Free Events Calendar

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St

Always free, open every day

Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave

Free 365 days/year for Chicago residents

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

Millennium Park, Michigan Ave & Washington St

Free 24/7

Chicago Cultural Center

78 E Washington St

Free Mon–Sun. Concerts, exhibits, events.

Lakefront Trail

Chicago Lakefront

18.5-mile free trail along Lake Michigan

Griffin Museum of Science + Industry — Free for IL Residents

Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr

Free for Illinois residents. Reserve in advance at msichicago.org. Free admission is for Illinois residents unless otherwise noted.

Chicago House Music Festival Begins

Millennium Park + Chicago Cultural Center

Free admission. Celebrating house music born in Chicago. Through Aug 30.

Chicago Lake Michigan Beaches Open

25+ free beaches citywide

Lifeguards on duty

Night Out in the Parks

Various

600+ free events citywide — search chicagoparkdistrict.com

The Stories of Us — Navy Pier

Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A free exhibition at Navy Pier.

Artists at the Pier #3 — Navy Pier

Lobby 2 (indoor and outdoor), east of Sable Hotel, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A curated indoor and outdoor art exhibition organized by Joan E. Schenk & Associates, open daily and free to the public. Featured artists include Brian Monaghan, Carol Nies Bilder, Daniel Matheson, David Noguchi, Jeanine Hill-Soldner, Sherman Beck, and Waseem Rahman.

Chicago House Music Festival

Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park, Chicago, IL

The Chicago House Music Festival celebrates the city's legendary contribution to house music with four days of DJs, live performances, and dancing across the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. Honoring the genre born right here in Chicago, the festival brings together legends and new artists for an unforgettable celebration. Running August 27 through August 30, 2026. No RSVP required.

Poetry Foundation — Free Admission

11:00 AM

Poetry Foundation, 61 W Superior St

Free admission Thu 11 AM–6 PM. No reservation needed.

National Museum of Mexican Art — Free

10:00 AM

1852 W 19th St, Pilsen

Always free. Open Tue–Sun 10 AM–5 PM. No reservation needed.

Museum of Contemporary Photography — Free

10:00 AM

Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S Michigan Ave

Always free. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–5 PM. No reservation needed.

Smart Museum of Art — Free

10:00 AM

Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S Greenwood Ave, Hyde Park

Always free. Open Tue–Sun 10 AM–4:30 PM. No reservation needed.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

10:00 AM

Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

A stunning Victorian glass house in Lincoln Park filled with lush tropical plants, ferns, palms, and seasonal flower shows. Open Wed–Sun 10 AM–4:30 PM. Timed entry tickets should be reserved in advance.

Milton Lee Olive Park

7:00 AM

Milton Lee Olive Park, 491 E Grand Ave (near Navy Pier)

Free. Open daily 7 AM–8 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — Sky Room

10:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Visit the Sky Room at the Obama Presidential Center for stunning views. Open Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. Free Sky Room tickets are available first-come, first-served each morning.

Obama Presidential Center — The Forum

10:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Explore The Forum at the Obama Presidential Center. Open Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — Art at the Center

10:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Experience Art at the Center at the Obama Presidential Center. Open Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center Campus

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Explore the Obama Presidential Center Campus. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — John Lewis Plaza

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Visit John Lewis Plaza at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Explore the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — The Great Lawn

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Relax on The Great Lawn at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

DePaul Art Museum — Free

11:00 AM

DePaul Art Museum, 935 W Fullerton Ave

Always free. Wed–Thu 11 AM–7 PM.

Mindworks: The Science of Thinking — Free

11:00 AM

Mindworks, 614 N Michigan Ave

Always free. Wed–Sun 11 AM–5 PM.

National Veterans Art Museum — Free

10:00 AM

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N Milwaukee Ave

Free with voluntary donation. Tue–Sat 10 AM–4 PM. Also open Memorial Day & Veterans Day.

Oriental Institute Museum — Free

10:00 AM

Oriental Institute, 1155 E 58th St, Hyde Park

Always free. Tue–Thu & Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM.

Natl Museum of Puerto Rican Arts — Free

10:00 AM

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W Division St

Always free. Tue–Thu 10 AM–5 PM.

Design Museum of Chicago — Free

10:00 AM

Design Museum of Chicago, 72 E Randolph St

Always free. Open daily 10 AM–5 PM.

Busy Beaver Button Museum — Free

10:00 AM

Busy Beaver Button Museum, 3407 W Armitage Ave

Always free. Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM.

Leather Archives & Museum — Free Thursday

11:00 AM

Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N Greenview Ave

Free every Thursday. Ages 18+.

Federal Reserve Money Museum

9:00 AM

230 S La Salle St, Loop

Free on weekdays

Chicago History Museum

9:30 AM

Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Illinois residents receive general admission on select days with proof of residency. Open 9:30 AM–4:30 PM. Check the museum website to confirm and reserve.

Daley Plaza Farmers Market

7:00 AM

50 W Washington St

7 AM–2 PM

Daley Plaza Farmers Market (Thursday)

7:00 AM

50 W Washington St

7 AM–2 PM

At Your Pace — Obama Presidential Center

9:15 AM

Home Court, Obama Presidential Center, Chicago, IL

A free weekly movement and wellness program at the Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center, welcoming all paces and abilities. 9:15–11:00 AM.

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

10:00 AM

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601

Explore five floors inside the historic Michigan Avenue bridge tower and see the giant gears that raise the bridge. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM, through October 25.

