Free and Cheap Festivals To Attend in Chicago in the Fall

During the first weekend of October, Lincoln Avenue becomes everything apple and fall for the annual Apple Fest on Chicago’s North Side. Local restaurants, including neighborhood favorites Luella’s Southern Kitchen and The Northman, serve apple-themed dishes like apple-braised pork belly and cider donuts. Local farmers also set up shop, selling homemade apple ciders, jams and different types of honey, not to mention – of course – apples. Events like storytelling for kids start as early as 10am on both days; crafts and live music also abound. Admission is a $5 suggested donation.

As its name suggests, this Chicago festival is an exuberant celebration of vegan food and lifestyles. After a decade, VeganMania is the Midwest’s largest festival dedicated entirely to veganism. Held in Chicago’s Broadway Armory, a 24,000-square-foot (2,229.6-square-meter) space in the Edgewater neighborhood, the event has 20 different food vendors and demonstrations from some of today’s leading vegan chefs. Plus, VeganMania hosts talks from thought leaders in the vegan world, doctors with expertise on healthy veganism and vegan organizations dedicated to bringing Chicago’s vegan community closer together. There’s even a group yoga session in the morning. Admission is free (with a $5 suggested donation).

Chicago is world-famous for its fabulous architecture, but there are gorgeous buildings that are hidden from the public eye. Luckily, for one weekend every year, the Chicago Architecture Center opens up more than 250 private buildings to the public. The CAC, a non-profit cultural organization, started Open House Chicago in 2011 to promote the importance of interior design and to showcase the city’s incredible architectural diversity. Sites in the past have included The Arts Club of Chicago, The Givins Castle, Ling Shen Ching Tze Buddhist Temple, Bahá’í House of Worship and Edgewater Beach Apartments. Watch out for a full printed Event Guide in the Chicago Tribune come mid-October.

The Chicago Film Society and Chicago Film Archives partnered up to bring home videos from everyday people to the big screen. On Saturday, October 27, 2018, viewers can pop into the museum for this celebration of home movies, which is exactly what it sounds like. Visitors are encouraged to bring in old footage (16mm, 8mm and Super 8mm), which experts will handle and project onto a screen for the audience to watch. Because reels of home videos are often passed down over generations, much of this footage is unwatchable on modern devices. The Chicago Film Society and Chicago Film Archives discuss how to better preserve these film reels and have all the equipment necessary for optimal viewing. Admission is free, and no footage is needed to participate. Afterward, several movies from CFA’s enormous collection will be screened.

Now in its eighth year, the West Town Art Walk covers art in a variety of forms, including food. All along Chicago Avenue, from Noble Square and West Town to the Ukrainian Village, shops and restaurants showcase local artists, which means visitors get a double dose of inspiration at each spot. For instance, pop into Epic Spices for a one-of-a-kind small-batch spice blend, and check out photographer Chris Kemp’s gorgeous wedding photography. The list of businesses and artists participating each year is top-notch, and many shops offer excellent deals throughout the weekend.

Every month or so, this movement stations individuals in public spaces around Chicago for a few hours, inviting strangers to engage in meaningful conversation. The goal is to bring people together to celebrate the differences between people living and working in the same city, and to encourage people to talk about anything in any space. FreeIC champions the power of face-to-face interactions over tedious conversations online or via social media. What better way to celebrate the transition between one season into another than by making a new friend or, at the very least, commiserating with a Chicagoan about the long winter ahead? Look for a friendly face holding a sign that says, “Free Intelligent Conversation.”

The Lincoln Park Zoo (which is always free to enter) hosts Fall Fest, a month-long celebration of all things autumn. Between the inflatable obstacle course, the corn maze and the petting zoo, this event might even be worth a second trip. Pumpkins are ready for picking, and a Ferris Wheel is available for riding ($3 for a ride ticket). For children interested in showing off a Halloween costume, Spooky Zoo is a kid-friendly, safe trick-or-treating experience.