Free & Cheap Things to Do in Chicago Today

do stuff now: free and cheap events in Chicago today, tonight, and this weekend, happening soon and nearby.

Wednesday, November 4

  1. All day Created Equal: The Premises and Promises of the Declaration of Independence
    Regenstein Library, The Special Collections Research Center · Free
  2. All day The Absence and Presence of the Berlin Wall
    Goethe-Institut Chicago, 150 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL · see listing for cost
  3. 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Turf Field - Open at Addams
    Addams (Jane) Park, 1434 S. Loomis · $6
  4. 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM Namaste Charter School Tour
    Namaste Charter School, Chicago · Free
  5. 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Pierre Bismuth: Love Bless America
    Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society · Free
  6. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Learn English/Aprende Inglés
    6120 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  7. 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Womens Basketball - Open at Lindblom
    Lindblom (Robert) Park, 6054 S. Damen Ave. · $10
  8. 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Basketball - Open at Williams
    Williams (Daniel Hale) Park, 2820 S. State St. · $2
  9. 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Social Club at Carver
    Carver (George Washington) Park, 939 E. 132nd St. · Free
  10. 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM How to Find and Fund a Summer Public Interest Position: hosted by the Center for Public Interest Law and the Office of Professional and Career Development
    Lewis Center, 25 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago · see listing for cost
  11. 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Customization Station
    Student Center (Lincoln Park), 2020 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago · see listing for cost
  12. 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Ice Skating - Adult Skate (Figure Skating) at McFetridge
    McFetridge Ice Rink (Indoor), 3843 N. California Ave. · $4
  13. 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Old Town School Americana jam
    Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  14. 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Open House: Adult French Classes
    Alliance Française de Chicago, 54 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  15. 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Fall English Language Learning (ELL/ESL) Course / Curso de Inglés de Otoño
    2311 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  16. 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Policy Outlook: Making Sense of the Midterms
    The Keller Center, Sky Suite 4th floor · Free
  17. 12:10 PM Committee on Microbiology seminar
    Biological Sciences Learning Center, Room 115 · Free
  18. 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM Basketball - Open at Loyola
    Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave. · $20
  19. 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM Learn to Play Mahjong
    6348 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  20. 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Peace by Piece: A Fiber Art "Commuknity"
    1962 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  21. 12:30 PM – 7:30 PM Puzzlemania for Adults
    3647 S. State Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  22. 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM Adult Swim at Hayes
    Hayes (Francis) Park, 2936 W. 85th St. · Free
  23. 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Basic Computer Skills Help
    3647 S. State Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  24. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Research Bites: SJ Zhang
    CSRPC, 5733 S University Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  25. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Meditation for Stress Reduction and Better Sleep
    6000 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL · Free
  26. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Transformative Law Project's Name Change Mobilization
    Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 2753 W. Division St, Chicago · Free
  27. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Walking Club at Skinner
    Skinner (Mark) Park, 1331 W. Adams St. · $20
  28. 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Open Shop
    Harold Washington Library Center · Free
  29. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Wednesday Afternoon Murder Mystery Book Club: In the Woods
    5331 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  30. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Seniors’ Circle: Computer Essentials
    6100 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL · Free
  31. 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Film Screening: Project Hail Mary (2026)
    5615 W. Race Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  32. 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Table Tennis - Open at Green Briar
    Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson Ave. · $5
  33. 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Nov. 4 Know Your Rights Session
    Student Center (Lincoln Park), 2020 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago · see listing for cost
  34. 1:15 PM – 2:45 PM Ice Skating - Adult Skate (Hockey) at McFetridge
    McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave. · $4
  35. 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Medicare 101 with Midland Wealth Management
