LGBTQ performers sure know how to put on a show. And for Halloween, whether it’s a public family-friendly parade or a late-night 21+ event, they can be counted on to deliver unforgettable spectacles.
Cute, sexy and grotesque looks will march down the heart of Boystown for the 23rd annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
“The parade has LGBTQ flavor, but is open for everyone,” said Del Nakamura, marketing manager for Northalsted Business Alliance. “It has a very Chicago feeling.”
The parade, which draws between 5,000 and 10,000 attendees each year, will start at the intersection of Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue and will move north on Halsted toward Brompton Avenue.
Participants are encouraged to register to compete in seven costume categories, including scary, drag, creative, youth, cosplay, groups of less than 10, and large groups with 10 or more participants. Nakamura said there will be $4,000 in cash prizes.
More Halloween LGBTQ events and shows:
Drag Me To Hell Costume Ball
When: Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted St.
Horror at the Lounge
When: Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: The Baton Show Lounge, 4713 N. Broadway
Haunted Halsted’s 23rd annual Halloween Parade
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Starts at Halsted and Belmont and goes north to Halsted and Brompton.
OutHaus of Horrors!
When: 8-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Annoyance Theatre & Bar, 851 W. Belmont Ave
Bad Femme - Halloween double feature with Kat Sass and Siichele
When: 7-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave.
Alexis Bevels’ cab-BOO-ret: a singing, dancing, supper club
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Drew’s on Halsted, 3201 N. Halsted St.
Drag Matinee Halloween with Jaymes Mansfield
When: 10:30 p.m Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Berlin Nightclub, 954 W. Belmont Ave.
Sidetrack Things: Halloween 2019
When: 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Costume contest starts at 10 p.m
Where: Sidetrack The Video Bar, 3349 N. Halsted St.
Dia de los Muertos
When: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Where: Meeting House Tavern, 5025 N. Clark St.
Alice’s Wonderland of Horrors
When: Seatings between 7 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Where: The Darling, 905 W. Randolph St.
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