What's on in Evanston for free?
74 upcoming events
See it on a mapVenues at a glanceWe've rounded up 74 upcoming events in Evanston for free — concerts, parties, theatre, exhibitions, family outings — updated every day. Pick a theme or just scroll.
Events in Evanston for free
Tue29
Tomorrow
Wed30
Wednesday 30 September
Thu1
Thursday 1 October
Wed 30 · 6 PM$0
🗣️Talk📸Photography
Exhibition Keynote: "The Modern Metropolis" and Images of the City
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Wed 30 · 6 PM$0
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Black Voices: Who Gets to Tell the Story?
Bookends & Beginnings
Wed 30 · 6 PM$0
🎪Street party🌳Outdoors
Rogers Park Neighbors United
Peckish Pig
Wed 30 · 7 PMFree
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at Ridgeville Tavern
Ridgeville Tavern
Thu 1 · 1 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Trade Skills – Build, Create & Give Back
Bunnings
Fri2
Friday 2 October
Thu 1 · 7 PM$0
🎬Cinema
COLD HANDS (1991) - The Lost DIY Horror Films of Kip Hanks
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Thu 1$7
🎷Jazz🎸Jam / Open mic
Jazz Jam Sessions in Evanston
Prairie Moon
Fri 2 · 12:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Governing Diversity in Economic History | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Nancy Qian
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Sat3
Saturday 3 October
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0–28
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Charleen Hurtubise SAOIRSE
Bookends & Beginnings
Fri 2 · 6 PMFree
♠️Card games
October Game Night (21+)
Free Flow Kitchen
Sat 3 · 12 PM$0
🗺️Guided tour🖼️Exhibition
Evanston Artist Studio Tour
822 Dempster St
Sat 3 · 12 PM$0
🗺️Guided tour🖼️Exhibition
Evanston Artist Studio Tour
822 Dempster St
Sat 3 · 12 PMFree
🖼️Exhibition
First Saturday Art Events • Evanston, IL
822 Dempster St
Sat 3 · 3 PM$0
🌳Outdoors
Evanston Pup Social
Arfit Dog Rehab / Fitness / Canine Rehabilitation
Sun4
Sunday 4 October
Later
Sun 4 · 5 PM$0
🪕Folk / Acoustic🎸Rock
Cactus and Canyons: A Tribute to the Sun-Drenched Country-Rock of Laurel Canyon
SPACE
Tue 6 · 6 PM$0–19
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Linda Kass — World News from Waverley High (In-store event)
Bookends & Beginnings
Tue 6 · 7:30 PM$0
🎸Rock🪕Folk / Acoustic
The Chicago Rock Exchange: The Music of 1967
SPACE
Thu 8 · 10 AMFree
🧾Drop-in services🤝Volunteering
Northern Adelaide Community Aged Care Expo
Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club
Thu 8 · 7 PM$0
🎬Cinema🗣️Talk
THE LONG DAY CLOSES in 35mm with guest Nick Davis
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Thu 8 · 7:30 PM$0
🪕Folk / Acoustic🎸Rock
Luke Tyler Shelton
SPACE
Fri 9 · 12:30 PM$0
🗣️Talk🏰Heritage
Our Changing City: The Obama Presidential Center
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Fri 9 · 5:30 PM$0
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at Bookends & Beginnings
1620 Orrington Ave
Fri 9 · 7 PM$0
🎬Cinema🗣️Talk
ELEVEN P.M. (1928) in 35mm with live score by Damon Locks
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Fri 9 · 8 PM$0
🎹Blues🎸Rock
Davy Knowles
SPACE
Sat 10 · 11:30 AMFree
📖Story time0–8 yrs
Family Storytime at Zora's Place
Zora's Place
Sat 10 · 3 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🗺️Guided tour
Gallery Night
922 Davis St
Sat 10 · 8 PM$0
🎸Rock🌙Indie
Copeland w. Special Guest Jenny Dee
SPACE
Sun 11 · 8 PM$0
🪕Folk / Acoustic🎶Singer-songwriter
An Evening With Steve Dawson with special guests Jason Adasiewicz, Jason Roebke, Diane Christiansen and Alton Smith
SPACE
Mon 12 · 11 AMFree
🧸Kids0–15 yrs
Indigenous Peoples Day Family Swim
Goldfish Swim School- Evanston
Mon 12 · 6 PM$0–27.19
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Maya Savir — On Reconciliation
Bookends & Beginnings
Tue 13 · 12 PM$0
✂️Workshop🧘Yoga
Improve your Body Map
Monarch Fitness Coaching
Wed 14 · 3:30 PM$0
🗣️Talk♀️Feminism
Art and Women in Sports: Looking at Amber Morningstar
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Wed 14 · 7 PM$0
🎬Cinema🎞️Arthouse cinema
LES VAMPIRES (1916) in 16mm w/ Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl, and Macie Stewart
