Blog Archives

Near West Side

4/30/2016

FRENCH MARKET

Today we are heading to some of the neighborhoods directly west of the downtown Loop. for some of the things that are Free For All! If you follow my directions you will make a big loop, but you can certainly choose to visit as many of the locations as you wish.

On the north end of the Ogilvie train station you will find a charming French Market. Ground level entrances to the French Market are located on Canal and Clinton Streets between Washington and Randolph Streets. Inside you will find a collection of more than 30 small local food and merchandise sellers offering such specialties as chocolates, wines, fresh flowers, meat, fish and produce. You can also grab a made-to-order snack or meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No, the goods are not free, but the French Market hosts lots of FREE events throughout the year. Besides, it’s worth taking a stroll through the unique market. Stop by any Wednesday or Thursday between 4:30 PM (16:30) to 6:30 PM (18:30) for the FREE Rush Hour Concerts,.In addition, Monday through Friday lots of Happy Hours Specials are offered. For a list of events check out the French Market website and click on Events and News While you are enjoying the events and the shops you can get FREE WIFI. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and check out their reviews on TripAdvisor.

HAYMARKET MEMORIAL

Just a bit farther west along Randolph head to DesPlaines Street and turn right. There you will see the memorial to the Haymarket Riot an event on May 1, 1886 that change labor around the world. Check out the Encyclopedia of Chicago for more detailed information about the event.

Both the French Market and the Haymarket Memorial are within walking distance of The Loop, But to see the rest of the sites you will need a car or use public transportation.

OPRAH

Now, keep heading west on Randolph Street and go about 1 mile and turn left of Carpenter Street. On your left is Oprah's former studio. Although she recently sold the building, it still looks exactly as it did in her day (without the "O" logo). Behind the building on Randolph Street is the parking lot where in 2004, 276 cars were parked for the her infamous give away.

UNITED CENTER

Sports fan? Then go south to Madison Street and head west 1 mile to the United Center - also known as the "Madhouse on Madison". This is the home of the Chicago Bulls basketball team and the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. Along Madison are several statues of former players. The Michael Jordan statue is currently in storage while a new practice facility is being built.

GARFIELD PARK & CONSERVATORY

Now head west on Lake Street (2 blocks north of Washington Street) about 2 miles and you will come to the expansive Garfield Park and the Garfield Park Conservatory. The winding paths, lagoons and spectacular gold-domed field house are among the sites to enjoy in the Park.

The Conservatory opened to the public in 1908 and today is still the largest in the country. The Conservatory is open every day of the year. Not only is it FREE to tour (although donations are welcome) but they offer lots of FREE activities. The Conservatory is a great place to visit all year long as the plants in the show house change for each season. Both the Garfield Park and Conservatory are easily accessed by public transportation, but if you drive, parking is FREE.

HULL-HOUSE

On the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago is Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Founded by Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, it was the first “settlement house” in the United States serving immigrants. Addams was also a force changing public policy around the world. A tour is offered at 1 PM (13:00) The Museum is closed on Mondays and Saturdays. A "suggested" donation is $5, which includes the tour but no one is turned away because of lack of contribution. The Museum is located at 800 South Halsted Street.

CHICAGO ARTS DISTRICT

South on Halsted is a unique neighborhood known as the Chicago Arts District. This neighborhood is a work-live environment for artists of all kinds. Once a month is a FREE event called 2nd Fridays Gallery Night featuring the opening receptions in 30 some art spaces around 18th Street and Halsted. The monthly events are FREE and run from 6 PM (18:00) to 10 PM (22:00). Once a year the artists open their homes/studios for visitors to tour. You can sign up on their website for their FREE enewsletter.

MAXWELL STREET MARKET

This outdoor market is open every Sunday from 7AM (7:00) to 3PM (15:00) all year long. Along DesPlaines Avenue around the 800 block, you can find just about anything you want to buy and it’s a great place for ethnic food too. But you don’t have to buy -- it’s an experience just to walk up and down the street and enjoy the music and dance performances for FREE! This market has existed for almost 100 years. There is also some limited FREE parking in the area.

FIRE ACADEMY

How about going to see where the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started? You may have heard the story the fire started when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern. Today no one believes Mrs. O’Leary or her cow had anything to do with it, but we do know the fire started in her barn.

