The weekend is finally here in Chicago, and you're ready to go out and have some fun. We've done the hard work for you and rounded top Free Things to Do in Chicago this weekend in our up-to-date Chicago Free Events This Weekend Calendar that covers the best free concerts (classical, jazz, pop, rock, opera), free comedy shows, art exhibitions (museum, galleries), free and cheap party and nightlife activities & things to do this weekend (this Saturday and Sunday) in Chicago including Berwyn, Evanston, Gary, Oak Park, Bridgeview, Calumet City, Elmhurst, Oak Brook and more.

WEEKEND

Saturday, Jan 18, 2025

  • SWITCH: WONKA B*TCH
    FREE
    Switch: Wonka B*Tch
    January 18 - January 19 @ 7:30am - 2am

    Meeting House Tavern, 5025 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

    SWITCH Presents: WONKA B*TCH Step into a world of pure imagination at SWITCH: Willy Wonka Bar, a candy-coated night of fun and fantasy! Join us on Thursday, ...
  • Brunch & Beatz Saturdays @ Good To Go
    FREE Party
    Brunch & Beatz Saturdays @ Good To Go
    January 18 @ 9am - 3pm. Weekly - Saturdays

    Good To Go Jamaican Cuisine, 711 Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA

    Join us every Saturday for BRUNCH BEATZ @ GOODTOGO located on the north side of Chicago where you can enjoy all the vibes without having to deal with the ...
  • Dream It, Build It, Buy It: Vision Board Party for Homebuyers
    FREE
    Dream It, Build It, Buy It: Vision Board Party For Homebuyers
    January 18 @ 1pm - 4:05pm

    Coldwell Banker Realty, 1314 E 47th Street, Chicago, IL 60653

    Ready to turn your dream of homeownership into a reality? 🎉 Join us for an exclusive Vision Board Party designed for future homebuyers like YOU who plan to ...
  • BOLD HORIZONS VISION BOARD PARTY
    FREE
    Bold Horizons Vision Board Party
    January 18 @ 2pm - 4pm

    Volumes Bookcafe, 1373 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

    Marked N' Bold - An All Female Tattooed Collective Is Hosting A BOLD Horizons Vision Board Party! It’s Not Too Late To Set Your Sights On An Amazing 2025! ...
  • Indie Game Audio Show-N-Tell
    FREE
    Indie Game Audio Show-N-Tell
    January 18 @ 3:30pm - 5:30pm

    Chicago Game Lab, 2017 West Irving Park Road #STE 2F, Chicago, IL 60618

    Hooray! We'll go around and share our work. Plan on playing about 5 minutes of audio or less then we can discuss/Q&A for about 5 minutes after each share. ...
  • Orange Shoe Personal Fitness Opening Party
    FREE
    Orange Shoe Personal Fitness Opening Party
    January 18 @ 4pm - 7pm

    1637 N Clybourn Ave, 1637 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

    Welcome to the Orange Shoe Personal Fitness Opening Party! Come join us at 1637 N Clybourn Ave for a fun-filled event celebrating the grand opening of our ...
  • Golden Hour featuring DjB
    FREE
    Golden Hour Featuring Djb
    January 18 @ 5pm - 8pm

    Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60607

    Join us in the Cafe Bar Thursday through Saturday for free live music, starting at 5PM until 8PM. Enjoy our exclusive food and drink specials until 7PM! Golden ...
  • "Dad'in & Son'in"
    FREE
    "Dad'in & Son'in"
    January 18 @ 5pm - 8:30pm

    Kennedy-King College, 740 West 63rd Street, Chicago, IL, USA, 740 West 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60621

    CECA welcomes independent filmmakers. Come connect with the the creators of "Dad'in & Son'in" and find out how this Production Group brought their comedy ...
  • Saturday Late Night Laughs At Laugh Factory Chicago
    FREE Comedy
    Saturday Late Night Laughs At Laugh Factory Chicago
    January 18 - January 19 @ 6pm - 12am. Weekly - Saturdays

    Laugh Factory, 3175 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, USA

    Standup Comedy is Back at Laugh Factory Chicago! Once paid tickets are prioritized, limit guest passes are allowed in. Age restriction: 18 years and over 2 ...
  • Capricorn Season Birthday Bash
    FREE
    Capricorn Season Birthday Bash
    January 18 - January 19 @ 7pm - 2am

    Gamer's Hall, 3609 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

    Calling all Capricorns to Gamer's Hall in Chicago to dance the night away to a live salsa band.

