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Celebrate Pride in Chicago

Pride Parade

A tradition for more than 50 years, the iconic Chicago Pride Parade concludes the city’s month-long Pride celebrations with a procession through the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods on the last Sunday of June each year.

From its modest beginnings, the annual Chicago Pride Parade has grown in visibility and popularity. The parade, organized by PRIDEChicago since 1974, is today one of the biggest Pride parades in the country and one of the world’s largest neighborhood parades.

Quick Tips

HYDRATE

Bring plenty of bottled water, sunscreen and a hat or other head covering, and dress lightly because parade day is usually hot and sunny.

ARRIVE EARLY

The area along N. Halsted fills in quickly, so arrive early. If you would like to avoid the crowds, it’s typically more open along Broadway, south of Belmont.

USE MASS TRANSIT

Do not drive, parking is basically non existent with street closures, and traffic will be congested. The CTA is best way to get around.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you or your organization would like to be participate in the parade, please complete an application and read the Rules & Regulations carefully.

The application process for the 2025 Chicago Pride Parade will open in March 2025. We recommend you sign-up for our email list for updates, the form is near the bottom of this page.

Thank you for wanting to be volunteer. We are very proud of our long-standing tradition of having great volunteers make the annual Chicago Pride Parade a success. 

Join us as a volunteer Parade Marshal

Sunday, June 29th, 2025. The 54th annual Chicago Pride Parade begins at 11 a.m. from Sheridan and Broadway, continues south along Broadway, then Halsted, east along Belmont to Broadway, then south to Diversey. (See Map Below)

The parade features 150 registered entries. You’ll see celebratory floats, festively-outfitted vehicles, a variety of performance groups, a marching band, and many revelers on foot. Parade participants will represent community organizations, businesses, governmental officials and individual community members, all gathered to commemorate the history and celebrate the legacy of the fight for LGBTQ rights.

Parade day is usually hot and sunny so be prepared. Wear sunscreen and bring more to reapply if necessary. Bring plenty of water. You might want a hat or other head covering, as the best parade-viewing spots are not in the shade.

Whatever you want! You’ll see people in costume, decked out in rainbows, covered in glitter, and showing plenty of skin. Just keep in mind the sun and heat, and don’t forget sunscreen.

The busiest section for parade viewing is along the Northalsted entertainment corridor (Halsted between Belmont and Addison). If you want a spot up close, you’ll want to get there early. If you don’t, you might not have the best view of the parade itself, but you’ll be surrounded by energetic revelers.

You may want to try other spots along the route for a better view of the parade. The section along Broadway from Belmont to Oakdale is a great place to settle in with your friends and watch the parade. Belmont between Halsted and Broadway is another less-crowded area. 

You won’t be able to see much from the parade assembly area north of Grace. The Sheridan and Broadway corner will be closed for staging. 

Spectator Crossover Locations

  • Addison & Halsted
  • Cornelia & Halsted
  • Buckingham & Halsted
  • Briar & Broadway
  • Wellington & Broadway

The area along Diversey has been a great spot for those with limited mobility or other physical challenges. It is one of the lessor populated areas of the route, and it is where the accessible portable restrooms are located near 600 W. Diversey. Arrive early to secure the best spot.

We welcome all media organizations and press members to the Chicago Pride Parade! If you would like to cover this event and share its importance in celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, please apply

Street parking is limited and the area will be very crowded. If you drive, consider car-pooling, and be prepared to park far away and walk to the parade route.

Public transportation offers many options. The following CTA train stops are on or near the parade route:

  • Red line: Wilson (1 mile north of the parade’s start point, if inclined you can walk back south and avoid the crowded stops), Sheridan (not fully ADA accessible), Addison, Belmont (the most crowded stop)
  • Brown line: Belmont (the most crowded stop), Wellington, Diversey (near the parade’s end point)

CTA buses may be re-routed on parade day. Visit transitchicago.com for route-planning tools and route updates.

Ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft may be an option, though keep in mind street traffic will likely be congested. Pick a drop-off location several blocks from the parade route and walk over to the parade route.

Parking is limited, and street closures will make driving right up to the route very difficult.

Public transportion is highly recommended. Visit transitchicago.com for route-planning tools and route updates.

There are a number of parking restriction, please observe all temporary parking signs. 

No Parking 2 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024

  • Broadway from Irving Park to Waveland
  • Halsted from Sheridan to Waveland
  • Broadway from Melrose to Diversey
  • Diversey Broadway to Cannon
  • Waveland from Halsted to Broadway
  • Racine from Wellington to Belmont
  • Grace from Pine Grove to Fremont
  • Wilton from Belmont to 3245 N Wilton (West Side Only)
  • Cuyler from Clarendon to Broadway (South Side Only)
  • Sheridan from Sheffield to Inner LSD
  • Clarendon from Broadway to Bittersweet
  • Clarendon from Bittersweet to Buena (West Side Only)
  • Fremont from Irving Park to Sheridan

No Parking from 2 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024

  • Lake Shore Dr. West from Cannon to Diversey
  • Cannon from Diversey to Fullerton
  • Diversey from Sheridan to Lakeshore Dr.

No Parking 2 a.m. Sunday, June 30 to 7 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2024

  • Halsted from Waveland to Wellington
  • Belmont from Broadway to Racine
  • Sheffield from School to Wellington
  • Clark from Roscoe to Halsted
  • Wellington from Sheffield to Halsted
  • Addison from Broadway to Sheffield
  • Aldine from Clark to East alley of Halsted (720-759 W Aldine)

 

There will be portable restrooms located all along the parade route. Accessible restrooms for those who are physically challenged will be set up on the sidewalks around 600 W. Diversey.

Medical Areas

  • Addison east of Halsted
  • Roscoe east of Halsted
  • Aldine east of Halsted
  • Surf west of Broadway

Cooling buses, if needed, will be available at the following locations:

  • Addison west of Halsted
  • Roscoe west of Halsted
  • Belmont east of Broadway
  • Wilton north of Belmont
  • Waveland between Broadway and Halsted
  • Belmont westbound between Halsted and Clark

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

  • Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org
  • CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
  • CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

Some might! But keep in mind that participants are not supposed to throw things out to the crowd. Likewise, spectators should never throw items at the parade participants.

There will be barriers set up along the route separating the spectator area from the street. Spectators won’t be able to run into the street to retrieve goodies. If parade participants are handing out items, they will walk over to the spectator area to do so.

Lots of people do! But keep in mind that the parade route is crowded, noisy, and full of colorful and glittery distractions. If you have a nervous pup, probably best to leave them safe at home.

Pets are not allowed in the parade.

Open alcohol containers are prohibited. Police and additional security teams will be enforcing this policy and fines can be up to $1000 dollars or more.

If you have additional questions, please contact us here.

Accessibility

PRIDEChicago is committed to making the annual parade accessible for everyone, including seniors and those with limited mobility or other physical challenges. There is a designated viewing area along Diversey (near Clark St.), which is towards the end of the parade route and typically is less crowded than other streets. It is where the accessible portable restrooms are set-up near 600 W. Diversey. Arrive early to secure the best spot.

Parade Route

The Chicago Pride Parade steps off from Sheridan and Broadway in the landmark LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Northalsted and will then travel the 2-mile parade route south on Broadway; then south on Halsted; then east on Belmont; then south on Broadway; then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive.

Parade Facts

Pride Parade Quick Facts

2024 Parade

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