What's on in Illinois for free?
150 upcoming events
We've rounded up 150 upcoming events in Illinois for free — concerts, parties, theatre, exhibitions, family outings — updated every day. Pick a theme or just scroll.
Events in Illinois for free
Sun27
Today
TodayFree
🗺️Guided tour🌳Outdoors
Chicago Seadog: Lakefront Speedboat Tour
Navy Pier
TodayFree
📸Photography
Wondra: Immerse yourself in the magic of nature
Woodfield Mall, 60173
At 7:30 PMFree
🗺️Guided tour🌳Outdoors
Chicago: Architecture River Cruise From Michigan Avenue
Shoreline Sightseeing - Michigan Avenue Bridge, 60611
At 7:30 PMFree
🗺️Guided tour🌳Outdoors
Chicago: Architecture River Cruise from Navy Pier
Shoreline Sightseeing - Michigan Avenue Bridge, 60611
Tomorrow · 12:30 PMFree
🗺️Guided tour🚶Walk
Chicago: 90-Minute Urban Adventure River and Lake Cruise
Michigan Avenue Bridge - DuSable Bridge
Mon28
Tomorrow
Tomorrow · 5 PM$0
💿DJ set☀️Open air
Golden Hour Featuring Vince Lazarus & DJ Woodi
Epiphany Center For The Arts
Tomorrow · 5 PM$0
💿DJ set🎉Club
Golden Hour Featuring DJ Onwa
Epiphany Center For The Arts
Tomorrow · 5 PM$0
🎪Street party
Pink Pussce Aftermath
2921 W Division St
Tomorrow · 5 PMFree
✨Cabaret👑Drag show
Charge of the Soul: Broadway, Baby!
Scratch Goods
Tomorrow · 6 PMFree
🎲Improv🎤Stand-up
LSI Open Stage
Logan Square Improv
Tomorrow · 6 PM$15–30
🎉Club
Club Italiano & La Tosca
Cara Cara Club
Tomorrow · 6 PM$0
🏷️Other
South Loop Urbanists September Monthly Meetup
Half Sour
Tomorrow · 6 PM$0
💜Soul / Funk🎤R&B
CHRCHY SOUL LIVE ft. Skii George
KaLab Bronzeville
Tomorrow · 6 PM$0
🌐World music🪕Folk / Acoustic
Chicago World Music ft. Rumbo Tumba and Ana Everling
Three Top Lounge
Tomorrow · 6 PMFree
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at Truth Be Told
Truth Be Told
Tue29
Tuesday 29 September
Mon 28 · 5 PMFree
🪑Flea market
Craft Supply Swap
Merlo Library
Mon 28 · 5 PMFree
🎬Cinema
Film Screening: Michael (2026)
Avalon Library
Mon 28 · 5 PMFree
🎨Creative workshop6–13 yrs
Create a Critter
West Pullman Library
Mon 28 · 5 PMFree
🎬Cinema
Project Hail Mary (2026) — film screening
Clearing Library
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Mon 28 · 5 PMFree
📚Literature
Adult Book Discussion: Afterlife
Toman Library
Mon 28 · 5 PMFree
👾Video games13–19 yrs
Video Game Night
South Chicago Library
Mon 28 · 5:30 PMFree
📚Literature📜Poetry
The Silent Scribe Society: Writing Program
Chicago Public Library
Mon 28 · 5:30 PMFree
✂️Workshop💼Career
English Language Learning (ESL/ELL) Course / Curso de Inglés
Humboldt Park Library
Mon 28 · 5:30 PMFree
🎯Board games6–13 yrs
Kids Face-Off: Guess the Top Answer
Thurgood Marshall Library
Mon 28 · 5:30 PMFree
✂️Workshop💼Career
English Language Learning (ELL/ESL) Course
Portage-Cragin Library
Mon 28 · 5:30 PM$0
🧘Wellness💼Career
Main Character Energy: Protecting Your Peace at Work
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Roller Skating and Bowling Center
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop🪡Crafts
Simple Stitches Crochet Club: Study Hall
Austin-Irving Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
🎸Jam / Open mic
Monday Night Open Mic
Rogers Park Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop🗣️Talk
ESL: English Language Conversation Practice
Little Italy Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
English Class for Beginners With Erie House / Clases de Inglés Para Principiantes con La Casa Erie
Chicago Public Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Knit Together
Chicago Public Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop🧘Wellness
Landscape Painting with Seanice Lenay
Dunning Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
📚Literature
Book Discussion: The Intrigue
South Chicago Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
📖Story time
Bilingual Story Time / Hora de cuentos bilingües
Sulzer Regional Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
📚Literature
Adult Book Discussion: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami
Portage-Cragin Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Great Decisions Foreign Policy Discussion Group