On the site today is a large gold flame and inside the current building is a plaque where her barn once stood. But wait; there’s more! Today the building on the site is the Chicago Fire Academy. They welcome visitors to see the small museum inside. You can see an old, horse-drawn fire truck, a miniature replica of a fire station, a history a Chicago fires in text and photos and a memorial to Chicago's fallen firefighters.

The Fire Academy is located at 558 W DeKoven Street between Jefferson and Clinton Streets.

This week we made a little tour to sites west of The Loop where there is always something that is Free For All.

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the website to get the most up-to-date information.

Thanks, again, to volunteer Chicago Greeter Bill Feldman for his feedback.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Send your email address to chicagofreeforall@gmail.com and I will notify you of new posts on ChicagoFreeForAll.com.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at

Next week I’ll tell you about the Free publications you should check out when you are here. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

0 Comments

Come out and play! Chicago Park District

4/22/2016

0 Comments

It's Earth Day in Chicago and one way to celebrate is with FREE Divvy Bike rides. Just go to any of the more than 400 Divvy bike stations around the city (their website has a map), swipe your credit or debit card at the kiosk for a FREE 24-hour pass. Then take unlimited 30-minute rides. Be sure to check your Divvy bike in at a station every 30 minutes to avoid charges.

Welcome to the 16th installment of ChicagoFreeForAll.com where I tell you about all the FREE activities in Chicago. This week I am showcasing the Chicago Park District whose slogan is “Come out and play!”

The Chicago Park District encompasses “8,000 + acres of open space, totaling more than 570 parks, 31 beaches, 50 nature areas, and 2 world-class conservatories and host thousands of special events, cultural, nature, sport and recreational programs…” You will definitely find something that interests you for FREE.

Start on the Chicago Park District website where you can search by Park and Facilities or click on Find a Facility. There you will select from 85 services and pursuits ranging from archery to the zoo including: nature centers and conservatories, fishing areas and boat rentals, playgrounds and beaches, skate parks and volleyball courts, art galleries and cultural centers, dog friendly areas and picnic grounds just to name a few. When you make your selection(s) you will find a description, the location, an internet link, phone number and any specifics for that activity / location.

Back at the homepage you can also search for Programs and Events . Today more than 10,000 activities are listed!

Remember many of the Chicago Parks are open not only during the day. Night Out in the Parks is an initiative offering more than 1,000 activities year round. You can watch movies, take dance lessons, attend festivals, listen to a concerts and much, much more for FREE.

Park Points is a loyalty program offering you a chance to earn and accumulate Park Points and use them to bid on and (if you are the highest bidder) win special experiences. Earning Park Points is as easy as “checking-in at some of the most popular locations, 'liking' one of our new programs on Facebook, tweeting about your favorite Park activity, or sharing a photo from' one of our partners.” Anyone who resides in the City of Chicago or nearby areas is eligible as long as you are 18 years of age or older or 13 years old and have your parent’s permission.

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can find out about what’s happening in the parks using the FREE app called My Chi Parks. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. You can also follow the Park District on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Foursquare and Pinterest.

Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner. It's time to "Come out and play!" So join us at one of the thousands of activities and events offered by the Chicago Park District for FREE! Note: some programs require Chicago residency and a fee to participate.

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the website to get the most up-to-date information.

Thanks, again, to volunteer Chicago Greeter Bill Feldman for his feedback.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Send your email address to chicagofreeforall@gmail.com and I will notify you of new posts on ChicagoFreeForAll.com.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at

Next week I think we will head to the near West Side and see what's Free For All. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

0 Comments

UPDATES

4/15/2016

0 Comments

This is the 15th post of ChicagoFreeForAll.com and you've already learned about hundreds of FREE things to do and see in Chicago. If you are new to my blog; welcome! I suggest you start with my first blog 1/1/2016 and work your way through each week.

This week I thought it would be a good time to give you some updates. These are FREE events that will be added to earlier posts, but these updates assure you won’t be missing anything that’s Free For All.

TOMORROW

The Chicago Architecture Foundation will be celebrating their 50th birthday April 15, 2016. There will be lots of FREE activities for the whole family - including FREE birthday cake. So join the CAF at the Railway Exchange Buildings at 224 South Michigan Avenue starting at 10 AM (10:00).

