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 exciting new art events, outdoor adventures, iconic Chicago attractions, and so much more. Start planning your budget-friendly Chicago adventures for April 2024.

1. Catch a new season of Art on theMART

Art on theMART
Art on theMART

A brand new season of Art on theMART begins on April 12, 2024. The spring edition of the massive waterfront display will kick off with a new commission by internationally acclaimed artist Nora Turato, in conjunction with EXPO CHICAGO. The spring program will be on view nightly from 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. from April 12 through June 5.

2. Experience EXPO ART WEEK

EXPO CHICAGO, the international exposition of contemporary and modern art, is back in Chicago this April. To celebrate, they’re hosting a citywide EXPO ART WEEK leading up to the main event at Navy Pier.

The multi-day event, which runs from April 8 – 14, includes exhibitions, open galleries, public art displays, and more. Check out a preview of some of the free events and see the full EXPO ART WEEK schedule for details.

  • Fine Arts Building Second Fridays: Explore artist studios, meet the artists working there, and learn about the history of this unique building.
  • Brendan Fernandes: New Monuments: This site-specific work will feature light, sound, and a cast of dancers from Chicago’s BIPOC and queer communities.
  • Rm 921: Selina Trepp: This unique art-viewing experience at 21c Chicago is accompanied by live music and viewed from the hotel’s rooms.

3. See the partial solar eclipse

A partial solar eclipse will be visible from the Chicagoland area on Monday, April 9 — a phenomenon that won’t occur in the U.S. again until 2044. Check out local viewing parties and make sure to grab your eclipse glasses!

  • Head to Pullman National Historic Park for their partial solar eclipse party, featuring a NASA Ambassador, themed snacks, and a limited number of viewing glasses.
  • DuSable Black History Museum is celebrating the eclipse with a watch party and free viewers available for pickup.
  • The Museum of Science and Industry will showcase science in action with a full day of eclipse activities. See the eclipse up close with telescopic viewing, watch a live stream from the path of totality in the Giant Dome Theater, and take part in hands-on activities. The museum will also host satellite events at Millennium Park, the Michigan Avenue bridge, and Oak Street Beach.

4. Catch the first spring blooms

Garfield Park conservatory spring flower show

Named the best garden in North America, Garfield Park Conservatory is a lush wonderland of botanical treasures from all over the globe. The soaring glass greenhouse is currently hosting its annual Spring Flower Show: Bee’s Knees, focusing on the relationship between bees and blooms. Admission to the conservatory is free; reservations are required and donations are accepted.

You can also swing by the Lincoln Park Conservatory, a warm and tranquil oasis in the lakefront Lincoln Park neighborhood. Their Spring Flower Show: Cooler by the Lake is themed around Chicago’s stunning waterfront. Admission is free, you can reserve tickets online in advance.

Explore more: Find the best spots to see spring flowers all around Chicago.

5. Enjoy a free museum day

Field Museum with guests socially distanced
Photo by Lucy Hewett

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:

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 the Hyde Park Art Center. The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is free for all every Wednesday, and the Museum of Contemporary Art is free for Illinois residents every Tuesday.

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

6. Celebrate National Poetry Month

Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation

Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Poetry Foundation, which houses a massive library, an exhibition gallery, a tree-lined courtyard, and a performance space. Visitors will find an array of events that are free and open to the public, from readings and lectures to classes and discussions. Attend a poetry discussion and creative writing workshop, attend a book launch, a book club, reading, and more.

Chicago Public Library will also be hosting a series of events to celebrate National Poetry Month, including workshops, open mics, readings, poetry jams, and more at various library locations throughout the city. The month-long celebration culminates with the 25th annual Poetry Fest, featuring a keynote speech from the current U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.

7. Visit a historic zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is Chicago’s free zoo and one of the oldest in the country. It’s open to the public all year long. Stroll through the scenic grounds, where you can watch animals from around the world explore their habitats, including the newly remodeled big cat exhibit.

8. Take a tour of the Chicago Cultural Center

A landmark attraction in the Loop, the Chicago Cultural Center is a stunning public space featuring art exhibits, fascinating history, a local makers market, and soaring architecture — including the world’s largest Tiffany glass dome. Make the most of your visit with the free guided tours that meet every Thursday and Friday afternoon year-round.

9. Go back in time in Pullman

Market Square arches_Photo by Eric Allix Rogers_Courtesy of Historic Pullman Foundation
Market Square arches; photo by Eric Allix Rogers, courtesy of Historic Pullman Foundation

Just a train ride away from downtown Chicago, Pullman National Historic Park is the city’s only National Park Service site. The community was built as a planned industrial town for a luxury railcar company in the 1880s. While it was designed to be a utopia, Pullman has a tumultuous history that was instrumental in the labor movement. Wander the grounds, admire the striking architecture, and learn more about this unique National Monument.

10. Explore a new neighborhood

The Nine Dragon wall in Chinatown
Chinatown; photo by Adam Alexander

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 on a free Chicago Greeter tour, led by a friendly local who will show you each neighborhood’s landmarks, hot spots, and hidden gems.

For example, experience an urban melting pot in West Ridge, featuring plenty of international grocers and authentic restaurants. Become immersed in the historic communities of Washington Park and Woodlawn, which are home to a lively art scene, must-try eateries, and an abundance of landmarks. Or take a cultural journey with an immersive visit to the historic Chinatown neighborhood.

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