What Gay Events are Happening in Chicago?

Chicago has one of the most robust LGBTQ+ event calendars of any city in the country, with something happening nearly every month.

Major Annual Events

• June — Chicago Pride Parade & Pride Fest: The centerpiece of Chicago's queer calendar. Pride Fest is a two-day street festival the weekend before the parade. The Pride Parade, on the last Sunday of June, draws several hundred thousand spectators through Northalsted. See our full Chicago Pride guide.
• May — International Mr. Leather (IML) & Global Kink & Leather (GKL): Every Memorial Day weekend, Chicago hosts the world's largest leather and kink gathering. IML has been held in Chicago since 1979, drawing thousands from around the globe. Read the IML weekend guide.
• August — Northalsted Market Days: Held the second weekend of August, Market Days is one of the largest LGBTQ+ street festivals in the Midwest. The half-mile-long festival on Halsted Street features live music on 4 stages, 250+ vendors, drag performances, and food. More in our Market Days guide.
• October — Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade: On Halloween night (6-10 PM), Boystown hosts one of the city's wildest Halloween celebrations with thousands in elaborate costumes parading through Northalsted.

Weekly Events

Chicago's gay bars keep a packed weekly calendar year-round:

• Monday — Musical Mondays at Sidetrack (showtunes on the big screens)
• Tuesday — Roscoe's Drag Race at Roscoe's Tavern (weekly amateur drag competition, Chicago's longest-running)
• Wednesday — Squabble trivia at 2Bears Tavern; karaoke nights at multiple bars
• Thursday — Kit Kat Divas dinner show at Kit Kat Lounge; themed DJ nights at Scarlet Bar
• Friday — Dance nights at Hydrate Nightclub (DJs until 4 AM); drag revues at multiple venues
• Saturday — Peak night across Northalsted — Sidetrack, Roscoe's, Hydrate, and Charlie's all packed; circuit-style parties at Hydrate
• Sunday — Gospel Drag Brunch at LIPS; T-dance vibes at Sidetrack; industry night at various bars

For the full rundown of drag in the city, see our Chicago drag shows and drag brunch guides.

Browse what's happening right now on our Chicago events page.