Sunday, Jan 19, 2025

  • Brunch & Beatz Sundays @ Good To Go
    FREE Party
    Brunch & Beatz Sundays @ Good To Go
    January 19 @ 9am - 3pm. Weekly - Saturdays

    Good To Go Jamaican Cuisine, 711 Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA

    Join us every Sunday for BRUNCH BEATZ @ GOODTOGO located on the north side of Chicago where you can enjoy all the vibes without having to deal with the ...
  • Christian Open Mic
    FREE
    Christian Open Mic
    January 19 @ 12pm - 2pm

    Open Mic, 29 East Madison, Chicago, IL 60602

    Christian Open Mic Welcome to Christian Open Mic! Join us for a night of music, poetry, and fellowship at Open Mic. Whether you want to share your talents or ...
  • Dream with Ice Cream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
    FREE
    Dream With Ice Cream: A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
    January 19 @ 12pm - 3pm

    Nitro Nostalgia, 4252 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653

    🍦 Celebrate Legacy, Community, and Dreams 🍦 Join us at Nitro Nostalgia Cafe for a heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with ...
  • BUNCO BASH and Potluck
    FREE
    Bunco Bash And Potluck
    January 19 @ 12:30pm - 3pm

    Blue Island Eagle's Hall, 2427 Grove Street, Blue Island, IL

    BUNCO is held in the BASEMENT at Blue Island Eagles Hall 2427 Grove Street · Blue Island, IL FREE parking. Extra parking lot across the street from the Club. ...
  • Spotlight Series Opening Reception - Linye Jiang: Undisclosed Location
    FREE
    Spotlight Series Opening Reception - Linye Jiang: Undisclosed Location
    January 19 @ 2pm - 5pm

    Chinese American Museum of Chicago, 238 West 23rd Street, Chicago, IL 60616

    CAMOC is pleased to present the first Spotlight Artist of 2025, Linye Jiang with Undisclosed Location. In this installation, Jiang’s work is a love letter to ...
  • New Year, New You with Holly's High Society & Simple And Good Enterprises
    FREE
    New Year, New You With Holly's High Society & Simple And Good Enterprises
    January 19 @ 2pm - 4pm

    Silverroom, 1506 East 53rd Street, Chicago, IL 60615

    Understand the impact of alcohol vs. hemp on the body. Features infused wellness drinks and free product samples.
  • Vibe Check Day Party
    FREE
    Vibe Check Day Party
    January 19 @ 3pm - 9pm

    Hubbard Inn, West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL, USA, 110 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60654

    Vibe Check Day Party Come join us Sunday for a day filled with good vibes at Hubbard Inn's First Floor as we celebrate MLK Weekend. Get ready to dance, mingle, ...
  • Life After Brunch Day Party
    FREE Party
    Life After Brunch Day Party
    January 19 @ 3pm - 7pm. Weekly - Sundays

    Tribe Supper Club, 1239 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

    Every Sunday, experience Life After Brunch...one of Chicago's most exclusive day parties! Great food + drinks + Chicago's hottest DJs Great Vibes. Come dressed ...
  • Dry January: CBD Drink Shop
    FREE
    Dry January: Cbd Drink Shop
    January 19 @ 6pm - 8pm

    2048 Non-Alcoholic Wine Shop, 2048 West Chicago Avenue #Ste A, Chicago, IL 60622

    Event [hidden] CBD Wine Tastings: Savor a unique selection of relaxing, CBD-infused non-alcoholic wines.CBD Mocktails by Kizmah CBD Shop: Enjoy premium CBD ...
  • Queer Soup Night ft. Zoe Schor & Chez T+K
    FREE
    Queer Soup Night Ft. Zoe Schor & Chez T+K
    January 19 @ 6pm - 8:30pm

    Dorothy, 2500 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

    Join us at Dorothy on Sunday January 19th from 6-8:30PM as we re-kick off Chicago’s chapter of Queer Soup Night! Queer Chicago chefs will sling delicious soup ...

