Best LGBT Pride Events In Chicago

With National LGBT Pride Month already underway, you might be wondering how and where you can observe the event in Chicago. Luckily, there is no shortage of events for all interests in the works. From the city's famed Chicago Pride Parade to a 10K race near Montrose Harbor and even a music festival, there are plenty of ways you can show your support and celebrate. Check out what's on the schedule in Chicago.

Equality Illinois Pride Month TGIF
Sidetrack
3349 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-9189
www.sidetrackchicago.com
Date: June 5

Start your National LGBT Pride Month with Equality Illinois. The organization, which works to protect the rights of the LGBT community, is throwing a Pride Month TGIF event at Sidetrack, a video bar located in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. The event, held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., features cocktails and plenty of music. Equality Illinois hosts a number of events throughout the year; to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, take a look at the organization's website.

Chicago Pride Festival
Halsted St. between Grace St. and Waveland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
www.northalsted.com
Dates: June 20 and 21

Celebrate National LGBT Pride Month in a big way while starting summer on the right foot by spending the weekend at the Chicago Pride Festival. Held in Chicago's Northalsted (a.k.a. Boystown) neighborhood, the two-day event features food, arts and crafts, and so much more. The festival has also included an assortment of performers. Last year's performance lineup included Jennifer Hudson, Betty Who, Chicago Spirit Brigade, a number of DJs, and the Pride Drag Show. The performance lineup for 2015 was not announced on the festival's website as of press time; refer to Chicago Pride Festival's website for more details prior to the event.

Chicago Pride Parade
(773) 348-8243
www.chicagopridecalendar.org
Date: June 28

Get ready for one of the biggest bashes in Chicago's social calendar with the 46th annual Chicago Pride Parade. More than one million people have attended the event in previous years. Considered one of the largest gay pride parades in the country, the parade is open to people of all ages and includes an assortment of floats, plenty of costumes and fun. If you plan to attend, consider taking public transportation to the parade route. As of press time, parade information, including the parade route and start time, was not available. Check out the Chicago Pride Calendar website for additional details.

Back Lot Bash 2015
5238 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
www.backlotbashchicago.com
Date: June 25-28

Billed as "The most attended outdoor lesbian event in the Midwest," Back Lot Bash will be held in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The annual event features an assortment of musicians and comedians, with both established names and up-and-coming artists on the performance lineup. The four-day celebration includes plenty of music and fun, and a family day is also planned for June 27. Special guest appearances have also been included as part of the festivities. For the full performance schedule, check out Back Lot Bash's website.

Proud To Run Chicago
Montrose Avenue and Simonds Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
www.proudtorun.org
Date: June 27

Add "Run a 10K" to your weekend plans with the Proud to Run Chicago event, which starts near Montrose Harbor. With a 10K run and a 5K run/walk planned, the event is a way for participants to participate in a race while also raising money for Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, and Chicago House. There's more to the event than the race, as live entertainment is also planned. Spectators are welcomed and encouraged; for information on the course map, check out Proud to Run Chicago's website.

Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.