Chicago Pride Fest in the city’s Northalsted neighborhood kicked off on Saturday with a series of musical performances, guest speakers and dance exhibitions.
Serving as a precursor to next week’s annual Chicago Pride Parade, the two-day street festival is a celebration of LGBTQ+ life, culture and community in Northalsted, described as Chicago’s landmark LGBTQ+ neighborhood, according to the event website.
Running through Sunday along Halsted Street from Addison to Grace streets, Pride Fest features live music on three separate stages, a dedicated space for teenagers, drag performances, dance exhibitions and more.
Headliners include Grammy Award-winner Durand Bernarr, international rockstar G Flip and pop icon Willa Ford, among others.
In addition, the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus is set to take the stage – plus owners and their furry friends can take part in the Proud Pet Parade
More than 150 food and merchandise vendors will be on hand, dishing up food and offering a variety of goods for purchase.
While the festival is free, organizers suggest a $20 donation, saying funds help pay performers and festival workers and support local programs.