CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — More than 100,000 people are expected to celebrate Pride in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood this upcoming weekend for one of the city’s most iconic summer events: the Chicago Pride Parade.
The 53rd edition of the Chicago Pride Parade will close out Pride Month.
Below, we’ve rounded up the essential information you’ll need to know if you’re planning to attend the celebration, including: how to get around on event day, when and where the Pride parade will take place as well as the best viewing spots.
Chicago Pride Parade
What to expect at the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade
The 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade is one of the summer’s marquee events in the city, and it brings tens of thousands of people to the North Side to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and the community. Each year, the parade draws performers, marching bands, politicians and more — all in a sea of rainbow-clad, glittering Chicagoans.
When is the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade?
The 2024 Chicago Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 30. This year’s parade will start at 11 a.m., which is one hour earlier than it started in years’ past.
Where will the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade take place?
Although the Chicago Pride Parade traditionally starts in the Uptown neighborhood, this year’s parade will step off at the intersection of West Sheridan Road and Broadway, located just south of Irving Park Road. The 20-block parade will then march:
-From the staging area, it will march south along Halsted Street.
-From Halsted Street, it will turn east onto Belmont Avenue.
-From Belmont Avenue, it will turn south onto Broadway.
-From Broadway, it will turn east onto Diversey Parkway all the way to Cannon Drive.
Will the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade be smaller than previous years?
The parade itself will be smaller than in years’ past. The city of Chicago said that, due to safety concerns, the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade will have 150 entrants, down from 200 in 2023.
Who are the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade grand marshals?
Celebrity comedian Fortune Feimster and her wife Jax Smith were named as grand marshals of the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade earlier this year. The couple met at Chicago Pride in 2015 and were married five years later.
When and where will streets be closed for the Chicago Pride Parade?
City officials haven’t yet released a detailed street closure plan for the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade. If their plan is anything like it was in 2023, though, Chicagoans should expect closures along the route as early as 7 a.m. at staging areas and 8:30 a.m. along the parade route.
Will parking be restricted for the Chicago Pride Parade?
Parade organizers have said street closures will begin at 2 a.m. on June 30 and encouraged everyone to pay attention to temporary parking signs, as there will be dozens of parking restrictions in place for the parade. Find a full list of parking restrictions here.
Where can I cross the street during the Chicago Pride Parade?
Chicago Pride Parade spectators will have five crossover locations along the parade route. They are:
-Addison and Halsted Streets
-Cornelia Avenue and Halsted Street
-Buckingham Place and Halsted Street
-Briar Place and Broadway
-Wellington Avenue and Broadway
What are the best viewing spots at the Chicago Pride Parade?
The busiest stretch of the parade is along Halsted Street between Addison Street and Belmont Avenue, but getting in position for a good view here probably will require arriving very early. The section of Broadway between Belmont and Oakdale Avenues is another great option. There’s really only one place to avoid, and that’s the area north of the Sheridan Road staging area.
Can I bring alcohol to the Chicago Pride Parade?
Parade organizers say open alcohol containers are prohibited, and the Chicago Police Department will be enforcing the policy. Fines for carrying open alcohol containers can exceed $1,000.
Will the CTA run normally during the Chicago Pride Parade?
Given the large number of parking restrictions and street closures, the Chicago Transit Authority Red and Brown Lines will likely be the best option for those traveling into Lake View for the parade. Authorities and parade organizers recommended avoiding getting on or off at Belmont Station, as it’s the busiest on parade day. The following stops were recommended instead:
CTA Red Line
-Wilson Station (north of the parade route)
-Sheridan Station (not fully accessible)
-Addison Station (west of the parade route)
CTA Brown Line
-Wellington Station (west of the parade route)
-Diversey Station (near the end of the parade)
The CTA’s lakefront buses, such as the #146 line and the #151 line, are also convenient options. In years’ past, the CTA has rerouted the following buses on parade day:
-#8 Halsted
-#22 Clark
-#36 Broadway
-#76 Diversey
-#77 Belmont
-#78 Montrose
-#80 Irving Park
-#151 Sheridan
-#152 Addison
In 2023, Metra ran additional trains for their BNSF, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines.
Where can I find first aid stations at the Chicago Pride Parade?
There will be four first aid stations at the Chicago Pride Parade:
-On Addison Street, east of Halsted Street
-On Roscoe Street, east of Halsted Street
-On Aldine Avenue, east of Halsted Street
-On Surf Street, west of Broadway
Where can I find cooling buses at the Chicago Pride Parade?
If needed, the Chicago Pride Parade will have six cooling buses on hand to give some relief from the heat to parade goers. They will be located:
-On Addison Street, west of Halsted Street
-On Roscoe Street, west of Halsted Street
-On Belmont Avenue, east of Broadway
-On Wilton Avenue, north of Belmont Avenue
-On Waveland Street, between Broadway and Halsted Street
-On westbound Belmont, between Halsted and Clark Streets
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