Heather Small (M People), Slayyyter, Meet Me @ The Altar & JORDY Headline Chicago Pride Fest 2023

Press Release: Chicago Pride Fest 2023 Lineup Announced – April 18, 2023

Heather Small (M People), Slayyyter, Meet Me @ The Altar, JORDY, and Eureka O’Hara are among this year’s headliners for Chicago Pride Fest®, taking place June 17th and 18th in the city’s landmark LGBTQ+ Northalsted community.

Upwards of 60,000 festival attendees gather each year to celebrate LGBTQ+ life, culture and community at Chicago Pride Fest

Other artists on the Bud Light North Stage include Nick Osin, Shab, Ultra Naté, Ariana and the Rose, Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and Ultrabeat.

Chicago Pride Fest’s South Stage Saturday lineup showcases local favorites: Sixteen Candles, Too Much Molly, Hello Weekend, and more. Sunday programming by Peach Presents features BbyMutha, Cookiee Kawaii, The Vixen’s Black Girl Magic and others. Performance schedules below.

Additional attractions include the Waveland DJ Stage, a Youth Pride Space for teens, Proud Pet Parade with Miss Foozie, Firebrand country western dance and Servin’ Fysh dance company, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, 103.5 KISS-FM Rainbow Run, guest speakers, and over 150 merchandise and food vendors.

The Youth Pride Space debuted last year and returns for both days of Chicago Pride Fest 12-7pm at Broadway and Waveland (inside the festival). It is a dedicated safe space for LGBTQ+ teens and teen allies (age 12-18). Programming includes speakers, entertainment, activities, dance area, food and beverages, and counseling resources. Details forthcoming at northalsted.com/youth.

We come together in June to celebrate community and uplift each other in the struggle for equality and human rights…Outright attacks, especially on transgender and BIPOC members of our community, are ongoing.

Upwards of 60,000 festival attendees gather each year to celebrate LGBTQ+ life, culture and community at Chicago Pride Fest (June 17-18, 2023). The event is organized by the Northalsted Business Alliance chamber of commerce and takes place the weekend before the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade (June 25th, organized independently).

Northalsted Vice-President and lead event organizer, Mark Liberson, is excited for Chicago Pride Fest’s 22nd anniversary, “We come together in June to celebrate community and uplift each other in the struggle for equality and human rights. Despite decades of progress, the need for Pride has not lessened, as outright attacks, especially on transgender and BIPOC members of our community, are ongoing.”

A $15 suggested donation at entry helps pay Chicago Pride Fest performers, event workers, and funds community programs. Generous public donations paid for the creation and ongoing maintenance of the Chicago Pride Crosswalks: 14 rainbow paved neighborhood intersections make up the longest installation of its kind in the world, and the programming supported by Northalsted, including DEI training.

Chicago Pride Fest 2023 Schedule

Bud Light North Stage

Saturday, June 17, 2023

1:00pm – Pride Fest Drag Show
2:00pm – Eureka O’Hara
2:30pm – Pride Fest Drag Show
3:45pm – Servin’ Fysh Dance Co
4:00pm – Meet Me @ The Altar
5:00pm – Ultrabeat
6:45pm – Pride Fest Drag Show
8:00pm – Shab
8:30pm – Nick Osin
9:15pm – Heather Small (M People)

Sunday, June 18 2023

12:00pm – Proud Pet Parade with Miss Foozie
1:00pm – Pride Fest Drag Show
2:00pm – Slayyyter
3:00pm – Pride Fest Drag Show
4:00pm – Ultra Nate
5:15pm – Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute
6:50pm – Pride Fest Drag Show
8:00pm – Ariana and the Rose
8:45pm – JORDY

Waveland  Stage

Saturday, June 17, 2023

1:00pm – Barker
2:30pm – Miss Toto
4:00pm – Martin
5:30pm – Alexis Tucci
7:00pm – DJ Bryan
8:30pm – Ca$h Era
Host – Sasha Love

Sunday, June 18, 2023

11:00am – Radio Show
1:00pm – Janky
3:30pm – Chomper
5:00pm – Dom Brown
6:30pm – DJ Xtasy
8:00pm – DIOX

About the Northalsted Business Alliance

Founded in 1980, Northalsted Business Alliance represents more than 100 small businesses along Chicago’s Halsted Street corridor from Belmont to Irving Park/Broadway. The organization works to enhance economic vitality, foster a welcoming community, celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, and promote tourism through programs, services, and events including Chicago Pride Fest®, Northalsted Market Days®, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, and more. For information visit northalsted.com.

Chicago Pride Fest Info:

What: Chicago Pride Fest®, street festival est. 2001 with live entertainment on 3 stages, vending & food.
Where: Halsted St. from Addison to Grace St, Chicago IL
When: June 17-18, 2023:  Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-10pm
Why: A celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride & community in Chicago’s Proudest Neighborhood
Who: Northalsted Business Alliance
Admission: suggested $15 donation, all ages
Website: pridefestchicago.com
Contact: [email protected] (773) 883-0500