Free Chicago events

Green City Market

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N. Cannon Drive - Lincoln Park

Shop for artisanal cheeses, meats, microgreens, apples, dried fruit, root vegetables, baked goods, fresh pasta and more.

Essay Fiesta

The Book Cellar - 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave. - Lincoln Square

Local comedians-writers Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon host humorous, true-life tales by Chicago-area comedians, novelists, poets, journalists, bloggers and playwrights. A raffle benefits the Howard Brown Health Center.

Chicago Critical Mass Monthly Bike Ride

Daley Plaza - 50 W. Washington St. - Loop

Join fellow bikers on the last Friday of each month, regardless of season or weather.

Chicago Architecture Foundation's 'Chicago Model City'

Chicago Architecture Foundation - 224 S. Michigan Ave. - Grant Park Museums

A large-scale, 400-block representation of the Chicago Loop includes 1,000 highly detailed buildings. City photographs, maps and videos complement the display.

Fine Arts Building Open Studios

Fine Arts Building - Suite 433 - 410 S. Michigan Ave. - Grant Park Museums

Tour galleries inside the historic building and peek at works by 100 visual and performing artists.

RUI: Reading Under the Influence

Sheffield's - 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. - Lakeview

Monthly series features readings of published work related to a particular theme, plus original work by local writers.

Wicker Park/Bucktown First Friday

Flat Iron Arts Building - 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Bucktown/Wicker Park

Explore two floors of art in more than three dozen artist studios and living spaces. Guest artists exhibit in the building's common areas, and impromptu performances take place throughout the evening.

Chicago Arts District Second Fridays Gallery Night

Halsted and 18th Streets - 1800 S. Halsted St. - Pilsen/Heart of Chicago/Little Village

This monthly walking tour of Pilsen features art galleries, performance art and shopping opportunities at about 30 neighborhood spots.

First Thursday Free Yoga

REI Lincoln Park - 1466 N. Halsted St. - Old Town

A certified instructor leads an open class for all levels of experience. BYO mat or blanket.

Free wine tastings 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sunday Salutations yoga class

lululemon - 2104 N. Halsted St. - Sheffield/De Paul

Stretch and strengthen for free at this weekly class hosted by lululemon and sometimes partnered by various Pilates studios.

Chicago Cycle of Laughter

Haidan Indian Totem Pole - Near Belmont Harbor - 3550 N. Lake Shore Drive - Lakeview East

Certified laughter yoga instructor Donna Nelson aims to give your funny bone a workout and promote world peace during this group ride along city streets and the lakefront.

Camino a Casa: Coming Home on Day of the Dead

National Museum of Mexican Art - 1852 W. 19th St. - Little Tuscany

Celebrated author Sandra Cisneros (“The House on Mango Street”) created a special ofrenda (altar) for the 23rd annual exhibition, billed the largest of its type in the U.S.

Community Discount Days

Shedd Aquarium - 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive - Grant Park Museums

Free general admission and discounts for admission to the Oceanarium and "Wild Reef" exhibits.

Free days

Field Museum - 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive - Chicago

Applies to general admission.

'The Best' in African-American Filmmaking

DuSable Museum of African-American History - 740 E. 56th Pl. - Washington Park / Woodlawn

A discussion follows each screening.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago at The Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago - 111 S. Michigan Ave. - Grant Park Museums

The modern dance ensemble creates and performs new works at various locations throughout the museum and hosts discussions in conjunction with The Art Institue's permanent collection of modern and contemporary art.

Gene Farris

Smart Bar - 3730 N. Clark St. - Wrigleyville

Diz, Lefo, Frique, Fortune.

Do-It-Yourself Messiah

Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park - 205 E. Randolph Drive - Grant Park Museums

Be a participating chorus member in this traditional annual public performance of Handel's "Messiah."

Al Gore signing

Borders Books & Music - 150 N. State St. - Loop

The former Vice President and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient introduces his new book "Our Choice."

Bucktown Bazaar

Holstein Park Fieldhouse - 2200 N. Oakley Ave. - Bucktown/Wicker Park

Make a dent in your holiday shopping with handmade gifts from the DIY set and established artisans, including those featured in the annual Bucktown Arts Fest. Includes a silent auction, an origami ornament-making workshop for kids (2-4 p.m. both days) and more.

Doodleganza: The Drawing Extravaganza

Puck's at the MCA - Museum of Contemporary Art - 220 E. Chicago Ave. - Gold Coast

Chicago artists lead informal monthly art classes.

Holidaze Gift Bizarre

Wishbone - 3300 N. Lincoln Ave. - Lakeview

Includes complimentary appetizers and a silent auction and raffle.

Late Night Andersonville

Foster Avenue and Clark Street - 5200 N. Clark St. - Andersonville

For the seventh annual holiday shopping event, more than 40 stores and restaurants along Clark Street stay open late and offer merchandise and dining discounts. Includes complimentary refreshments, streetside entertainment and pictures with Santa.

Later Night Andersonville

Foster Avenue and Clark Street - 5200 N. Clark St. - Andersonville

A sequel to Late Night Andersonville features holiday shopping and dining discounts at more than 40 restaurants and shops along Clark Street, plus complimentary refreshments and streetside entertainment.

New Year's Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier

Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Ave. - Streeterville

A festive 15-minute display, set to music, lights up the sky over Lake Michigan.

Pearl of the Snowlands: Buddhist Printing at the Derge Parkhang

Columbia College Chicago's Center for Book & Paper Arts - Second Floor - 1104 S. Wabash Ave. - South Loop

The first exhibition of its type in the U.S. features prints, books, photographs and videos of the only surviving traditional Tibetan printing temple.

Polar Adventure Days

Northerly Island - 1400 S. Linn White Drive - Grant Park Museums

The indoor-outdoor winter celebration features ice sculptures, an arctic dog sled team, storytelling and more.

Santa's House

Daley Plaza - 50 W. Washington St. - Loop

Snap a picture with the jolly bearded fellow and tell him what you want for Christmas.

TRANcinema

Center on Halsted - 3656 N. Halsted St. - Boystown

A rotating roster of films selected for those who identify as transgendered or are questioning their gender identity. A discussion follows.

Trash to Treasure

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N. Cannon Drive - Lincoln Park

Bring in your leftover wrapping paper and help Chicago artist Erik Peterson create a mural that will hang on the wall of the museum.

UBS 12 x 12 Talk: After Party

Museum of Contemporary Art - 220 E. Chicago Ave. - Gold Coast

Artists choose music and images from their personal collections as a backdrop for a gathering following the monthly UBS 12 x 12 Artist's Talk.