What You Need To Know About Pride 2025 In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — Pride Month is well underway in Chicago and anticipation is growing for this year's Chicago Pride celebrations.

This year, the LGBTQ+ community will be celebrated with a weekend street festival and the iconic parade.

Chicago Pride Fest will take place from June 21 to 22 in the Northalsted neighborhood and is a vibrant celebration of life, culture and community. It will be located on Halsted Street between Addison + Grace from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Each day will feature live music on three stages, including headliners Jesse McCartney, Deborah Cox, Aluna, Confidence Man and The Aces. Chicago's finest drag artists, dance exhibitions, guest speakers will also take the stage.

Food, drinks and more than 150 art, merchandise and service vendors will populate the area for festival goers to enjoy.

“We are thrilled to come together to celebrate community and uplift each other in the struggle for equality and human rights,” said Mark Liberson, Northalsted Business Alliance Vice-President and Festival Committee Chairperson. “Despite decades of progress, the need for Pride has not lessened, as prejudice-rooted legislation, demonization of our community, and lethal violence, especially against our transgender and BIPOC community members, are on the rise.”

There is a $20 suggested donation for entry to the festival to help pay performers and festival workers. The donations also help support local non-profits and community programs, such as the landmark status Chicago Pride Crosswalks.

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The theme for the 54th annual Pride Parade is "United in Pride," and will take place on Sunday, June 29. It will kick off at 11 a.m. starting from Sheridan and Broadway and march though Chicago's landmark LGBTQ+ Northalsted neighborhood.

PRIDEChicago, the all-volunteer organization behind the city's event,said this year's parade theme is meant to reflect the powerful spirit of unity, resilience and love. Organizers hope "United in Pride" can be a call to action for people to come together, embrace diversity and continue the fight for equality.

“For over 50 years, the Chicago Pride Parade has remained a powerful platform for visibility, advocacy, and celebration,” said parade co-coordinator Tim Frye. “In 2025, we celebrate not just how far we’ve come, but in the face of growing challenges, the strength we have when we stand together."

The Chicago Pride Parade was founded in 1970 as the Gay Liberation March to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Chicago's parade has grown into one of the nation's largest and most celebrated Pride events, drawing up to 1 million people annually.

Parade goers looking to use public transit to get to the celebration can access the parade from the Brown and Red Lines. The Chicago Transit Authority encouraged people to avoid crowds at stations closer to the Halsted portions of the Parade.

Also consider approaching from the east via lakefront bus routes, including the #146 and #151. For more information about taking public transit to Chicago Pride, visit the CTA website.