This is a guide to LGBTQ Pride events in Illinois. Click on the event name for more information.
If your community has a Pride event that should be listed here, email reachus@therealmainstream.com. Find LGBTQ Pride events in Iowa here.
LGBTQ Pride Events in Illinois
Jun
1
LET YOUR LOVE GROW Galena IL
Galena Public Library
5:00 pm
All-ages Pride crafts activity with the Riverview Center/NW IL GSA: Upcycle book pages into a rainbow bouquet. PREGISTRATION REQUIRED at letyourlovegrow.eventbrite.com
Jun
1
NOH8 PHOTO SHOOT Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
6:00 pm
Historic nationwide photo campaign inspired by early pro-marriage equality movement in California in the late 2000s. At MCC of the Quad Cities, 2930 W. Locust St., Davenport.
Jun
1
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “HOLDING THE MAN” Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
6:30 pm
2015 film about a 15-year love affair that began in prep school and "endured disapproval, parental resistance, separation, and loss." You can watch the trailer here. (see main listing on Iowa page)
Jun
2
QUAD CITIES PRIDE FEST Rock Island IL
Schwiebert Riverfront Park
5:00 pm
Vendors, live music, drag and more.
Jun
2
SEEN: A MULTIMEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION Carbondale IL
The Varsity Center
5:00 pm
Celebration of PRIDE in photography featuring work by A.B. Art and Kimberly Needham.
Jun
3
ELGIN PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL Elgin IL
Downtown Elgin
10:00 am
All-ages parade followed by festival featuring live music, food, vendors, kids' activities and more.
Jun
3
QUAD CITIES PRIDE FEST Rock Island IL
Schwiebert Riverfront Park
12:00 pm
Vendors, live music, drag and more.
Jun
3
ROCKFORD PRIDE ALLEY PARTY Rockford IL
The Office Niteclub
4:00 pm
Pride Month kick-off with vendor and food truck fair, parade, and drag show.
Jun
3
BOLINGBROOK PRIDE KARAOKE FUNDRAISER Romeoville IL
Metal Monkey Brewing
6:00 pm
Karaoke fundraiser for Bolingbrook Pride festival happening July 8. Also featuring 50/50 raffle.
Jun
3
SOUTHERN IL PRIDE KICKOFF FUNDRAISER Carbondale IL
Hangar 9
8:00 pm
Raise money for Southern Il Pride Fest with this three-band concert.
Jun
4
5TH ANNUAL HOMETOWN PRIDE BY NAPER PRIDE Naperville IL
Central Park-Naperville
10:00 am
Pride celebration every Sunday in June featuring businesses and groups. Gift bags for all; limited supply each week. Sponsorship opportunities are available; email sponsorships@naperpride.org
Jun
4
PARKING LOT PRIDE PARTY West Peoria IL
Tartan Inn
11:00 am
Fundraiser for River City Pride Fest, happening July 14-16. Jell-O shots, vibrator races, HIV and STD testing from Central Illinois Friends, guest bartenders and Rubi's Brickoven Pizza. Ten percent of profits donated to River City Pride Fest.
Jun
4
PRIDE SERVICE AND POTLUCK Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
11:00 am
Join MCC of the Quad Cities for a Pride-themed service, followed by a Pride Potluck.
Jun
4
PRIDE BRUNCH KICK-OFF Chicago IL
Venue West
11:30 am
Equality Illinois and 300 LGBTQ community leaders from throughout Illinois gather to celebrate and support, and to honor award recipient Julio Rodriguez, founder of the Association of Latinas\os\x Motivating Action (ALMA). Proceeds benefit Equality Illinois' year-round work.
Jun
4
PRIDE BRUNCH AT THE DINER Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
2:30 pm
Enjoy six local performers and brunch at The Diner in downtown Davenport. Reserve seats at caterwiththediner@gmail.com.
Jun
8
PRIDE TRIVIA NIGHT Galena Il
Galena Cellars
6:00 pm
Five rounds of trivia questions about LGBTQIA+ history, pop culture, and more. Team, register here. Individuals, and anyone with questions, email distlerl@galenalibrary.org Registration is required! Hosted by Anna Mae, legendary Galena nonbinary drag performer.
