#1
Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & WrigleyvilleSep 25, 2026–Oct 18, 2026Free
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
Free Things to Do in Chicago on Saturday, Columbus Day Weekend 2026
18 picks
The 10 best free things to do in Chicago on Saturday, Oct 10
- Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo — Sep 25–Oct 18, 2026 · Free · Lincoln Park
- Abbott Health & Fitness Expo — Thursday, October 8 – Saturday, October 10 · Free · Downtown
- Family Day | Warmups — Saturday, October 10 11 AM–3 PM · Free · Downtown
- Chicago Zine Fest 2026 — Saturday, October 10 11 AM–4 PM · Free · Loop
- The Paper Machete — Saturdays at 3pm (doors 1pm) · Free · Uptown
- Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration at Harrison — Saturday, October 10, 11am–4pm · Free · Pilsen
- Oktoberfestiversary — Saturday, October 10, 11:00 AM–9:00 PM · Free · Andersonville
- Division Street Farmers Market — Sep 19–Oct 17, 2026 · Free · 100 W. Division St.
- Tangible Sound: Arrival to a Higher Ground — Apr 25–Oct 18, 2026 · Free · Downtown
- Really Really Free Market — Sat, Oct 10 10:00am · Free · Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville#1Sep 25, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & WrigleyvilleFall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#2
McCormick Place, North Building, Hall B1, Near South Side, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopWarren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThursday, October 8 – Saturday, October 10, 2026Free and open to the public
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Free and open to anyone: marathon bib pickup and the whole race-weekend trade floor.
FreeOne Weekend Only
#2Thursday, October 8 – Saturday, October 10, 2026 · One Weekend Only
McCormick Place, North Building, Hall B1, Near South Side, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopWarren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsAbbott Health & Fitness Expo
Free and open to anyone: marathon bib pickup and the whole race-weekend trade floor.
Add to calendar#3
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Streeterville, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopSaturday, October 10, 2026 · 11 AM–3 PMFREE for Family Day attendees
Family Day | Warmups
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Free museum admission, artmaking and ASL interpretation open the MCA family season.
FreeOne Day Only
#3Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 11 AM–3 PM · One Day Only
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Streeterville, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopFamily Day | Warmups
Free museum admission, artmaking and ASL interpretation open the MCA family season.
Add to calendar#4
Harold Washington Library Center, LoopSaturday, October 10, 2026 · 11 AM–4 PMFree
Chicago Zine Fest 2026
Harold Washington Library Center, Loop
More than 70 zinesters fill two library floors with DIY publishing, panels and workshops.
FreeOne Day Only
#4Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 11 AM–4 PM · One Day Only
Harold Washington Library Center, LoopChicago Zine Fest 2026
More than 70 zinesters fill two library floors with DIY publishing, panels and workshops.
Add to calendar#5
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, UptownKenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsSaturdays at 3pm (doors 1pm); no end date announcedFREE
The Paper Machete
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Uptown
The script is new every week at this free two-hour show in the Green Mill, a bar since 1907.
FreeLimited Run
#5Saturdays at 3pm (doors 1pm); no end date announced · Limited Run
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, UptownKenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThe Paper Machete
The script is new every week at this free two-hour show in the Green Mill, a bar since 1907.
Add to calendar#6
Harrison (Carter) Park, PilsenSaturday, October 10, 2026, 11am–4pmFree
Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration at Harrison
Harrison (Carter) Park, Pilsen
A free afternoon of music, dance and stories for Indigenous Peoples' Day in Harrison Park.
FreeOne Day Only
#6Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11am–4pm · One Day Only
Harrison (Carter) Park, PilsenIndigenous Peoples' Day Celebration at Harrison
A free afternoon of music, dance and stories for Indigenous Peoples' Day in Harrison Park.
Add to calendar#7
Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareSaturday, October 10, 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, and Sunday, October 11, 11:00 AM–8:00 PM, 2026Free
Oktoberfestiversary
Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln Square
Oktoberfestiversary has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
FreeOne Weekend Only
#7Saturday, October 10, 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, and Sunday, October 11, 11:00 AM–8:00 PM, 2026 · One Weekend Only
Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareOktoberfestiversary
Oktoberfestiversary has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
Add to calendar#8
100 W. Division St.Sep 19, 2026–Oct 17, 2026Free
Division Street Farmers Market
100 W. Division St.
Division Street Farmers Market is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
#8Sep 19, 2026–Oct 17, 2026 · Limited Run
100 W. Division St.Division Street Farmers Market
Division Street Farmers Market is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#9
Chicago Cultural Center, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopGrant Henninger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsApr 25, 2026–Oct 18, 2026Free
Tangible Sound: Arrival to a Higher Ground
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Tangible Sound: Arrival to a Higher Ground is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
#9Apr 25, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Chicago Cultural Center, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopGrant Henninger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTangible Sound: Arrival to a Higher Ground
Tangible Sound: Arrival to a Higher Ground is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#10
AIDS Garden Chicago, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & WrigleyvilleSat, Oct 10, 2026 · 10:00amFree
Really Really Free Market
Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Really Really Free Market has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
FreeOne Day Only
#10Sat, Oct 10, 2026 · 10:00am · One Day Only
AIDS Garden Chicago, Lincoln Park, Lakeview & WrigleyvilleReally Really Free Market
Really Really Free Market has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
Add to calendarMore on Saturday
#11
Chicago Riverwalk (Wells St. to Franklin St.), River North, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopChris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThursdays through Sundays, 7:30–8:00 PM, through Nov 15, 2026Free and open to the public
ART on THE Mart
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
ART on THE Mart is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeArt
#11Thursdays through Sundays, 7:30–8:00 PM, through Nov 15, 2026 · Limited Run
Chicago Riverwalk (Wells St. to Franklin St.), River North, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopChris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons#12
Malcolm X College, Near West Side, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideSaturday, October 10, 2026; doors 10:30 AM, programming 11:00 AM–4:00 PMFREE
Healing Arts Chicago Summit
Pilsen, West Town & the West Side
Healing Arts Chicago Summit has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
FreeLimited Run
#12Saturday, October 10, 2026; doors 10:30 AM, programming 11:00 AM–4:00 PM · Limited Run
Malcolm X College, Near West Side, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideHealing Arts Chicago Summit
Healing Arts Chicago Summit has enough weekend energy to earn a spot on the board.
Add to calendar#13
Annoyance Theatre & BarSep 18, 2026–Oct 17, 2026Free
Comedy Hour at Annoyance Theatre
Annoyance Theatre & Bar
Comedy Hour at Annoyance Theatre is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
#13Sep 18, 2026–Oct 17, 2026 · Limited Run
Annoyance Theatre & BarComedy Hour at Annoyance Theatre
Comedy Hour at Annoyance Theatre is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#14
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopSep 18, 2026–Oct 18, 2026FREE
Chicago Greeter Riverwalk InstaGreeter Walk
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Chicago Greeter Riverwalk InstaGreeter Walk is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
#14Sep 18, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopChicago Greeter Riverwalk InstaGreeter Walk
Chicago Greeter Riverwalk InstaGreeter Walk is listed for Chicago this weekend.
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#15
Chicago Cultural Center, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopSep 18, 2026–Oct 18, 2026FREE
Chicago Greeter – Loop InstaGreeter
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Chicago Greeter – Loop InstaGreeter is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeLimited Run
#15Sep 18, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Chicago Cultural Center, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopChicago Greeter – Loop InstaGreeter
Chicago Greeter – Loop InstaGreeter is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#16
Greektown Chicago, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopSep 18, 2026–Oct 18, 2026Free
We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago
Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago is listed for.
FreeLimited Run
#16Sep 18, 2026–Oct 18, 2026 · Limited Run
Greektown Chicago, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopWe the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago
We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty in Greektown Chicago is listed for.
Add to calendar#17
National Museum of Mexican Art, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideSep 25, 2026–Nov 29, 2026Free
Where Memory Lives:: 40 Years of Día de Muertos
Pilsen, West Town & the West Side
Where Memory Lives:: 40 Years of Día de Muertos is listed for Chicago this weekend.
FreeArt
#17Sep 25, 2026–Nov 29, 2026 · Limited Run
National Museum of Mexican Art, Pilsen, West Town & the West SideWhere Memory Lives:: 40 Years of Día de Muertos
Where Memory Lives:: 40 Years of Día de Muertos is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Add to calendar#18
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde ParkAdam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsSeptember 22, 2026 – February 21, 2027; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Free
teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park
The Tokyo art collective teamLab's immersive show at the Smart Museum, with free admission.
FreeArt
#18September 22, 2026 – February 21, 2027; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. · Limited Run
Smart Museum of Art, Hyde ParkAdam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsteamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
The Tokyo art collective teamLab's immersive show at the Smart Museum, with free admission.
Add to calendarAbout this list
Stumblday's hand-checked ranking of the best free things to do in Chicago on Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, Oct 10: 18 picks, refreshed weekly.
