Free Events in Chicago — 2026 — Weekend Owl

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NAOMI ASHELY'S OTHER BAND Live on the PATIO!

NAOMI ASHELY'S OTHER BAND Live on the PATIO!

7:00 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

Free Alternative

The CHRIS GREENE QUARTET on the PATIO!

The CHRIS GREENE QUARTET on the PATIO!

6:30 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

Music Trivia with Brendan and Sean: Evanston Folk Festival Edition (Space Patio)

Music Trivia with Brendan and Sean: Evanston Folk Festival Edition (Space Patio)

7:00 PM · SPACE

LITTLE HOPES @ FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR!

LITTLE HOPES @ FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR!

8:30 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

Plantasia TWO DAY PASS

Plantasia TWO DAY PASS

5:00 PM · Garfield Park Conservatory

Plantasia - Day 1 with Helado Tropical (Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical) / James K / Gigi Masin / Elori Saxl and Henry Solomon +more

Plantasia - Day 1 with Helado Tropical (Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical) / James K / Gigi Masin / Elori Saxl and Henry Solomon +more

5:30 PM · Garfield Park Conservatory

Rainbow Girls w. Jordan Smart

Rainbow Girls w. Jordan Smart

7:30 PM · SPACE

Nai Palm (of Hiatus Kaiyote)

Nai Palm (of Hiatus Kaiyote)

8:00 PM · Bottom Lounge

Thursday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ BLUE ROSE

Thursday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ BLUE ROSE

8:30 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

Happy Hour on the PATIO w/ HILLBILLY FROLIC!

Happy Hour on the PATIO w/ HILLBILLY FROLIC!

5:00 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

The Matches, Crooked Teeth

The Matches, Crooked Teeth

7:00 PM · Bottom Lounge

Free Alternative

Friday Night on The PATIO w/JOE PRATT & SOURCE ONE BAND!

Friday Night on The PATIO w/JOE PRATT & SOURCE ONE BAND!

7:00 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

Coat of Many Colors: LGBTQIA+ Songwriter's Circle: Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation

Coat of Many Colors: LGBTQIA+ Songwriter's Circle: Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation

8:00 PM · SPACE

Friday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ Lydia Cash and special guest The Devil Said Jump!

Friday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ Lydia Cash and special guest The Devil Said Jump!

8:30 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

PRAVDAFEST @ FITZGERALDS!

PRAVDAFEST @ FITZGERALDS!

12:00 PM · FitzGerald's

Hurray for the Riff Raff w. Free Range: Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation

Hurray for the Riff Raff w. Free Range: Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation

8:30 PM · SPACE

Move at The Shed - Toyota Community Pass

Move at The Shed - Toyota Community Pass

11:00 AM · The Salt Shed Outdoors (Fairgrounds)

BEARS (vs Panthers) BRUNCH in The SIDEBAR w/ host JACK O'HARA!

BEARS (vs Panthers) BRUNCH in The SIDEBAR w/ host JACK O'HARA!

12:00 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

BLUES BRUNCH ft. The Nigel Mack Acoustic Duo

BLUES BRUNCH ft. The Nigel Mack Acoustic Duo

12:00 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

The Phil Angotti Four: POWER POP!

The Phil Angotti Four: POWER POP!

5:00 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

Big Band & BBQ w/ SHOUT SECTION BIG BAND

Big Band & BBQ w/ SHOUT SECTION BIG BAND

7:00 PM · FITZGERALDS NIGHTCLUB

A Tribute to John Prine's Bruised Orange: Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation

A Tribute to John Prine's Bruised Orange: Evanston Folk Festival Aftershow presented by Bluegrass Situation

8:30 PM · SPACE

Dominique Fils-Aimé

Dominique Fils-Aimé

7:30 PM · SPACE

Melvin Taylor

7:30 PM · SPACE

Carly Pearce – Honest Woman: Up Close – Presented by Conundrum Wines

Carly Pearce – Honest Woman: Up Close – Presented by Conundrum Wines

8:00 PM · Joe's on Weed Street

Jazz in the Sidebar w/ Aval Stanley Zaucha Organ Trio!

Jazz in the Sidebar w/ Aval Stanley Zaucha Organ Trio!

8:30 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

Thursday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ LOU SHIELDS!

Thursday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ LOU SHIELDS!

8:30 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

Friday Night on The PATIO w/ THE RHYTHM ROCKETS!

Friday Night on The PATIO w/ THE RHYTHM ROCKETS!

7:00 PM · FITZGERALDS PATIO

*SOLD OUT* ALDOUS HARDING with Sam Burton

*SOLD OUT* ALDOUS HARDING with Sam Burton

8:00 PM · Thalia Hall

Friday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ The Meadowlark Lemons!

Friday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ The Meadowlark Lemons!

9:00 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

BEARS (vs Vikings) BRUNCH in The SIDEBAR w/ host JACK O'HARA!

BEARS (vs Vikings) BRUNCH in The SIDEBAR w/ host JACK O'HARA!

12:00 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

BIG BAND & BBQ: Chicago Skyliner's w/ Bill O'Connell

BIG BAND & BBQ: Chicago Skyliner's w/ Bill O'Connell

7:00 PM · FITZGERALDS NIGHTCLUB

Shoshana Bean

7:30 PM · Thalia Hall

The Shotgun Start

The Shotgun Start

7:00 PM · SPACE

*SOLD OUT* Bella Kay: The Reckless Tour with Hailey Picardi

*SOLD OUT* Bella Kay: The Reckless Tour with Hailey Picardi

7:30 PM · Thalia Hall

Spencer Thomas with Tyler Stock

Spencer Thomas with Tyler Stock

8:00 PM · Tack Room

Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind

Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind

8:00 PM · SPACE

SOLD OUT - Son Volt

SOLD OUT - Son Volt

8:00 PM · SPACE

Free Alternative

Thursday Night in the Sidebar w/ GERALD DOWD BAND!

Thursday Night in the Sidebar w/ GERALD DOWD BAND!

8:30 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR

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FAQ

Are there free events in Chicago?

Yes — 39 free events are currently listed in Chicago, including concerts, festivals and community events. See the full list above.