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Thu 15 · 8:30 AM$0
🗣️Talk🔬Science
2026 IIN Rosemary Schnell Symposium: Lights, Nano, Action!
Hilton Orrington Hotel
Thu 15 · 6 PM$0
🎬Cinema📽️Documentary
I'M YOUR VENUS (2024) with filmmaker Kimberly Reed
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Thu 15 · 7:30 PMFree
🧘Wellness♀️Feminism
Free Monthly Midlife Women's Wellness Group
910 Church St
Fri 16 · 10 AM$0
🎨Creative workshop0–5 yrs
Babies Who Brunch
Goldfish Swim School- Evanston
Fri 16 · 7 PM$0
🎬Cinema📽️Documentary
DARK MONEY (2018) and SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR (2024) with Kimberly Reed
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Sat 17 · 8:15 AMFree
🗣️Talk🏛️Politics & Economy
EDGS Conference: Evasive Riches and the Fight against Extreme Inequality
Harris Hall, Room 108
Wed 21 · 11 AM$0
Workforce Wednesday | Evanston | 10.21.26
National Able Network at Evanston Public Library
Thu 22 · 3:30 PM$0
Curator’s Talk: Modernity in the Making
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Thu 22 · 6 PM$0–29
Sarah Mesle TANGLED
Bookends & Beginnings
Thu 22 · 7 PM$0
PORTRAIT OF JASON (1967) in 35mm
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Fri 23 · 5 PM$0
LET'S MAKE ZINES
1620 Orrington Ave
Fri 23 · 7 PMFree
Family Bisque Painting
Norris University Center
Fri 23 · 7 PM$0
JASON AND SHIRLEY REVISITED (2015/2025) with director Stephen Winter
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Tue 27 Oct · 12:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk🏛️Politics & Economy
Where’s George Clooney Now? Sudan’s Invisible War | Roberta Buffett Visiting Professor Lecture by Sheldon Yett
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Thu 29 Oct · 5 PMFree
Mack's Bike & Goods Witches' Ride 2026
Mack's Bike & Goods
Fri 30 Oct · 5 PM$0
BOO Bash & Splash! Halloween Event
Goldfish Swim School- Evanston
Sat 31 Oct · 10 AMA$0
Become Your Child's Favourite Storyteller – Workshop (Gawler)
Gawler & District College B-12 Children's Centre
Fri 6 Nov · 12:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk
The Yemeni Women Fighting to Preserve Their Heritage | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Brent Huffman
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Thu 12 Nov · 6 PM$0–32.49
Sharon Chubbuck and Cynthia Ellwood BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE
Bookends & Beginnings
Fri 13 Nov · 3 PMFree
Vet Social Club-Mahjong 101 Class
Evanston Vet Center
Wed 18 Nov · 11 AM$0
💼Career
Workforce Wednesday Evanston: Employers & Resources
National Able Network at Evanston Public Library
Wed 18 Nov · 11 AM$0
💼Career
Workforce Wednesday | Evanston | 11.18.26
National Able Network at Evanston Public Library
Fri 20 Nov · 7 PMFree
GOODBYE, DRAGON INN in 35mm
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
Sat 5 Dec · 8 AMFree
🧺Market
2026 Evanston Holiday Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Sat 19 Dec · 8 AMFree
2026 Evanston Winter Indoor Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Sat 2 Jan · 8 AMFree
2027 Evanston Winter Indoor Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Fri 8 Jan · 12:30 PMFree
Partnering to Tackle Public Health Crises: Viral Hepatitis Case Study | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Claudia Hawkins
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Sat 16 Jan · 8 AMFree
2027 Evanston Winter Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Mon 18 Jan · 11 AMFree
MLK Jr. Family Swim Event
Goldfish Swim School- Evanston
Sat 30 Jan · 8 AMFree
2027 Evanston Mid-Winter Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Fri 5 Feb · 12:30 PMFree
Art, Archives, & African Sovereignty | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Sally Nuamah
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Sat 13 Feb · 8 AMFree
2027 Evanston Indoor Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Sat 27 Feb · 8 AMFree
2027 Evanston Saturday Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Fri 5 Mar · 12:30 PMFree
Above the Law: The US and the International Criminal Court | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Daniel Krcmaric
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Sat 13 Mar · 8 AMFree
2027 Evanston Farmers Market
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
Fri 2 Apr · 12:30 PMFree
