Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day 2026

About Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day 2026

Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day returns to 63rd Street Beach on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 2 to 7 p.m., creating a free, joyful gathering space for Black trans and LGBTQ+ Chicagoans during Pride weekend. Hosted by the Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland, this South Side celebration centers Black LGBTQ+ community, culture, and rest at one of the city's most beautiful lakefront spots. The afternoon is all about good vibes by the water: music, games, food, and wellness activations spread across the sand, with space to relax, dance, connect, and simply be. It's a welcoming, family-friendly event that intentionally makes room for Black trans and LGBTQ+ joy away from the more corporate, North Side-centered Pride spaces — a reminder that Pride is for every neighborhood and every part of the community. Allies are welcome, and the day belongs to celebrating Black LGBTQ+ life. The historic 63rd Street Beach House sits in Woodlawn along the lakefront in Jackson Park, reachable via the CTA 6 Jackson Park Express bus or Metra Electric to the 63rd Street stop, with parking nearby. The event is free, though organizers often ask for an RSVP to plan — check the Lighthouse Foundation's channels for the 2026 link. Bring a towel or blanket, sunscreen, water, and a chair if you like, and plan to stay through the golden-hour lakefront views. On the Chicago Pride 2026 map, Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day is the South Side's warm, communal heart of the weekend.