We know. The holidays have been a little hard on all of our wallets this year. Between Christmas shopping, planning for New Year's Eve and trying to relieve stress with a few nights out at warm bars, it's time to give the credit card a break. Thankfully, Chicago offers up more than a few free events we can all still take advantage of through the end of the year.
Experience the Chicago Architecture Biennial. The last few days of the Chicago Architecture Biennial are here, and if you haven't had a chance to learn about the interesting things going on in architecture, it's time to head to the Chicago Cultural Center for a tour. (Tours start at 10am daily at the Chicago Cultural Center through Dec 31. No tours on Christmas Day.)
Hang out while you still can at Christkindlmarket. While nearly everything at the German market seems to bear a hefty price tag, you can always walk around and enjoy the merriment of Christmas (and maybe splurge on just one $7 mug of Glühwein). (Open through Dec 24 until 4pm)
Warm up at Garfield Park Conservatory, and spend a day pretending you aren't in the country's third largest city while you learn about nature. Head up to the desert house, see all the cacti and succulents and forget about the dreary weather. (Open at 10am every day)
Go ice skating. Slipping and sliding around on a couple of blades doesn't have to be expensive—invest in a pair of skates and head to Maggie Daley Park or Millennium Park (they'll even teach you if you show up early) and enjoy skating for free. (Through mid-March)
Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art. The vibrant Pilsen museum boasts a 6,000-piece collection and has an array of performance art pieces and exhibits, including an installation from Chicago native Errol Ortiz. (Closed on Christmas and New Year's Day, limited hours on Christmas and New Year's Eve, open at 10am Tue–Sun)
Have a laugh at Logan Theatre's Comedy Open Mic. Sit back and enjoy a night of comedy or sign up yourself and see if you can make everyone smile. (Monday nights at 8:30pm, sign-up begins at 8pm)
Get in the know at The Paper Machete at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. Christopher Piatt's "live magazine" offers quirky reports of the week's news. (Saturdays from 3–5pm)
Kick back with the Relax Attack Jazz Series at the Whistler. The Whistler hosts jazz nights with local jazz musicians every Monday and Tuesday, so let go of your post-Christmas blues and relax with, well, a not-so-free cocktail, but great tunes. (Monday and Tuesdays at 9:30pm)
Make Superfriends at Slippery Slope. Get down to a good mix of indie, R&B and hip-hop dance at Slippery Slope's weekly house party. (Fridays at 9pm)
Have fun at The Yeah Buddy Awesome Time Comedy Show at Brainstorm Comics. This free BYOB comedy sketch show produced by Dave Losso and Jason Melton has proved to be a hilarious way to spend a Saturday night. Grab that six-pack that's been sitting in the fridge and have a few laughs. (Last Saturday of the month at 8:30pm, doors at 8pm)
See ZooLights. If getting up close and personal to the giraffes all year isn't enough for you, make your annual trek to the Lincoln Park Zoo and enjoy the Christmas lights. Then stay for a bit in the big cats building and try to catch a glimpse of the African lions. (Through Jan 3)