The community also hosts an annual street festival called Market Days, which features a concert lineup of prominent LGBTQ artists and booths filled with food, drinks, and crafts.
It’s one of the largest pride celebrations in the world, with over a million in attendance each year. Events in Boystownīoystown is the official home of the Chicago Pride Parade. Since the 1970s, this area has been a center of acceptance and free expression where the Chicago LGBTQ community thrives. Visitors to this vibrant, walkable neighborhood will find themselves greeted by rainbow-colored posts that line the streets. There’s no mistaking Boystown for anywhere else. The original and most frequented Chicago gay neighborhood, Boystown stretches along Halsted Street on the north side of the city. NerdWallet even lists Chicago as the 10 th most gay-friendly city in the US. But keep in mind that practically everywhere in the city is a safe bet for LGBTQ acceptance.
The neighborhoods listed here are known for being the best gay areas in Chicago. Whether you’re searching for thriving nightlife or underground culture, check out the best gay neighborhoods that Chicago has to offer. As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago is a hub for people of all different backgrounds.