CHICAGO — Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Northalsted Market Days is set to be the biggest and best it has ever been!
This years Northhalsted Market Days will take place the weekend of August 13th & 14th, 2016, when a crowd of more than 180,000 people from across the country will converge on Halsted Street to celebrate our annual event. Past performances include En Vogue, Jennifer Holliday, Lynda Carter, Salt n Pepa, Wilson Phillips and David Cassidy. For 48 hours, the neighborhood of Lakeview, becomes filled with food, art, music and fun. In which Chicago welcomes the largest street festival in the Midwest. It’s a two-day free-for-all of over 400 vendors, 40 concerts/acts, yummy gourmet street food, street dancing & street “booze”, with plenty of people dressed up in costumes and lots and lots of half-naked men. You see, Market Days takes place in Boystown, a stretch of Halsted Street in the Lakeview neighborhood that is home to the majority of the city’s gay bars and adult shops (plus plenty of trendy restaurants and unique boutiques for any orientation) and many of its gay residents. While the festival isn’t exactly “adults-only”, you’ll definitely see some things you might have a hard time explaining to your younger kids.
While Market Days is predominantly one long weekend “party” – it’s also a chance to support the local community. A $10 suggested donation helps keep our neighborhood safe, beautiful, and fun. Also benefiting from your donation is The Legacy Project, the worlds first outdoor museum, featuring LGBTQ icons throughout history, serving to tell their stories. Need a new “special toy”, some knock-off designer sunglasses, a hammock for your backyard, a set of “pitcher” and “catcher” t-shirts, or maybe just an arm full of used books? Market Days has you covered with it’s eclectic collection of vendors. You’ll also find giveaways and contests!
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/503099549707499/