Budlong Woods Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
🎨Creative workshop3–13 yrs
LEGO® Club
Archer Heights Library
Mon 28Free
🎯Board games
Board Game Night
Austin Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
🎬Cinema👾Video games
Anime Monday for Teens
Chicago Bee Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk🏛️Politics & Economy
How Chicago Works: City Government and Budget 101
Chicago Public Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Light of Space Paper Lanterns
Bucktown-Wicker Park Library
Mon 28 · 6 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
Card Collectors Club
Chicago Ridge Public Library
Mon 28 · 6 PM$0–28.52
💼Career
Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soiree
The Silversmith Hotel ( ADAMUS LOUNGE )
Mon 28$0
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at Eataly
Eataly
Mon 28 · 6 PM$0
🗣️Talk💼Career
Vancouver Film School Info Session | Chicago, IL, Sept. 28, 2026
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
Mon 28 · 7 PMFree
🧘Wellness
Meditation: A Lifelong Practice
Springfield Free Public Library
Mon 28 · 6 PM$0
🏃Running🌳Outdoors
Colectivo x adidas Fun Run
Colectivo Coffee Southport
Mon 28 · 6 PM$0ES
🎻Classical🎫Concert
Josu Okiñena en concierto: Aita Donostia 100 años
PianoForte Chicago
Mon 28 · 6:15 PMFree
📚Literature📜Poetry
Writing Circle
Manning Library
Mon 28 · 6:30 PMFree
🎨Creative workshop🎯Board games4–13 yrs
LEGO® Night: Build and Battle Edition
Edgebrook Library
Wed30
Wednesday 30 September
Tue 29Free
✂️Workshop🎒Students
YOUmedia Open Shop
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Library
Tue 29 · 5 PMFreeES
🔢Bingo
Loteria Night / Noche de Loteria
Back of the Yards Library
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
✂️Workshop💼Career
Teen 3D Print Lab
Scottsdale Library
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
🎨Creative workshop🎯Board games6–13 yrs
LEGO® at the Library
Scottsdale Library
Tue 29Free
🎨Creative workshop🎯Board games
YOUmedia Takeover
Daley, Richard J.-Bridgeport Library
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
🎬Cinema
Film Screening: Cinderella (1950)
Jefferson Park Library
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
📚Literature
Any Book Book Club
Sulzer Regional Library
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
🎬Cinema
Family Film Screening: Michael (2026)
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Library
Tue 29 · 5 PM$0
💼Career
Literacy Leadership Roundtable
Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk by IHG
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
MTG Commander (EDH)
Spellbound Games
Tue 29 · 5 PMFree
🃏Trading cards🏆Tournament
Commander Player List
The Lost Zone Cards & Collectibles
Tue 29 · 5:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk📚Literature
White, Black, Brown: Becoming Puerto Rican in Chicago
Chicago Public Library
Tue 29 · 5:30 PMFree
✂️Workshop📚Literature
Meet Geraldine Lane Mardis: A Hands-on Beauty Workshop
Kelly Library
Tue 29Free
🎯Board games
Tabletop Game Night
Northtown Library
Tue 29 · 5:30 PMFree
✂️Workshop
DIY Soap Making
South Shore Library
Tue 29 · 5:30 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🗣️Talk
Aquí en Chicago: Behind the Scenes at the Chicago History Museum
Chicago History Museum
Tue 29 · 6:30 PMFree
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at The Orbit Room
The Orbit Room
Tue 29Free
♠️Card games
Tuesday Night Bridge Club
Logan Square Library
Tue 29FreeES
✂️Workshop💼Career
ESL Practice: English Conversation Group
Albany Park Library
Tue 29Free
🗣️Talk💼Career
ESL Practice: English Conversation Group
West Town Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk🌱Ecology
Speak Up for Trees!
Sulzer Regional Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Richard Hunt: A Legacy in Metal & Movement
Jeffery Manor Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
🎯Board games
Game Night
Douglass Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop🏺Ceramics & pottery
Let's Sculpt at OPC!