    6151 S. Normal Boulevard, Chicago, IL · Free
  36. 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Stitching Group
    1605 N. Troy Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  37. 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Bowling (Blind VI-Deaf & HOH) at Horner
    2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL · Free
  38. 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Film Screening: Krush Groove (1985)
    9525 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  39. 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM Ice Skating - Freestyle Ice (Main Rink) at McFetridge
    McFetridge Ice Rink (Indoor), 3843 N. California Ave. · $8
  40. 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM November 2026 Faculty Council Meeting
    DePaul Center Room 8005, 1 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago · see listing for cost
  41. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Open Swim at Sheridan
    Sheridan (Philip Henry) Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St. · Free
  42. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Medicare 101
    3401 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  43. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Move Smart, Feel Strong: Cardio and Mindful Movement
    Hegewisch · see listing for cost
  44. 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM Uptown Farmers Market
    Sunnyside Mall, 1257-1320 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  45. 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Ice Skating - Freestyle Ice (Main Rink) at McFetridge
    McFetridge Ice Rink (Indoor), 3843 N. California Ave. · $8
  46. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Why Are We Sprinting Off the AI Cliff? A Community Discussion
    5615 W. Race Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  47. 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM Bid Whist at Foster
    Foster (J. Frank) Park, 1440 W. 84th St. · Free
  48. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Open Swim at Don Nash
    Nash (Don) Community Center Park, 7125 South Bennett Avenue · Free
  49. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Adult Book Discussion: Lolita
    1226 W. Ainslie Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  50. 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ESL Practice: English Conversation Group
    Harold Washington Library Center · Free
  51. 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Ice Skating - Freestyle Ice (Studio Rink) at McFetridge
    McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave. · $8
  52. 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM 🌈☕️ El Cafecito: Corridos of the Semiquincentennial
    Classics Building, Room 110 · see listing for cost
  53. 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM Academic Freedom in the Era of Trump: Legal Scholars and University Leaders on Free Inquiry and Higher Education
    David Rubenstein Forum, University of Chicago · Free
  54. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Meet Calvin B. Jones: Make a Mini-Mural
    1000 E. 73rd Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  55. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM DePaul Economics Alumni Career Panel
    DePaul Center (DPC), 300 S State St, Chicago · see listing for cost
  56. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Crafting Corner
    4314 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  57. 4:00 PM Interdisciplinary Archaeology Workshop
    Haskell Hall, Room 315 · Free
  58. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Autumn Carillon Tower Tours
    Rockefeller Memorial Chapel · see listing for cost
  59. 4:30 PM Global Christianity Lecture: “History Belongs to the Intercessors: Delivering Haiti from Jezebel in the Transnational Evangelical Worldview”
    Swift Hall Third Floor Lecture Room · Free
  60. 4:30 PM The Great Offshore: Launching Limn 15
    Social Science Research, Tea Room · see listing for cost
  61. 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM Makers on 8: Artworks Studio with SAIC
    Harold Washington Library Center · see listing for cost
  62. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM The Artist’s Studio at the Library
    6021 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  63. 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM The Absence and Presence of the Berlin Wall
    Stuart Hall, Room 104 · see listing for cost
  64. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Amy Skjerseth - "Preprogrammed: How Electronic Presets Changed Music and Media" - Jennifer Iverson
    The Seminary Co-op, 5751 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637 · Free
  65. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Canvas and Conversation
    5724 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  66. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Game Night for Adults
    8530 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  67. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM First-Generation Networking Day
    Student Center (Lincoln Park), 2020 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago · see listing for cost
  68. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Pickleball - Open at Chippewa
    Chippewa Park, 6748 N. Sacramento Ave. · Free
  69. 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Workshop: Work/Life Balance
    Munroe Hall, 2312 N Clifton Ave, Chicago · see listing for cost
  70. 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Adult Swim at Don Nash
    Nash (Don) Community Center Park, 7125 South Bennett Avenue · Free
  71. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Nature Oasis: Community Bonfire at Printers Row
