Free things to do this weekend in and around Chicago

Chicago's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, May 15, 2026 to Sunday, May 17, 2026.

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

• Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott, Chicago, IL, Fri 05/15 - Sun 05/17, See link for times
• Join the Mall Walker Club at North Riverside Park Mall - North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 West Cermak Road, North Riverside, IL 60546, Fri 05/15 - Sat 05/16, Monday – Saturday 9AM – 8PM
• Early Bird Walks at NPV - North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, Sat 05/16, 8 - 10 am
• Asian American Pacific Islander Month Celebration at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, Sat 05/16, 11 am
• May Free Museum Day at the American Writers Museum - American Writers Museum, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, Sun 05/17, 10 am - 5 pm
• Hidden Lives of Fungi at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, Sun 05/17, 10 - 11:30 am
• Springtime Stories at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, Sun 05/17, 11 am