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, Nov 8, 2025

  • Varieties of Melodrama: Guru Dutt and Ritwik Ghatak at 100
    FREE
    Varieties Of Melodrama: Guru Dutt And Ritwik Ghatak At 100
    November 8 @ 9am - 5:30pm

    Cobb Hall, 5811 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637

    2025 marks the birth centenaries of two remarkable Indian filmmakers: Guru Dutt (1925-1964) and Ritwik Ghatak (1925-1976). Despite the shared year of their ...
  • Brunch & Beatz Saturdays @ Good To Go
    FREE Party
    Brunch & Beatz Saturdays @ Good To Go
    November 8 @ 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 ...
  • Stuff A Stocking For Your Pet
    November 8 @ 10am - 4pm

    1359 N Maplewood Ave #2880, Chicago, IL 60622, USA

    Santa Paws is coming early, just for your furry friends! Join Whiskers & Tails Rescue Foundation on Saturday, November 8th from 10:00AM - 4:00PM for our ...
  • WOODWORK! STATIONERY! COOKIES!
    FREE
    Woodwork! Stationery! Cookies!
    November 8 @ 11am - 3pm

    The Center of Order and Experimentation, 1727 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

    Shop a wide collection of Nathan Silverman's wooden bowls. Each handmade here in Chicago, each bowl is inspired by wood from around the world. ...
  • Olympia Doll Launch - Neighborhood Toy Store Day
    FREE
    Olympia Doll Launch - Neighborhood Toy Store Day
    November 8 @ 11am - 12pm

    *play Andersonville, 5311 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

    Introducing the Olympia Doll and Story Collection—where timeless myths meet modern play. Discover the world’s first super-heroines, reimagined from legendary ...
  • Pumpkin Smash 2025 at Guild Row
    FREE
    Pumpkin Smash 2025 At Guild Row
    November 8 @ 1pm - 5pm

    Guild Row, 3130 North Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL 60618

    Every November, Guild Row hosts one of the city’s most satisfying rituals: the annual Pumpkin Smash. It’s part compost drive, part block party, part collective ...
  • Discotecture: Panel Discussion And Dj Set
    November 8 @ 1:30pm - 3pm

    840. N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

    TAKK’s Mireia Luzárraga and Alejandro Muiño and Ivan L. Munuera will discuss their project Discotecture: Altered States which explores how the architecture of ...
  • NYRA Criticism Panel
    FREE
    Nyra Criticism Panel
    November 8 @ 3pm - 4pm

    840. N Michigan Ave, 840. North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

    What is the value of writing about architecture in a critical register? For Douglas Spencer and Kate Wagner, critique is necessary for accurately gauging the ...
  • Golden Hour Featuring Sol Ley
    November 8 @ 5pm - 8pm

    201 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

    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 ...
  • Spirituals With Friends Concert!
    November 8 @ 5pm - 6pm

    924 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301, USA

    Join us for Spirituals With Friends on November 8 at 5 PM at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park. This inspiring evening will feature amazing guest singers, ...

Sunday, Nov 9, 2025

  • Maizly Happy Hour At Necessary & Sufficient Coffee
    November 9 @ 8am - 10am

    728 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605, USA

    We’re buzzing with excitement (and a little caffeine) because something golden this way pours: Maizly Corn Milk has landed at necessary & sufficient ...
  • Brunch & Beatz Sundays @ Good To Go
    FREE Party
    Brunch & Beatz Sundays @ Good To Go
    November 9 @ 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 ...
  • BREAKFAST TACOS WITH BILLY Z
    FREE
    Breakfast Tacos With Billy Z
    November 9 @ 10am - 12pm

    The Center of Order and Experimentation, 1727 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

    EAT BREAKFAST AT THE CENTER! 🍳🍳🍳 Billy "Tripping Billy" Zureikat is coming to The Center on November 9th to make you breakfast! Billy will be here slinging ...
  • Book, Puzzle, or Board Game Swap!
    FREE
    Book, Puzzle, Or Board Game Swap!
    November 9 @ 11am - 1pm

    Eli Tea Bar, 5507 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

    Bring a book, puzzle, or board game to swap with neighbors!
  • CGHA Blackhawks Watch Party at MyBuddy’s
    FREE
    Cgha Blackhawks Watch Party At Mybuddy’S
    November 9 @ 12pm - 3pm

    My Buddy's, 4416 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

    Admission: $10 suggested donation to the CGHA — includes your first drink (draft, well cocktail, margarita or mojito) on us!Cheer loud and proud with a Chicago ...
  • House of Kapwa Reopening
    FREE
    House Of Kapwa Reopening
    November 9 @ 1pm - 3pm

    6400 S Kimbark Ave, 6400 South Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637

    In June 2023, we celebrated the opening of the House at Oakwood Beach. This fall, we join together again to mark the House of Kapwa landing at her permanent ...
  • Kids' Painting Workshop at Nitro Nostalgia
    FREE
    Kids' Painting Workshop At Nitro Nostalgia
    November 9 @ 2pm - 4pm

    4252 S Cottage Grove Ave, 4252 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653

    In honor of National STEM/STEAM Day, Make It Your Art studio presents our Kids' Painting Workshop at Nitro Nostalgia! 🎨 Let your little ones unleash their ...
  • Life After Brunch Day Party
    FREE Party
    Life After Brunch Day Party
    November 9 @ 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 ...
  • The Shop: Jump Off Boyz
    FREE
    The Shop: Jump Off Boyz
    November 9 @ 7pm - 10pm

    4930 S Cicero Ave, 4930 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638

    The Shop: Jump Off Boyz

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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