📍 What's Happening Chicago

Free things to do in Chicago

Free events, confirmed free by the organizer's listing.

Saturday, October 17

Division Street Farmers Market

Sat, Oct 17 · 7 AM–12 PM · 100 W. Division St., 100 W. Division St., Chicago

Chicago Farmers Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza and community markets in…

Free

Stephen Kohler and Rob Klegon Matinee Show

Sat, Oct 17 · 11 AM–2 PM · Madame Zuzu’s, 1876 1st St, Highland Park, IL, Highland Park, TX

Following an in-studio performance on the WGN Midday News on Monday, Oct 5, Chicago singer-songwriter Stephen Kohler and percussionist Rob Klegon will perform a set of originals and covers as part of Madame Zuzu’s…

Free

Chicago Greeter Riverwalk InstaGreeter Walk

Sat, Oct 17 · 11:30 AM–1 PM · Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our Riverwalk InstaGreeter walks.

Free

Black Poetry Day Readings & Reflections

Sat, Oct 17 · 1 PM–3 PM · American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL

In celebration of Black Poetry Day, local Chicago poets from the Guild Literary Complex present readings from their favorite Black poets.

Free

ClarkeToberfest: A Weekend of Fall Festivities at the Harley Clarke Mansion

Sat, Oct 17 · 3 PM–10 PM · The Harley Clarke Mansion, 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

Clarketoberfest at the Harley Clarke Mansion Oct. 16–18 brings three days of FREE fall fun, beer, food by Hatchet Burger, dancing, family festivities, and live music – including kid-favorite Jeanie B!

Free

FreakShow & Tell

Sat, Oct 17 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · Stars & Garters Theater, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago

Free

I am the Wind

Sat, Oct 17 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Sunday, October 18

Chicago Greeter Riverwalk InstaGreeter Walk

Sun, Oct 18 · 11:30 AM–1 PM · Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

If you’re looking for a fast, flexible Greeter experience, check out our Riverwalk InstaGreeter walks.

Free

ClarkeToberfest: A Weekend of Fall Festivities at the Harley Clarke Mansion

Sun, Oct 18 · 12 PM–7 PM · The Harley Clarke Mansion, 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

Clarketoberfest at the Harley Clarke Mansion Oct. 16–18 brings three days of FREE fall fun, beer, food by Hatchet Burger, dancing, family festivities, and live music – including kid-favorite Jeanie B!

Free

Fashion Film Festival Chicago

Sun, Oct 18 · 3 PM–5 PM · Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St, Evanston

STORIES WE WEAR: FASHION AS VISUAL NARRATIVE Join the Fashion Film Festival Chicago and the Evanston Art Center for an afternoon celebrating fashion as a powerful language of visual storytelling.

Free

I am the Wind

Sun, Oct 18 · 5 PM–7 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Lightly Toasted Standup Showcase

Sun, Oct 18 · 7 PM–9 PM · The Home Comedy Theater, 2843 North Halsted Street, Chicago

Lightly Toasted is a standup showcase at The Home Comedy Theater in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago every third Sunday of the month featuring up and coming and old school Chicago-based comics.

Free

Monday, October 19

Tuesday, October 20

Tuesday Good Show

Tue, Oct 20 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · The Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, TX

Free

Hamlet

Tue, Oct 20 · 7:30 PM–9 PM · Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney, 2212 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

A dead king, a hasty remarriage, a ghost walking the battlements — and a brilliant but indecisive prince caught in the middle of it all.

Free

Wednesday, October 21

RAD. a fun show.

Wed, Oct 21 · 7 PM–9 PM · Goblin Market Manga & Curiosities, 2868 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

A RAD alt comedy show, featuring standup, music, sketch, clown, drag, and WEIRD SH*T.

Free

Thursday, October 22

Daley Plaza Farmers Market

Thu, Oct 22 · 7 AM–2 PM · Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL

Chicago Farmers Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza.

Free

Book Talk: Collective Care in the Black Metropolis

Thu, Oct 22 · 6 PM–7:30 PM · National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada St., Chicago

Join cultural historian Amani Morrison for a conversation on her new book, A Kitchenette to Fit Your Needs: Housing Chicago’s Great Migration .

