Live Jazz with Myles Hayes

5:00 PM

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, 160 East Pearson Street, 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611

Join us Wednesday evenings for live music, drinks, and bites in The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago Lobby and Torali Bar, featuring live jazz with Myles Hayes. 5:00–8:30 PM.

Summer Block Party — Navy Pier (Final)

12:00 PM

Polk Bros Park & Navy Pier

Final Summer Block Party of 2026. Free entertainment and fireworks finale. 12–9 PM.

Poetry Foundation — Free Admission

11:00 AM

Poetry Foundation, 61 W Superior St

Free admission Wed 11 AM–5 PM, Thu 11 AM–6 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–5 PM. No reservation needed.

iO Theater: Loose Four

6:00 PM

iO Theater

Lip Service Karaoke (LGBTQ+)

9:00 PM

Jackhammer, LGBTQ+

The Field Museum — Free Wednesday

9:00 AM

Field Museum, 1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago

Illinois residents get free general admission every Wednesday. Free tickets must be reserved in advance at fieldmuseum.org/our-events/free-wednesdays. Valid Illinois ID required. 9 AM–5 PM.

Green City Market Lincoln Park

7:00 AM

1817 N Clark St

7 AM–1 PM

Centennial Wheel Free Ride — Navy Pier

6:00 PM

Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Free rides on the Centennial Wheel every Wednesday after 6 PM. Tickets released every Thursday for the following Wednesday. Reserve up to four free tickets.

Deco Supper Club at Celeste River North

5:00 PM

Celeste River North, 111 W Hubbard St

Family Feud-Style Trivia

7:00 PM

Cheba Hut Wrigleyville

Sluggers Sports Bar

3:00 PM

Sluggers Sports Bar, 3540 N Clark St (Wrigleyville)

Free entry. Open Mon–Thu 3 PM–2 AM.

Driehaus Museum — Free Admission

4:00 PM

Driehaus Museum, 40 E Erie St

Free every Wednesday 4–7 PM.

Adler Planetarium — Free for IL Residents

4:00 PM

Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr

Free for Illinois residents with proof of residency. Last admission 9 PM. Reserve on website.

Andersonville Farmers Market

3:00 PM

1500 W Winona St

3–7 PM

Ravenswood Community Market

3:30 PM

4900 N Damen Ave

3:30–7:30 PM

Poetry Foundation — Free Admission

11:00 AM

Poetry Foundation, 61 W Superior St

Free admission Wed 11 AM–5 PM, Thu 11 AM–6 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–5 PM. No reservation needed.

National Museum of Mexican Art — Free

10:00 AM

1852 W 19th St, Pilsen

Always free. Open Tue–Sun 10 AM–5 PM. No reservation needed.

Museum of Contemporary Photography — Free

10:00 AM

Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S Michigan Ave

Always free. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–5 PM. No reservation needed.

Smart Museum of Art — Free

10:00 AM

Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S Greenwood Ave, Hyde Park

Always free. Open Tue–Sun 10 AM–4:30 PM. No reservation needed.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

10:00 AM

Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

A stunning Victorian glass house in Lincoln Park filled with lush tropical plants, ferns, palms, and seasonal flower shows. Open Wed–Sun 10 AM–4:30 PM. Timed entry tickets should be reserved in advance.

Milton Lee Olive Park

7:00 AM

Milton Lee Olive Park, 491 E Grand Ave (near Navy Pier)

Free. Open daily 7 AM–8 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — Sky Room

10:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Visit the Sky Room at the Obama Presidential Center for stunning views. Open Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. Free Sky Room tickets are available first-come, first-served each morning.

Obama Presidential Center — The Forum

10:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Explore The Forum at the Obama Presidential Center. Open Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — Art at the Center

10:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Experience Art at the Center at the Obama Presidential Center. Open Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center Campus

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Explore the Obama Presidential Center Campus. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — John Lewis Plaza

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Visit John Lewis Plaza at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Explore the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Obama Presidential Center — The Great Lawn

6:00 AM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Relax on The Great Lawn at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM.

DePaul Art Museum — Free

11:00 AM

DePaul Art Museum, 935 W Fullerton Ave

Always free. Wed–Thu 11 AM–7 PM.

Mindworks: The Science of Thinking — Free

11:00 AM

Mindworks, 614 N Michigan Ave

Always free. Wed–Sun 11 AM–5 PM.

National Veterans Art Museum — Free

10:00 AM

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 N Milwaukee Ave

Free with voluntary donation. Tue–Sat 10 AM–4 PM. Also open Memorial Day & Veterans Day.

Oriental Institute Museum — Free

10:00 AM

Oriental Institute, 1155 E 58th St, Hyde Park

Always free. Tue–Thu & Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM.

Natl Museum of Puerto Rican Arts — Free

10:00 AM

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W Division St

Always free. Tue–Thu 10 AM–5 PM.

