The best free things to do in Chicago this month

Artists take over neighborhood shops during the annual West Town Art Walk, which showcases the creative talents of area residents and businesses. The festival celebrates all kinds of art, including visual, fashion, musical and culinary—choose your own adventure by customizing where you start your art walk, which can be launched at any of the fest's participating businesses. Need assistance walking? Flag down one of the art walk's free pedicabs for a ride. 

The Chicago Labor Day Parade returns to historic Pullman in 2026. Organized by the Chicago Federation of Labor, the event celebrates union pride, solidarity and community togetherness. The parade will step off at East 112th Street and South Avenue F on the Southeast Side, before continuing north up South Ewing Avenue to East 106th Street. Afterwards, stick around for Eddie Fest, featuring live music, food and family-friendly activities, at Steelworkers Park. 

On any given day at the Chicago Cultural Center, you might find a free classical concert being performed, an art exhibition on display in one of the building’s many galleries or tourists marveling at the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome. Don’t worry about paying for admission—nearly everything that happens in this building is free and open to the public.

From June through September, more than 90 movies will screen in parks across Chicago as part of the Park District's annual Movies in the Parks program. From recent blockbusters like Zootopia 2 and Freakier Friday to classics like Back to the Future and Jumangi, you're sure to find something good to watch (for free!) beneath the stars this summer. Screenings typically begin at 8:45pm, or dusk, each evening. Take a look at the full list of movies and participating parks.

See some 1,100 animals—from apes to zebras to flamingos—at one of the last free zoos in the country. The 35-acre attraction connects visitors with animals from all over the world, and a variety of seasonal events and special programming keep locals coming back again and again. Admission to Lincoln Park Zoo has been free since it opened in 1868. There's even a lineup of adults-only events throughout the year.

As is Labor Day weekend tradition in Chicago, some of the biggest names in jazz will gather for a series of shows at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center during this annual festival. Visit the Chicago Jazz Festival webpage for the full lineup and schedule.

You don’t need a ticket to visit the Obama Presidential Center. You do, however, need a ticket to get into the museum inside the campus’ towering granite building. But there’s a lot you can still do here without having a ticket—and much of it is free. From exploring the 20-acre grounds and picknicking on the Great Lawn to checking out the Presidential Reading Room in the on-site Chicago Public Library branch and visiting the eight-floor Sky Room, you could spend a full day here without spending a dime.

Navy Pier’s annual performing arts festival welcomes more than 100 local artists for a weekend of music and performances spread across five stages. Featured acts range from Chicago’s world-class stalwarts to many exciting up-and-comers. 

To make up for the abysmal Fourth of July fireworks show, thanks to dense fog and rainstorms, Navy Pier is offering free rides on the Centennial Wheel every Wednesday through Labor Day.

Spin classes and weight lifting can wait for the winter. This summer, jump start your weekend with free cardio kickboxing, yoga, pilates and Zumba classes on Millennium Park’s Great Lawn and in Wrigley Square every Saturday from May through August.

One of the latest additions to the Chicago Park District, Maggie Daley Park pays tribute to the late first lady of the city with 20 acres of recreational opportunity. Walk across the BP Pedestrian Bridge from Millennium Park and you’ll be greeted by a 40-foot climbing wall, a quarter-mile skating ribbon and one of the most whimsical playgrounds in the city. With facilities fit for kids and adults, this is a park where the entire family can spend the day having fun outdoors.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of THE MART, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. Running for 30 minutes on Thursdays through Saturdays, it’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Escape the planet with exhibits about the first lunar missions, the solar system and more, plus immersive shows in the dome theater. Stationed just a stone's throw away from the Adler, the Doane Observatory is also home to the largest public telescope in the area and gathers 7,000 times more light than the human eye. Every Wednesday, the Adler stays open late from 4pm–10pm so that folks can visit after work or school. And best of all, admission is free on those nights for Illinois residents.

