Back Lot Bash 2026

About Back Lot Bash 2026

Back Lot Bash 2026 is Chicago's premier women-centered Pride party, returning to Andersonville on June 27–28 for its 22nd year. Held in the lot behind Cheetah Gym on Clark Street, this two-day, 21-and-over festival is the place to be for LGBTQ+ women and their friends during Pride weekend, with live music, DJs, drag, and dancing under the summer sky. Each day runs from about 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., featuring a lineup of touring and local artists across genres, plus DJs spinning into the night. The crowd is overwhelmingly women and the vibe is famously fun and inclusive — one of the largest and longest-running women's Pride gatherings in the Midwest. There are full bars, food, and plenty of room to dance, making it an easy place to spend the whole evening with your crew before or instead of the bigger street festivals. Tickets are required and start around $25 for a single day, with weekend passes available, so grab them in advance since the Bash regularly sells out. Cheetah Gym sits on Clark in Andersonville, walkable from the same area as Midsommarfest; take the CTA Red Line to Berwyn and head west, or the 22 Clark bus right to the door. Bring your ID, since entry is strictly 21-plus, and dress for an outdoor party that runs from golden hour into the night. On a Chicago Pride 2026 calendar dominated by the parade, Back Lot Bash keeps the spotlight squarely on the women of the community.