55th Chicago Pride Parade &
Rainbow SIG Luncheon
Sunday, June 28th

• WHAT: 2026 Chicago Area Mensa Rainbow Pride Parade and Luncheon afterward.
• WHO: You, your family, and any friends who might want to join you.
• WHEN: Sunday, June 28th.
• TIME: Line up begins around 10 AM and continues until 11 AM, but feel free to arrive earlier if it’s more convenient or you like socializing. Please stay on the sidewalk. We will make a concerted effort to make sure new participants meet other new participants and the rest of the group. The group photo will be taken at ~10:45 AM.
  

  Add Pride Parade

• At this time, all participants should have received an email from Jim C. with all the details about the staging location and more.

  WHERE: The line-up is near of the intersection of N. Broadway and W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60613 (just north of where the parade starts; see the designated orange staging area shown on the map below). We will know the exact location about one week before the parade. Everyone who RSVPs will be notified of the exact location a few days before. Portable toilets will be available only in the staging area. The Parade Route will snake south through the north side of Chicago on Broadway and then Halsted to Belmont, then Broadway again and end at Diversey and Sheridan (see map below).
• WHY: To show our solidarity with members of the LGBTQ++ community, their friends, families, and Allies. Expect ~1 million spectators along the route to be cheering us on.
• HOW: Because parking nearby will be almost non-existent, it’s recommended that you share a ride, use public transportation (CTA Red Line Sheridan station is the closest), or park further away near public transportation and use it. You can also use one of the ridesharing services but they will not be able to drop you off near Broadway—expect to walk a few blocks from wherever they can drop you off.
• T-SHIRTS: If you don’t have a shirt from a prior year or you’d like a new one, we have ordered extras. These moisture-wicking shirts can be ordered in advance by contacting the parade coordinator or purchased on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the parade if you haven't ordered or paid in advance. The cost is $20 for either the women’s or men’s style. You do not have to participate in the parade to purchase one.
• NAME CARDS: Every participant will be required to wear a name card. These cards will be given out on the day of the parade at the staging area for our contingent.
• WEAR/BRING: Wear your CAM t-shirt (see above) or other shirt in a bright color of the Rainbow Flag. Wear comfortable walking shoes that you’ve already broken in (you don’t want to have blisters for a week afterwards)! Wear a cross-body-strap bag containing two bottles of frozen water, sunscreen with a high SPF, $20 cash for a t-shirt if you’re purchasing one on-site, additional cash or a credit card if you’d like to enjoy one of the many cocktails available at the optional luncheon, and any personal items you might need (tissues, hat, umbrella, smart phone, camera, snack, chewing gum, etc.). There are vendors in the area that sell colorful parade-related merchandise and most only accept cash.
• AFTERWARDS: And like previous years, we will gather for a late private lunch after the Parade and continue to share the warm feelings before heading home. The venue will be within walking distance somewhere west of the end of the parade route. Everyone who RSVPs for the luncheon will be notified of both the venue and a more accurate time a few days before. You can attend the luncheon even if you don't participate in the Parade, but RSVPs are required.
• RSVPs (Required): Save the date! Registration usually opens in April.

If you need more information, email parade@chicago.us.mensa.org . For more information about our Rainbow Special Interest Group (SIG), visit their website.