Design Museum of Chicago — Free

10:00 AM

Design Museum of Chicago, 72 E Randolph St

Always free. Open daily 10 AM–5 PM.

Busy Beaver Button Museum — Free

10:00 AM

Busy Beaver Button Museum, 3407 W Armitage Ave

Always free. Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM.

Federal Reserve Money Museum

9:00 AM

230 S La Salle St, Loop

Free on weekdays

The Field Museum — Free Wednesday

9:00 AM

Field Museum, 1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago

Illinois residents get free general admission every Wednesday. Free tickets must be reserved in advance at fieldmuseum.org/our-events/free-wednesdays. Valid Illinois ID required. 9 AM–5 PM.

Green City Market Lincoln Park

7:00 AM

1817 N Clark St

7 AM–1 PM

Growing Solutions Farm (Wednesday)

10:00 AM

2200 W Campbell Park Dr

10 AM–2 PM

Pullman Farmers Market

7:00 AM

11100 S Cottage Grove Ave

7 AM–12 PM

Wellness Wednesday: Movimiento Is Medicine — Navy Pier

11:00 AM

Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage & South Dock, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A free wellness event at Navy Pier. 11:00 AM–8:00 PM at the Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage and Navy Pier South Dock.

Morning Yoga at Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field

7:00 AM

Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

A free morning yoga class at Gallagher Way beside Wrigley Field. 7:00–8:00 AM.

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

10:00 AM

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601

Explore five floors inside the historic Michigan Avenue bridge tower and see the giant gears that raise the bridge. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM, through October 25.

Deco Supper Club at Celeste River North

5:00 PM

Celeste River North, 111 W Hubbard St

Block Museum of Art — Free

12:00 PM

Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston

Always free. Wed–Fri 12–8 PM, Sat–Sun 12–5 PM. No reservation needed.

Sluggers Sports Bar

3:00 PM

Sluggers Sports Bar, 3540 N Clark St (Wrigleyville)

Free entry. Open Mon–Thu 3 PM–2 AM.

Obama Presidential Center — Home Court

12:00 PM

Obama Presidential Center, 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Enjoy Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. Open daily 12:00 PM–8:00 PM.

Driehaus Museum — Free Admission

4:00 PM

Driehaus Museum, 40 E Erie St

Free every Wednesday 4–7 PM.

The Renaissance Society — Free

12:00 PM

The Renaissance Society, 5811 S Ellis Ave

Always free. Wed–Fri 12–6 PM.

Untitled Supper Club

5:00 PM

Untitled Supper Club, 111 W Kinzie St, River North

Step into one of Chicago's most beloved hidden gems. Multi-level speakeasy in River North featuring live jazz, burlesque performances, craft cocktails, and old-school charm. Perfect for date night. Open Tue–Wed until midnight.

Adler Planetarium — Free for IL Residents

4:00 PM

Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr

Free for Illinois residents with proof of residency. Last admission 9 PM. Reserve on website.

Summer Block Party — Navy Pier (Final)

12:00 PM

Polk Bros Park & Navy Pier

Final Summer Block Party of 2026. Free entertainment and fireworks finale. 12–9 PM.

Andersonville Farmers Market

3:00 PM

1500 W Winona St

3–7 PM

Ravenswood Community Market

3:30 PM

4900 N Damen Ave

3:30–7:30 PM

Uptown Farmers Market

2:30 PM

Sunnyside Mall

2:30–7 PM

Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón

2:00 PM

MCA, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

A dynamic exhibition and program at the MCA exploring the history and culture of dancehall and reggaetón.

Live Jazz with Myles Hayes

5:00 PM

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, 160 East Pearson Street, 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611

Join us Wednesday evenings for live music, drinks, and bites in The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago Lobby and Torali Bar, featuring live jazz with Myles Hayes. 5:00–8:30 PM.

iO Theater: Loose Four

6:00 PM

iO Theater

Chicago Film Scene Weekly Meetup

7:00 PM

The Arrogant Frog Bar

Lip Service Karaoke (LGBTQ+)

9:00 PM

Jackhammer, LGBTQ+

Family Feud-Style Trivia

7:00 PM

Cheba Hut Wrigleyville

Naughty Bingo & Dirty Karaoke

7:00 PM

Tony D's, 7725 W Belmont Ave, Elmwood Park

Trivia Night @ VU Rooftop

7:00 PM

VU Rooftop, 133 E Cermak Rd

Free Comedy at Comedy Plex

8:00 PM

Comedy Plex Comedy Club, 1128 Lake St, Oak Park

The Comedy Bar Chicago — Free Show

7:00 PM

The Comedy Bar Chicago (Downtown)

Free shows Mon–Thu at 7 PM. Reserve free tickets at eventbrite.com/o/the-comedy-bar-chicago-free-tickets-25468611997

Jeopardy Bar League at Recess

7:00 PM

Recess, West Loop

Free Jeopardy-style bar league at Recess

Redhead Piano Bar

7:00 PM

Redhead Piano Bar, 16 W Ontario St

Free entry. Open nightly 7 PM–4 AM.