CHICAGO GREETER

There are several updates of some FREE activities offered by the volunteer Chicago Greeters. If you haven’t already, please read my 1/1/2016 post to learn about all the FREE tours the volunteer Chicago Greeters offer.

First, this year the FREE Millennium Park tours will be offered starting May 27th through October 10th. Tours are given every day at 11:30 AM (11:30) and 1 PM (13:00) and leave from the Randolph Street lobby of the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E Washington St,

Second, the Chicago Greeters are offering FREE 1-hour walkabouts of the Uptown neighborhood on the 2nd Saturday of each month beginning April 9th, Meet at Crew Bar and Grill at 4804 N. Broadway. Tours will begin at 2 PM (14:00), 3 PM (15:00) and 4 PM (16:00). Saturday afternoons were chosen so visitors could stay and attend the FREE Uptown Saturday Night events.

Third, you can now tour the Hyde Park neighborhood with a volunteer Chicago Greeter for FREE on the first Thursday of the month through October. Tours step off from Ancien Cycles at 1558 3rd at 4 PM (16:00), 5 PM (17:00) and 6 PM (18:00). These tours were scheduled to coincide with First Thursday events in Hyde Park.

Finally, September 10, 2016 is International Greeter Day. While plans are still in the works about how the Chicago Greeters will be celebrating, it is safe to say there will be lots of special FREE activities for residents and visitors. As plans are finalized I’ll be sure to fill you in. In the meantime, mark your calendars for this special day.

FARMERS MARKETS

The 2016 dates and locations for Chicago’s Farmers Markets have been announced. Markets run every day of the week somewhere in the city. Check the website for specific locations, days of the week and times of operation.

BRIDGE RAISING SCHEDULE

It’s time for the sailboats to start heading out to the lake for the summer. To do that the sailboats have to pass through 26 bridges, 18 of which are along the south branch and main branch of the Chicago River right downtown. Each bridge has to be raised. In order to minimize the disruption to vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the Loop, boaters head up the river together on specific days and times. This year the boat runs are scheduled for almost every Wednesday and Saturday through June. The times listed on the calendar are the ETAs of the boats arrivals at the VanBuren Street bridge on the south end of the Loop. The 2016 Fall boat run schedule will be announced later in the summer.

Jim Phillips has a great website all about the Chicago Loop Bridges He wrote a book Two Miles – Eighteen Bridges and gives tours. While there is a charge for his tours, he does state “One child under the age of twelve may accompany a paying adult at no charge”. In addition, his website has links to a lot of information and he offers a FREE audio tour and a FREE brochure and map to download.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

View Path is a new, FREE mobile self-guided tour app accessible from your mobile phone or tablet. There are 16 stops along the 1.6 mile trail that highlight special spots in Millennium and Grant Parks. For much more information about the View Path program and a map check the View Path website.

ACTIVATE

The 2016 summer schedule for Activate was just announced. One night a month a downtown alley is transformed into an art and music event. Admission is FREE and if you register online in advance (and are 21 years of age or older) you get a coupon for a FREE glass of beer or wine, You can sign up for Activate email updates online. Locations are announced 2 weeks in advance. To see what  Activate is all about, watch their online video.

MACY”S FLOWER SHOW

Each spring Macy’s Department store on State Street holds their Spring Flower Show. It includes floral decorations in some of the store windows and a FREE walk through a display inside. In addition, FREE cooking and gardening demonstration are offered throughout the show. I’m sorry it’s too late this year, but watch for the announcement for 2017. The Macy’s website still shows some information, pictures, a “Tip of the day” and a gardening quiz.

WEIGH IN

If you stop by City Hall/The Cook County Building in the LaSalle Street lobby is an antique scale where you can weigh yourself for FREE.

ENTREPRENEURS

If you are thinking of starting or own a small business, FREE Business Education Workshops are offered by Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs Consumer Protection (BACP). You can find the list and calendar of FREE workshops on the City of Chicago website. You do not have to be a Chicago resident to attend, but registrations is required.

The BACP also offers FREE one-on-one counseling, legal assistance, financial assistance and tax support.

In addition, FREE Small Business Expos are held periodically. June 25, 2016 is the next Expo and you can register for FREE online.

