[PHOTOS] Everything we saw at this year’s Northalsted Market Days in Chicago

This year's Northalsted Market Days in Chicago was not to be missed.

Mark Mark
Aug 24, 2025 - 20:00
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[PHOTOS] Everything we saw at this year’s Northalsted Market Days in Chicago
A group of men pose shirtless and flexing on the streets of Chicago's Market Days.

ICYMI: Chicago’s largest street festival, Northalsted Market Days, celebrated the LGBTQ+ community in the Lakeview neighborhood from August 8 to 10, 2025. For three days, the streets were filled with live performances on multiple stages and over 250 vendors presented a rainbow of items to the bustling crowds who attended.

This annual event was established in 1982 and runs a half mile long from Belmont Ave. to Addison Ave. Notable performers this year were pop singers Kiesza and David Archuleta along with several drag artists, including RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Sam Star and Season 15 winner Sasha Colby.

Each day, DJs had revelers dancing in the streets to popular tunes and beverages provided at nearby tents added to the collective energy. A VIP lounge was offered for a $40 fee, with air-conditioned bathrooms and for $100, six drink tickets were included at the private bar inside the sectioned off area.

All funds raised from donations at the gates helped to support the 501(c)6 Northalsted Business Alliance. For information on next year’s festivities, stay tuned to northalsted.com.

Check out everything we saw at this year’s Market Days…

A group of muscular shirtless men smile and flex at Chicago's Market Days.
The beef was fully stocked!
Festivalgoers wander through the streets, passing vendors and shops at Chicago's Market Days.
The party ran block after block.
A group of shirtless men pose in various pink skirts and tank tops at Chicago's Market Days.
That’s what we call the Pink Pony Club!
A group of drag queens dressed as rainbow colored witches pose at Chicago's Market Days.
Which witch is which?!
Two festivalgoers throw up peace signs at Chicago's Market Days.
Paws and peace signs, baby!
Two shirtless men in blue speedos smile in front of an ad for Mistr.
Mister! Mister!
Sasha Colby performs for a packed crowd at Chicago's Market Days.
Sasha Colby performs for a packed crowd.
Two shirtless men smile and pose in front of BRB Central's vendor booth at Chicago Market Days.
Pink or blue?
A shirtless man poses in a speedo on a platform, dressed like a lifeguard, at Chicago's Market Days.
Lifeguard on duty.
David Archuleta performs with backup dancers at Chicago's Market Days.
David Archuleta brought down the house.
A shirtless man and drag queen pose with a wheel outside of Splash at Chicago's Market Days.
Spin the wheel, win a prize!
Shirtless dancers perform on stage at Chicago's Market Days.
The dress code is dance.
A group of Market Days attendees pose in different colors of the rainbow, dressed as fairies.
Are there any fairies here?
Two shirtless men in pink speedos pose with beach balls that read
Never a bad time for a tryst, if you know what we mean.
A man wearing an IKEA bag skirt and a pup smile and pose at Chicago's Market Days.
Paws up!
A group of bartenders in tanktops pose and smile outdoors at Chicago's Market Days.
Drink’s up!
A group of festivalgoers pose with fans outside the AHF booth at Chicago's Market Days.
Honestly, we’re such big fans!
Pop singer Kiesza performs in a purple dress with a cone bra at Chicago's Market Days.
Pop singer Kiesza performs at Chicago’s Market Days.
Two men wearing Hello Kitty crop tops that say
This kitty showed up to werk!
Sam Star performs with a fan and in thigh high boots at Chicago's Market Days.
Sam Star showed Chicago some star quality.

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