home to an array of vibrant celebrations throughout the month:
Day of the Dead exhibit at National Museum of Mexican Art
Experience the customs and traditions of Day of the Dead at this year’s Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos exhibit at the always-free National Museum of Mexican Art.
Día de los Muertos Xicágo at Harrison Park
Immerse yourself in cultural traditions during the annual Día de los Muertos Xicágo on Saturday, Oct. 24. During this free celebration, guests can enjoy ofrendas created by community members, live musical performances, art activities, and more.
7. Enjoy free admission at Chicago museums
Multiple days in October
Spend an afternoon wandering through a Chicago museum, where you can dive into fascinating history, artistic masterpieces, and galaxies far, far away.
Here are the upcoming free museum days in Chicago for Illinois residents:
- Field Museum is free on Wednesdays
- Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is free on Oct. 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, and 18
- Chicago History Museum is free on Oct. 8 and 12
- Adler Planetarium is free on Oct. 1, 26, 27, and 28
- Shedd Aquarium is free on Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27 after 5 p.m.
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is free Oct. 1 – 2 and 5 – 9
Explore more: Mark your calendar for free museum days throughout the year.
8. Get spooky at a haunted Halloween parade
Oct. 31, 2026
In the historic Northalsted neighborhood, it’s not Halloween without the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade.
The 30th annual parade will march along Halsted Street with fun and spooky performances from local groups like the Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers, Lakeside Pride Marching Band, Chicago Spirit Brigade pep squad, and more. There’s also a costume contest with an awards ceremony, and plenty of afterparties throughout the neighborhood.
New this year, the daytime Haunted Halsted Fest between Aldine Avenue and Addison Avenue will include food, drinks, music, local vendors, live performances, and more.
9. Attend open studios and gallery tours
Throughout October
Chicago’s art scene comes to life in our neighborhoods, where local galleries are constantly pushing boundaries and showcasing the latest talent.
Explore the latest and discover up-and-coming artists during these free gallery and open studio nights around Chicago:
- 3rd Friday at Bridgeport Art Center (Oct. 16): This vibrant maker space welcomes the public once a month to explore the works of local painters, sculptors, ceramicists, woodworkers, and more.
- 3rd Friday at Zhou B Art Center (Oct. 16): This converted warehouse in the Bridgeport neighborhood has become a leading hub for international and local art.
- Pilsen Open Studios (Oct. 24 – 25): Get to know the art and artists of the vibrant Pilsen neighborhood with open studio hours at more than 20 galleries and cultural venues. There will also be free mural walking tours.
10. Celebrate the start of fall at Lincoln Park Zoo
Through October
Kick off autumn with Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo. This family-friendly celebration brings fall decor, treats, activities, and more to the historic zoo from Sept. 25 through Nov. 1.
Free things to do and see include fall decorations, musical entertainment, professional pumpkin carvers, a pumpkin patch, and fall-themed enrichment for the animals. And, of course, check out the animal exhibits with species from every corner of the globe.
Bonus! See fall colors at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Oct. 1 and 12, 2026
Just north of the city in Glencoe, the stunning Chicago Botanic Garden is free for Illinois residents this month on Thursday, Oct. 1 and Monday, Oct. 12.
Explore more than 380 acres of natural beauty, including an English walled garden, islands, a Japanese garden, a 100-acre wood, a rose garden, native plant area, and Nature Play Garden for kids. Check out the fall color tree walk to see the best of the season’s splendor.
Make sure to register in advance for your free admission.
Looking for more? Check out our guide on free things to do in Chicago all year long.
