Chicago Gay Pride gets bigger and bigger every year! This year on Saturday June 28th,  from 11am  – 9pm, the streets are closed on Halsted and Waveland for a day long of entertainment.

 Hosted by (and benefiting) the Northalsted Area Merchants Association — the same group behind the wildly popular Northalsted Market Days (set for the weekend of August 9-10) — this equally crowd-pleasing gay and lesbian celebration of community pride will be back bigger than ever in its 6th year!

Pride Fest showcases an eclectic lineup of arts & crafts, food and other vendors. It also features entertainment on two stages including one dedicated to some of Chicago’s fine performers in the gay community.



At the Main Stage…..

1:00 PM  kicks off with a  Pet parade (register at noon)

Big name performers  this year include ;

2:30 PM – Kimberly Locke       3:30 PM – Frenchie Davis

5:30 PM – Inaya Day              6:45 PM – Martha Wash        7:30 PM – Tiffany


FOR A COMPLETE LINEUP OF EVERYTHING, VIEW INFORMATION AT THEIR MAIN SITE!



Then get some rest, because Sunday June 29th, the 39th annual Pride Parade steps off at noon.

The parade is usually a couple hours and attendance is close to 500,000.  If crowds are too much for you, some of the bigger bars broadcast the parade into their establishments via camera’s on the streets, so you can remain a little cooler and sip on beverages.

If you want a front row seat, get there early.
I have seen some people claiming their spots 6-8 hours in  advance!


Parking is LIMITED!

Plan on walking, cabbing, use the CTA,  biking….whatever.


Complete parade lineup is available online.






The Best of Gay Chicago  and the  New Gay Travel Guide