By: Lindsay Garbacik By: Lindsay Garbacik | May 31, 2022 | Culture, Lifestyle, Feature, Community,
June 2022 is here and that means Pride Month celebrations are happening absolutely everywhere in Chicago. With beautiful weather, fun events, live performers, and nonjudgemental vibes, gather your crew to check out some of Chicago’s best pride events.
See Also: The 7 Best LGBTQ Bars In Chicago
500 N Franklin St. / Website
Date: Saturday, June 25. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Check out Gene & Georgetti’s pride brunch while enjoying decadent brunch classics like crepes, steak and eggs, and tuna tartare from the renowned restaurant. Megan Murphy “Big Red” will be performing with a cabaret performance. Reservations are a must and can be made here.
Northalsted on Halsted Street from Addison Street to Grace Street / Website
Dates: Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Head to this well-known street festival to celebrate pride and enjoy live music, dancing, drag shows, games, DJs, spread across three stages and a chunk of Halsted Street. For devoted pet parents, there wil be a pet parade on Sunday at noon, where you and your pup can interact with other pet parents, show off the latest fits, and win prizes. There is a $15 recommended donation for the Chicago Pride Fest. In the past, this money was used to paint Chicago’s rainbow intersections.
Boystown / Website
Date: Sunday, June 26. Starts at 12 p.m.
Watch this classic parade as it travels through Boystown and traveling to the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park. The parade is always a lively, colorful celebration that’s just plain fun.
200 N Columbus Drive / Website
Date: Saturday, June 18. 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fairmont Chicago is partnering with the Aids Foundation to present a large, energetic drag show, Drag Me To The Fairmont, in honor of Pride Month. There will be high-energy performances from drag queens Lady Bunny and Miz Cracker. Tickets start at $45 for standing room, $75 for general seating and $125 for VIP seating with exclusive backstage access. Tickets and reservations can be purchased here.
221 N Columbus Drive / Website
Date: Sunday, June 19. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Whether you love drag shows or are looking to experience one for the first time, head to FireLake’s Drag Champagne Brunch. Chicago’s top drag queens will energetically perform to beats by DJ Skoli. Brunch offerings include a raw bar, an omelete station, and lots of mimosas. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased by calling the restaurant at (312) 477-0234.
600 E Grand Ave. / Website
Date: Saturday, June 25. All day.
Navy Pier will be lit with free pride celebrations all day on Saturday, June 25. There will be live music, a beer garden, dancing, educational programs, and performances from local LGBTQ artists. The event places a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and support of the LGBTQ community.
Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St. / Website
Dates: Thursday, June 23 - Saturday, June 25. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the show begins at 9:30 p.m.
This show is a must-do in Chicago’s pride lineup! The femme-focused variety show features high-energy dancers, singers, nightlife performers, and headlining musical artists, all set to music by a nine piece band. The show has been on hiatus for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so its return is a win for the local LGBTQ community. Tickets can be purchased here.
Grant Park / Website
Dates: Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26.
Head to Grant Park for some of the biggest performances of the summer at this fun-filled pride music festival. Saturday’s performers include the Chainsmokers, Saucy Santana, Joel Corry, Spencer Brown and Priyanka. On Sunday, Alesso headlines and other acts include Rebecca Black, Daya, J. Worra, Moore Kismet and MZ Worthy. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased here.
Photography by: Merdeces Mehling / Unsplash.com