42nd Annual Northalsted Market Days 2025: Chicago’s Biggest, Boldest Street Festival Turns It Up to Eleven
If you’ve never been to Northalsted Market Days, you’re missing one of the Midwest’s wildest, most unapologetic weekends of live music, glitter, and pure Chicago energy. The 42nd Annual Market Days is back August 8–10, 2025, bigger than ever — and this year it’s not just a street festival, it’s a three-day love letter to music, community, and pride in the city’s iconic Northalsted/Lakeview neighborhood.
Picture it: four massive stages, thousands of fans from around the globe, over 300 LGBTQ+ vendors, and a lineup so stacked it could headline Coachella. We’re talking Keke Palmer, David Archuleta, Monét X Change, comedian Joe Dombrowski, RuPaul’s Drag Race royalty Sasha Colby, and the unapologetically fierce Saucy Santana.
And that’s just the start. You’ll catch electrifying sets from Kiesza, RuPaul’s Drag Race finalist Sam Star, Brooke Eden, and an army of world-class DJs like Ralphi Rosario, Alex Acosta, Danny Verde, Joe Gauthreaux, Jesus Montanez, Sam Gee, J Warren, and Ron Carroll — plus daily drag performances featuring legends like Mimi Marks, Mz Ruff n Stuff, DiDa Ritz, and Veronica Pop.
🎤 Local favorites? Oh, they’re here too. Get ready to scream-sing with Sixteen Candles, dance your heart out with Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute, and lose yourself to the chaos of Too Much Molly Band.
💎 New for 2025: Gold & Platinum VIP Experiences. Gold gets you a private lounge, A/C restrooms, bar service, and in/out access for just $50. Platinum turns it up — all that plus six free drinks for $100.
📅 Festival Hours:
- Friday, August 8: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday, August 9–10: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
💵 Entry: $20 suggested donation per day — fueling the performers, event crews, and year-round community programs.
For over four decades, Market Days has been the beating heart of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ summer, turning Halsted Street between Addison and Belmont into a kaleidoscope of music, fashion, and fearless self-expression. Whether you’re here for the beats, the drag, the street food, or just the unapologetic joy, this is the weekend Chicago doesn’t just turn up — it blows the roof off.
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