From parades to drag shows, family events to music festivals, there’s always something happening in and around Chicago for LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Don’t miss these arts and music-centric events!
Shedd Pride Night
Thursday, June 1, 6:00 pm
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $14.95 – $39.95, 21+
Sharks, snacks, and an ocean-themed drag show await during this one-night only event. The Shedd Pride Night includes two DJs, ocean-themed drag, and entrance to aquarium exhibits. Link
Milwaukee PrideFest
Thursday, June 1 through Saturday, June 3rd
Summerfest Grounds
200 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI
Tickets: $15 – $50
Enjoy Summerfest Grounds in nearby Milwaukee with Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ festival! The three-day event features vendors, five stages of performing artists, food, drag shows, and more. Link
Pride Month Film Screenings at the Logan Theatre
Friday, June 2 through Monday, June 26
The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $9 – $15
All month long, the Logan Theatre will feature iconic movie selections highlighting LGBTQ+ stories including Tangerine, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything!, and Paris is Burning. For a full list of movie screenings, visit the Logan Theatre website.
Highwood Pride Fest
Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3
Various locations in Highwood, IL
Tickets: from $20
Kick off Pride month in Highwood with a few different events. Attend the Rainbow Pub Crawl on Friday, or check out the Radiant Rebellion Drag Show on Saturday. Be sure to stick around after Saturday’s drag show for an after drag dance party with DJ Versage.
Link
Drag Story Time at Chicago Public Library
Sunday, June 4 through Wednesday, June 21
Various CPL locations
Tickets: free, reservation required
Join local drag artists in various Chicago Public libraries for special Pride Month story times. This event is recommended for children up to 5 and their guardians. For information on all Drag Story Time events happening throughout the month, check out the full list of Chicago library pride events here.
Queering Culture featuring Matt Baume
Wednesday, June 7, 6:00 pm
Harold Washington Public Library
400 S State St, Chicago, IL
Tickets: Free, reservation required, recommended 13+
Award-winning journalist Matt Simonette welcomes writer, podcast host, and video maker Matt Baume for an in-depth chat regarding his recent book Hi Honey, I’m Homo!. The book delves into queer characters found throughout some of the 20th century’s most popular sitcoms. Link
Queer Prom: A Starry Night
Saturday, June 10, 7:00 pm
Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $50, 21+
Relive (or reclaim) your prom night in style with this queer fundraiser! Don your finest attire and enjoy a night of dancing, drag, live performances, raffles and even a silent auction. All proceeds from the event go to support the Center on Halsted: a space that provides an array of vital services for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. Link
The Art of Pride
Saturday, June 11, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Hyde Park Art Center
5020 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL
Tickets: Free, RSVP suggested
Enjoy an outdoor Pride Event filled with vendors, performers, artists and interactive activities. From art making with Marimacha Monarca Press, to DJ sets, and performances curated by Artist Run Chicago space, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Link
DePaul Community Chorus presents: Music for PRIDE!
Sunday June 11, 3:00 pm
Holtschneider Performance Center, Gannon Concert Hall
2330 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Tickets: free, reservation strongly encouraged
A salute to LGBTQ+ composers throughout the ages! This concert features the DePaul Community Chorus performing works by Tchaikovsky, Copland, Dame Ethel Smyth, and more. Link
Family Pride Art Workshop
Sunday, June 11, 2:00 pm
Old Town School of Folk Music Lincoln Square Campus (West)
4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $20 for members, $25 for non-members
Kids from 2 to 10 years old and their families are invited to join artist Erin English for a Pride-themed art workshop! Kids will work on creating a piece of art that tells the story of their family. Link
A Night Full of Stars: A WCPA Pride Concert
Saturday, June 17, 7:00 pm
Holtschneider Performance Center, Gannon Concert Hall
2330 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Tickets: Pay what you can, suggested donation of $25
Windy City Performing Arts is a non-profit group that aims to inspire change and honor diversity within the LGBTQ+ community through the arts. The organization’s June 17 showcase will include a bevy of performing groups, from solo singers to large groups, singing a vast medley of hits with proceeds raising money for WCPA expenses: from rehearsal spaces to sheet music and more. Link
Chicago Pride Fest – June 17th and 18th
Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18
Running on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace St
Tickets: $15 suggested donation
In the weekend prior to Chicago’s official Pride Parade, start your celebrations early by checking out the Chicago Pride Fest! Entertainment includes DJs, drag performers, live bands, and even a pet pride parade. Please note that this festival goes on rain or shine! Link
Pride in the Park
Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, all day
Grant Park
Chicago, IL
Tickets: from $50
The annual Chicago outdoor music festival featuring a plethora of LGBTQ+ performers, artists, and vendors! This year, Pride in the Park will be bringing some of the most popular electronic, pop, and rap performers of today, including Zedd, Saweetie, Years and Years, and more. Link
Navy Pier Pride 2023
Saturday, June 24
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Tickets: free
Attend one of Chicago’s biggest pride celebrations for free! The schedule is TBA, but we expect highlights from the daylong celebration will include live music from local artists! Link
Chicago Pride Backlot Bash
Saturday, June 24, starting 12:00 pm
5238 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $20, 21+
This Chicago Pride celebration is especially dedicated to women! Enjoy performances by LGBTQ+ women from around Chicago and beyond. Link
Sounds of Pride
Saturday, June 24, 6:00 pm
The Wagner & Zeng Residence
1312 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $15 – $300
The Chicago Fringe Opera and The Voice Lab join forces to celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ folks in the arts! Tickets get you access to the pride party, specialty cocktails, light appetizers, and a performance by members of the Chicago LGBTQ+ community that includes new music by composer Lucas Van Linden. All proceeds benefit the Chicago Fringe Opera and a new scholarship set up by The Voice Lab. Link
CGMC 40th Anniversary Celebration Boat Cruise
Saturday, June 24, 8:00 pm
Boarding from the Riverwalk dock
112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL
Tickets: from $75
The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 40 years with a public cruise! The night will include an open bar, catering from Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, guest speakers, live music, and even a fireworks show! https://www.cgmc.org/40-2/
The Midnight Special: United in Pride
Saturday, June 24, 9:00 pm to midnight
98.7 FM, wfmt.com, or the WFMT app
Partake in music and storytelling from the comfort of your own home. Join WFMT’s Marilyn Rea Beyer on a Midnight Special in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Link
Chicago Pride Parade
Sunday, June 25, starting 12:00 pm
Starts at Montrose and Broadway in Uptown
Tickets: free
Chicago’s pride parade is one of the city’s best-attended public events, with over one million people attending. Scan the parade route ahead of time and be sure to pick your viewing spot early for the best results. And keep an eye out for some familiar faces — hosts and staff from WFMT and our sister station WTTW will be walking in the parade! Link
