Free events in Joliet, IL

Regional growers, food makers, artisans, and neighborhood businesses come together in Wicker Park for a community market centered on sustainability. Browse responsibly grown produce and nutritious foods made with ingredients from nearby farms, sold straight from the people who grow and craft them. The market fosters entrepreneurship by offering a direct-to-consumer platform where vendors can sell, talk with visitors about eating well and sourcing sustainably, and form connections with neighbors. Artisans, performers, and service providers also take part, helping strengthen community ties, support a resilient local economy, and highlight the character of Wicker Park.

To mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, the McAninch Art Center and Cleve Carney Museum of Art, in association with the College of DuPage Foundation, present Walking With Giants, a free outdoor exhibition designed as a walking experience that highlights American artistic accomplishments. Oversized painted silhouette sculptures, each standing about ten feet tall, are positioned along a pedestrian route surrounding the MAC on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn. Created by contemporary artists with input from the community, the series honors notable Americans across visual art, music, theater, and dance, with figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda represented.

Enjoy a free outdoor tennis session at Plainfield North High School that welcomes players of every skill level. Look for a towel hanging over the net to spot the group. If the towel is not there, send a message on Meetup or Facebook. Please be aware that the event could be canceled due to weather.

Part of a summer series, this volunteer run, community focused farmers market features music and ready to eat food. Free yoga classes are offered, with preregistration available on the website. A vendor list organized by date is also available on the website.

Enjoy outdoor fun at The Growing Place Aurora with live music from Milkmen’s Kids, pumpkin-themed crafts, lawn games, and food. Admission is free.

Local holistic wellness and arts take center stage with exhibitors who may offer aura photography, bodywork, energy work, and intuitive readings like tarot and astrology. Explore handmade jewelry and gifts, discover luxurious spa products, and enjoy free workshops. Admission is free. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Unwind from the week with Singo, a laid-back game where music plays and you mark the matching squares on your card. It is free to take part, with local wins on the line.

FIT4MOM Frankfort presents a complimentary week-long open house tailored for mothers to try a variety of workouts and connect with local parents. Participants can sample as many classes as they like, with options that welcome strollers so little ones can come along, dedicated mom-only sessions, and short virtual workouts. The setting is encouraging and low pressure, with choices suitable for every fitness level and every stage of motherhood. Added highlights throughout the week include a playgroup focused on skill building at both locations and snacks provided by The Good Crisp Company.

Set aside about an hour to donate blood at an American Red Cross drive. The organization reports an urgent nationwide shortage, with the fewest donors in 20 years. Your donation is needed to help stabilize supplies so critical medical treatments are not postponed. The drive will be held on Sandburg Way, across from Master Axe, and appointment slots are available to make the process convenient.

Casual Commander play is happening at Gamestorm Gaming in Lemont. It is free to attend with no entry fee.

Free entry Commander Night features open Magic gameplay in pods of two to four players. Participants receive a Commander promo plus one of the following bonuses, either a current promo pack, welcome boosters, or a bring a friend promo. Extra deals include 10% off MTG Commander pre-cons for Commander Nights and a buy two, get one free offer on MTG packs, with set limitations.

ECI Tuesdays brings mambo, salsa, bachata and more to Pier 31 in a lively open-air setting presented by El Caobo Internacional. This edition features a mambo lesson with Denita Inez, followed by social dancing that keeps the floor moving with Latin rhythms. There is no cover, the event is weather permitting, and food and drinks are available for purchase. A 50/50 raffle will be held with $5 tickets, and the winner must be present to claim the prize. Dancers of all experience levels and music lovers are welcome at this lakefront gathering.

Heroes West in Lemont, IL hosts a lively bingo night with free entry, plenty of prizes, and fun for all ages. Attendees can arrive a little early to pick up cards, then settle in for classic number-calling excitement. $2 tacos are available to enjoy while you play.

Get in on SINGO, a music bingo experience at Aurelio's Tinley Park. Instead of numbers, you will hear familiar songs, mark your card, and go for prizes in every round. It is free to play, and the jackpot can reach up to $600. Take advantage of the dine-in special all night, buy one pizza and get the second 50 percent off of equal or lesser value, and enjoy a full bar. It works well for friends, date nights, and groups. Seating is first come, first served and often fills quickly, so arriving early is recommended.

A weekly farmers market takes place on the grounds of La Grange Village Hall. Posts connected to this event are reviewed and approved before they appear to help reduce spam on Facebook.

Celebrate American artistic achievement with a free outdoor, walkable exhibition honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary. Presented by the McAninch Art Center and the Cleve Carney Museum of Art in association with the College of DuPage Foundation, Walking With Giants showcases ten painted silhouette sculptures, each about 10 feet tall, placed along a route that circles the MAC on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn. Designed by contemporary artists with input from the community, these works pay tribute to influential figures in visual art, music, theater, and dance, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Survey Showdown at McBride's North Pub & Grille is a free-to-play, lively game night hosted by Hope where teams compete in rotating favorites inspired by classic game shows for prizes and bragging rights. The action shifts between Team Feud style survey questions and Wheel of Letters style word puzzles, keeping each round fresh. Teams of two or more can jump into fast, easy-to-learn gameplay that keeps the whole room engaged, whether competing or cheering along. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams, entry is free with no RSVP required, and food and drinks are available for purchase.

Sing-along show tunes at Sidetrack set the tone for the weekend, followed by the Friday Night Dance Party. The rooftop opens for party music upstairs, and there is no cover charge.

At the Tinley Park Farmers Market, find spring plants, seasonal fruits and vegetables, honey, and more. Explore a variety of offerings from the market and stock up on seasonal picks.

The Lisle French Market returns with a larger footprint, having grown to twice its previous size this year to offer a wider variety of merchants to discover. This open air farmers market blends the French market features Chicagoland appreciates with the distinctive character of Lisle, set in the Metra parking lot in downtown Lisle. Visitors can browse local goods, support independent businesses, enjoy the outdoors, and reconnect with familiar faces while finding new favorites.

Experience a French-inspired outdoor marketplace where you can browse farm-fresh produce, artisanal baked goods, selections from local retailers, and booths hosted by community groups. The focus is on quality and a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Vision in the Rhythm brings a mix of folk and rock to the Tinley Park Farmers Market with a live set in Harmony Square. The performance is free and open to all ages.

A monthly Cars and Coffee welcoming everything from one wheel to eighteen, with all makes and models invited to take part. Attendees are asked to respect the lot and property, avoid burnouts, and clean up after themselves. There are no tickets and attendance is free, so report any messages claiming otherwise.