The Illinois Office of Tourism recognizes the rich diversity across the state, and as Pride Month approaches, it’s developed a guide highlighting the various activities throughout the month. Illinois has significant historical and educational opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in during the month, in addition to various celebrations across the state.
The guide offers Illinois residents and visitors alike opportunities to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community throughout Pride month. Whether it is a Pride parade in Elgin or Aurora, attending the House Music Festival & Conference in Chicago, a family-friendly Pride Picnic in Galena or simply an educational activity like a stroll through the historic Northalsted Legacy Walk in Chicago, the guide to celebrate Pride in Illinois has a variety of diverse, educational and engaging opportunities to observe Pride Month.
Some of the featured activities include:
- Elgin’s First Pride Parade & Festival (June 3) is an all-ages, family-friendly event featuring a festival celebration with food, music and various vendors that will be followed by a parade in Downtown.
- Aurora Pride Parade (June 11) will host its fourth annual parade, beginning at noon Downtown and celebrating its LGBTQIA+ community and allies.
- House Music Festival & Conference (June 24)presented in conjunction with the Taste of Chicago pop-up in Humboldt Park, the House festival brings a full day of DJs to the mainstage, including DJ Roy Davis Jr., DJ Psycho-B, NoshaLuv, DJ Emmaculate, and DJ V, with more to be announced.
- Galena Pride Picnic (June 10) the third annual picnic in Grant Park, will feature a full agenda, including live music, drag queen story time, tai chi and a meet and greet with goats.
- Woodstock Pride (June 10–11) is an all-day celebration beginning with a parade and ending with a fabulous closing ceremony in Historic Woodstock Square, featuring live entertainment, vendors and food trucks. Additional events include a Rainbow Color Fun Run and Pride Pub Crawl.
- The Queer Fam Pride Jam (June 17) is an all-ages Pride event featuring a day’s worth of wellness, creativity-focused events, culminating in a family-friendly Slo ‘Mo dance party
- The Annual Quad City UNITY Pride Parade (June 17) will be held at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, featuring live music, local vendors, drag performances and burlesque. In addition, Pride Movies will be hosted at the Frigge on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays during June.
- Chicago Pride in the Park (June 23 - 24) is a two-day music fest celebrating equity, diversity, and good times in Grant Park. Portions of proceeds support The Center on Halsted and provide free entries to LGBTQ+ youth in support of celebrating their pride openly and safely.
- Chicago Pride Parade (June 25) is one of the most popular LGBTQ+ events in the Chicago region, the parade concludes month-long celebrations with a parade the last Sunday in June through Northalsted, Uptown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
There are so many ways to celebrate Pride Month across Illinois! Find out more at EnjoyIllinois.com.
