Chicago is gearing up for an exciting Pride Month packed with over 75 events, offering a vibrant array of activities for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
The Windy City Times has released a comprehensive calendar, highlighting everything from the iconic Chicago Pride Parade to local festivals, dance parties, art exhibitions, and much more.
Among the highlights is the Chicago Pride Fest, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, where North Halsted Street will be transformed into a hub of celebration from Addison to Grace. Headliners for this year include notable artists like Jesse McCartney, Chrissy Chlapecka, and Deborah Cox. A suggested donation of $20 is requested for entry.
Additionally, the Chicago Pride Parade, scheduled for June 29 at 11 a.m., embraces the theme of “United in Pride.” This year, the parade will feature TaskForce Prevention & Community Services leading the procession in Lake View.
Social events are also a focal point during Pride Month. The Trans Ice Cream Social on June 16 provides a welcoming atmosphere at the Center on Halsted, with free tickets available through RSVP.
Another popular gathering is the Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day on Saturday, which expects to see even more attendees than last year’s inaugural event, which drew more than 400 people.
On the nightlife front, Circuitmom & Dreambrite will present a party at House of Blues Chicago on Saturday starting at 9 p.m., with tickets beginning at $68.50.
Eden Chicago is throwing a Pride Fest Party on both Saturday and Sunday, charging $20 for entry, while the Lesbian Social Club is hosting its Pride Fest Takeover at D.S. Tequila, with tickets priced at $22.26 for a 10-hour event filled with music and community joy.
The annual Pride Mini-Ball takes place on June 25 from 5-9 p.m., where TaskForce Prevention and Community Services celebrates the LGBTQ+ nonprofit’s connection to ballroom culture.
Super Sapphic will take place on June 27 at 9 p.m., gathering several lesbian party groups for an lively event at Metro and Smartbar. Tickets are available for $31.
Sunday marks Pride in the Sky, a nighttime event at the Promontory starting at 10 p.m., with tickets starting at $7.97. The Chicago Urban Pride Gay Pride Picnic, also on June 29 from noon to 8 p.m., provides a free gathering opportunity in Jackson Park for those wishing to celebrate together.
An after-party hosted by the Lesbian Social Club is scheduled for the same day at Moe’s Cantina in Wrigleyville, providing a festive conclusion to the parade with tickets available for $22.26.
The performing arts scene will also see a boost, starting with the Invictus Theatre Company’s presentation of Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, available now through September 7, with ticket prices beginning at $35.
For music lovers, Out and Proud: A Rainbow Icon Celebration returns on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., where Melissa Young and Nick Sula will perform songs by renowned LGBTQ+ artists at the Den Theatre, with tickets costing $26.
Additionally, Chicago Playback Theater invites audiences to experience Amplify Queer Joy on June 23 from 7-8:30 p.m., where community stories of queer joy will be shared. The performance at the Center on Halsted has tickets priced starting at $12.51.
OM Mission runs from June 20-28 at the Den Theatre and pays tribute to Black lesbians through a dynamic show that examines the historical contributions of lesbian blues artists in the early 20th century. Tickets for this show cost $45, although a sliding scale option is available.
Family-friendly events are an essential part of the celebrations this month. The Orgullo y Allegria Family Festival is set for Saturday from 1-4 p.m. and is a free event aimed at celebrating diversity and creativity at 1653 W. 35th St.
The Far Northwest Side Family Pride celebration takes place Sunday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the Color Club, where families can enjoy sweet treats, activities for kids, and live music.
Another inclusive gathering is the OUT and About at the Lake: TGNC Family Beach Day on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at Hollywood Beach, hosted by Trans Up Front Illinois to foster a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
On June 25, the Lozano Library Branch will host Hora del Cuento de Drag, a bilingual drag story time featuring songs and books in English and Spanish from 11 a.m. to noon, with free admission.
A youth-led sexual health and HIV workshop will occur on June 26 from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Lincoln Belmont library branch, offering valuable information and resources at no cost.
The Queer Prom’s GAGA GALA celebration on June 27 from 6-11 p.m. is specifically for LGBTQ+ youth aged 25 and under and will take place at the National Museum of Mexican Art, with attendance free of charge.
Navy Pier Pride returns on June 28 and will feature live music, LGBTQ+ art, and educational programming from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This event is free to all attendees.
For those seeking a calmer atmosphere, Sensory-Friendly Pride will take place on June 28 from 3-5 p.m. at Third Space in Lake View Presbyterian Church, providing a peaceful environment for celebration.
On June 29, Pride! In Unity Park will host its first annual Pride event from 12:30-2:30 p.m., featuring chalk art, DIY Pride kites, and a mini-parade, all at no charge for families.
Gallagher Way will host a Family Pride Day on the same day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., inviting families to enjoy live music, photo opportunities, games, and more at 3635 N. Clark St.
Finally, the Jarvis Square Family Pride celebration returns on June 29 from 2-9 p.m. at R Public House, with activities and live music for attendees of all ages.
Educational events throughout the month are also plentiful.
On Friday, a Queer Elder History Panel at Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave. will encourage intergenerational dialogue about queerness, with tickets priced at $19.76.
Moreover, Chicago LGBTQ+ Stories Tours will be led by Mike McMains of Tours With Mike on Saturday from 10-11 a.m., providing insight into the city’s rich LGBTQ+ history. Tickets are available for $25, with a discount for members of the Chicago History Museum.
The American Writing Museum will hold Writing Queer Tours on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout June, showcasing works by LGBTQ+ writers, with tickets priced at $18.91.
For sports enthusiasts, White Sox Pride at the Park offers a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m., with prices for tickets varying.
On June 24, Read & Run Chicago will host a running tour inspired by Valerie Taylor’s novel “The Girls in 3-B” that will explore significant queer locations in Chicago history. The tour begins and ends at Vuori and costs $17.85.
The Proud to Run Pride Race is another highlight happening on June 28 at 8 a.m., featuring both a 5K walk and run along with a 10K run, with ticket prices ranging from $50 to $65. This event will raise funds for various LGBTQ+ organizations in Chicago.
Art lovers have much to explore as well, with exhibitions such as “Dulce Sueño,” presented by artist José Felix Rosa Castro at El Schomburg in Humboldt Park, running now through July 19 on an appointment-only basis.
The Field Museum is hosting Connecting Threads—Africa Fashion in Chicago until June 29, displaying collections inspired by the museum’s artifacts, including items celebrating LGBTQ+ themes.
From June 15 to July 13, visitors can delve into Frida Kahlo’s Month in Paris at the Art Institute of Chicago, highlighting her friendship with bookbinder and artist Mary Reynolds for a ticket price of $20 for Chicago residents, or attend for free on Thursday evenings.
The exhibit The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869-1939 is also running through July at Wrightwood 659, with a focus on the evolution of gay identity over time. Tickets for this exhibit are $15.
Lastly, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago features a mural installation titled The Free Clinic For Gender-Affirming Care by artist Edie Fake, available for viewing now through March 29, 2026, with general admission priced at $19, and free for Illinois residents on designated Tuesdays.
With an incredible lineup of events, Chicago is set to celebrate Pride Month in a big way, inviting everyone to partake in joy, unity, and community connection.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/lgbtq/2025/guide-pride-month-events-chicago-parade-drag-theater-concerts-sports-family
