Parades, Rooftop Parties, and Baseball: Pride Month in Chicago Is More Fun Than Ever
Here’s how to celebrate and party this Pride Month in Chicago.
It’s the most wonderful time of year—and no, we’re not talking about the holidays, but rather, the holigays. The arrival of June beckons a new season for Chicago: actual summer, yes, but also loud-and-proud queers flocking to street festivals, parks, and drag brunches for LGBTQ+ Pride Month festivities. Perhaps more so than ever before, Pride feels pivotal this year, due to the record-breaking onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeping the country, and although Illinois thankfully isn’t dealing with what Florida is, it’s still important to celebrate love and inclusion as loud and proud as possible. Fortunately, Chicago has plenty of places to get loud and proud, from sports games and dance parties to film screenings and drag shows all over town. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most bang for your Pride Month buck in Chicago this summer.
Sunday, June 11
The Goodman Theatre
A queer powerhouse of stage and screen, PrideArts always has a full slate of LGBTQ+ entertainment to enjoy all over the city. This month, the organization is taking the stage at the iconic Goodman Theatre for a special—and free!—screening of its video series, The Pathfinders Project. Sure to be insightful, uplifting, and entertaining, the screening features eight LGBTQ+ community leaders sharing stories centered around the theme of transformation.
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 24
Lure Fishbar
Drag brunch is a frequent fixture year round, DeSantis be damned, but it’s not every weekend you find one that pairs divas with caviar. Such is the allure of Lure Fishbar, River North’s glitzy seafood sensation that’s serving up an extra-special drag brunch that includes a full-scale show, brunch cocktails, and a drag queen meet-and-greet. The full menu is also available, which you might want to peruse if you have a hankering for sushi rolls, deluxe seafood towers, and deviled eggs topped with caviar.
Cost: Reservations start at $49 per person
Friday, June 9 - Sunday, June 11
Foster Avenue to Catalpa Avenue
Beloved queer hub Andersonville will transform into a little slice of Sweden on the weekend of June 9 for the 57th annual Midsommarfest (no, not the scary kind). Immerse yourself in Scandinavian culture by way of food and drink vendors, craft showcases, drag shows, cabaret performances, and live DJ sets on the Balmoral Pride Stage, and so much more.
Cost: No cover; additional prices vary
Tuesday, June 13
Wrigley Field
Baseball and Pride may not seem like the most obvious pairing, but the beloved Cubbies are here to show what allyship really means at the Friendly Confines. Your ticket to the annual Pride Celebration at Wrigley Field gets you entry to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a pre-game performance by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, special ballpark music curated by DJ Ca$h Era, and Pride-themed merchandise, with a portion of proceeds benefiting local LGBTQ+ organizations.
Cost: Tickets start at $48 per person
Saturday, June 17 - Sunday, June 18
North Halsted from Addison to Grace Street
The annual street fair is back in action and bigger than ever, hitting North Halsted for two days of live performances over three stages, 150 diverse vendors, arts and crafts expos, a Youth Pride Space for teens, and a Pet Pride Parade. If that wasn’t enough, Heather Smalls, Slayyyter, and Meet Me @ The Altar top the star-studded artist roster.
Cost: Admission runs $15 suggested donation per person
Friday, June 23 - Sunday, June 25
Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt
The northside is all glitter and rainbows the weekend of the 23rd, when DJs and other fabulous entertainers spread across two stages keep the crowd pumping all weekend long. Food and drink vendors and more family-friendly festivities round things out.
Cost: No cover; additional prices vary
Friday, June 23 - Saturday, June 24
Grant Park
Like a gay Lollapalooza, a power-packed lineup of artists are taking over Butler Field Grant Park in the name of Pride for two full days of fun-in-the-sun performances. Highlights include Zedd, Saweetie, Years & Years, Zara Larson, DJ Lady D, and Circuit Mom, among others.
Cost: Single-day passes start at $60 per person
Saturday, June 24
Navy Pier
A decidedly family-friendly Pride fest is touching down at scenic Navy Pier on June 24, rolling deep with a full lineup of inclusive, fun-loving events. Gear up for Storytime with Drag Queens, live shows and screenings, and the Queer at the Pier fashion and music bash.
Cost: No cover; additional prices vary
Saturday, June 24
5238 North Clark Street
Relive your Lilith Fair glory days at this al fresco Andersonville indie music fest highlighting fiercely out and proud women and nonbinary artists. Lauren Sanderson, DJ Mary Mac, Lyon & Co., Do Not Disturb, Jade The Ive, Beyond The Blonde and more will be crooning to the 21 and up crowd, alongside after parties and the accompanying Pride Family Fest.
Cost: Single-day passes run $20 per person
Sunday, June 25
Uptown
It’s back, y’all. The massive Pride Parade will be stepping out onto Montrose Avenue in Uptown at noon on Sunday, June 25, snaking its way all the way down to the corner of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park. Post up along the route and join in on the madness as colorful floats and teams of marchers representing all corners of the city show their support for the LGBTQ+ community in one of the largest Pride Parades in the nation.
Cost: No cover; additional prices vary
Sunday, June 25
The Promontory
Elevate your Pride Month agenda at this annual South Side soirée hosted by Hyde Park staple, the Promontory. The open-air gig, a popular after-party for Pride-goers, promises sets by DJ 1st Lady TayLuv and emcee Trina Tru Luv plus good vibes and even better views.
Cost: Tickets start at $5 per person
Wednesday, June 28
Chicago History Museum
Proof that Pride is more than a party, the Chicago History Museum hosts an important event for trans organizations and community leaders, with a panel and reception—with a cash-only bar—moderated by Kim L. Hunt of Pride Action Tank. Panelists are Myles Brady Davis from Equality Illinois and Bonsai Bermúdez of Youth Empowerment Performance Project.
Cost: $15 for members, $20 for non-members
Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2
The DuSable Museum
Bid Pride Month adieu at this annual South Side spectacle honoring Chicago’s amazing Black LGBTQ+ community. A host of events mark the occasion, including a leadership conference, parades, a rave, a white party, a Black Pride film screening, outdoor concerts, and so much more.
Cost: Admission prices vary