Free

I am the Wind

Thu, Oct 22 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Friday, October 23

I am the Wind

Fri, Oct 23 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Saturday, October 24

Division Street Farmers Market

Sat, Oct 24 · 7 AM–12 PM · 100 W. Division St., 100 W. Division St., Chicago

Chicago Farmers Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza and community markets in…

Free

HI-CHEW® The Mystery Manor Tour

Sat, Oct 24 · 12 PM–8 PM · Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

HI-CHEW ® , the immensely fruity, intensely chewy candy, is celebrating Halloween all month long with an immersive trunk-or-treat experience like no other: The Mystery Manor Tour .

Free

Spooktacular: Lincoln Avenue

Sat, Oct 24 · 1 PM–4 PM · Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, between Wrightwood and Webster, Chicago

Get ready for two days of trick-or-treating fun in Lincoln Park!

Free

DePaul Athletics Men’s Soccer

Sat, Oct 24 · 2 PM–4 PM · Wish Field, 900 W Belden Ave, Chicago

10/24: Saturday 2PM vs Marquette Alumni & Family Weekend Celebrate one of DePaul’s favorite annual traditions as alumni, families, students, faculty, staff, and friends return to campus for Alumni & Family Weekend.

Free

Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade

Sat, Oct 24 · 6 PM–8 PM · Columbus Dr./Balbo Dr., 700 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago

LUMA8 proudly announces the 12 th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade , a family-friendly event featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets, and all forms of creative performance on Saturday, October 24, from 6-8…

Free

FreakShow & Tell

Sat, Oct 24 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · Stars & Garters Theater, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago

Free

I am the Wind

Sat, Oct 24 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

University Symphony Orchestra: Annual Halloween Concerts

Sat, Oct 24 · 7 PM–9 PM · Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 East 57th Street, Chicago

Pictures of the Imagination Colorful, exuberant, and sometimes scary musical pictures by Franz Liszt, Anatol Liadov, and George Whitefield Chadwick spur the imagination – and the creative choreography of the Hyde…

Free

University Symphony Orchestra: Annual Halloween Concerts

Sat, Oct 24 · 9 PM–11 PM · Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 East 57th Street, Chicago

Pictures of the Imagination Colorful, exuberant, and sometimes scary musical pictures by Franz Liszt, Anatol Liadov, and George Whitefield Chadwick spur the imagination – and the creative choreography of the Hyde…

Free

Sunday, October 25

Meet Me on Milwaukee (MMoM)

Sun, Oct 25 · 10 AM–4 PM · Milwaukee Ave from North/Damen to Ashland, Chicago, IL

Meet Me on Milwaukee (MMoM) is a pilot series of “pedestrianization” events between Alderman La Spata, the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce (WPBCC), and the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Free

Lanterns and Legends: Autumn AAPI Market

Sun, Oct 25 · 3 PM–8 PM · Uni Uni Boba Uptown, 1130 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL

Step into a magical autumn market celebrating Asian folklore, mythology & legends.

Free

I am the Wind

Sun, Oct 25 · 5 PM–7 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Monday, October 26

Tuesday, October 27

Tuesday Good Show

Tue, Oct 27 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · The Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, TX

Free

Wednesday, October 28

Arts & Healing

Wed, Oct 28 · 2 PM–4 PM · 1332 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

Arts Healing Across Communities is a six-month initiative that integrates professional performance, participatory arts, and culturally grounded wellness workshops to foster healing, resilience, and collective…

Free

Thursday, October 29

I am the Wind

Thu, Oct 29 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Friday, October 30

I am the Wind

Fri, Oct 30 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Saturday, October 31

DePaul Athletics Women’s Soccer

Sat, Oct 31 · 1 PM–3 PM · Wish Field, 900 W Belden Ave, Chicago

10/31: Saturday 1PM vs St. John’s: Halloween at Wish Field Celebrate Halloween with themed music, costumes, and family-friendly fun throughout the afternoon.

Free

FreakShow & Tell

Sat, Oct 31 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · Stars & Garters Theater, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago

Free

I am the Wind

Sat, Oct 31 · 7 PM–9 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Sunday, November 1

Museum of Becoming: First-Look Beta

Sun, Nov 1 · 10:15 AM–1 PM · Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing and Media Arts in Chicago (Wirtz Center Chicago), 710 N Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL

Museum of Becoming is inviting a small group of Chicagoans to experience the first beta of a new immersive group arts experience at Wirtz Center Chicago at Northwestern University in Streeterville.

Free

Día de los Muertos at Navy Pier

Sun, Nov 1 · 1 PM–10 PM · Navy Pier, Chicago

Join us at Navy Pier on Saturday, November 1 for Día de los Muertos, featuring art, cultural experiences and activities celebrating this meaningful tradition.

