The Local Loop

Second City Scoop

Free shows, fests and meetups across Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. Free events, conferences and local spots in Chicago, IL, in your inbox every Thursday.

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Free things to do in Chicago soon

Sat14Nov
Sun15Nov
Sun15Nov

Sunday Somatics – Healing with Yoga

Free Sun, Nov 15, 2026 · 11:00 am · Smart Museum of Art
Sun15Nov

Sundays at Rockefeller

Free Sun, Nov 15, 2026 · 11:00 am · Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Sun15Nov

University Wind Ensemble

Free Sun, Nov 15, 2026 · 3:00 pm · Logan Center
Mon16Nov

Pierre Bismuth: Love Bless America

Free Mon, Nov 16, 2026 · 9:00 am · Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society
Mon16Nov

Views from UChicago: Book Talk Series, Angela S. Garcia

Free Mon, Nov 16, 2026 · 12:00 pm · Regenstein Library
Mon16Nov

Let's Talk

Free Mon, Nov 16, 2026 · 1:00 pm · Charles M. Harper Center
Tue17Nov

Autumn Carillon Tower Tours

Free Tue, Nov 17, 2026 · 11:30 am · Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Tue17Nov

Future Café: The Future of Liberty

Free Tue, Nov 17, 2026 · 6:00 pm · Foster Hall

Browse Chicago events

Free Events in Chicago This Weekend

Free things to do in Chicago this weekend, updated every day from public event calendars.

Free Concerts in Chicago

Free live music in Chicago: outdoor concerts, open-air series, library sets and more.

Free Museum Days in Chicago

Free admission days, free gallery nights and no-cost exhibitions in Chicago.

Free Tech & Startup Events in Chicago

Free meetups, demo nights, hackathons and startup events in Chicago.

Conferences in Chicago (2026-2027)

Upcoming conferences, summits and expos in Chicago, with free and low-cost passes flagged.

Free Family & Kids Events in Chicago

Free storytimes, family festivals and kid-friendly events in Chicago.

Free Networking Events in Chicago

Free professional mixers, community meetups and networking nights in Chicago.

Free Outdoor & Fitness Events in Chicago

Free run clubs, park yoga, guided hikes and outdoor events in Chicago.

Best of Chicago

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FAQ

What is Second City Scoop?

Second City Scoop is a free weekly email newsletter covering free events, conferences and local businesses in Chicago, IL. It's part of The Local Loop by localnewsletter.co.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. Second City Scoop is free to read, and every event we feature is free or has a free option unless we label it otherwise.

When does it arrive?

Every Thursday morning, in time to plan your weekend.

Where do the events come from?

From public event calendars, venue and organizer feeds, libraries, parks departments and museums in Chicago. We link to the original source on every event.