Naperville-Area Events To Show LGBTQ+ Support During Pride Month

NAPERVILLE, IL — Rainbow flags, live music, family activities and community booths will return to the Naperville area this June as part of a Pride Month season unfolding against a backdrop of sharp political debate across the country.

Naperville will host its Pride festival in October, but in te meantime, there are other Pride events to enjoy nearby.

On June 13, Aurora will host Pride at the Plaza at 21 S. Stolp Ave. The event features drag performances, live music and more.

The Aurora Pride Parade is scheduled for June 14. The parade will step off at 12 p.m. from the intersection of Broadway and Benton.

Pride Month is celebrated each June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, widely viewed as a turning point in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, according to the Library of Congress. What began as a day of remembrance and protest has grown into a month of parades, festivals, concerts, workshops and community gatherings across the country.

Here other ways to show support for LGBTQ+ neighbors near Naperville:

After Hours Pride Party at Downers Grove Public Library

On June 13, the Downers Grove Public Library will host a pride party for students grades six through 12. Billed as a "celebration of queer joy," the event features food and music, along with arts and crafts.

Carol Stream Pride Concert

Dancing Queen will play ABBA tribute music at Ross Ferraro Town Center for the Carol Stream Pride Concert on June 18. Access to the venue and food trucks begins at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m.

Downers Grove PrideFest

EQuality Downers Grove will host DG PrideFest on June 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fishel Park, 935 Maple Ave. The festivities include food trucks, a tie-dye station, live music and a parade for residents and their pets.

Lombard Pride Fest

The Church of Lombard UCC will host the 5th Annual Lombard Pride Fest on June 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can grab snacks from food trucks, dance to live music and browse goods from local vendors. Therapy dogs, games and prizes are also planned for the festival.

Pride events are being held around the country in June. Some of the major festivals include:

• Boston Pride for the People on June 6 featuring a parade, festival and related events.
• Philly Pride 365 “Pride is Power” March & Festival on June 7 in Philadelphia, featuring a march and festival.
• The 56th annual LA Pride Parade on June 14 in Los Angeles, starting on Hollywood Boulevard at 11 a.m.
• Capital Pride from June 12-21 in Washington, D.C., an annual celebration that ends with the Pride Parade and Festival weekend.
• Chicago Pride Fest on June 20-21 and the Chicago Pride Parade on June 28.
• The 56th Annual San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration on June 27–28.

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