Finally, on their website you will find FREE educational videos. Check out their on-line library for topics and a place to subscribe to their FREE newsletter.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Members of special interest groups/clubs meet all around city and most of them welcome guests. They get together for FREE “to learn something, do something, share something”. This is a great way to meet like-minded people and make some new friends at the same time. One way I know to find groups is on meetup.com. There you can search by interest group or look at the calendar and see everything that is happening each day. A few of the topics you can search include Arts & Culture, Career & Business, Education & Learning, Fitness, Religion & Beliefs and Technology.


CHI HACK NIGHT To best describe these FREE events is to quote from their website:

“CHI HACK NIGHT is a free, weekly event in Chicago to build, share and learn about tools to create, support, and serve the public good. We are a group of thousands of designers, academic researchers, data journalists, activists, policy wonks, web developers and curious citizens who want to make our city more just, equitable, transparent and delightful to live in through data, design and technology.

Every week, we have a 10-15 minute presentation by a government agency, non-profit, company or group who've made use of open data or built a civic technology application. The goal of these presentations is to showcase the different uses and opportunities, as well as challenges and successes in the civic technology movement.

After the presentation, the format of the event is similar to that of a hackathon where breakout groups self-organize to work on civic apps, discuss policies and their implications, learn technical skills and network with a welcoming and diverse community at the intersection of technology and government.”

You can find a list of previous meetings, detailed descriptions and videos at CHI HACK NIGHT with links to each event's video live stream, projects, people, and data. There is a video online  to give you a better idea of what these FREE events are all about.

If this is of interest to you, you are welcome to attend for FREE. CHI HACK NIGHT is held on the 8th floor of the Merchandise Mart 222 W. Merchandise Plaza every Tuesday from 6 PM (18:00) to 10 PM (22:00).

TIME TO EAT

While I can’t tell you about too many spots for free food, visitors always ask me “Where should we go to eat?” I can tell you Chicago is home to some of the top 5 star and Michelin rated restaurants in the world, but there are also restaurants to match every ones’ budget. I recommend 2 television programs and their accompanying websites to start looking.

The first is Check Please! which airs on Fridays at 8 PM (20:00) on our Public Television station WTTW-HD. This show features 3 locals talking about their favorite restaurant in Chicagoland. The guests dine at each other’s recommended spot and they share their dining experiences. On the Check Please! website you can search for a restaurant by location, cuisine and price and read the reviews! You can also watch clips from previous episodes and search by most popular, season and by restaurant - listed alphabetically. Just for fun check out Episode 13 in Season 15. It’s the Chef’s Choice episode. No matter your politics (that’s a hint) or where you are from, you will see the much younger version of someone you will recognize!

The second television show is Chicago’s Best whose original episodes are shown Sunday nights at 10 PM (22:00) on WGN-TV. On this show the hosts visit eating establishments often recommended by viewers. Each episode focuses on one type of cuisine for example: best hot dogs or best bar-b-que. You can watch previous episode on their website.

FUN AND GAMES

No matter where you come from you might be aware of Puzzled Pint. It is a FREE “social puzzle solving event” held every 2nd Tuesday of the month around the world. Each month the event is held in a different location. Chicago has 2 areas to choose from: Central and North. You can attend by yourself or come with a group. You will be given a series of themed puzzle and 3 hours to solve them. Check the Puzzled Pint website the Friday before for a puzzle. When solved the answer directs you to the location of the next event. There are hints and you can also email questions if you need help. You can also follow them of Facebook, Twitter and read their blog.

SUCH A DEAL

Now that the weather is arming up it's time to think about a nice bike ride along the lake or through the neighborhoods. To help you with that Bobby's Bike and Hike is selling their used bikes at deep discounts. Check out their prices online.

There you go. I hope you enjoyed the Updates.

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the website to get the most up-to-date information.

Thanks, again, to volunteer Chicago Greeter Bill Feldman for his feedback.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Send your email address to chicagofreeforall@gmail.com and I will notify you of new posts on ChicagoFreeForAll.com.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at

Next week we will "Get out and play!" with the Chicago Park District. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

0 Comments

Chicago Public Library

4/8/2016

0 Comments

Welcome to the 14th installment of ChicagoFreeForAll.com Each week I’m sure you will find lots of events that meet your interests and are Free For All! If you haven’t read all my posts, I suggest you start at the beginning (1/1/2016). The posts are organized is a manner that will help you plan your time in Chicago starting downtown (the city center).