Obama Presidential Center Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
🔢Bingo3–14 yrs
Fall Bingo
Mount Greenwood Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop💼Career
Microsoft 101
Lozano Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
🎬Cinema🗣️Talk
Shorts From the Block: Black Harvest’s Chicago Stories
Obama Presidential Center Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
🌳Outdoors
A Stitch in Time Crochet Club / Club de Tejer
Back of the Yards Library
Tue 29 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Stamp the Solar System
Chicago Lawn Library
Tue 29$15
🏋️Fitness🧢Hip-hop
CuuuTeee Dance Fitness – Tuesdays @ Austin Lo'ren Studio
Austin Lo'ren Dance Academy & Boutique
Tue 29 · 6 PM$0
🎯Board games
Board Game Designer Night - Snakes & Lattes Chicago
Snakes & Lattes Chicago
Thu1
Thursday 1 October
Wed 30Free
✂️Workshop🎯Board games
Workshop Wednesday
Sherman Park Library
Wed 30 · 5 PMFree
✂️Workshop💼Career
3D Printing for Beginners
West Pullman Library
Wed 30 · 5 PMFree
🎬Cinema
Film Screening: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
Wrightwood-Ashburn Library
Wed 30 · 5 PM$0
🪕Folk / Acoustic🌳Outdoors
Golden Hour Featuring Luciano Antonio
Epiphany Center For The Arts
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🎯Board gamesup to 18 yrs
Teen Dungeons and Dragons - Ages 13-18
Springfield Free Public Library
Wed 30 · 5 PM$0
🎷Jazz💜Soul / Funk
Golden Hour Featuring Owen Ginnett Trio
Epiphany Center For The Arts
Wed 30 · 5 PMFree
✂️Workshop🌳Outdoors
Women/Trans/Non-binary Open Shop
Ciclo Urbano
Wed 30 · 5 PMFree
🗣️Talk💼Career
Fall 2026 Collaboratorium
Chicago Booth Harper Center
Wed 30 · 5 PMFree
🃏Trading cards🏆Tournament
EDH Night at Half Acre
Half Acre Beer Co
Wed 30 · 5:30 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Bad Art Afternoons
Lozano Library
Wed 30$0
❓Quiz🎤Karaoke
The St. James Trivia Night
Vim & Victor at The St. James
Wed 30Free
✂️Workshop🪡Crafts
Knit and Crochet Circle
Little Italy Library
Wed 30Free
✂️Workshop🪡Crafts
Wednesday in Stitches
Rogers Park Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
The Joy of Gesture: An Abstract Art Making Workshop
Austin-Irving Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Adopt-a-Pet Ghost Craft Night
Canaryville Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
📖Story time🎪Kids' show0–5 yrs
Pajama Story Time
Sulzer Regional Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🔢Bingo
Wind Down Wednesday: Adult Bingo Night
South Chicago Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
📜Poetry
Open Mic Poetry
Coleman Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Centering Human Flourishing in the Age of AI
Chicago Public Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🧸Kids3–13 yrs
Pretend Play: Vet Clinic
Vodak-East Side Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Origami Club for Teens
Chicago Bee Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk🗣️Language café
Spanish Conversation Group
Blackstone Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🗣️Talk🔬Science
The 10 Most Fascinating Astronomy Images of 2025
North Austin Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🔢Bingo
Youth BINGO
Chicago Ridge Public Library
Wed 30 · 6 PMFree
🎤Stand-up
Loose Four: A Stand-Up Open Mic
iO Theater
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
🧘Wellness
Healing Circle for Helpers - September
LoSAH Center of Hope
Fri2
Friday 2 October
Thu 1Free
🎪Kids' show
Kids Book Club
Roden Library
Thu 1Free
🧘Wellness
Young Parents Support Group
Legler Regional Library
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
✂️Workshop🧘Wellness
DIY Aroma and Affirmations
Kelly Library
Thu 1Free
♙Chess🌳Outdoors
Chess for Beginners
Jefferson Park Library
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
✂️Workshop👾Video games
Teen Vibez: Crafting, Gaming and Hanging Out
Chicago Lawn Library
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
🗣️Talk
Look Back to Go Forward: A Living Record Panel Discussion
Chicago Public Library
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
🏷️Other
Studio @ Main | Drop-in
Main Library
Thu 1 · 5 PM$0
🪕Folk / Acoustic💿DJ set
Golden Hour Featuring Lainey Jean
Epiphany Center For The Arts
Thu 1$0
🏃Running🌳Outdoors
The STJ Run Club
The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
Commander Thursday
Chicagoland Games
Thu 1 · 5 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
Prism Games Casual Commander