More Free Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend

Besides many free events listed in our Chicago Free Events this Weekend calendar above, here are some more Free Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend:

Water Tower Place
835 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL | https://www.shopwatertower.com/
The ultimate place to be for fanfare and activity on Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile during weekends, Water Tower Place features dozens of major retailers, incredible restaurants, and fun entertainment options housed in a seven-level atrium. Water Tower Place is also home to Broadway in Chicago.

Holy Name Cathedral
730 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL
While ground broke on Chicago's cathedral in July of 1874, the building has been restored several times over the years to repair fire damage. The cathedral notably replaced the Cathedral of Saint Mary after it was destroyed during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Pope John Paul II became the first Pontiff to visit Holy Name Cathedral during a visit to the United States in October of 1979.

The Famous Tiffany Dome Inside the Chicago Cultural Center
78 East Washington Street, Chicago, IL | https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter-tiffanydome.html
Free admission makes it possible to pop into this historic building to see a magnificent translucent dome made of Tiffany Favrile glass. Cut into the shape of fish scales, this zodiac-inspired dome has a diameter of 38 feet. It was made by the famous Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company of New York.

Sculpture Hunt Along Chicago's Magnificent Mile
There's something fun about the Saturday hustle and bustle of shoppers and tourists on the Magnificent Mile. One way to stay busy for hours without spending a dime is to look for the list of statues nestled around Chicago's most famous loop. The list includes the Wings of Mexico sculpture at 410 North Michigan Avenue, the Agora Big Feet sculpture at 1135 South Michigan Avenue, and the World Traveler sculpture at 100 East Lake Shore Drive.

Brewery Tours and Pub Crawls
Chicago is one of the best cities for beer in the country! The city boasts more than 160 breweries offering locally crafted beers. Many brewers offer free tours on a first-come basis on weekend afternoons.

Blues and Jazz Music on Halsted Street
While there are many spots for live music around Chicago, Halsted Street has a nice concentration of bars and clubs playing blues and jazz. Most don't open until 6 p.m. on weekends.

The Chicago Skyline on a Saturday Night
875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Why pay $25 a pop to check out the view from one of Chicago's observatory decks? A spot called Signature Lounge on top of Chicago's John Hancock Building offers the same view for free. The only catch is that you may need to order at least a drink to be able to stick around.

Free Games at the Game Room
12 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL | https://www.chicagoathletichotel.com/restaurants/game-room
The Game Room is a rarity because it's one of the only old-time athletic clubs to survive the Great Depression. While the Game Room is housed in a hotel, the games are totally free for the public. Playing shuffleboard, pool, foosball, bocce, and other classics in an upscale location is a great way to spend a Saturday night.

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
Navy Pier is an iconic Chicago attraction located in the city's scenic lakefront area. It's also the place to be on weekends. Found in the Streeterville neighborhood, Navy Pier juts 3,300 feet into the shoreline of Lake Michigan. This 52-acre wonderland features more than 50 shops, restaurants, gardens, parks, museums, exhibition spaces, and attractions. In fact, it is considered one of the Midwest's most important attractions. This is also the place to ride on the famed Navy Pier Centennial Wheel for amazing views of the city, shoreline, and beyond!

The Most Haunted Hotel in Illinois
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Congress Plaza Hotel was named by Leisure + Travel as the most haunted place in all of Illinois. This 122-year-old hotel is routinely the source of ghost sightings. The ghost of Al Capone is frequently seen near the infamous gangster's favorite eight-floor suite. Several other ghosts are known to cause banging sounds, scratching noises, slammed doors, and flickering lights. Touring the lobby on the weekends makes it easier to blend in with the flow of tourists.

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