The Global Energy Transition | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Sossina Haile
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
Fri 7 May · 12:30 PMFree
The Secret Lives of Nigerian Oil Drums | Buffett First Friday Lunch with Dotun Ayobade
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
See also in Evanston for free
Sat 17 · 1 PMFree
🎸Jam / Open mic🪕Folk / Acoustic
Edgewater Community Music Jam
Edgewater Library, Chicago
At 6 PMFree
🎸Jam / Open mic
Monday Night Open Mic
Rogers Park Library, Chicago
At 7 PM
💿DJ set
Mnf
Whiskey Girl Tavern, Chicago
Tomorrow · 8 PM
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia II
Beard & Belly, Chicago
Wed 30 · 9 PM
🎤Karaoke
Lip Service Karaoke
The Jackhammer Chicago
Thu 1 · 8 PM
🎫Concert
Black Bear Island
Bramble Arts Loft, Chicago
Fri 2 · 8 PM
🌙Indie🎫Concert
Blase`
Nobody's Darling, Chicago
Sat 3 · 11 AMFree
🎷Jazz🪕Folk / Acoustic
Jazz Institute of Chicago presents: Lost in Space with Kevin King
Budlong Woods Library, Chicago
Sat 10 · 9 PM$28.52–55.20
🎉Club💿DJ set
Going To Full Black 15th year anniversary
Juliana Restaurant, Chicago
At 4 PM
🌳Outdoors
Jarvis Square Twilight Market
Jarvis Square Alfresco, Chicago
Wed 30 · 7 PMFree
❓Quiz
Trivia Night at Replay Andersonville
Replay Andersonville, Chicago
Wed 30 · 4 PMFree
🎉Parties
Gear Happy Hour @ Chicago Eagle
Leather Archives & Museum, Chicago
Wed 30 · 4 PM
🎉Parties
Gear Happy Hour
Leather Archives and Museum, Chicago
Wed 30 · 7 PM
❓Quiz
Spiteful Trivia - 80's + 90's MASHUP Trivia
Spiteful Brewing Tap Room, Chicago
Fri 2
🎪Street party🌳Outdoors
2026 Chicago Apple Fest
Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside, Chicago
Fri 2 · 8 AM
🎉Club💿DJ set
BOGO Friday's @ Smack Dab
Smack Dab Chicago
Thu 8 · 6:30 PM$55.20
🎪Street party🤝Volunteering
FALL HARVEST FUNDRAISER
4815 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago
Fri 9 · 6 PM
🪗Folk dance🌳Outdoors
Contra Dance to Baba Yaga's Stew
Pottawattomie Park
Sat 10 · 12 PM$39.19
🎪Street party🧺Market
Mocktoberfest
PALMHOUSE, Evanston
Sat 10 · 9 PM$11.58–16.84
🎉Club💿DJ set
MEGAWOOF - CHICAGO - 11 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Jackhammer, Chicago
Sun 11 · 9 PM$11.99
🎉Club💿DJ set
Xtasy 12: Feral Presented By Tara Dikhof (Bi/Pansexual Kink Rave)
Rogers Park, Chicago
Wed 14 · 7 PM
🎉Club🌳Outdoors
CAPS BEAT 2423 Meetings
Touhy Park, Chicago
At 7:30 PMFree
🎭Theatre
The Understudy Dares You to Produce This Play: Poor Clare
The Understudy Coffee and Books, Chicago
Wed 30 · 7:30 PM
🎤Stand-up
Red Room Open Mic
RED ROOM Comedy Club, Chicago
Fri 2 · 7:30 PM
🎭Theatre
A Wrinkle in Time
Lifeline Theatre, Chicago
Sat 3$0
🎤Stand-up🏳️🌈LGBTQ+
Lavender Laugh Lounge (Sober Friendly, Queer Stand Up Comedy)
Loaves & Witches, Chicago
Thu 8 · 7:30 PM
🎭Theatre
A STRANGE LOOP by Michael R. Jackson
Raven Theatre, Chicago
Fri 9 · 7:30 PM
🎭Theatre
The Factory Theater Presents the World Premiere of “Radical Futures,” October 9 - November 21
The Factory Theater, Chicago
Sat 10 · 8 PM
🎊Socials
Dance Divas 2026: “Everything Old Is New Again”
The Rhapsody Theater, Chicago
Sun 11 · 2 PM$11–45
🎊Socials
Darvin Dances: Halloween Creepy Crawlies 2026
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble
Tue 20 · 12:30 PM
📚Literature♀️Feminism
Women's Book Group
Women & Children First, Chicago
Wed 21Free
📚Literature
Weird Book Club at Rogers Park Social: Blob
Rogers Park Social, Chicago
At 1 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🗣️Talk
Celebrating Edgewater's Theatres
Edgewater Historical Society, Chicago
Thu 1 · 6:30 PM
🎬Cinema
Screen Test
PO Box Collective, Chicago
Fri 9 · 6 PM$33.85–193.92
👗Fashion & Design🖼️Exhibition
AMBIENCE
Seven Star Venue, Chicago
Sat 10 · 7 PM
🎬Cinema📽️Documentary
Russell Banks: I Write in Order to Be a Better Person | In-Person (10/10)
Chicago Filmmakers
Your passions nearby
Tap what you're into — we'll find the outings around you.
Venues in Evanston for free
Bookends & Beginnings
6 events
1620 Orrington Ave
3 events
Immanuel Lutheran Church Evanston
8 events
In Person Only: Buffett Reading Room
8 events
SPACE
53 events
Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
24 events
Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University
13 events
St Luke's Episcopal Church
4 events
The Wine Goddess
9 events
Studio5
5 events
Goldfish Swim School- Evanston
4 events
Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
4 events