Prism Games Chicago
Thu 1Free
♙Chess
Chess on the Edge
Edgewater Library
Thu 1Free
💼Career
ESL Practice; Clases de Inglés Como Segunda Idioma; 므와 英语训练 英语会话小组活动; هل ترغب في ممارسة التحدث وفهم اللغة الإنجليزية
Daley, Richard J.-Bridgeport Library
![ProtectMIChild: Internet Safety Tools for Parents and Youth [Off-Site]](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkdl.bibliocommons.com%2Fevents%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2Ffull%2F18ad5554d59f207961df542d96c0ce48%2Frockford_community_cabin.png&w=640&output=webp&q=78&we)
Thu 1 · 6:30 PMFree
🗣️Talk
ProtectMIChild: Internet Safety Tools for Parents and Youth
Krause Branch Temporary Location Library
Thu 1 · 5:30 PMFree
📖Story time🎨Creative workshop8–12 yrs
Youth Book Club
Chicago Ridge Public Library
Thu 1 · 6:30 PMFree
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at Friendly Beasts Cider Company
Friendly Beasts Cider Company
Thu 1 · 6:30 PMFree
❓Quiz🌳Outdoors
Trivia Night at O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar
O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar
Thu 1Free
✂️Workshop
Knitting Circle
Logan Square Library
Thu 1 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop🏰Heritage
Meet Calvin B. Jones: Make a Mini-Mural
West Loop Library
Thu 1 · 6 PMFree
🎯Board games
Space Game Night
Douglass Library
Thu 1$15
🏋️Fitness🧢Hip-hop
CuuuTeee Dance Fitness – Thursdays
Austin Lo'ren Dance Academy & Boutique
Thu 1 · 6 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🥂Opening
Opening - Desde la Frontera: Visions from the Border
Instituto Cervantes - Chicago
Thu 1$0
🏷️Other
INT'L CAFE at Revolution Brewing
Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
Thu 1 · 6 PM$0
🗣️Talk🌐World music
Elastic Arts AFW 11: "What's in the Cipher?" Panel (Ytasha Womack)
The.BlkRoom
Sat3
Saturday 3 October
Fri 2 · 5 PMFree
🏷️Other
Studio @ Main | Drop-in
Main Library
Fri 2 · 5 PM$0
💿DJ set🏠House
Golden Hour Featuring Viridian
Epiphany Center For The Arts
Fri 2 · 5 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🌳Outdoors
Open Gallery Hours: Oliva Gallery
Oliva Gallery
Fri 2 · 5:30 PM$0
🎫Concert
Hard Country Honky Tonk with The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle
Fri 2 · 5:45 PM$0
🚴Cycling🌳Outdoors
Southside Critical Mass Chicago Bicycle Ride (1st Fridays)
Nichols Park Plaza (South End by Fountain)
Fri 2 · 6 PMFree
🔢Bingo
Unbooked | Bingo
Main Library
Fri 2 · 6 PMFree
✂️Workshop
Unbooked Kids
Main Library
Fri 2$0
🎸Jam / Open mic
First Friday Open Mic & Jam
1579 N Milwaukee Ave #344
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0
🎭Stage
Bridge Performance Incubator Showcase
Hyde Park Art Center
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0
🗣️Talk🧘Wellness
Beyond Thought: Discovering Silence Within (Free Public Talk)
Naperville Public Library - Naper Blvd. Library
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🎪Street party
The BIG OPEN HOUSE!
Salon HEX
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0–28
🗣️Talk📚Literature
Charleen Hurtubise SAOIRSE
Bookends & Beginnings
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0
📚Literature💼Career
After Sessions Book Club – September Gathering
Tapster Lincoln Park
Fri 2 · 6 PM$0
🖼️Exhibition🥂Opening
Annual Open House and Art Show at Hubbard St. Lofts
HUBBARD STREET LOFTS
Ongoing
At 6 PM$0
🎬Cinema📽️Documentary
Black Cinema House & The Cinema Culture Present: TCB
The Land School
At 6 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
GameStop Magic Meetup - Commander
Mall of America
At 6 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
GameStop Magic Meetup - Commander
GameStop - 2865 - The Brickyard S/C
At 6 PMFree
🃏Trading cards
GameStop Magic Meetup - Commander
GameStop - 402 - Addison Mall
See also in Illinois for free
Thu 1 · 6 PMFree
❓Quiz🎫Concert
Trivia Night at Golden Fox Brewing, LLC
Golden Fox Brewing, Decatur
Thu 1 · 7 PM
🪕Folk / Acoustic🎫Concert
'CeCe Frey' with special guest: 'Emberline'
Lincoln Square Theatre, Decatur
Fri 2 · 7 PM
🎸Rock🎫Concert
2026 SPOTLIGHT SERIES - Show #7 - 'NEON RODEO'
Lincoln Square Theatre, Decatur
Fri 9 · 7 PM
🎸Rock✨Pop
2026 "SPOTLIGHT SERIES" - Show #8 - 'SILVER LAKE'
Lincoln Square Theatre, Decatur
Sat 10 · 7 PM$36–981
✨Pop🎫Concert
Mamma Mania - ABBA Tribute
Lincoln Square Theatre, Decatur
Sat 10 · 7 PM
✨Pop🎫Concert
MAMMA MANIA-New York City's Premier ABBA Celebration
Lincoln Square Theatre, Decatur
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