Free things to do this weekend in and around Chicago

Chicago's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, August 7, 2026 to Sunday, August 9, 2026

(Scroll down for full, detailed list of free weekend activities.)

Fun Fridays at the Shell: Traveling World of Reptiles - West Chicago Park District - The Shell at Reed-Keppler Park, Arbor Avenue, West Chicago, IL, USA, Friday, August 7, 2026, 11:00 AM

WPB First Friday in August - Wicker Park-Bucktown Chamber of Commerce - North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA, Friday, August 7, 2026, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grant Park Music Festival: Mozart Requiem - Jay Pritzker Pavilion, East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, USA, Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM; Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Free summer mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, August 7, 2026; Saturday, August 8, 2026; Sunday, August 9, 2026, see link for times

Summer Fireworks at the Navy Pier 2026 - Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States, Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:00 PM - 10:10 PM