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NEW YEAR'S EVE

12/23/2016

OK I couldn't resist one more post for 2016. Here's a few reminders for FREE New Year's Eve offers.

NEW YEAR'S EVE
This is the second year the city is hosting Chi-Town Rising a new year's event along the river. You can get FREE tickets to private viewing areas online or just head down to the Chicago River around Michigan Avenue or Columbus Drive.

NAVY PIER

The FREE Navy Pier New Year's Eve fireworks presented by Miller Lite and Jewel-Osco will take place at approximately 12:00 am

MILLENNIUM PARK FAMILY FUN

FREE family fun can be had in Wrigley Square in Millennium Park December 31, 2016 from 3-6pm (15:00-18:00). The Chi-Town Rising Family Countdown includes FREE entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies and a countdown at 6pm (18:00). Of course there is still FREE ice skating (if you have your own skates) and the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink near by.

CHICAGO CULTURAL MILE FAMILY FUN

“Around The World For New Year’s Eve,” is an "interactive program designed to teach kids how New Year’s is celebrated around the world. International organizations from all over the city created activity stations highlighting unique customs from 10 different countries and children were able to “travel the world” with a special passport to be stamped at each station." All activities are FREE for all.

MAGGIE DALEY PARK FAMILY FUN

There is also FREE ice skating at the Maggie Daley Park (if you have your own skates). NOTE: you can not bring backpacks, purses etc on the ice - but lockers are available to rent for a modest fee.

FREE RIDES

Again this year the CTA is offering FREE rides on all CTA buses and trains starting at 10 pm.Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 until 4 am Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. You can plan your trip and track buses and trains at the CTA website.

See you in 2017!

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MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS AND FREE MUSEUM

12/2/2016

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I want to welcome back my loyal readers. I'm so glad you come back again and again and I hope you are enjoying all that Chicago has for FREE.

For those of you who are new to my blog let me explain this is not a “what’s happening today” spot. Rather, it is a source of information about (mostly) regularly scheduled FREE events and local organizations that offer FREE activities throughout the year.

I hope you will use the blog like a guidebook as you plan your visit in advance. I highly suggest your start with my first post on 1/1/2016 and work your way through. You can then make note of those places you want to see and events you want to attend and have a FREE FOR ALL in Chicago.

If you would like to receive a notice when I send out a new post, send your email address to ChicagoFreeForAll@gmail.com

I will update the Holiday and Museum posts for future readeres, but I wanted to make sure you had these updates if you've already read them.

TREE LIGHTING
Many of the hotels and office buildings plan a special time for a tree lighting ceremony. These often include a musical performance. Check with the hotels and management of the skyscrapers about these days. They usually occur right after Thanksgiving or the first week in December.

JINGLE FEST
FREE pictures with Santa at the French Market Saturday December 17, 11am-2pm (14:00)

QUEST THEATER ENSEMBLE
From mid-December through News Years Day Quest Theater Ensemble presents FREE performances of Blue Nativity which features “visually arresting large-scale puppetry, soaring music and the greatest story ever told. Havin toured the Midwest and Germany, Blue Nativity returns…” to Chicago for the 15th year. Performances are FREE. After the January 1st performance everyone is invited to partake in a FREE pot luck dinner. Go to the Quest Theater Ensemble website for performance dates, times and locations.

NEW YEARS EVE
This is the second year the city is hosting Chi-Town Rising. A new years event along the river. You can get FREE tickets to private viewing areas or just head down to the Chicago River around Michigan Avenue or Columbus Drive.

FREE PHOTO WITH SANTA AND MORE
In the Pedway (the pedestrian walkway under the city) at Block 37 (bounded by Randolph, State, Dearborn and Washtington Streets) you can get a FREE hoto with Santa with FREE cocoa and cookies. Hours or Saturday December 10, 2016 from 10am to 3pmand (15:00) Sunday December 11, 2016 from 11am to 4pm (16:00).

MUSEUMS
I forgot to add a couple out-of-the-way, but worth the visiting. The first is The Chicago Fire Museum of Greater Chicago located 5218 S. Western Ave. opnes their doors to the public on the 4th Saturday of each month (except December) from 10am until 2pm (10:00-14:00).. They have vintage fire trucks and exhibits and galleries to explore, a library is currently under construction and you can find the list of events on their website.

Second: The Chicago Fire Academy sits on the former location of Mrs. O'Leary's home, where the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 began. It is located at 558 W. DeKoven St. Outside is a large gold flame sculpture and inside is a display of vintage equipment, and down the hall is a exhbit of the major fires in Chicago and a meorial to all those firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. In addition there is a plaque on the floor where Mrs. O'Leary's barn stood. If you call ahead 312-747-7239 they may be able to arrange a tour.

In your tour of the Museum Campus I told you about the Chicago Police Memorial Park. This park is located just east of Soldier Field. but head south along the lake just past McCormick Place Convention Center to see the Chicago Fire Department Memorial. Both are dedicated to honor, courage and sacrifice of Chicago's fallen first responders.

NOT GOOD BYE BUT SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

Through 2016 I've given you more than 40 posts of FREE things to do in Chicago. Now I am going to take a little break for the holidays. But I'll see you in 2017 with more FREE ideas, new look and an exciting announcement in the middle of the year.

So happy holidays to all. See yu in 2017!

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

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Just leave your email address and I will notify you of new posts on http://www.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

I hope to see you in Chicago

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NEW YEAR'S EVE

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