Centennial Wheel Free Ride — Navy Pier

6:00 PM

Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Free rides on the Centennial Wheel every Wednesday after 6 PM. Tickets released every Thursday for the following Wednesday. Reserve up to four free tickets.

Free Live Music at The Burlington

8:00 PM

The Burlington, 3425 W Fullerton Ave

Free entry. Live music nightly until 2 AM.

The Original Mother's — Free Nightclub

10:00 PM

The Original Mother's, 26 W Division St

Free entry nightclub. Open until close.

Toyota Movie Night: Happy Gilmore

6:00 PM

Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field, 3635 N Clark St

Free outdoor movie night. 6:00–10:00 PM. No tickets required.

Stitch Please

7:00 PM

Eli Tea Bar, 5507 N Clark St, Andersonville

Navy Pier Fireworks — Wednesday Night

9:00 PM

View from anywhere on the lakefront

Free from anywhere on lakefront

Chicago SummerDance

6:00 PM

Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park

Free dance lessons & live music.

Grant Park Music Festival

7:30 PM

Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park

Free! Bring blanket + picnic.

Chicago Magic Lounge

7:00 PM

Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Free admission daily through Jan 3, 2027. Chicago's premier home for the art of magic — intimate, romantic, and truly magical. Perfect date night!

DuSable Black History Museum Free

DuSable Black History Museum

Free every Wednesday

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St

Always free, open every day

Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave

Free 365 days/year for Chicago residents

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

Millennium Park, Michigan Ave & Washington St

Free 24/7

Chicago Cultural Center

78 E Washington St

Free Mon–Sun. Concerts, exhibits, events.

Lakefront Trail

Chicago Lakefront

18.5-mile free trail along Lake Michigan

Griffin Museum of Science + Industry — Free for IL Residents

Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr

Free for Illinois residents. Reserve in advance at msichicago.org. Free admission is for Illinois residents unless otherwise noted.

Free Reggies Shuttle — White Sox vs Rangers

Reggies, 2105 S State St

Free shuttle from Reggies.

Illinois Holocaust Museum — Free Admission

Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Dr, Skokie

Free on last Wednesday of each month.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum — Free

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr

Free admission today.

Chicago Lake Michigan Beaches Open

25+ free beaches citywide

Lifeguards on duty

Night Out in the Parks

Various

600+ free events citywide — search chicagoparkdistrict.com

The Stories of Us — Navy Pier

Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A free exhibition at Navy Pier.

Artists at the Pier #3 — Navy Pier

Lobby 2 (indoor and outdoor), east of Sable Hotel, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A curated indoor and outdoor art exhibition organized by Joan E. Schenk & Associates, open daily and free to the public. Featured artists include Brian Monaghan, Carol Nies Bilder, Daniel Matheson, David Noguchi, Jeanine Hill-Soldner, Sherman Beck, and Waseem Rahman.

Deco Supper Club at Celeste River North

5:00 PM

Celeste River North, 111 W Hubbard St

Andy Brown Live at the Green Mill

5:00 PM

Green Mill, 4802 N Broadway

Karaoke Cabaret with Bradley K8 Olsen (LGBTQ+)

9:00 PM

Meeting House Tavern

Alexandrea Diamond Chicago Drag Show (LGBTQ+)

11:30 PM

Fantasy Nightclub

Chicago Social Game Night - Play Board Games & Make Friends!

6:00 PM

Snakes & Lattes Chicago, 1965 N Milwaukee Ave

A weekly social game night at Snakes & Lattes Chicago where you can play board games and make new friends. 6:00–10:00 PM.

Cocktails & Network

6:00 PM

2002 S Wentworth Ave

Pavlov Improv

9:00 PM

The Playground Theater, 4416 North Clark Street FL 2, Chicago, IL 60640

A recurring improv comedy show at The Playground Theater. 9:00–10:30 PM.

Edison Park Fest 2026

12:00 PM

Edison Park, Chicago, IL

Edison Park Fest returns for a weekend of live music, food, and neighborhood fun in Chicago's Edison Park. Enjoy local bands, vendors, and a lively community atmosphere across three days of summer celebration. Friday, August 28: 5:00–10:00 PM. Saturday, August 29: 12:00–10:00 PM. Sunday, August 30: 12:00–9:00 PM. No RSVP required.

Chicago SummerDance

6:00 PM

Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park

Free dance lessons & live music.

Live on the Lake! — Navy Pier Beer Garden

4:30 PM

Navy Pier Beer Garden, 600 E Grand Ave

Free outdoor live music series.

