How to celebrate Pride Month 2023 in Chicago

Get ready, Chicago Pride Month is here and (very) queer! There are plenty of ways to celebrate this year, including Pride Nights, drag storytime, music festivals, sporting events, the annual Pride Parade, and more! Check out the list below for LGBTQIA+ things to do in Chicago all month long!

Pride festivals, parties, and parades

Pride Chicago,
©Adam Alexander Photography

Andersonville Midsommarfest (June 9 – 11)
Andersonville Midsommarfest honors Andersonville’s Swedish roots and diverse LGBTQIA+ community. Dive into an array of international food, live entertainment on the Pride Stage, local artisans and vendors, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Chicago Pride Fest (June 17 – 18)
Chicago Pride Fest is a joyous two-day street festival in the historic Northalsted neighborhood, attracting more than 60,000 attendees who gather to celebrate LGBTQIA+ life, community, and culture. This year’s fest features live music by popular artists, a Youth Pride Space for teens, Proud Pet Parade, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, a high heel race, 150+ food and merchandise vendors, drag performance, and more!

Pride North in Roger’s Park (June 23 – 25)
Get ready to dance in the streets all weekend long at Chicago’s largest northside neighborhood dance party, Pride North in Rogers Park, featuring DJs and live entertainment across two stages. The party is located on Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt, just off the Morse Red Line stop.

Pride in the Park Music Festival (June 23 – 25)
Located in Grant Park, the annual Pride in the Park music fest is back! This outdoor gathering features LGBTQIA+ performers, artists, local vendors, and more. Performers this year include Zedd, Saweetie, Zara Larsson, Circuit Mom, and more. Get your Pride in the Park tickets today.

Chicago Pride Parade (June 25)
In 1970, the first Pride Parade in Chicago had approximately 200 spectators. More than 50 years later, the parade brings more than one million people to the heart of the historic Northalsted neighborhood. This year’s Chicago Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 25, with a four-mile procession through Northalsted, Uptown, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park, starting at 12 p.m. from Broadway and Montrose.

Pride South Side (July 1)
Pride South Side celebrates Black and brown folks living in their truth. Head on over to the 5th annual Pride South Side at the DuSable Black History Museum and enjoy a day of music, dancing, vendors, and more.

Museum nights and special events

Navy Pier fireworks

Pride Night at the Shedd Aquarium (June 1)
Pride Night at the Shedd kicks off Pride Month at the lakefront Shedd Aquarium. Explore over 32,000 aquatic animals, enjoy multiple DJs, and experience an ocean-themed drag showcase. 

Chicago Fire FC vs. Columbus Crew Pride Night (June 10)
Be there as Chicago Fire celebrates their annual Pride Night at Soldier Field against Columbus Crew SC including special events, a flag giveaway, and activities planned to celebrate and recognize the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community to soccer and beyond. 

Queer Prom: A Starry Night (June 10)
What’s better than prom? Queer Prom at Center on Halsted. This event will be a night of music, dancing, live performances, and a raffle and auction with all proceeds going to support the Center on Halsted. Chicago’s own and highly acclaimed, DJ Ca$h Era will be keeping attendees dancing all night long.

Get Lit: Pride Night (June 13)
American Writer’s Museum hosts Get Lit, a fabulous event to honor the brilliant LGBTQIA+ writers throughout history. Get Lit includes drag storytime, a themed scavenger hunt, and even a Pride Parade throughout the museum. Enjoy the signature cocktail of the evening, This Drink Is Gay, inspired by the book This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson. Funds raised will go towards the AWM’s Write In Youth Education Program that serves students from under-resourced schools. 

Chicago Cubs Pride Night in Wrigleyville (June 13)
Lez play ball! Pride Night at the Wrigley Field honors Chicago’s local LGBTQIA+ community with a party at the ballpark. The Pride Day special ticket offer includes special entertainment, festive fan activities, a ticket to the Cubs-Pirates game, as well as a special-edition rainbow Cubs jersey. 

Navy Pier Pride (June 24)
Head to the waterfront for a day-long LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration at Navy Pier. This free, full-day event includes storytelling, dance, live music, educational programs, performances from local LGBTQIA+ artists, and more.

Arts, theatre, and more

Patric McCoy: Take My Picture at Wrightwood 659
Take My Picture documents 1980s Black gay Chicago with 50 black-and-white and color photographs. An ode to many of those who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, this exhibit at Wrightwood 659 in Lincoln Park is a must-see.

Tango at PrideArts Center
Directed by Carol Ann Tan, Tango tells the story of an elderly waitress in Singapore refusing to serve a same-sex couple and their adoptive son due to her religious beliefs. A video of the interaction is leaked erupting in heated debates and rallies across the country. The show is playing until June 10.

Migrant and Queer Metamorphosis in Chicago Through Zines (June 21)
This bilingual workshop celebrates migrant and queer experiences in Chicago through zine-making. Join members of the Marimacha Monarca Press at the Chicago Public Library in Little Village and tell your queer story. Supplies are provided. 

LGBTQ+ neighborhoods, attractions, and beyond

Photo by Susanne Fairfax

Explore Northalsted and Andersonville
Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood, the first official gayborhood in the U.S., is a treasure trove of LGBTQ+ hot spots. Duck into local boutiques, dig through funky vintage shops, dance with drag queens, and enjoy weekend brunch on a sunny patio. And don’t miss the Legacy Walk in Northalsted, an outdoor LGBTQIA+ museum commemorating the life and work of notable lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender heroes.

Next, Andersonville aka Girlstown is an inclusive neighborhood home to great restaurants, specialty shops, and more. Stop at Women & Children First, Chicago’s feminist and queer-owned bookstore. For thrifted treasures, head to Brown Elephant, where all proceeds help fund LGBTQ+ healthcare. Don’t forget drinks at Nobody’s Darling, a Black queer women-owned specialty cocktail bar.

Shop local LGBTQ+ businesses
Pride is a great reminder to support your favorite local businesses, and Chicago is full of great LGBTQ-owned spots. Grab a bite on the patio at Big Chicks, go for drag brunch at Lark, shop the latest from local makers at Humboldt House, browse for great reads at LGBTQIA+ bookstore, Unabridged Bookstore, and stock up on sweets at trans-owned bakery, Jennivee’s Bakery. Explore more LGBTQ-owned Chicago businesses and hear from some of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ small business owners.

See LGBTQ+ landmarks
Chicago is a city known for its rich LGBTQIA+ history — including being home to the founder of the first known gay rights organization. Explore tours and attractions dedicated to the city’s LGBTQIA+ legacy, like the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives and the Leather Archives.

Give back to local LGBTQ+ organizations
Whether you’re donating time or money, Pride Month is a great time to give back. Center on Halsted in Lakeview is a community center dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community. Programs include everything from cooking and dance lessons to HIV testing and group therapy.

Another great organization to support is Brave Space Alliance. Located in Hyde Park, Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQIA+ center. Their mission is to provide affirming resources, programming, and services for LGBTQIA+ individuals on the South and West sides of Chicago.

Other great Chicago-based organizations include Howard Brown Health, LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Coalition of Chicago, and Chicago House.

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