What’s better than a show at the Empty Bottle? A free show at the Empty Bottle. Every Monday, Chicago’s premier indie rock club hosts a free concert. Check the venue's website for a schedule of upcoming performances and to RSVP.

Gallagher Way is showing free outdoor movies on select Wednesday nights through September. From family flicks like Zootopia 2 and High School Musical to classics like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Matilda, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or purchase a VIP or Premier ticket, which includes a reserved seat, snacks and other goodies.

Enjoy outdoor live music all summer long at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. The free series will feature local, regional and national acts performing countless genres and musical styles every weekend. Check the official Navy Pier website for the full lineup and schedule.

If you're looking for breathtaking views of some of Chicago's most gorgeous architecture, take a stroll along the Riverwalk, which hugs the main branch of the Chicago River and provides a continuous walkway with restaurants, bars and urban attractions at every turn. Clever design features throughout offer areas to lounge around and enjoy the city from a stellar angle.

Take a stroll down Ravenswood Avenue to see art, pop-ups, activations and more at this local festival centered around the neighborhood's industrial corridor, showcasing more than 80 artists and local venues including Begyle Brewery, Nudgers Studio, Music House Chicago and more. This year—the festival's 24th—swing by the outdoor beer garden for local brews and food trucks, or listen to some live tunes across two stages.

Originally established in the late 1800s, the Maxwell Street Market brought vendors, musicians and cooks to an open-air flea market where shoppers could find just about anything they wanted. The market introduced the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, provided a venue for rising Chicago blues musicians and was immortalized in a scene in The Blues Brothers. These days, the market sets up on Maxwell Street, between South Halsted Street and South Union Avenue on Sundays, where visitors will find vendors hawking their wares, an abundance of delicious Mexican food and occasional performances by local bands and dance troupes. 

Test your music knowledge on select Tuesday nights with free music bingo at Gallagher Way this summer. Each game covers a different genre, from country and 90s pop to EDM and Broadway. Team sign-up starts at 5:30pm, before the game kicks off at 6pm.

Experience the wealth of public art decorating the city through the eyes of an expert. Each walking tour—spanning anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour—is led by a docent and covers a half-mile, beginning outside the Chicago Cultural Center and ending in Millennium Park. Throughout the tour, the docent offers context about each piece and its artist. The tour is free, but keep in mind that advance registration is required.

Head to Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville on select Monday evenings throughout the summer to join a free Movement Monday class. This year's lineup includes dance classes, self-defense, yoga and more. Classes are free to attend, but you'll need to reserve a spot in advance.

Located inside The Den, a 1920s greystone-turned-hotel in Lakeview, the Blind Wolf Speakeasy is an intimate, approachable bar, event venue and home to a free weekly comedy show. Blind Wolf Comedy hosts a rotating roster of Chicago comics each Wednesday at 8pm, as well as open mic nights on Thursdays at 7:30pm. There's no cost to attend, but you can reserve a seat through their Instagram page.

Looking for free concerts near Chicago? Hop on the Blue Line to Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park for Thursday night performances—with a few holiday and weekend dates sprinkled through the summer—including performances by Atomic Punks, Live the Who and Rhythm of the Rocketman, complete with a fireworks show at the end of the night. Beverage tents will be located on site, but we won't fault you if you prefer to pre-game with a fishbowl-sized spiked punch from nearby Sugar Factory. For a full schedule of shows, visit the Parkway Bank Park website. 

During the summer, the Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays at 9pm and Saturdays at 10pm) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier's public spaces. During the winter months, the pyrotechnics return for a much-needed encore. If you're feeling weary of crowds, you can also take in the show from nearby beaches or while cruising along the Lakefront Trail.

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts—a bridge connecting audiences to the vibrant colors and rich traditions of South Asian heritage—returns with the annual Mandala Makers Festival. This multidisciplinary platform, which supports a diverse array of South Asian performing artists, kicked off its season on April 15. The festivities continue through October, offering a continuous showcase of immersive music and dance events. Visit the Mandala Makers Festival website for a complete schedule of performances.