    Printers Row Park, 632 S. Dearborn St. · Free
  72. 5:15 PM FJORD
    Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, Chicago, IL · $14
  73. 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM How to Win a Trade War
    Chicago Council Conference Center, 130 E Randolph Street · Free
  74. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM English Language Learning (ELL/ESL) Course/Curso de Inglés
    5108 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  75. 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM Film Screening: Masters of the Universe (2026)
    731 E. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  76. 5:30 PM Community Meeting - 2800 N. Sheridan Development
    Virtual (Zoom) · Free
  77. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Film Screening: Friendsgiving (2020)
    5615 W. Race Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  78. 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Pobody's Nerfect! Craft Club for Adults
    6423 W. 63rd Place, Chicago, IL · Free
  79. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Film Screening: Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes (2019)
    955 E. 131st Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  80. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM English Language Learning (ESL/ELL) Course / Curso de Inglés
    1605 N. Troy Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  81. 5:30 PM 44th Ward Community Meeting on 2800 N. Sheridan Development
    Zoom · Free
  82. 5:30 PM All Out for the Oak Lawn Police & Fire Commission Meeting
    9446 Raymond Ave, Oak Lawn, IL · Free
  83. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 19th District 2027 Strategic Plan Community Conversation
    Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago · Free
  84. 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM Chan (Zen) Meditation
    Rockefeller Memorial Chapel · see listing for cost
  85. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pickleball - Open at Valley Forge
    Valley Forge Park, 7001 W. 59th St. · $20
  86. 6:00 PM Community Conversation on the Political Situation in El Salvador (bilingual)
    Pueblo Unido Gallery, 6212 N. Clark Street, Chicago · Free
  87. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Arabic Club
    Mouse Arts and Letters Club, 555 W 31st St, Chicago, IL · Free
  88. 6:00 PM WILD RIVER
    Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, Chicago, IL · $14
  89. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Threshold: Conversations on the Stoop: Featuring Candace Hunter and Cathy Cohen
    301 East Garfield Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States · Free
  90. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Knit and Crochet Circle
    1336 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  91. 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM Classic Film Screening: The Wrong Man (1956)
    6907 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  92. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Spanish Conversation Group
    4904 S. Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  93. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Open Swim at The Park at NTA
    The Park at NTA, 55 W Cermak Rd. · Free
  94. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Neon Night Mic
    The Whistler, 2421 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  95. 6:00 PM Let's Talk About Data Centers
    400 S. 61st Ave., Cicero, IL · Free
  96. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Basketball - Open at Sumner
    Sumner Park, 4320 W. 5th Ave. · $10
  97. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM SWEET VOID CINEMA presents SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP in the Facets Studio (free to the public)
    Facets, 1517 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL · $12
  98. 6:00 PM McKinley Park Civic Association Meeting
    St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Chicago · Free
  99. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Sculpt Like Hunt and Perkins: A Creative Sculpting Workshop
    1962 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  100. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Art Club
    7454 W. Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, IL · Free
  101. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Wednesday in Stitches
    6907 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL · Free
  102. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Pop-up Cards
    115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL · Free
  103. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Anchor Curatorial Residency Info Session at Garfield
    Garfield (James) Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave. · Free
  104. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Student Government Association Weekly Meeting
    McGowan South, W Belden Ave, Chicago · see listing for cost
  105. 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM Indoor Soccer - Open at Haas
    Haas (Joseph) Park, 2402 N. Washtenaw Ave. · $26
  106. 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Basketball - Open at Dvorak
    Dvorak (Anton) Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St. · $25
  107. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Derrick Rose: The Poohprint
    Harold Washington Library Center · Free
  108. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Reading and Conversation with CHICAGO POET LAUREATE Mayda Del Valle
    McGowan South, W Belden Ave, Chicago · Free
  109. 6:00 PM Overwriting Progress: Secular Habits and Scholarly Histories of Supersessionism.
    Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N Fremont St, Chicago · see listing for cost
  110. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM DePaul Doctor Who Club meeting
    Schmitt Academic Center (SAC), 2320 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago · see listing for cost
  111. 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM Pickleball - Open at Jefferson
    Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave. · $10
  112. 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Basketball - Open at Margate
    Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Drive · $10
  113. 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Volleyball - Open at Homan Square
    Homan Square Community Center Park, 3559 W. Arthington · $5
  114. 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
    Facets, 1517 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL · $12
  115. 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Mens Basketball - Open at Calumet
    Calumet Park, 9801 S. Avenue G · $25
  116. 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Table Tennis - Open at Sheridan
    Sheridan (Philip Henry) Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St. · $20
  117. 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Chatty Crafters
    6423 W. 63rd Place, Chicago, IL · Free
  118. 6:30 PM – 8:45 PM Basketball - Open at Sherman
    Sherman (John) Park, 1301 W. 52nd St. · $10
  119. 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Atelier d'art : Rita Letendre avec Floriane Roussel
    Cuisine de démonstration Grace Jennings Wacker / Demonstration Kitchen (54 W Chicago Ave) · 30 $ pour membres, 45 $ pour non-membres · $30 for Members, $45 for Non-Members
  120. 6:45 PM – 8:30 PM Basketball - Open at Mozart
    Mozart (Amadeus) Park, 2036 N. Avers Ave. · $10
  121. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ISAC Lecture with Dr. James Burgin
    The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC), Breasted Hall · see listing for cost
  122. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Steven Grey featured at Beat Speak in Gallery Cabaret
    Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA · Free
  123. 7:00 PM Trivia on Marz
    Marz Community Brewing Co., Chicago · see listing for cost
  124. 7:00 PM Wednesday: Liz Mandeville's Bourbon and Blues Review
    Le Piano, 6970 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL · $15
  125. 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Pen Flow Writing Sessions
    4500 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60653, USA · Free
  126. 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Pickleball - Open at Rosedale
    Rosedale Park, 6312 W. Rosedale Ave. · $10
  127. 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Pickleball - Open at Scottsdale
    Scottsdale Park, 4637 W. 83rd St. · $21
  128. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM DePaul Wind/Mixed Chamber Showcase II
    Holtschneider Performance Center, 2330 North Halsted Street, Chicago · Free
  129. 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Chicago Immigrant Orchestra in Collaboration with DePaul Students
    Holtschneider Performance Center, 2330 North Halsted Street, Chicago · Free
  130. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Mens Basketball - Open at Welles
    Welles (Gideon) Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave. · $30
  131. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 🌹Northside Blue Line Book Club (Northside Blue Line Branch)
    CDSA Office, 3411 W Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 · Free
  132. 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Halsted St. Monthly Meeting
    Mouse Arts and Letters Club, 555 W 31st St, Chicago, IL · Free
  133. 7:00 PM A Musical Memorial Celebration Honoring the Life and Legacy of Geraldine de Haas
    Logan Center, Performance Hall · Free
  134. 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Adult Open Gym Gymnastics at Morgan Park SC
    Morgan Park Sports Center Park (Park No. 577), 11505 S. Western Ave. · $14
  135. 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM First Wednesday Blues & Beyond Jam with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
    Logan Center, Café Logan · see listing for cost
  136. 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM Pickleball - Open at Jefferson
    Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave. · $10
  137. 7:30 PM ImprovisAsian: Between Heritage and the Next Chorus
    Szold Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  138. 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Visible Hand jam
    Connect Gallery, 1451 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL · $15 suggested
  139. 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM First Electric // Jasper // Rent Boy // New Goo
    The Burlington, 3425 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL · see listing for cost
  140. 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM (8pm - midnight) ALFONSO PONTICELLI
    Green Mill, 4802 N Broadway Ave, Chicago, IL · see listing for cost
  141. 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Raíces Latin Jazz Quintet
    806 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, United States · see listing for cost
  142. 8:15 PM FJORD
    Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, Chicago, IL · $14
  143. 8:30 PM LADY
    Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, Chicago, IL · $14
  144. 8:30 PM Diles que no me maten w/ Cancer House + ARDO
    Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL · $20.00
  145. 9:00 PM JIMMY BURNS – Host The Jam
    Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL · $16.99
  146. 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Relax Attack Jazz Series: THE BRIDGE
    The Whistler, 2421 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL · Free
  147. 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM Volleyball - Open at Addams
    Addams (Jane) Park, 1434 S. Loomis · $8

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