Parades, Rainbow Cake, and Queer Art: Pride Month in Chicago Is More Fun Than Ever
Here’s how to celebrate and party this Pride Month in Chicago.
June is in full bloom, which, for eager Chicagoans, means rooftop bar crawls, lazy beach days, farmers markets, and road trips for nature and campgrounds. Most importantly, though, June beckons the start of the holigays, and for many, Pride Month in Chicago is far merrier than the actual holidays. Swapping sleigh bells and gingerbread for feather boas and frosé, ‘tis the season for loud-and-proud festivals, parties, and rainbow-colored menu specials aplenty.
Perhaps more so than ever before, Pride feels pivotal this year, during a particularly dire election year and an endless onslaught of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation that continues to sweep the country. Illinois may not be as targeted as, say, Florida, but it’s never been more important to celebrate love and inclusion. Fortunately, Chicago continues to be a bright light during dark times, and this year’s slate of Pride Month programming is gayer than ever, from ball games and block parties to one of the biggest Pride parades in the nation. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most bang for your Pride Month buck in Chicago this summer.
Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 9
PrideArts Center, $17
Kick off Pride Month with a days-long art show and makers market, courtesy of the community-oriented Pride Arts Center. This year, the Uptown cornerstone hosts its Urban Queer Art Show & Market, featuring a family-friendly spree of performances and ephemera, including art and handmade items all produced by local queer artists.
Friday, June 7–Sunday, June 9
Clark Street from Foster Avenue to Gregory Street, $10
Beloved queer hub Andersonville will transform into a little slice of Sweden on the weekend of June 7 for the 58th 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. New this year: Printed Curiosities is curating a vendor booth stocked with up-and-coming LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artists, like Claudettes Crafts and The Daydreamers Shop.
Saturday, June 22–Sunday, June 23
North Halsted, from Addison to Grace Street, $15 suggested
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, an ABBA tribute party, and a Pet Pride Parade. If that wasn’t enough, Natasha Beddingfield, Amber Riley, and Jo Jo Siwa top the star-studded artist roster.
Monday, June 27
Wrigley Field, $40 and up
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 San Francisco Giants, special pre-game entertainment, festive activities, and Pride-themed merchandise, like a special-edition Pride jersey, with a portion of proceeds benefiting local LGBTQ+ organizations.
Thursday, June 27
Fulton Market, Prices vary
Aba is teaming up with some of its Fulton Market neighbors for Pride Power Hour, running June 24–30, with specials at select restaurants on select dates. These include Alla Vita on June 24, Beatrix on June 25, BLVD on June 26, and Aba on June 27, with two to three cocktail and wine options per stop. At each, from 5–7 pm, a portion of sales are donated to Brave Space Alliance.
Friday, June 28–Sunday, June 30
Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt, $10 suggested
The northside is all glitter and rainbows the weekend of the 28th, 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.
Friday, June 28–Sunday, June 30
5238 North Clark Street, $39.21 and up
Relive your Lilith Fair glory days at this al fresco Andersonville indie music fest highlighting fiercely out and proud women and nonbinary artists. Leisha Hailey & Kate Moenning, Too Much Molly, Olivia & The Lovers, DJ Cas$Era, G Flip, Siena Liggings, and more will be crooning to the 21 and up crowd, alongside after parties.
Saturday, June 29
Navy Pier, Free
A decidedly family-friendly Pride fest is touching down at scenic Navy Pier on June 29th, rolling deep with a full lineup of inclusive, fun-loving events. Gear up for live shows, educational programming, The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, The Lakeside Pride Marching Band, tunes by Ariana DJ, and more.
Sunday, June 30
Uptown, Free
It’s back, y’all. The massive Pride Parade will be stepping out onto Sheridan and Broadway in Uptown at 11am on Sunday, June 30th, 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.
Sunday, June 30
The Promontory, $20
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 DJs Darryl Garcon and 1st Lady TayLuv, with emcee Trina Tru Luv, plus good vibes and even better views.
All June long
LondonHouse Chicago, $14
Remember: Calories from cake don’t count when it goes to a good cause. And you ain’t never seen a rainbow cake like the one being served at LondonHouse Chicago this year. All month long, the glitzy Mag Mile hotel is serving a Love is Love dessert special—a stunner of a rainbow cake on a sugar cookie base, enrobed with white chocolate mousse, and striated with flavors of apricot, strawberry, and raspberry. The best part? A portion of proceeds from every order are donated to the Center on Halsted, working to foster inclusivity, education, and resources for the LGBTQIA+ community.
All June long
Venteux, $10
Cocktails come in a literal rainbow of colors at Venteux. All month, the downtown French brasserie has a featured rainbow-themed menu of drinks, with a portion of proceeds from every beverage going towards local LGBTQIA+ organizations like Brave Space Alliance, Lighthouse Foundation, and the Center on Halsted. It’s an added bonus that the entire menu sounds downright delicious: The Blueberry Matcha contains blueberry syrup, blue matcha, and your choice of milk, while the Pistachio Matcha goes green with pistachio syrup and matcha powder, and the Iced Strawberry Matcha combines a summery strawberry syrup with matcha powder, lemon, and sparkling water.
Saturday, July 6
The DuSable Museum, Free
Bid Pride Month adieu at this annual South Side spectacle honoring Chicago’s amazing Black LGBTQIA+ community. A host of events mark the occasion, including two stages, parades, a rave, a white party, a Black Pride film screening, outdoor concerts, and so much more.