Wave Wall Wax — Navy Pier DJ Series

Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage, Navy Pier

Free outdoor DJ series.

Green City Market Lincoln Park (Saturday)

8:00 AM

1817 N Clark St

8 AM–1 PM

Lincoln Park Farmers Market

7:00 AM

2001 N Orchard St

7 AM–1 PM

Wicker Park Farmers Market

8:00 AM

1425 N Damen Ave

8 AM–2 PM

Division Street City Market

7:00 AM

100 W Division St

7 AM–12 PM

Green City Market West Loop

8:00 AM

115 S Sangamon St

8 AM–1 PM

Nettelhorst French Market

8:00 AM

3252 N Broadway

8 AM–2 PM

61st Street Farmers Market

9:00 AM

6100 S Blackstone Ave

9 AM–2 PM

South Loop Printers Row Market

9:00 AM

632 S Dearborn St

9 AM–1 PM

Garfield Ridge Farmers Market

9:00 AM

Archer & Narragansett

9 AM–1 PM

Horner Park Market

9:00 AM

2741 W Montrose Ave

9 AM–1 PM

Northcenter Farmers Market

8:00 AM

4100 N Damen Ave

8 AM–1 PM

Hegewisch Farmers Market

9:00 AM

13323 S Green Bay Ave

9 AM–1 PM

Eckhart Park Farmers Market

9:00 AM

1330 W Chicago Ave

9 AM–1 PM

95th Street Saturday Market

8:00 AM

1835 W 95th St

8 AM–1 PM

Mercado de Colores

11:00 AM

4345 W 26th St

11 AM–3 PM

Taste of Greektown

11:00 AM

Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren, Chicago, IL

A Greektown street festival with Greek cuisine, live music, and cultural performances. Fri 4 PM–10 PM, Sat & Sun 11 AM–10 PM.

Edgewater Music Fest

12:00 PM

Broadway between Thorndale and Ardmore, Edgewater, Chicago, IL

An Edgewater street festival with live music across multiple stages, local vendors, and food. Fri 5 PM–10 PM, Sat & Sun 12 PM–10 PM.

Little Lawndale in the Park

1:00 PM

Douglass Park, Flower Hall & Formal Gardens, Chicago, IL

A community festival in Douglass Park celebrating North Lawndale, with music, vendors, and family activities. 1 PM–6 PM.

Bucktown Arts Fest

Holstein Park, 2200 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

An arts festival at Holstein Park in Bucktown featuring local artists, live music, and family activities.

Thalia Hall Free For All

2:30 PM

Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608

A free community event at the historic Thalia Hall in Pilsen featuring live performances and entertainment.

Skokie Backlot Bash

11:00 AM

Downtown Skokie, IL

A lively end-of-summer festival in downtown Skokie featuring live music, food, carnival rides, and family fun. Saturday 11:00 AM–10:00 PM.

Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest

1:00 PM

Bronzeville, Chicago

A free music festival in Bronzeville celebrating Black music, culture, and community with live performances and local vendors. 1:00 PM–7:00 PM.

Chicago Magic Lounge

7:00 PM

Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Free admission daily through Jan 3, 2027. Chicago's premier home for the art of magic — intimate, romantic, and truly magical. Perfect date night!

Chicago House Music Festival

Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park, Chicago, IL

The Chicago House Music Festival celebrates the city's legendary contribution to house music with four days of DJs, live performances, and dancing across the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. Honoring the genre born right here in Chicago, the festival brings together legends and new artists for an unforgettable celebration. Running August 27 through August 30, 2026. No RSVP required.

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

10:00 AM

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601

Explore five floors inside the historic Michigan Avenue bridge tower and see the giant gears that raise the bridge. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM, through October 25.

Sunday Night POP!

7:00 PM

Holiday Club, 4000 N Sheridan Rd

Chicago SummerDance — Final Day

6:00 PM

Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park

Final day of Chicago SummerDance 2026!

Logan Square Farmers Market

8:30 AM

2620 N Milwaukee Ave

8:30 AM–3 PM

Bronzeville Farmers Market

10:00 AM

4700 S King Dr

10 AM–2 PM

Glenwood Sunday Market

9:00 AM

6960 N Glenwood Ave

9 AM–2 PM

Hamlin Park Farmers Market

9:00 AM

3035 N Hoyne Ave

9 AM–1 PM

95th Street Sunday Market

8:00 AM

1835 W 95th St

8 AM–1 PM

El Paseo Community Market

10:00 AM

944 W 21st St

10 AM–2 PM

Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón

2:00 PM

MCA, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

A dynamic exhibition and program at the MCA exploring the history and culture of dancehall and reggaetón.

Meet Me on Milwaukee

10:00 AM

Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

A free street event along Milwaukee Avenue. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.