Chicago celebrates Pride this weekend; Pride Parade next weekend
CHICAGO — Tens of thousands of people will flock to the city’s north side Lakeview neighborhood this weekend for the annual two-day Pride street festival to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Artists including Natasha Bedingfield, JoJo Siwa and Bob the Drag Queen are among the big-name headliners. A full list and schedule of performers is available on the Northalsted Business Alliance website.
Attendees will enjoy three stages of live entertainment, drag queens, a Youth Pride Space for teens, a new Senior Pride Center, Miss Foozie’s Proud Pet Parade and more than 150 food and merchandise vendors.
The Chicago Pride Parade will step off next weekend, at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, with comedienne Fortune Feimster and Jax Smith serving as grand marshals.
Chicago Pride Parade 2024: What to know
When & Where is the Festival?
The Chicago Pride street festival is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday along North Halsted Street between West Addison and West Grace streets. After the street festival, the party continues into the late night hours at several bars and clubs in the neighborhood.
There are four gates to get into the street festival: From the north on North Halsted Street just south of West Grace Street, on the east at the intersection of West Waveland Avenue and North Broadway, on the south at the intersection of North Halsted Street and West Addison Street, and on the west at Waveland Avenue just west of North Halsted Street.
The best way to get there?
Don’t drive. The neighborhood is crowded and there are few places to park. The best options are to take the Chicago Transit Authority buses and trains. The Red Line stops at the Addison station near Wrigley Field. Red, Purple and Brown line trains stop at Belmont station. Maybe you’ll even catch the Pride train. Rideshares or taxis are an option, but there will be road closures in the area.
What’s the cost?
The festival is free, but a $15 donation is suggested to help compensate the performers and to support area non-profit and community organizations. It is public donations that paid for and help maintain the Chicago Pride Crosswalks, the 14 rainbow paved neighborhood intersections that make up the longest installation of its kind in the world.
Where are the bathrooms and first aid?
Portable bathrooms will be located on side streets near each of the stages. A first aid center and lost-and-found area will be located near the south stage.
What can I bring in? What’s prohibited?
Clear, sealed plastic water bottles will be allowed, as are empty reusable water bottles. Prohibited are large bags, backpacks, coolers, outside alcohol, weapons, pepper spray and firearms. All bags will be inspected prior to entry to the street festival.
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