With multiple festivals and concerts happening throughout the city this weekend, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly. OEMC is advising residents, to stay vigilant and enjoy the weekend safely and responsibly.  

This weekend, the City of Chicago will have citywide deployments to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and will coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders as needed. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from increased traffic.  

Report Suspicious Activity:  If You See Something, Say Something™ OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity – especially in large gatherings. 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. Although the City has not received actionable threats, the Department of Homeland Security released an advisory on May 24, 2023 - National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. DHS emphasizes the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. It notes that “lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent threat to the United States.”  

Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Go  

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents and festival goers are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.  

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Wrigley Field  

Wednesday, August 9 and Friday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m.  

The Boss tour makes a stop for two nights at Wrigley. Gates open 4:30 p.m. Rideshare drop-off/pick up areas are restricted to designated areas two hours before and one hour after event. For complete details, visit mlb.com/cubs/ballpark/information  

Chicago Ducky Derby and Family Festival – 401 N. Michigan  

Thursday, August 10, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  

The 18th annual Chicago Ducky Derby will take place on August 10th, with thousands of rubber ducks racing down the Chicago River in support of the Special Olympics. The race duration depends on how quickly the rubber ducks move down the river. For details, visit DuckRace.com.  

Lil Durk at United Center  

Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12 at 7 p.m.  

Bud Billiken Parade / Bronzeville Community  

Saturday, August 12 at 10 a.m.  

The 94^th Annual Bud Billiken Parade will step-off at 10 a.m. at 41^st and King Drive. 

Assembly begins at 8 a.m. on Oakwood Blvd at Cottage Grove to King Drive, King Drive from Oakwood to 45^th Street. The parade will proceed from 45th St at King Drive, heads south on King to 51st St. and east on 51st to Ellsworth Drive in Washington Park, continues south on Ellsworth to Morgan Dr. and Payne Dr. for disbanding.  Expect street closures along King Drive from 39^th Street thru 59^th Street and along 55^th from Prairie Avenue east into Washington Park to Cottage Grove. Designated parade crossover locations are at 43^rd, 47^th and 51^st Martin Luther King Drive.  Cooling buses will be staged in the footprint.  OEMC, the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department will be on-site coordinating public safety and resources. For more details, visit BudBillikenParade.org  

Chicago Bears Pre-Season Opener / Soldier Field   

Saturday, August 12 at Noon  

• Fans attending the game are required to enter Soldier Filed using a mobile ticket.  
• Soldier Field’s NFL clear bag policy will be in effect for this event. Clear plastic bags/backpacks that do not exceed 12"x6"x12" or one gallon (or smaller) clear plastic freezer bags are allowed. Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options. For complete details including a list of prohibited items, visit ChicagoBears.com/game-day/coming-to-the-game  

Parking, Ride-Share and Transportation:   

• Rideshare Uber/Lyft drop-off/pick-up is located at Balbo and Columbus. The 18th St. turnaround will also be designated for drop-offs and the 18th St. McCormick lot will be utilized for pick-ups. Rideshare users are urged to be alert and take the necessary precautions before entering a ride-share vehicle.  
• No exiting from vehicles on or along DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be condoned.  
• Residential parking restrictions are in effect around Soldier Field. Call 3-1-1 to locate towed vehicles.  

Retro on Roscoe / Roscoe Village  

Friday, August 11, 5p.m.–10p.m., Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, noon–10p.m.  

The Annual Retro on Roscoe festival at 2000 West Roscoe includes three stages along a six-block stretch on West Roscoe Street from Damen Avenue to Oakley Street. Street closures include: Roscoe (2000-2270 W.), Seeley, Hoyne, Hamilton, Leavitt and Bell (3350- 3410 N). For additional details, visit StarEvents.com/event/Retro-on-Roscoe  

Edison Park Fest / 6730 North Olmsted Avenue  

Friday, August 11, 5p.m.–10p.m, Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, noon–10p.m.  

This annual community fundraiser welcomes nearly 20,000 attendees throughout the weekend. For additional details, visit EdisonParkFest.org/  

Pink at Wrigley Field  

Saturday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m.  

The PINK Summer Carnival stops at Wrigley Field. Gates open 4:30 p.m. Rideshare drop-off/pick up areas are restricted to designated areas two hours before and one hour after event. For complete details, visit mlb.com/cubs/ballpark/information  

Northalsted Market Days  

Saturday, August 12 and Sunday August 13, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.  

The live music street festival celebrating community in Chicago’s landmark Northalsted//Lakeview neighborhood/ The festival stretches a ½ mile on North Halsted from Belmont to Addison. For details, visit Northalsted.com/NorthalstedMarketDays   

Printer’s Row Art Fest / South Loop  

Saturday, August 12 – Sunday August 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

The Printer’s Row Art Fest is a new cool vibe art festival in Chicago’s up and coming South Loop, a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community. Streets are closed for the even on Dearborn Street from Harrison to Polk streets (701 S. Dearborn). AmdurProductions.com/2023PrintersRowArtFest  

Pakistan Independence Day Parade  

Sunday, August 13, 12:30 p.m.  

The Pakistan Independence Day Parade celebrates Pakistan’s independence from British colonization. The parade will step off at Devon and Damen Avenue, along Damen to Western Avenue. Chicago.gov/DCASE/Parades  

Ecuadorian Parade 

Sunday, August 13, 12 p.m.  

The parade assembly begins at 7 a.m. at 2800 W. Montrose and marches west on Montrose from California to Kimball, north on Kimball and disbands at 4600 N Kimball.   

Navy Pier Fireworks  

Saturday, August 5, 10 p.m.  

For complete details, visit NavyPier.org  

Chicago White Sox vs Milwaukee Brewers  

Friday, August 11 (7:10 p.m.), Saturday, August 12 (6:15 p.m.) and Sunday, August 13 (1:10 p.m.) Guaranteed Rate Field  

*Note: Jackson from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive remains closed through Saturday, August 12 night. Also, Balbo Drive from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive remains closed through Sunday, August 13 night for Lollapalooza clean up.  

Public Transportation: For all large events, public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA and Metra.com.  

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. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.  

OEMC issues 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  

• 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  

Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the light poles throughout the Grant Park area and along the lakefront. The green signs with white letters and numbers are also located from 2400 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive to 6600 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Oak Street to Fullerton and Montrose to Foster Avenue to help residents reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency and you call 9-1-1.  

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).  

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About OEMC  

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) oversees several functions that support public safety and provides assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The OEMC manages the following operational areas for the city: 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch; the 3-1-1 call center; emergency management; and traffic management. The OEMC coordinates with departments citywide, including the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, in addition to various other local, state, and federal agencies as it relates to public safety planning and coordination for everything from large-scale special events to public safety emergencies and disasters.