Free Things to Do in Chicago Over the Memorial Day Weekend

Chicago, the Windy City beckons travelers year round. Memorial Day weekend is no exception; locals and tourists can find plenty of free things to do over the long weekend. From music festivals, street vendors, farmer markets to family days, the city has it all.

Free things to do in Chicago:Memorial Day Parade
Considered the largest Memorial Day parade of the country, the parade honors the veterans who sacrificed their lives for the defense of the country. Participants in this years' parade include area high school Marching Bands, Drum and Bugle Corps as well as many Veterans' groups, JROTC and the military. The parade begins at noon on May 29^th 2010.

Location:
State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren
State St. & Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60602

Free things to do in Chicago: Wreath Laying Ceremony
The annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza on May 29^th at 11am.

Location:
Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza
Dearborn & Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602

Free things to do in Chicago: Maxwell Street Market
Maxwell Street Market is a delightful open-air market to venture for foodies and families. This flea market continues to draw throngs at its doorstep, alluring visitors with more than 518 vendors every Sunday. Stop by this Memorial Day weekend for household goods, clothes, jewelry and authentic Mexican fare like enchiladas, taco and tamales. Along with your shopping spree, enjoy a live blues performance. Maxwell Street Market operates from 7am to 3pm.

Location:
Desplaines Street and Roosevelt Road
640 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60607
312-745-4676

Free things to do in Chicago: Downtown Sound
From May 24^th at 6.30 pm, the Millennium Park will feature Downtown Sound, an "eclectic mix of music discoveries, cutting-edge indie rock, pop bands and rock veterans" every Monday. Resuming just before the Memorial Day weekend, the park will feature the Montréal-based psychedelic and ethereal indie rock group, The Besnard Lakes, the local Ponys, master drummer Tony Allen and the New York-based Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, among several others. Check the complete listing here.

Location:
Millennium Park
N. Michigan Ave. & E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60606

Free things to do in Chicago: 2010 International Summer Screenings Program
Cinema/Chicago collaborates with the Chicago Cultural Center and hosts the 7th Annual International Summer Screenings Program. International films are screened every Wednesday at 6:30 pm, and most have repeated screenings on the following Saturday at 2 pm. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

This Memorial Day weekend, check out Dunya & Denise, "a heartwarming road movie about friendship, family, tolerance and understanding." The movie is Dutch and Arabic with English subtitles and runs for 96 minutes. Note: The films are unrated. Viewer discretion is advised. For a complete listing of movie screenings, please check here.

Location:
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., Claudia Cassidy Theater
Chicago, IL 60602

Free things to do in Chicago: Tulips on the Magnificent Mile
Celebrate spring as you peruse and stroll amid thousands of tulips lined on the Magnificent Mile, the stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, which is the heart of the city's retail and entertainment district. Check out the signature 'Tulipa Maggie Daley', the tulip named after Chicago's First Lady.

Location:
The Magnificent Mile
625 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

Source(s):
exploreChicago.org