Best Free Things to Do in Chicago This Month

Catch Free Live Music Around the City

Chicago's summer concert lineup is one of the best free perks of living here.

• Grant Park Music Festival at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park runs through mid-August, featuring the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. It's the only free outdoor classical music series of its kind in the country.
• Tuesdays on the Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art brings free jazz to the Anne and John Kern Terrace Garden every Tuesday evening through late August.
• The Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues on select weekdays, spotlighting a mix of established and emerging local artists.

Take In a Festival

August is one of the busiest festival months in the city, and several of the biggest draws are completely free to attend.

• The Chicago Air and Water Show returns to North Avenue Beach in mid-August, drawing crowds of over two million for a weekend of aerial performances from military flight teams.
• Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, one of the country's oldest African American parades, brings a full day of community celebration to the South Side.
• Keep an eye out for smaller neighborhood festivals happening throughout the month, many of which include free admission, live music, and local vendors.

Explore Museums for Less (or Free)

Several of Chicago's top museums offer free admission days for Illinois residents:

• Art Institute of Chicago — free for Illinois residents on Thursday evenings through mid-September, and always free for Chicago teens under 18 and active-duty service members.
• Field Museum — free for Illinois residents every Wednesday.
• Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium — both offer select free admission days for Illinois residents; check their websites for current dates.
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum — free for Illinois residents every Thursday.

Enjoy the Lakefront

With water temperatures at their warmest of the year, August is the best month to make use of Chicago's beaches.

• Oak Street Beach is closest to downtown and easy to reach for an afternoon break.
• North Avenue Beach has the most facilities and space, ideal for a full day out.
• Montrose Beach is quieter, with good birdwatching for anyone looking for a calmer visit.

Wander a Free Attraction

Some of Chicago's most iconic spots don't cost anything to visit:

• Cloud Gate ("The Bean") in Millennium Park.
• Navy Pier, which is free to walk around, with fireworks over the lake twice a week in summer.
• The Chicago Cultural Center, which hosts free exhibits, performances, and building tours year-round.

Plan Your Month

Chicago's calendar changes fast, so it's worth checking event pages close to the date for exact times and any last-minute changes. However you spend your August, there's no shortage of free ways to enjoy everything this city has to offer.



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