This week I want to introduce you to some of the thousands of programs offered by the Chicago Public Library.

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the main library building downtown, (the Harold Washington Library), 2 regional libraries and more than 70 neighborhood branches. All locations provide free access to the collections of books, newspapers and magazines, DVDs, audio books and music. They are also great places for internet access and WiFi connections as well as internet research databases for FREE.

But the Chicago Public Library is not your grandmother’s library. Beyond the books all of the libraries are cultural centers offer a wide variety of programs and exhibits for babies, preschoolers, school-aged children, teens and adults for FREE. Currently there are almost free 3,000 events listed on the website. These activities are great any time, but especially good to attend when the weather is not the best for being outside.

To make it easy to find free events you can search events on the website by several categories.

Time

            Today
            Tomorrow
            Next weekend
            Next 7 days or
            Enter any time span

Location
By zip code
or select a specific library location

Event Type

            Art, Movies & Performances
            Author Events
            Book Clubs
            Book Sales
            Business, Law & Money
            Celebrations
            Computer & Technology
Continuing Education
            Crafts, Games and Play
            DIY
            Health & Science
            History & Genealogy
            Jobs & Careers
            Lectures
            Story Time
            Tours
            Workshops
            Writing & Poetry.

Programs

Affordable Care Act
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Chicago Cities for Citizenship
CyberNavigator
Hispanic Heritage Month
Law at the Library
Maker Lab
Money Smart
Native American Heritage Month
One Book, One Chicago
Poetry Fest
Pride Month
Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge
ScienceConnections
Smart investing @ your library
Women’s History Month
YOUmedia

or Audience
            Babies
            Kids
            Preschoolers
            Toddlers
            Teens
            Adults
            Seniors
            All Ages

KIDS MUSEUM PASSPORT

One of my favorite offerings administered by the Chicago Public Library is the Kids Museum Passport. This program offers FREE admission to a number of Chicago area museums and attractions including: Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science Industry, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Children’s Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Botanic Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art, DuSable Museum of African-American History, National Museum of Mexican Art, National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.

A limited number of passports are available at each location and are given out on a first come, first served basis. You can keep and use the Museum Passport for 1 week.
You must be a current CPL cardholder and a resident of Chicago. Unless otherwise noted, a group must include at least one child under 18 and no more than two adults per pass.

For more information about any of the services, programs and exhibits, check out the Chicago Public Library website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter @chipublib Instagram @chicaopubliclibrary.

Note Most events and exhibits are FREE and open to the public, Some require advanced registration and/or are open to those holding a current Chicago Public Library Card.

But if you don’t have a library card and/or you are coming from out of the city, state or country you can apply for a FREE temporary library card. All you will need is a government issued photo ID and you’re in!

ART IN THE LIBRARIES
Most of the libraries are adorned with art. Wander around any of the libraries and see if you can find mosaics, textiles, sculptures, busts, architectural artifacts, photographs, antiques, portraits, temporary and permanent exhibits and inspirational and humorous quotes. All the pictures in today’s blog were taken at the Harold Washington Library downtown.

So, don’t forget to check out what is going on at any of the Chicago Public Libraries and enjoy all there they offer that is Free For All! I hope you see it’s not your grandmother’s library!

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the website to get the most up-to-date information.

Thanks, as always to Chicago Greeter Bill Feldman for his support and advice.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Send your email address to chicagofreeforall@gmail.com and I will notify you of new posts on ChicagoFreeForAll.com.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com

Next week I'll have some updates for you. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

0 Comments

FESTIVALS

4/1/2016

0 Comments

Beyond the festivals produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (see 3/25/2016 post) from May through September there are many more festivals all around the city. This is a great way to explore Chicago beyond the city center, enjoy the neighborhoods and meet the locals. Some events celebrate food, music, art, ethnic traditions, special holidays or all the neighborhood has to offer. Most festivals are advertised as FREE but some ask for a "suggested donation" of $5-$10. So make your plans to visit Chicago to attend the festivals of your choice. Click on the links for details about and directions to the festivals.