This tourist hot spot—which is free to visit—features shops, eateries, an IMAX cinema and a bevy of sightseeing boat tours. Pier Park is home to a 200-foot-high Ferris wheel, a beer garden and public art exhibitions galore. Beyond its year-round offerings, the Pier's seasonal events, indoor activities and great people-watching provide plenty of entertainment, no matter the weather.

This 24.5-acre park might be one of the most popular gathering spots in the city, known for its free concerts, famous public art installations and its proximity to the Loop. The centerpiece of Millennium Park is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a flowing Frank Gehry-designed structure that hosts of the city’s biggest outdoor festivals and concerts. You’ll also find the serene Lurie Garden, al fresco dining destination the Park Grill and pedestrian bridges that lead to the Art Institute and Maggie Daley Park.

Explore music from around the globe during this annual festival, now in its 24th year, which brings a wide array of performers to venues across the city for free musical performances. Experience sounds and subgenres from regions like Brazil, South Korea, Senegal and more. For a full list of performances, visit the festival's website. 

Housed in an airy, sun-soaked building in the heart of downtown, The Poetry Foundation is a hidden gem perfect for remote working, perusing its 40,000-volume library, or attending a workshop. If you're game to brave the elements, you can stroll through the tree-lined plaza to savor the snowy vistas.

You don't have to look any further than Pilsen to find one of the largest Latino cultural organizations in the U.S. Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art and explore a 6,000-piece permanent collection, rotating exhibits, performing-arts showcases and educational programming that represents an illustrious Mexican culture.

Every Wednesday, the Old Town School of Folk Music hosts a showcase of world music and dance. Featuring both local and touring talent, you're sure to hear something new and exciting at this long-running series. Before the show, be sure to peruse the Old Town School of Folk Music Store, where you can rent instruments, learn about lessons and peruse a wide selection of books.

The Chicago Cultural Center is free and open to the public throughout the majority of the year, but if you need an excuse to check out all it has to offer, an Open House should do the trick. This year, the event will feature live music, gallery exhibitions, shopping and more. For a full schedule of activities and to RSVP, visit the official website.

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.

Stretching 18.5 miles from Edgewater’s Hollywood Avenue down to 71st Street, the Lakefront Trail is the ultimate way to experience Chicago’s shoreline. Edged by sparkling blue water, the path serves as a scenic reminder of why the city is such a spectacular place to live. Whether you walk, run, blade or bike, the trail makes it easy to spend a day by the lake, passing through four major parks and iconic landmarks like Navy Pier and the Museum Campus.

If you aren't up for conquering the entire trail in one go, the south-shore portion is especially worth visiting for its quiet, scenic stretches that feel worlds away from the city bustle. Regardless of which section you choose, it is important to stay alert and cautious; the trail is a shared space where “Tour de France” hopefuls often zip past leisurely pedestrians sauntering along the water. By keeping an eye on the flow of traffic, you can safely enjoy one of the most refreshing outdoor experiences Chicago has to offer.

With a mission of making contemporary art more approachable, the Hyde Park Art Center offers engaging exhibitions, as well as community programming of all varieties, including artist talks, a residency program, studio classes and more. Established in 1939, it's the oldest alternative visual arts center of its kind in Chicago, a place where visitors can experience art free of charge.

The Whistler’s monthly lit series pops up on the second Wednesday of every month, bringing an evening of readings, workshopping and discussion to the Logan Square cocktail bar. Each show is followed by an installment of the Relax Attack Jazz Series, a free event with a constantly rotating bill.

Founded in 1976, the Museum of Contemporary Photography collaborates with artists and photographers to present exhibitions of analog and digital images. Columbia College frequently presents works from its collection or commissions photographers to develop exhibits that display the capabilities of visual art. Better yet, admission is free.

When this institution opened in 1961, African-American history was suffering serious neglect at the hands of the city’s—and for that matter, the nation’s—cultural institutions. The Hyde Park cultural hub is now one of the oldest African-American–focused museums in the country. Admission is free for all every Wednesday.