"Free, Free, Free!" is an e-newsletter and website that provides a monthly curated list of free programs, events and activities happening throughout the city in our libraries, museums, cultural centers and parks. We encourage you to express your culture through the arts and take advantage of the many opportunities the City of Chicago provides you to engage, create and participate!

Rahm Emanuel Mayor	Mark Kelly Commissioner

Year of Creative Youth 

Presented by

Teacher Fellowship Program Student Exhibition Opening Reception

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art

Saturday, May 19, 2-5pm

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. 

 

Inspired by self-taught and outsider art, students transform found and non-traditional materials into art pieces that reflect their personal visions. Join us for a free, family-friendly opening reception.

 

Stringtacular
Merit School of Music

Saturday, May 19, 11am

Benito Juarez Community Academy, 1450 W. Cermak Rd.

 

Merit School of Music proudly presents its annual Stringtacular community performance featuring 300 string students and 20 faculty members performing 34 musical selections to a crowd of 750+ enthusiastic audience members. This year's concert celebrates the 20th anniversary of Merit's Suzuki-Alegre program. To honor that milestone, Stringtacular 2018 will feature special alumni guests and performers from across the two-decade program history.

 

Chicago Cultural Center  

Jazz Links Jam Sessions

Wednesday, May 9, 5:30-7:30pm

Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater, 78 E. Washington St.

 

The Jazz Links Jam Sessions are for students age 9-19 and are held at the Chicago Cultural Center once a month from 5:30-7:30pm. Family friendly and free.

 

Juicebox: Little Miss Ann

Friday, May 18, 11-11:45am

Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.

 

With engaging music and dance in a kid-friendly setting, the FREE admission Juicebox presented by Lifeway Foods programs are geared toward the stroller set and enjoyable for the whole family. Children will experience a diverse range of artistic and educational presentations, with hosts regularly inviting youngsters to move, dance and interact with performers.

 

de-skinned: duk ju l kim recent work

Through July 29

Chicago Cultural Center, Michigan Avenue Galleries, 78 E. Washington St.

  

Chicago-based artist Duk Ju L. Kim was born in Busan, South Korea and spent her formative years in Tehran, Iran. The historical, geopolitical, and current events that shaped her early life and her perception of the world are present in her paintings. Cities lie in ruins, layers of psychological, architectural history pile up and human figures take on the structure of buildings-appear amidst the rubble.

 

Museums

Free Thursday Night Hangs: Battle It Out-Gender Warriors

Thursday, May 10, 5-8pm
Art Institute of Chicago, Ryan Learning Center, 159 E. Monroe St. 

 

Free Thursday Night Hangs are hosted by Chicago teens and feature live artist performances and experimental programs. Meet artists, get inspired, eat snacks, and talk about art. Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every Thursday evening from 5-8pm.

 

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Every Thursday, 9am-5pm

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr.

 

Illinois residents can enjoy free admission as part of our Suggested Donation Thursdays. Explore the entire museum - no special exhibit admission required! Plus, enjoy our daily programming, including Story Time, Critter Connections, Animal Feedings, and the First Flight Butterfly Release at no additional cost.

 

Night Out In The Parks

Presented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Night Out in the Parks brings over 1,000 cultural events to neighborhood parks each year. Chicagoans and visitors alike, enjoy the breadth of world-class events in every one of the city's 77 community areas. Here are a few programming highlights happening in May, but be sure to check out their website (or download the app!) for a full listing of events!

"A Kid's Life"

Friday, May 11, 6:30-8pm
Douglas Park Cultural & Community Center, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr.

 

Enjoy this fascinating performance about what children actually learn without the use of electronics. The Free performance is a family-friendly event.

 

Full Moon Jams

Tuesday, May 29, 6-11pm
Foster Beach, 5200 N. Lake Shore Drive

 

The Full Moon Jam is a monthly celebration of fire dancing, music and community! Family friendly, no alcohol, leave no trace. Come celebrate with us this summer!

 

Chicago Public Library

Since first opening our doors in 1873, Chicago Public Library has served all Chicagoans with free and open places to gather, learn, connect, read and be transformed. The libraries are that special third place-beyond home and work-where people come to improve their lives, nourish their intellect or savor entertainment. Their 80 locations host a variety of free events ranging from performances, arts and crafts, writing and poetry, continuing education and more.  

YOUmedia Open Mic

Wednesday, May 2, 5:30-7pm
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.

 

Come to YOUmedia and witness the future! Calling all high school musicians, dancers, and artists of all types: Showcase your work, get feedback, meet up with other young Chicago folks and have a good time! Open to teens in high school.

Jewelry and Crafting for Mother's Day 

Wednesday, May 9, 4-8pm
Austin Branch, 5616 W. Race Ave. 

 

Come create DIY gifts, like jewelry or poems, to honor mothers or other women in celebration of Mother's Day. Open to all ages!

 

Gene Siskel Film Center 

Wilmington on Fire

Friday, May 11, 7-10pm
BBF Family Services, 1512 S. Pulaski Rd.

 

Directed by Christopher Everett, "Wilmington On Fire" documents The Wilmington Massacre of 1898. Join us for a screening and discussion-part of the Best of Black Harvest Film Festival series.

 

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities

Wednesday, May 16, 5:30-8:30pm
Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.

 

Director Stanley Nelson examines the legacy of historically black colleges and universities. Join us for a screening and discussion-part of the Best of Black Harvest Film Festival series.