MAY FESTIVALS

May Fest - May 20-22, 2016 Lakeview $10 suggested donation

Mole de Mayo - May 27-29, 2016 Pilsen $5 suggested donation

Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest - May 28-29, 2016 noon to 10PM (22:00) Lakeview. This event features the best local tribute bands. $5 suggested donation

JUNE FESTIVALS

Do Division Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale - June 3-5, 2016 West Division Street $5 suggested donation

Lincoln Park Greek Festival - June 3-5, 2016 Lincoln Park $5 suggested donation

The People's Promenade and Community Festival - June 4, 2016 various locations along the 606 Trail

Andersonville Midsommarfest - June 10-12, 2016 Andersonville $10 suggested donation

Pilsen Food Truck Social - June 11-12, 2016 Pilsen $5 suggested donation

Remix Chicago - June 11-12, 2016 Logan Square $5 suggested donation

Wells Street Art Festival - June 11-12, 2016 Old Town $7 suggested donation

Taste of Randolph - June 17-19, 2016 West Loop $10 suggested donation

Gold Coast Art Fair - June 18-19, 2015 Grant Park FREE

6 Corners BBQ Fest - June 18-19, 2016 Six Corners/Portage Park $5 suggested donation

Green Music Fest - June 18-19, 2016 Wicker Park $5 suggested donation

Elston Avenue Sausage and Music Fest - June 25-26, 2016 N. Elston $5 suggested donation

JULY FESTIVALS

35th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards - July 1, 2016 Union Park Children under 12 free

African-Caribbean International Festival of Life - July 1-4, 2016 Union Park Children under 12 free

Windy City Ribfest in Uptown - July 2-4 Uptown $5 suggested donation

West Fest - July 8-10, 2016 West Town $5 suggested donation

Roscoe Village Burger Fest - July 9-10, 2016 Roscoe Village $10 suggested donation

Celebrate Clark Street World Music Festival - July 16-17, 2016 Rogers Park $5 suggested donation

Columbian Fest/El Gran Festival Colombiano - July 16-17, 2016 Jefferson Park Children under 12 free

Chinatown Summer Fair- July 17, 2016 FREE

Taste of River North July 22-24, 2016 $5 suggested donation

Sheffield Music Festival and Garden Walk - July 23-24, 2016 North Sheffield $7-$10 suggested donation

Wicker Park Fest - July 23-24, 2016 $10 suggested donation

Fiesta del Sol - July 2-31, 2016 Pilsen FREE

Jeff Fest - July 29-31, 2016 Jefferson Park $5 suggested donation

AUGUST FESTIVALS

EdgeFest - August 6-7, 2016 Edgewater $5 suggested donation

Taste of Lincoln Avenue - August 6-7, 2016 Lincoln and Fullerton Avenues $8 suggested donation

Wrigleville Summerfest - August 6-7, 2016 Wrigleville $5 suggested donation

61st Annual Ginza Holiday Festival - August 12-14, 2016 $6 suggested donation Senior and student discounts

Albany Park World Fest - August 20-12, 2016 $5 donation.

Glenwood Avenue Art Fest - August 20-21, 2016 FREE.

Motor Row Craft Beer and Wine Fest - August 27-2, 2016 FREE (beverages not included).

Taste of Greektown - August 27-2, 2016 Greektown FREE

SEPTEMBER FESTIVALS

Shock Top Oyster Fest - September 9-10. 2016 Roscoe Village $7 suggested donation

Festival de La Villita - September 9-11, 2016 Little Village FREE

Sam Adams' Lakeview Taco Fest - September 17-1, 2016 Lakeview $7 suggested donation

Oktoberfest Chicago - September 23-25, 2016 Lakeview $5 suggested donation.

So that’s it for this week. Next week I will showcase the Chicago Public Library and even more free activities - it's MUCH more than books.

Thank you, again, to my fellow volunteer Chicago Greeter, Bill Feldman, for his invaluable input to this post!

All information as correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the DCASE website cityofchicago.org/dcase to get the most up-to-date information.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com

I plan to publish a new post every Friday so until then I hope to see you in Chicago!

0 Comments

CHICAGO FREE FOR ALL!

Near West Side

Come out and play! Chicago Park District

UPDATES

Chicago Public Library

FESTIVALS

Archives

Categories

CHICAGO FREE FOR ALL!

Near West Side

Come out and play! Chicago Park District

UPDATES﻿

Chicago Public Library﻿

FESTIVALS

Archives

Categories

UPDATES

Chicago Public Library