Let’s be honest: the real start time is whenever your crew gets there. Pride isn’t a train schedule. It’s a feeling. The actual starting gun fires when you hear the first distant thump of a bass speaker and see a cloud of glitter floating toward you.
Also, don’t forget the pre-game. Many cities have a “Pride Festival” or a street fair that opens hours before the parade itself. So, maybe you “start” at 8 AM with a rainbow donut and a coffee. Is that too early? Is water wet?
And here’s a hot tip from someone who learned the hard way: the end time is the real unknown. The parade can last two hours. It can last four. It depends on how many drag queens decide to do a split on the pavement. Plan for a long, beautiful journey.
What time does the Pride parade start in Chicago, how to watch live and
What About the Weather? (Yes, It Matters)
If it’s blazing hot, the parade might start a little late while volunteers hand out water and sunscreen. If it’s pouring rain, it might get delayed. But rain at Pride? That’s just the sky crying tears of joy. Or as we call it, free hydration.
Check the weather the night before. Then ignore it. Pride happens rain or shine, because love doesn’t care about meteorology. Just bring an umbrella. A rainbow one, obviously.
