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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.

The parade is about celebrating love, embracing unity, and reflecting on progress.

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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.

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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.

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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

The annual Chicago Pride Parade takes place the last Sunday in June at 11 a.m.

The Chicago Pride Parade steps off 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 Chicago Pride 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 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.

The busiest section for parade viewing is along the Northalsted entertainment corridor (Halsted between Belmont and Addison). Arrive early if you want a spot up close.

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. 

The corner of Sheridan and Broadway will be closed for staging. Parade viewing begins at Grace and Broadway.

The area along Diversey (near Clark) is one of the lessor populated areas of the parade route. Arrive early to secure the best spot.

The accessible viewing area and accessible portable restrooms are located near 600 W. Diversey.

There will be portable restrooms located all along the parade route. Accessible restrooms 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

Spectator Crossover Locations

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

Parade day is usually hot and sunny so be prepared. Wear sunscreen and bring more to reapply if necessary.

Bring plenty of water and snacks you can eat while walking, such as granola or energy bars.

You might want a hat or other head covering, as the best parade-viewing spots are not in the shade.

Remember your wallet with ID and cash for emergency purchases.

And, don’t forget to fully charge your phone for both communication and taking photos and selfies.

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.

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.

Participation in the Chicago Pride Parade is by application only. 

The registration process typically begins in March each year. Sign-up for our email list to receive updates.

You can help make the annual Chicago Pride Parade a success.

Sign-up on our volunteers page.

For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please visit our sponsors page.

For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please visit our sponsors page.

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)

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.

The Parade is a free public event, open to all. No tickets needed!

Some might! But keep in mind that participants are not allowed 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 should never 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.

Some 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.

The City of Chicago through 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

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 at 11 a.m. 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

By the Numbers

2024 Parade

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Entries
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Participants

Pride in Chicago

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