With many festivals, concerts, athletic events, the opening of beaches and simultaneous events throughout the city and along the lakefront this Memorial Day weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds and increased traffic and plan accordingly. The City of Chicago will be the home to the all-new Sueños Chicago music festival from noon to 10 p.m. daily in Grant Park and Coldplay concert at Soldier Field at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for Memorial Day Weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders. The OEMC will also be activating its Emergency Operations Center for the weekend to allow for enhanced citywide coordination amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners.

Report Suspicious Activity:  If you See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area as well as 1200 DuSable Lake Shore Drive to 6600 DuSable Lake Shore Drive to help them reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency. 

Public Transportation: As for any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged and both CTA and Metra are providing additional service for the event. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following large events:

Memorial Day Weekend Events
Lakefront Beaches Open
City of Chicago beaches will open for the Summer Friday, May 27. The Chicago Park District urges patrons to enjoy the beaches safely and responsibly and look for “No Swimming Allowed” signage that indicates that swimming is not sanctioned in that area. Visitors should consult the district’s website or social media platforms to ensure water conditions are safe for swimming before heading out to the beach and only enter the water when a lifeguard is on duty. Swim hours are 11am to 7pm, daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Swimming anywhere else along the lakefront is not permitted. For details and information on a beach near you, visit ChicagoParkDistrict.com.

Mole de Mayo Festival (18th Street, Blue Island to Ashland)
Friday, May 27–Saturday, May 28, noon–10 p.m. and Sunday, May 29, Noon–9 p.m.
The food and music festival in Pilsen is located on 18th Street from Ashland to Blue Island Avenue Entrances are located at 1801 S. Ashland Avenue and 1400 W. 18th Street Public transportation is encouraged:
Get there via CTA: 18th Street Pink Line, Bus #18, #60, #20, and Metra (16th & Halsted). For complete details, visit MoledeMayo.org

Deftones Concert at Northerly Island,
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m.
The concert a Huntington Bank Pavilion was originally scheduled for August 17, 2021. Public transportation is encouraged. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. For complete details, visit PavilionNortherlyIsland.com.

Soldier Field 10–Mile
Saturday, May 28, 7 a.m.
The Soldier Field 10 returns to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Country on Memorial Day weekend. The annual 10 mile and first-ever 10K option will start with a pre-race playing of taps and a military salute. Both courses run south on DuSable Lake Shore Drive before looping back, along Lake Michigan to the finish ON the field at Soldier Field. North bound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed from 31st Street to 57th Street. There will be a post-race tailgate in the Stadium Green immediately following. For additional details, visit Soldierfield.net.

Memorial Day Parade (State Street – Lake to Van Buren)
Saturday, May 28, Wreath Laying Ceremony (Daley Plaza) at 11 a.m., Parade on State Street at Noon
Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. They gave their lives to protect our nation’s freedom. The Wreath Laying Ceremony is on Daley Plaza (50 West Washington Street) at 11 a.m. followed by the Parade at noon on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street For additional details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE.

Belmont/Sheffield Music Festival
Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
The 36th annual street happening on Sheffield Avenue, from Belmont Avenue to Roscoe Street in the heart of the Lakeview neighborhood (and just steps from the Belmont El station). For additional details, visit
Chicagoevents.com.

Sueños Fest (Grant Park)
Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, Noon–10 p.m.
The highly anticipated festival is expected to draw fans to Chicago’s lakefront for the two-day event. Concertgoers can enter the festival on Buckingham Fountain Plaza located at Columbus Drive and Ida B. Wells Drive. All attendees must be 18 years or older to purchase tickets and to enter the festival and this is strictly enforced. The festival boundary is from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road to Ida B. Wells. All motorists, pedestrians and residents in the area are reminded of the street closures and traffic impacts throughout the weekend. For complete festival information, visit SuenosMusic Festival.com

Street Closures in Place for Sueños Chicago: Traffic control aides will be deployed to facilitate traffic around the area. The following closures are in effect:
• Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Ida B. Wells: Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m.– Monday, May 30 at 6 a.m.
• Balbo Avenue from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Friday, May 20–Thursday, June 2
• Balbo Avenue from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue: Friday, May 27–Monday, May 30

Coldplay Concert (Soldier Field)
Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Coldplay will return to Soldier Field for two nights on Memorial Day weekend. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show will go from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Concert goers are encouraged to take public transportation, but if driving, it’s encouraged to use I-55NB/SB to get to Soldier Field. Limited parking is available at Soldier Field. For all events at Soldier Field, the NFL All-Clear Bag Policy is in place. Approved bags are limited to: Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 12"x6"x12", small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5”x6.5”, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium. For complete details on Soldier Field, visit SoldierField.net.

Navy Pier Fireworks
Saturday, May 28 at 10 p.m.
Beginning on Memorial Day weekend, Navy Pier will present a fireworks show each Wednesday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend. Wednesday shows begin at 9 p.m. and Saturday shows begin at 10 p.m. For additional details, visit NavyPier.org.

Ridge Run and Parade
Monday, May 30, 8 a.m.
The annual Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day tradition takes place in Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Drive with a 10K, 5K, Youth Mile Race and Parade. The event steps off at 110th Street and Longwood, heading north to Ridge Park. For complete details, visit BAPA.org/RidgeRun.

Additional Events
International Mr. Leather Conference
Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 520 S. Michigan Ave
Thursday, May 26th– Monday, May 30 - mrl.com
Ray LaMontagne Concert
Chicago Theatre, 175 S. State Street
Friday, May 27, 7:30 p.m.
Farmers Markets (Citywide)
Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 (times vary)
Chicago.gov/DCASE
Chicago Sky vs Las Vegas Aces
WintrustArena.com
Saturday, May 28, Start Time: 2 p.m.
Crosstown Classic
Guaranteed Rate Field - mlb.com/WhiteSox/ballpark
Saturday, May 28, 6:15 p.m. and Sunday, May 29, 1:10 p.m.
Monsta X Concert – No Limit US Tour; K Pop Boy Band
Chicago Theatre, 175 S. State Street
Saturday, May and Sunday, May 29. 7:30 p.m.
International Mr. Leather Conference – Contest
Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. DuSable LSD
Sunday, May 29, 6-9 p.m. - mrl.com
Maxwell Street Market
800 S. Desplaines Street
Chicago.gov/DCASE
Sunday, May 29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Chicago Philharmonic Performance – Aretha Rising
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street
Sunday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles – Sweet Home Chicago
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
Sunday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers Doubleheader
Wrigley Field - mlb.com/Cubs/ballpark
Monday, May 30, Noon

Weather and Public Safety
OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. We encourage residents to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date weather information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.

OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices, issues affecting businesses or COVID-19 updates:

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).

My Chi. My Future App
The City of Chicago recently launched the My CHI. My Future App, designed to connect youth to programs this summer, and it gives each user or teen a custom experience with the homepage feature. The app will give Chicago teens access to the following resources this summer: Summer jobs, including One Summer Chicago and Chicago Youth Service Corps; seasonal programs from Parks and Libraries; local Summer Kickback events planned by hundreds of teens across 15 neighborhoods and community-based programs from over 250 partners The app is available at the App Store or Google Play.

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