Organizers are optimistic that the Pride Parade could still happen this year – but don't expect celebrations in JuneĪccording to a recent article in Block Club Chicago, Tim Frye (co-ordinator of the city’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and festival) is hopeful the two celebrations will be held this year, but they could be pushed later into the year, late summer/early fall, to give the city more time to recover from the pandemic and ensure safe gatherings.
Tickets go on sale on April 30th, with lineup announcements coming soon. The festival has expanded this year, now two days long and featuring a new dance floor with CircuitMom. Pride In The Park returns to Grant Park in JuneĪfter a successful debut in 2019 and a hiatus in 2020, Pride In The Park is set to return to Grant Park in the last weekend of June.
Block Club Chicago reports that this year's celebrations will expand to include a Friday night addition, five outdoor stages with all-day lineups of DJs, live music, and drag performers. Market Days set to make its comeback as a 3-Day street fest in Augustįollowing Mayor Lori Lightfoot's press briefing that Chicago could be “fully open” without capacity limits by July 4 if coronavirus cases continue to decline and vaccinations continue, the Northalsted Business Alliance announced that Market Days is returning August 6th - 8th. The change in date is only a temporary measure for this non-traditional year, to ensure distance from COVID-19 and give enough time for recovery. In an interview with, the Chicago Pride Parade's founder Tim Frye announced the plan to move the celebrations to Sunday, October 3rd as a kick-off to LGBTQ+ Pride History Month. Stay tuned for lineup announcements and festival details.Ĭhicago Pride Parade set to be moved to October 2021 The two-day event will take place October 1st-2nd, leading up to the rescheduled Chicago Pride Parade on October 3rd. The festivities could still return next year, tentatively scheduled for June 26, 2022.Ĭhicago Pride Fest will return in October, the same weekend as the Pride ParadeĬhicago Pride Fest organizers confirmed to that the first weekend of October will mark the official return of the 20th annual festival. While the Parade was initially pushed back to early October, organizer Tim Frye announced the cancellation due to COVID-19 safety concerns and rising case numbers. We hate to say it, but Block Club Chicago reports that the Chicago Pride Parade has been canceled for the second year in a row.
Headliners for Pride Fest include Mya, Shangela, Vincint, Crystal waters, and many more! Check out the full lineup here.Ĭhicago Pride Parade canceled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 concerns Northalsted Business Alliance posted that they would be following the same precautions as Market Days from August (attendees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated or wear a mask, indoor establishments will require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test for entry) and have received a sign off on their COVID protocols from Howard Brown Health. Pride Fest is officially moving forward with their rescheduled dates from October 1st-3rd, extending the festivities into Sunday, October 3rd in light of the canceled Pride Parade. Pride Fest announces artist lineup, extends festivities to 3 days Thanks for your continued support and the support of our community!
We have seen some of our favorite venues, bars, and restaurants reopen with reduced capacity while others have permanently closed their doors.Īs vaccination centers expand throughout the city and safety guidelines stay up to date, we are looking forward to the return of Pride celebrations in Chicago while continue working hard to keep our city and its beautiful residents safe.Ĭheck out Gay Do312's Archive to discover what's new in LGBTQ+ Chicago – reopened bars, live shows, activism & resources, and more.
Through it all, Chicago's LGBTQ+ community has shown great resilience and growth – from adapting our arts and entertainment to the new digital medium to organizing rallies in the streets of Northalsted and fundraising for local organizations. This past year has been a whirlwind of changes in the way we live our lives and experience our city.