Jun
8
FAMILY NIGHT Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
6:00 pm
Quad City Rollers and QC Unity Pride team up for Family Night at the skate park in Eldridge, Ia.
Jun
9
TEEN PRIDE PARTY Moline IL
Moline Public Library
11:30 am
Crafts and activities for all teens grades six through 12th! Pregister here.
Jun
9
PRIDE RIDE Galena IL
Shenandoah Riding Center
4:00 pm
Ride, paint, sip then watch your horse run out to pasture. Adults only; tickets here.Â
Jun
9
DRAG BINGO PRIDE PARTY Galena IL
The Grape Escape
7:00 pm
Cynthia Mooseknuckle hosts a night of bingo, drag and inclusivity. For ages 21+ and featuring prizes and LOHO Russo on guitar. Admission includes bingo dauber and commemorative "Straight Outta Galena" sticker.
Jun
10
POUND THE PAVEMENT FOR PRIDE Tuscola IL
Tuscola Community Building
7:00 am
Help raise money for the Tuscola GSA Booster Club. Sign up here; price increases May 27!
Jun
10
9TH ANNUAL PRIDE FAMILY COOKOUT Peoria IL
Glen Oak Park
11:00 am
Potluck, with Peoria Proud providing the main dish. Face painting, games, and mobile STD/STI/HIV testing by Central Illinois Friends.
Jun
10
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS PRIDE FEST Carbondale IL
Carbondale Pavilion
12:00 pm
Annual southern Illinois Pride event featuring vendors, performers, a drag show, and more. Coordinated by Pride in Action-Southern Il. Vendors: Email A.Socorro984@gmail.com Volunteers: Email Jessica at coordinator@carbondaleunited.org or sign up to volunteer using this form. Performers: Email juliesocorro.events.piasi@gmail.com. Related story here.
Jun
10
GALENA PRIDE PICNIC Galena IL
Grant Park
12:00 pm
Food, fun games, live music, drag performances, raffle and more.
Jun
10
FAMILY PRIDE AT THE PARK Geneva IL
Wheeler Park
2:00 pm
Third annual all-ages outdoor party with games, crafts, and more, plus food provided by four local affirming faith communities. Churches: United Methodist Church of Geneva Geneva Lutheran Church Fox Valley Presbyterian Church Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva
Jun
10
BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM CONCERT Carbondale IL
Hangar 9
8:00 pm
Brian Justin Crum, top competitor from 2016 "America's Got Talent," performs benefit concert for Pride in Action Southern Il.
Jun
11
5TH ANNUAL HOMETOWN PRIDE BY NAPER PRIDE Naperville IL
Central Park-Naperville
10:00 am
Pride celebration every Sunday in June featuring businesses and groups. Gift bags for all; limited supply each week. Sponsorship opportunities are available; email sponsorships@naperpride.org
Jun
11
EG PRIDE CELEBRATION 2023 Elk Grove IL
Prince of Peace United Methodist Church
2:00 pm
Speakers, performers, local Queer artists, clothing donation collection for Out Of the Closet, raffle to benefit the Transgender Law Center and the Trevor Project.
Jun
11
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “4 MOONS” Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
4:00 pm
2014 award-winning Mexican drama featuring four stories of gay male love. Watch trailer here. (see main listing on Iowa page)
Jun
16
PRIDE PAINT PARTY WITH CLOCK INC. Rock Island IL
Clock Inc. LGBTQ+ Center
6:30 pm
Paint, laugh, sip and chill with Art With Kare Traveling Paint Parties.
Jun
17
CHICAGO PRIDEFEST Chicago IL
Chicago PrideFest
11:00 am
Live music on three stages, arts/crafts vendors, dancing, drag shows, a pet parade, games and more.
Jun
17
QC UNITY PRIDE PARADE Moline IL
Vibrant Arena
2:30 pm
Starting at Vibrant Arena, before the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing.
Jun
17
PRIDE PARTY AT BASS STREET LANDING Moline IL
Bass Street Landing
3:30 pm
Third annual Pride Month event showcasing vendors, drag performers, live musicians, and the services of The Project of the Quad Cities.
