10 free things to do in Chicago this October 2025

This month, enjoy live music at a downtown block party, attend Chicago Fashion Week runway shows, and explore the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America — all without spending a dime.

Chicago is bursting with free things to do this October, including plenty of live music, free museum days, festivals and parades, cultural happenings, and more. Start planning your budget trip to Chicago with this round-up of the free things to do and see all month long.

1. Go behind-the-scenes during Open House

Oct. 18 – 19, 2025
Spend a weekend exploring more than 200 historically and culturally significant sites across 25 neighborhoods during the annual Open House Chicago on Saturday. Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19.

Hosted by the Chicago Architecture Center, this free citywide festival lets attendees access historic landmarks, skyscrapers, and private residences — many of which are usually closed to the public. Marvel at architectural gems ranging from houses of worship to majestic theatres and even a castle.

2. Be mesmerized by Arts in the Dark

Oct. 18 and 25, 2025
Spooky season is upon us, which means the return of the annual Arts in the Dark parade, a free and family-friendly Halloween event. This beloved evening spectacle will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 on State Street in the downtown Loop. Expect music, dance, creative floats, costumed performers, large-scale puppets, and more.

Also, check out the 6th annual Upside Down Halloween Parade in Washington Park on Saturday, Oct. 25. Costumed spectators will “parade” past local performance groups, dancers, sports mascots, and more during this family-friendly daytime event, complete with complimentary candy, costumes, and goodie bags for kids.

Explore more: Check out more free Halloween events in Chicago.

3. Attend the World Music Festival

Through Oct. 5, 2025
The annual World Music Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings hundreds of musicians from all over the world to Chicago for a city-wide celebration of international music.

Guests can experience the sounds of music from across the globe, with diverse musical acts hailing from Brazil, India, South Korea, Senegal, and more. Don’t miss this year’s closing celebration during the Global Peace Party at Navy Pier, featuring a range of artists at the lakefront beer garden.

4. 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: Experience the customs and traditions of Day of the Dead at this year’s Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance exhibit at the always-free National Museum of Mexican Art. Now in its 39th year, the exhibition showcases stunning ofrendas (altars) by local and national artists.
• Day of the Dead celebration: You can also immerse yourself in cultural traditions during the annual Día de los Muertos Xicágo on Saturday, Oct. 25. During this free celebration held just outside the museum, guests can admire ofrendas created by community members, live musical performances, art activities, and more. 

5. Spend your Sunday on State Street

Oct. 5, 2025
Don’t miss this year’s last Sundays on State event. On Sunday, Oct. 5, Chicago’s iconic downtown State Street will close to car traffic and become a free, interactive block party. Previous events have drawn thousands of attendees to enjoy an afternoon in the heart of the Loop.

Expect multiple stages of live music, dance, and entertainment, plus food and drinks, shopping from local businesses, classes, and so much more. Explore the full line-up of music and events.

6. Get spooky at a haunted Halloween parade

Oct. 31, 2025
In the historic Northalsted neighborhood, it’s not Halloween without the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade. The 28th annual parade will take place along Halsted Street on Friday, Oct. 31. The free evening includes 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.

7. Cheer on the Chicago Marathon runners

Oct. 12, 2025
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of just a few major world marathons, which means that athletes come from all over the globe to compete on Chicago’s iconic course. This year’s race, which takes place on Sunday, Oct. 12, starts and ends in lakefront Grant Park and travels through more than two dozen of the city’s unique neighborhoods. Check out the race day celebrations in Greektown, Chinatown, Pilsen, Northalsted, and beyond.

Check out our spectators guide to the best spots to watch on race day.

8. Attend Chicago Fashion Week events

Oct. 9 – 19, 2025
This year marks the second-annual Chicago Fashion Week, which brings exciting events, fashion shows, exhibits, and more that put a spotlight on the city’s dynamic fashion, design, and shopping scenes. Check out some of the free events on the calendar, including:

Check out the full Chicago Fashion Week 2025 schedule for even more events.

9. Visit the Chicago Architecture Biennial

Sept. 19, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
The largest architecture and design exhibition in North America is back in Chicago, featuring projects created by contributors from around the globe at free exhibits and events throughout the city.

The 10th annual Chicago Architecture Biennial opens this month, centered around the Chicago Cultural Center and neighborhood sites with related exhibitions and programming all across the city. This year’s edition will include over 100 projects by architects, artists, and designers from 30 countries — and everything is free and open to the public.

Not sure where to start? Check out out guide to some of this year’s must-see Biennial exhibits and installations.

10. Get 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 during October 2025 for Illinois residents:

• Field Museum is free on Wednesdays
• Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is free on Oct. 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, and 15
• Chicago History Museum is free on Oct. 8, 13, and 25
• Adler Planetarium is free every Wednesday after 4 p.m.
• Shedd Aquarium is free on Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 after 5 p.m.

Explore more: Mark your calendar for free museum days throughout the year.

Bonus! See fall colors at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Oct. 2 and 13, 2025
Just north of the city in Glencoe, the stunning Chicago Botanic Garden is free for Illinois residents this month on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Monday, Oct. 13. 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.

Bonus! Celebrate the start of fall at Lincoln Park Zoo

Sept 26 – Oct. 26, 2025
Kick off the beginning of 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. 26 – Oct. 26. 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.

Looking for more? Check out our guide on free things to do in Chicago all year long.