meetinchicago.com SUMMER JUNE, JULY, AUGUST JAMES BEARD AWARDS LOLLAPALOOZA June Lyric Opera The nation’s most prestigious culinary honors are presented at this star-studded event. CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL June Millennium Park A genre with deep Chicago roots, blues is the star of this outdoor summer festival that attracts some of the music industry’s biggest names. July – August Grant Park and select neighborhoods This iconic music festival takes over the lakefront’s Grant Park and features a multigenre lineup of local talent and top acts from around the globe. BLACK WOMEN’S EXPO August McCormick Place The nation’s largest, longest-running exposition dedicated to Black women consumers and empowering local businesses features lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, and culture. CHICAGO PRIDE FEST & PARADE June 20 – 21 & June 28 Northalsted This joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ community and culture takes place in the nation’s oldest official gay neighborhood. DISABILITY PRIDE PARADE CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL July Loop Chicago’s annual Disability Pride Parade celebrates more than 20 years of promoting human diversity, drawing over 5,000 individuals, organizations, and leaders. August Citywide Celebrate the birthplace of house music at this free festival featuring local and international DJs spinning iconic beats around the city. BUD BILLIKEN PARADE FIESTA DEL SOL July – August Pilsen This family-friendly festival has been celebrating Mexican culture and music in the Pilsen neighborhood for 50 years. Aug. 8 Martin Luther King Drive The largest African American parade in the country, this exuberant procession of bands, floats, and student performers has been taking place since 1929.
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2026: Page 21
