Sure, getting the sugar shakes while hopped up on Snickers bars is core to having a righteous Halloween but this week’s Freebie offers kids a different kind of thrill. The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its Halloween-themed Creatures of the Night nocturnal animal meet-and-greet October 31 from noon to 3pm. A handler will show kids different tricks animals such as fruit bats, owls and spiders use to get around at night. Sugar-free hands-on activities involving spider plant planting, nectar cups and wormy apples are also in the bag. 300 N Central Park Ave, 312-746-5100, garfield-conservatory.org.

Nothing comforts the senses better on a dreary day than the warmth of a fine Scotch. And nothing warms the heart more than free booze. Cityscape Bar, known best for its amazing views from the 15th floor of the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, delivers with a free Dewar’s tasting on October 29 from 6–8pm. As part of the Dewar’s Decision sampling session, company taste reps will be on hand to help you swirl and sniff your way through blind tastings of a few different Dewar’s libations, including Dewar’s 12 and White Label. 350 West Mart Plaza Center Dr, 15th floor, 312-836-5000.

Garrett Popcorn Shops already boast corner-turning lines on a daily basis. Expect those lines to be even longer today: The grand opening of the local chain’s Michigan Avenue shop will include giveaways of free small bags of Chicago mix popcorn. For those not already hooked on the indulgent snack, that translates to a deliciously sweet and salty combo of cheese and caramel corn. In anticipation of your long wait and potential lousy weather, the chain is offering a limited number of Garrett ponchos. Scratch-and-win cards will also be handed out: Prizes include a one-gallon tin of the stuff or a 60th anniversary T-shirt. All special offers are only good at the new 625 N Michigan Ave location.

This week, get treated to a hot cup of joe. Citing a stat that Chicago area commutes average among the nation’s longest at 31.6 minutes, Keurig, manufacturer of the single-cup coffee maker, is treating commuters to their choice of brew at the Keurig booth in Union Station, now through Friday 16 (6:30am–11am daily). Brewer discounts and info on the company’s philanthropic endeavors such as its Greater Chicago Food Depository fund are also available but we know you’re just there for the free caffeine buzz. 210 S Canal St, keurig.com.

This time of year, as the leaves fall from the trees and the Bears start off the season on the right foot, it’s time you get your own act together and finally nab that spot in the “Chicken-wing making Hall of Fame.” You may be qualified in making wings disappear, but your wing-making lacks panache? Attend the complimentary “How to Cook the Perfect Chicken Wing” class, hosted by Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille, and you’ll surely score points with your pals on game day. With pen in one hand and poultry in the other, you’ll learn everything from the history of the popular party snack to making taste-tantalizing sauce. If you can take the heat, get in the kitchen October 14, 6pm to 9pm. R.S.V.P. required. Stretch Run, 544 N LaSalle, 312-644-4477.

The Museum of Science Industry has a new exhibition opening that should appeal to your narcissistic side, as well as your penny-pinching side. To celebrate “YOU! The Experience,” a new high-tech exhibition on your body’s many inner workings, the museum is offering free admission October 8 and 9—plus, free general admission on weekdays October 12–30. Grab the kids for a gratis look at more than 50 interactive stations that will freak you out with images of what your face will look like in 20–50 years based on how hard you live; a giant human hamster wheel that gives you real-time feedback on your body’s responses to aerobic activity; and a vein viewer that let’s you see the actual blood pulsing through your veins via an infrared camera. Eww. The displays will be permanently housed in Abbott Hall on the museum’s north balcony. Visit msichicago.org for more info.

As we gear up for our annual Free issue—dropping September 17—we’ve turned up a few sweet offers on gratis eats. On the savory side, Panera Bread is giving away samples of its new fall offerings for its September Sampler Day on Thursday 10. Among the items up for grabs are the new power breakfast sandwich, a BBQ chopped chicken salad and a Napa almond chicken-salad sandwich. For dessert, try the chocolate fudge brownies or macadamia nut blondies, also on the house. To elbow your way through this multicourse indulgence, just drop into any of the chain’s 80-plus Chicagoland bakery-cafes between the hours of 6am and 9pm. See panerabread.com for locations.

If you’re like us, you’ll devour every last crumb of that corporate brownie for a staggering toll of calories, but to really make all that sugar-intake worth your while, stop by more cupcake bakery (1 E Delaware Pl, 312-951-0001; morecupcakes.com) for its one-year anniversary celebration. Dessert-crazed masses can grab free signature cupcakes all day on Sunday 13 between 10am and 6pm, plus get 20% off on all purchases.

Our annual issue focusing on all things free is just a few weeks away—that’s September 17 if you want to mark your calendar. It’ll be packed with info on gratis beauty treatments, kids’ stuff, cocktails and, of course, free food. But until then, we’ve got a little something to tide you over. This week’s Freebie puts a hot, savory gyros sandwich in your hand on September 1 courtesy of Chicago’s own Kronos Foods, Inc. All you have to do to get in on the Greek food manufacturer’s “Kronos Free Gyros Day” promotion is sign up for a coupon at kronosproducts.com. A pulldown menu then lets you select from 42 participating Chicago-area locations where you can claim your prize, including Chicago Carry Outs (62 E Harrison St, 312-341-1270) and Felony Franks (229 S Western Ave, 312-243-0505). Thanks to our friend Kathy O. at the Irish American Heritage Center for this tasty tip.

Everybody—and we mean everybody, from your mom to your mail carrier—is hip to the city’s amazing free music offerings in Millennium Park, from Shellac’s recent show to the Grant Park Orchestra’s regular appearances. What fewer people realize is that essential local rock venue Empty Bottle has almost as many free concerts on its schedule, and they’re slated to continue well into the winter weather. Every Friday, the club’s early show brings in Hardcore Country Honky-Tonk with the Hoyle Brothers. The urban country act’s gratis show is supplemented with Pick Your Poison drink specials; any special goes for $5.50. The Bottle continues to do its part to make Mondays something to love rather than loathe. The club presents a revolving lineup of free acts most Monday nights starting at 9:30pm. Monday 25’s show brings in drone rockers DRMWPN, Chandeliers and Roommate. Tell your mom. 1035 N Western, 773-276-3600.

Your friends stopped sympathizing with your unemployment after finding out you spent your Monday morning at the beach again, but there is someone out there who still feels for you. Salon 64 doesn’t want you looking like a schlub on your next job interview, so it’s offering free haircuts, shampoos and blow-drys to any unemployed person through August 20. Slackers need not apply: You’ll have to prove that you’re looking for work and that you’ve got an interview on the books. Charles, the salon’s owner, says he decided to offer the service after realizing just how many friends, family and clients had lost their jobs in recent months. “This is a tough time, and I wanted to give something back to the community,” he says. Appointments are required. Salon 64, 1064 W Bryn Mawr Ave, 773-728-1128.