Jun
17
CIRQUE DU SOGEI Waukegan IL
Three Brothers Theatre
5:00 pm
More than 15 LGBTQIA drag, burlesque and circus performers from throughout Illinois. Email thorne@theonlythorne.com for more information.
Jun
17
PRIDE NIGHT WITH THE SLAMMERS Joliet IL
Slammers Stadium
6:00 pm
Select section 103 or 105 for the first-eve Pride Night with the Joliet Slammers semi-pro baseball team. Pride merch available to benefit Joliet Pride Network.
Jun
17
CIRQUE DU SOGEI Waukegan IL
Three Brothers Theatre
8:00 pm
More than 15 LGBTQIA drag, burlesque and circus performers from throughout Illinois. Email thorne@theonlythorne.com for more information.
Jun
18
5TH ANNUAL HOMETOWN PRIDE BY NAPER PRIDE Naperville IL
Central Park-Naperville
10:00 am
Pride celebration every Sunday in June featuring businesses and groups. Gift bags for all; limited supply each week. Sponsorship opportunities are available; email sponsorships@naperpride.org
Jun
18
CHICAGO PRIDEFEST Chicago IL
Chicago PrideFest
11:00 am
Live music on three stages, arts/crafts vendors, dancing, drag shows, a pet parade, games and more.
Jun
18
LAKESIDE PRIDE CLARINET CHOIR CONCERT Chicago IL
All Saints Episcopal Church
2:00 pm
An hour of wors by LGBTQIA+ composers, by a choir of almost 20 clarinets.
Jun
18
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “TOMBOY” Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
4:00 pm
2011 French film about a gender non-conforming 10-year-old's experience moving to a new neighborhood. Watch trailer here.
Jun
19
CLOCK, INC PRIDE BINGO Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
6:00 pm
Old-fashioned bingo at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, to raise money for Clock Inc. $5 a card, adults only, BYO food. Space limited; arrive early.
Jun
25
PRIDE 5K WALK RUN AND ROLL Moline IL
Bass Street Landing
8:00 am
Cash prizes of $25 to $125 to the top five finishers of the 5K. Find walk and run route here, plus all the info you need to participate. Proceeds benefit The Project of the Quad Cities, which provides health and mental health services throughout 20 counties along the Iowa/Illinois border.
Jun
25
5TH ANNUAL HOMETOWN PRIDE BY NAPER PRIDE Naperville IL
Central Park-Naperville
10:00 am
Pride celebration every Sunday in June featuring businesses and groups. Gift bags for all; limited supply each week. Sponsorship opportunities are available; email sponsorships@naperpride.org
Jun
25
CHICAGO PRIDE PARADE Chicago IL
Boystown
12:00 pm
Starting at Montrose and Broadway, ending near Diversey and Sheridan in Lincoln Park.
Jun
25
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “JOYLAND” Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
4:00 pm
2022 Pakistani film about a burlesque back-up dancer who falls in love with a transgender woman. At Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Ia. Watch trailer here.
Jun
27
PRIDE POTLUCK Rock Island IL
Clock Inc. LGBTQ+ Community Center
6:00 pm
"Good ol' fashion community potluck" for adults only.
Jun
29
PRIDE NIGHT WITH THE QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Illinois and Iowa
6:30 pm
Game night with the Quad Cities' semi-pro baseball team, along the waterfront. Free rainbow koozie from The Project of the Quad Cities.
Jul
1
PRIDE SOUTH SIDE Chicago IL
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
11:00 am
Music, arts, vendors and more for Black and brown people.
Jul
8
BOLINGBROOK PRIDE PICNIC & PUPPIES Bolingbrook IL
Theatre On the Hill
12:00 pm
LGBTQ Pride combined with a dog rescue benefit. Also featuring music, food, games, face-painting, a bouncy house, yard games, vendor fair, LGBTQ+ resources and more. Admission is free or a love donation that earns a swag bag. You can also bring non-perishable food or diapers for donation to a local pantry. Sponsors, email bolingbrook.pride@gmail.com.
Jul
15
RIVER CITY PRIDE CONCERT Peoria IL
Peoria Riverfront
8:00 pm
Jax from Season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race headlining.