Free

I am the Wind

Sun, Nov 1 · 5 PM–7 PM · Theatre Y, 3611 W Cermak Rd, Chicago

Free

Monday, November 2

Monday Night PlayGround

Mon, Nov 2 · 7 PM · The Den Theatre, 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

PlayGround-Chicago presents Season 5 MONDAY NIGHT PLAYGROUND November 2, 2026, 7pm CT NEW VENUE: The Den & Simulcast Topic: AMERICA 250: The Dreamers, The Builders & The Leaders Admission-Free (Suggested Donation:…

Free

Tuesday, November 3

Tuesday Good Show

Tue, Nov 3 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · The Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, TX

Free

A Quiet End

Tue, Nov 3 · 7:30 PM–9:30 PM · Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL, 60640, Chicago, IL

sSaged reading of Robin Swados’ deeply human drama about three gay men living together during the early years of AIDS.

Free

Wednesday, November 4

Thursday, November 5

Friday, November 6

Saturday, November 7

FreakShow & Tell

Sat, Nov 7 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · Stars & Garters Theater, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago

Free

Sunday, November 8

Monday, November 9

Tuesday, November 10

Tuesday Good Show

Tue, Nov 10 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · The Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, TX

Free

Wednesday, November 11

Make Believe: The Material Culture of Imaginal Religions

Wed, Nov 11 · 6:30 PM–8 PM · The Cobblestone Society, 1409 W Morse Ave., Chicago

Join us for a pop-up gallery exhibition and book launch of Tony Wolf’s Make Believe project, a collection of assemblage artworks representing the shrines, altars and other artefacts of nine fictional religions.

Free

Thursday, November 12

Friday, November 13

Saturday, November 14

Handmade Market

Sat, Nov 14 · 11 AM–3 PM · Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave, Chicago

Handmade Market Chicago is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique and handmade.

Free

Community Day: IAM a collector

Sat, Nov 14 · 11 AM–6 PM · Intuit Art Museum, 756 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

Discover together through all-ages activities as you explore the Museum, learn about the art on view, and make your own unique artwork.

Free

City Civics Day 2026

Sat, Nov 14 · 11 AM–4 PM · Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago

Chicagoans can learn how to become more involved in creating positive change in their communities by attending City Civics Day, a free, day-long educational event focused on public engagement with local government.

Free

FreakShow & Tell

Sat, Nov 14 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · Stars & Garters Theater, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago

Free

Sunday, November 15

Lightly Toasted Standup Showcase

Sun, Nov 15 · 7 PM–9 PM · The Home Comedy Theater, 2843 North Halsted Street, Chicago

Lightly Toasted is a standup showcase at The Home Comedy Theater in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago every third Sunday of the month featuring up and coming and old school Chicago-based comics.

Free

Monday, November 16

Tuesday, November 17

Tuesday Good Show

Tue, Nov 17 · 7 PM–8:30 PM · The Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, TX

Free

Wednesday, November 18

RAD. a fun show.

Wed, Nov 18 · 7 PM–9 PM · Goblin Market Manga & Curiosities, 2868 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

A RAD alt comedy show, featuring standup, music, sketch, clown, drag, and WEIRD SH*T.

Free

Thursday, November 19

Friday, November 20

ZooLights Presented by Invesco and ComEd

Fri, Nov 20 · 4:30 PM–9 PM · Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Chicago

ZooLights Presented by Invesco and ComEd returns to Lincoln Park Zoo, lighting up the city’s favorite holiday tradition once again!

Free

3rd Fridays Free Admission Night

Fri, Nov 20 · 5 PM–8 PM · Heritage Museum of Asian Art, 3FL, 3500 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL, 60609, Chicago, IL

Free Admission Museum Nights take place every third Friday of each month from 5 pm to 8 pm!

Free

Zhou B Art Center 3rd Friday

Fri, Nov 20 · 7 PM–10 PM · Zhou B Art Center, 1029 West 35th Street, Chicago

Zhou B Art Center opens exhibitions every 3rd Friday of the month with an evening reception from 7pm-10pm hosted by resident artists and galleries.

Free

Third Friday at Zhou B Art Center

Fri, Nov 20 · 7 PM–10 PM · Zhou B Art Center, 1029 West 35th Street, Chicago

Explore our building. Chat with the artists. Let your curiosity set the pace.

Free