The two-day annual festival Northalsted Market Days brought top-notch talent and diverse visitors from around the world to the Windy City on August 10 and 11. Established in 1982 and only skipping one year for the pandemic, the half-mile-long attraction runs from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street on North Halsted Street.
While geared towards the LGBTQ+ community, allies can attend the yearly festivities. A suggested donation of $20 at the gates supports the neighborhood and surrounding businesses.
A rainbow of representation poured into the Lakeview area of Chicago, with attendance exceeding 100,000 each day in 2024. Sponsors for this year were Bud Light and Nissan, among others.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of food offerings and thirst-quenching beverages mixed in with vendor tents full of goodies. Five stages of performances across the street party produced a wide range of drag entertainment, including RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star Alyssa Edwards and many local favorites.
DJs sprinkled throughout the various stages had the massive crowds dancing each day, and award-winning artist Billy Porter featured his latest record, Black Mona Lisa, plus tunes from the musical Kinky Boots, as the festival closed for the night.
Check out our exclusive slideshow from the festival below.