Deco Supper Club at Celeste River North

5:00 PM

Celeste River North, 111 W Hubbard St

Andy Brown Live at the Green Mill

5:00 PM

Green Mill, 4802 N Broadway

Block Museum of Art — Free

12:00 PM

Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston

Always free. Wed–Fri 12–8 PM, Sat–Sun 12–5 PM. No reservation needed.

Epiphany Center — Free Music Concert

5:00 PM

Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S Ashland Ave

Free. Reserve at eventbrite.com/o/57782827113

Sluggers Sports Bar

3:00 PM

Sluggers Sports Bar, 3540 N Clark St (Wrigleyville)

Free entry. Open Mon–Thu 3 PM–2 AM.

Obama Presidential Center — Home Court

12:00 PM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Enjoy Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 12:00 PM–8:00 PM.

The Renaissance Society — Free

12:00 PM

The Renaissance Society, 5811 S Ellis Ave

Always free. Wed–Fri 12–6 PM.

Untitled Supper Club

5:00 PM

Untitled Supper Club, 111 W Kinzie St, River North

Step into one of Chicago's most beloved hidden gems. Multi-level speakeasy in River North featuring live jazz, burlesque performances, craft cocktails, and old-school charm. Perfect for date night. Open Thu–Fri until 2 AM.

Art Institute of Chicago — Free Summer Thursday for IL Residents

5:00 PM

111 S Michigan Ave

Free 5–8 PM for Illinois residents. Reserve in advance. Free admission is for Illinois residents unless otherwise noted.

Skyline Sessions — Navy Pier Live Music

5:00 PM

Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage, Navy Pier

Free live music with skyline views. 5–9 PM.

Austin Town Hall City Market

1:00 PM

5610 W Lake St

1–6 PM

Lincoln Square Thursday Evening Market

3:00 PM

2301 W Leland Ave

3–7 PM

South Loop Night Market

4:00 PM

Water Tower Place

4–8 PM

Wrigleyville Night Market

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field, 3635 N Clark St

Free outdoor night market at Gallagher Way. Local vendors, food, and fun.

Karaoke Cabaret with Bradley K8 Olsen (LGBTQ+)

9:00 PM

Meeting House Tavern

Alexandrea Diamond Chicago Drag Show (LGBTQ+)

11:30 PM

Fantasy Nightclub

Chicago Social Game Night - Play Board Games & Make Friends!

6:00 PM

Snakes & Lattes Chicago, 1965 N Milwaukee Ave

A weekly social game night at Snakes & Lattes Chicago where you can play board games and make new friends. 6:00–10:00 PM.

Cocktails & Network

6:00 PM

2002 S Wentworth Ave

Schubas Free Comedy Night

8:00 PM

Schubas Tavern

NoFilterThursdays — 2000s Party

9:00 PM

Parlay at Joy District, 112 W Hubbard St

The Comedy Bar Chicago — Free Show

7:00 PM

The Comedy Bar Chicago (Downtown)

Free shows Mon–Thu at 7 PM. Reserve free tickets at eventbrite.com/o/the-comedy-bar-chicago-free-tickets-25468611997

Second City — Fellowship Thursdays

7:00 PM

The Second City, 1616 N Wells St

Free admission every Thursday. Use promo code DEICE. Reserve at secondcity.com/shows/chicago/fellowship-thursdays-chi

Karaoke at Recess

7:00 PM

Recess, West Loop

Free karaoke at Recess

Redhead Piano Bar

7:00 PM

Redhead Piano Bar, 16 W Ontario St

Free entry. Open nightly 7 PM–4 AM.

Beauty Bar Chicago — Free Dance Club

7:00 PM

Beauty Bar, 1444 W Chicago Ave

Free entry. Happy hour 7–9 PM every night. Open until 2 AM.

Bordel Cabaret & DJ Night

6:00 PM

Bordel, 1721 W Division St

Free entry. Cabaret performances at 8 PM & 10 PM. Resident DJ sets from 7 PM. Open until 2 AM.

Free Live Music at The Burlington

8:00 PM

The Burlington, 3425 W Fullerton Ave

Free entry. Live music nightly until 2 AM.

The Original Mother's — Free Nightclub

10:00 PM

The Original Mother's, 26 W Division St

Free entry nightclub. Open until close.

Totally Mental

8:00 PM

The Playground Theater, 4416 North Clark Street FL 2, Chicago, IL 60640

A recurring comedy show at The Playground Theater. 8:00–9:00 PM.

Chicago Full Moon Jam

6:00 PM

Rainbow Beach, 3111 E 77th St

Free outdoor full moon gathering with live music, drumming & community celebration. 6–10 PM.

That One Standup Show

7:30 PM

Winnie's, 1400 N Wells St

Chicago Speakeasy Series — Brando's Speakeasy

Evening

Brando's Speakeasy, 343 S Dearborn St

No entry fee.

Argyle Night Market

6:00 PM

Argyle Street corridor, Uptown, Chicago, IL

Free weekly night market. Local vendors, food, music, and community atmosphere.

Chicago SummerDance

6:00 PM

Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park

Free dance lessons & live music.

Trivia on the Lake — Navy Pier

6:00 PM

Navy Pier Beer Garden, 600 E Grand Ave

Free pub trivia. 6–8 PM.

Art on THE MART (Digital Light Projection)

8:30 PM

Merchandise Mart — watch from Riverwalk

World's largest digital art projection. Free from Riverwalk.

Chicago Magic Lounge

7:00 PM

Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Free admission daily through Jan 3, 2027. Chicago's premier home for the art of magic — intimate, romantic, and truly magical. Perfect date night!