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Pride Festivals in Illinois

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All over the world, Pride celebrations take place throughout June, which is known as Pride Month. Since the start of the modern LGBTQIA+ liberation movement— following the Stonewall Riots in 1969 — hundreds of independent Pride events have sprung up in cities worldwide, each distinctly tied in some way to the foundational movement.

After over 50 years of Pride celebrations, it’s easy to find a way to celebrate that feels best to you. From parties and picnics to festivals and parades, here is a list of Pride celebrations around Illinois:

Annual Quad City UNITY Pride Parade

June 17, 2023 at 2:30 PM

Held in downtown Moline, the Annual Quad City UNITY Pride Parade is a weekend full of live music, local vendors, drag performances and burlesque. Additionally, they'll be hosting Pride Movies at the Figge the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays during the month of June. 

Rockford Pride Alley Party

June 3, 2023 at 4:00 PM

Begin Pride Month festivities at the Rockford Pride Month Kick Off Party, where you can enjoy food, music, drinks, keynote speakers and pop-up drag performances. Best part? It's a FREE event!

Lake County PrideFest 2023

June 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Lake County PrideFest is one of the area’s most highly anticipated summer events—with this year’s event touted to be bigger and better than ever. Get ready for drag shows, music, a beer tent, food trucks and special activities for kids.

Springfield PrideFest

May 20, 2023

With over 100 vendors, great entertainment, a phenomenal drag show, delicious food and drinks, a fun family area, youth and teen talent shows and so much more, the 2023 Springfield PrideFest will be one of the biggest pride-related events across the state. 

Buffalo Grove Pride Parade & Picnic

June 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Step out to the fifth annual family-friendly Buffalo Grove Pride Parade. At the age of 12, the now 17-year-old Molly Pinta of Buffalo Grove attended Aurora's inaugural Pride Parade, which inspired her to create one for her hometown. Following the parade, attendees are invited to the Buffalo Grove Pride Picnic for food trucks, drinks, face painting, lawn games and DJ entertainment.

Ottawa PrideFest

June 10, 2023

Ottawa is gearing up for its 2nd annual PrideFest in the city’s historic downtown district featuring a drag show and live music. Guests can also browse unique products made by local vendors, enjoy food from local restaurants and even witness a pet parade!

Galena Pride Picnic

June 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM

The third annual Galena Pride Picnic in Grant Park will feature a full agenda including live music, drag queen story time, tai chi and a meet and great with goats! Take in the amazing scenery of the Galena area while supporting a great cause in an inclusive environment.

Woodstock Pride

June 10-11, 2023 at 10:00 PM

Woodstock PrideFest is an all-day celebration beginning with a parade and ending with a fabulous closing ceremony, all in Historic Woodstock Square. If live entertainment, vendors and food trucks aren’t enough, extend the fun with pride-themed events throughout the weekend, including a Rainbow Color Fun Run and Pride Pub Crawl on June 10 all weekend long!

Aurora Pride Parade

June 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM

The fourth annual Aurora Pride Parade begins at noon on June 11, progressing from Benton Street to Broadway Avenue to Downer Place to River Street. This annual event is a celebration of and for the LGBTQIA+ community of Aurora, the surrounding area, and its allies.

Chicago Pride Festival

June 17-18, 2023 at 11:00 AM

One of the country’s biggest Pride Festivals, the Chicago Pride Fest will be held in the iconic Northalsted neighborhood on June 17-18, leading up to the city’s annual Pride Parade on June 25. The festival features live music by popular artists on three stages, food and drinks, 150+ arts and crafts vendors, dancing and DJs, drag shows, a pet parade, sponsor booths, games, giveaways and more. This year's performers will include Heather Small, Eureka O'Hara, Slayyyter, Jordy and many more. 

Chicago Pride Parade

June 25, 2023

The Chicago Pride Parade is one of the most popular LGBTQ+ events in the city. The Parade concludes the city’s month-long celebrations with a four-mile procession held on the last Sunday of June. The parade makes its way through Northalsted, Uptown, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park. The 52nd annual parade, now one of the largest in the country, features floats, decorated vehicles, performance groups, a marching band, and more.

Pride in the Park

June 23 and 24, 2023

This two-day music fest celebrates equity, diversity, and good times in Grant Park. The festival donates a portion of ticket sales to The Center on Halsted and provides free tickets to ensure LGBTQ+ youth can celebrate their pride openly and safely.

Navy Pier Pride

June 24, 2023

Navy Pier Pride is an annual free event that consists of a full day of family-friendly festivities. The event includes Storytime with Drag Queens, live performances, special film presentations, and a "Queer the Pier” fashion and music show.

The Queer Fam Pride Jam

June 17, 2023

The Queer Fam Pride Jam is an all-ages Pride event featuring a day's worth of wellness- and creativity-focused events, culminating in a family-friendly Slo 'Mo dance party.

House Music Festival & Conference

June 24, 2023

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.

Elgin's First Pride Parade & Festival

June 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM

For the first time, Elgin will be hosting its very own community celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride on June 3 - an all-ages, family-friendly event featuring a festival celebration with food, music and vendors that will follow a parade in Downtown Elgin. 

LGBTQ Festivals & Fairs
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