As June marks a month of celebration in LGBTQ+ communities nationwide, the Western suburbs and West Side are no strangers to the festivities.
Looking to celebrate? Here are concerts, parades, scavenger hunts and other events you don’t want to miss.
Oak Park/River Forest
Saturday, June 1
Pilgrim Congregational Church, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hailing from western North Carolina, vocalist, songwriter and drag queen Flamy Grant will offer a free, family-friendly performance at Pilgrim Congregational Church on Lake Street. Blending folk, gospel and roots, Grant hopes to shift the paradigm that minimizes the inclusion of queer people in religious spaces.
River Forest District 90 Pride and Inclusion Walk
Monday, June 3
Lincoln Elementary School, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Starting at the River Forest Village Hall and walking around the Lincoln School block, students and families will gather for a third annual flag-raising and parade to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Last year’s pride walk received a $6,940 grant from the Youth and Family Services of Oak Park and River Forest Township to help plan the event.
Celebrate Pride: Digital Collage & Poster Design
Wednesday, June 5
Oak Park Public Library Creative Studio, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In this drop-in creative program beginning with an Adobe Photoshop demonstration, participants can create their own pride-themed digital collage and submit it as a poster print request. Laptops will be provided and registration is not required.
Wednesday Matinee Film Series: “Pride”
Wednesday, June 12
Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
This film screening highlights a friendship between a mining community in Wales and a group of London-based queer activists. Registration is limited.
Grandad’s Pride Parade & Craft
Monday, June 17
Oak Park Public Library outside plaza, 11 a.m. to noon
This craft hour will start with a reading of “Grandad’s Pride” outside the main library. Afterward, staff will scatter ribbons throughout Scoville Park for participants to find to create their own rainbow wands.
Pride Shake, Rattle & Read with Oak Park Public Library
Tuesday, June 20
Lindberg Park, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
This storytime session features books, songs and games centered around identity, self-expression and love. Weather permitting, the event will feature a visit from the Oak Park Book Bike, OPPL’s mobile library where patrons can learn about services and programs, check out books and apply for a library card.
Saturday, June 22
Village Hall South Lawn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants should bring their rainbow-themed outfits for this family-friendly celebration. Hosted by the Village of Oak Park, it will feature ice cream, face painting, a DJ, games, a bounce house and a magician.
Saturday, June 29
Two shows at Kettlestrings Tavern, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event features two drag shows, up from one due to popular demand, along with drinks, mocktails and a four-course meal.
Forest Park
June 1 — June 17
Forest Park Public Library
Starting on the first day of Pride Month, the library will distribute make-your-own kite kits to library patrons for pride-themed decoration. Participants must return their kite by June 17 for display at the library and a chance to win an Escape Factor gift card.
The winner will be drawn July 5. Participants who wish to be entered in the raffle must include their name somewhere on the kite. Registration is limited.
Rainbow Dance Party Pride Storytime
Thursday, June 20
Forest Park Public Library Austin Room, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Celebrate love and self-expression with a morning of music and movement at the Forest Park Public Library. The event is designed for children ages six and under, accompanied by a parent. Registration is limited.
Friday, June 21
Constitution Court, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Co-hosted by the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+), Play it Again Sports and Robert’s Westside, admission is free to this evening of drag performances, live music, food and drinks.
Friday, June 21
Table and Lain, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Featuring cocktails, appetizers, a live DJ, dancing and a drag show, all proceeds from ticket sales for this community party will go towards OPALGA+ fundraising.
Riverside/Brookfield and Berwyn
Andrew Sa’s Queer Country Review
Saturday, June 1
Fitzgerald’s Nightclub, 8:30 p.m.
Concertgoers can immerse themselves in a fusion of queer lyricism and country tones with Andrew Sa, dubbed “Chicago’s premiere queer country crooner.”
Sponsored by the OPALGA+ Scholarship Fund, the event includes a full-service dinner. Tickets are limited to patrons 21 or over.
Wednesday, June 12
Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Library patrons are invited to make their own rainbow bookmarks. Registration is required and limited, but walk-ins are welcome to observe.
Fifth Annual Berwyn Pride Walk
Saturday, June 24
Beginning at Stanley Avenue and Gunderson Avenue, noon. to 2 p.m.
The Progress and Pride LGBTQ+ Youth Advocate Panel will precede the parade at noon at Youth Crossroads, where youth activists will welcome participants and provide insights on challenges and triumphs in the community.
The parade starts outside Youth Crossroads at 1 p.m., loops around Proksa Park and ends at 2 p.m. with a Juneteenth celebration.
West Side/Chicago
Film screening: The Kids Are Alright
Wednesday, June 5
Chicago Public Library — Austin Branch, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This romantic comedy is a tale of commitment and the emotional flows of raising children in a queer relationship. It’s a part of the Chicago Public Library’s Community Cinema program.
West Side Chicago Gay/LGBTQ+ Ride
Sunday, June 23
Starting at 2 p.m. at Joey G’s Mac n’ Cheese, Augusta Boulevard. and Western Avenue
This event is tailored to enthusiasts of bikes, motorcycles, scooters and other two-wheeled contraptions. Joey G’s Mac n’ Cheese organized the ride through Chicago’s West Side as a celebration of love, identity, diversity and the community formed around riding in groups. Participants are free to don their pride-themed gear, and no prior registration is required.
Thursday, June 27
Chicago Public Library — Austin Branch, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This coming-of-age film follows a gay couple’s journey from attraction to commitment as they expose their vulnerabilities. It’s shown as a part of the Chicago Public Library’s Community Cinema program.
Pride Picnic — Chicago Urban Pride
Sunday, June 30
Beginning at Jackson Park from noon to 8 p.m. with an after party at The Promontory from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This free and family-friendly picnic will feature live DJs, entertainment, giveaways and food. The after party is limited to patrons 21 and over.
PRIDEChicago’s Chicago Pride Parade
Saturday, June 30
Starting at West Sheridan Road and North Broadway at 11 a.m.
On the last Sunday of June for more than 50 years, the organization PRIDEChicago has topped off the month of celebration with a procession through Lakeview and Lincoln Park. It’s one of the city and country’s most widely known and well-attended pride events, and one of the world’s largest neighborhood parades.
This year’s parade features 150 registered entries including community organizations, businesses, government officials and individual community members. It’s decked out with floats, outfitted vehicles, marching bands and performance groups.