Market Days

Long before the city had a Pride parade, Chicago had Market Days. Founded in 1982 to promote the businesses in the neighborhood known as "Boystown," Market Days is now one of Chicago's greatest summer festivals, with over 300,000 people crowding into the party along North Halsted St., where food vendors, shops, and the legendary bars of Boystown host booths all day and night.

Chicago has added a fantastic Pride parade on the anniversary weekend of Stonewall, as well as Pride Fest, which is basically a music festival with rainbow lighting. But Market Days is the event of the year for Boystown locals.

Entrance to the event is a suggested donation, and proceeds from Market Days are donated to community organizations, like the Equality Illinois and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

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