You don’t need to reach for your wallet to get your fill of fun things to do all around the city. Here are 10 of our favorite free events and activities this month in Chicago, including over-the-top Pride celebrations, outdoor adventures, iconic Chicago experiences, and so much more. Start planning your budget-friendly Chicago adventures for June 2025.
1. Party at Pride
June is Pride Month and there are plenty of fun (and free!) ways to celebrate all around Chicago. The city’s signature Pride celebrations culminate with the annual Chicago Pride Parade, back for its 54th year on Sunday, June 29.
All month long, the Legacy Walk lights up the streets of Northalsted, the oldest official gay neighborhood in the country. This free outdoor museum honors the historic contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
Check out all the ways to celebrate Pride Month in Chicago, including more free events like Navy Pier Pride and Art of Pride at Hyde Park Art Center.
2. See live music in Millennium Park
The city’s iconic Millennium Park is filled with live music every summer, from major music festivals to casual weekday concerts. Check out the packed lineup of free shows coming to the Pritzker Pavilion this June. No tickets needed, just show up and grab a spot on the Great Lawn to enjoy live music under the stars.
- Chicago Blues Festival on June 5 – 8: One of the city’s most legendary music festivals draws hundreds of thousands of fans and blues icons from all over the country.
- Grant Park Music Festival beginning June 11: This 90-year tradition brings free classical music to Millennium Park all summer long.
- Millennium Park Music Series beginning June 26: This free outdoor concert series features top local and touring acts, all with a skyline backdrop in Millennium Park.
Check out the full Millennium Park events calendar for more free summer events.
3. Take a free walking tour with a local
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, there’s always something new to discover in Chicago. Get to know a new neighborhood with Chicago Greeter’s free neighborhood pop-up walks in neighborhoods across the city all summer long. Check out this month’s neighborhoods:
- Uptown (June 7)
- Wrigleyville (June 7)
- Lincoln Square (June 21)
- Ravenswood (June 21)
- Hyde Park (June 28)
- South Shore (June 28)
4. Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth, a national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, is the perfect occasion to learn more about Black culture, traditions, and the contributions of Black Chicagoans past and present.
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood, the nation’s first independent Black history museum, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the diversity of the Black experience. Admission to the museum is free for all every Wednesday all year round.
5. Enjoy a free museum day
Spend an afternoon wandering through a Chicago museum, where you can dive into fascinating history, provocative contemporary art, and galaxies far, far away.
Here are the upcoming free museum days in Chicago this month for Illinois residents:
- Field Museum is free every Wednesday
- Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is free on June 12 and 19
- Art Institute of Chicago is free every Thursday evening after 5 p.m.
- Shedd Aquarium is free every Tuesday evening after 5 p.m.
- Chicago History Museum is free on June 19, 21, and 28
- Adler Planetarium is free every Wednesday evening after 4 p.m.
You can also visit one of the city’s always-free museums, like the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, the National Museum of Mexican Art, and more.
Explore more: Mark your calendar for free museum days throughout the year.
6. Attend a neighborhood event
Abel Arciniega @tequilagraphics
Almost every Chicago neighborhood has its own signature summer event, including music festivals, block parties, art fairs, and more dedicated to food, culture, and beyond. Here are just a few of the neighborhood festivals and events with free admission this June:
- Maifest Chicago on May 29 – June 1: Get a taste of German heritage at this annual gathering known for giant beers, traditional foods, and lively bands.
- 57th Street Art Fair on June 7 – 8: This long-running event features an array of artists from all over the country in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood.
- Puerto Rican Day People’s Parade on June 14: Immerse yourself in Puerto Rican culture and a celebratory atmosphere during this lively parade in Humboldt Park.
- Bronzeville Art Trolley Tour on June 20: Enjoy free double-decker bus rides that take art lovers to a variety of Bronzeville galleries.
- Taste of Chicago pop-up event on June 28: Taste of Chicago will bring local favorite vendors and live performances to Marquette Park for this neighborhood pop-up.
7. Experience Chicago’s dance scene
Chicago’s diverse and dynamic dance legacy spans everything from classic ballet to stepping and other modern forms. And June is the perfect time to experience it for yourself. The 12th annual Chicago Dance Month will offer free events all month long, starting with a kick-off performance at Navy Pier on May 31. The free event will feature a variety of performers across genres.
8. Watch the summer fireworks on the lakefront
The Navy Pier summer fireworks display is one of the most iconic parts of a Chicago summer. These free shows take place on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 p.m. all summer long. The breathtaking display is accompanied by a soundtrack of popular music, with special themed nights for holidays. The best places to watch the show include on the east and south sides of the Pier or along the nearby lakefront.
9. Hear live jazz at a museum
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s popular Tuesdays on the Terrace series is back, kicking off its 26th year on Thursday, June 16. The beloved series brings free weekly concerts to the museum’s lawn every Thursday.
The shows highlight artists from Chicago’s internationally renowned jazz community. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics; light refreshments and a full bar with cold beverages, wine, and cocktails are available for sale.
10. Hit the beach
Beach season is officially here, which means Chicago’s dozens of free beaches are open to enjoy. People watch at North Avenue Beach, take in the views at South Shore Beach, play some volleyball in the sand at Foster Beach, and beyond. Many Chicago beaches are connected via the Lakefront Trail, an 18-mile path perfect for running, walking, or biking.
Explore more: Check out more sandy spots to explore with our Chicago beach guide.
Bonus! Catch a new season of Art on THE MART
Art on THE MART is now showing brand new works along the Chicago Riverwalk. The latest edition of the massive waterfront display will include special Pride projections to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The new program is on view nightly (9 to 9:30 p.m.) from June 5 to 29.
