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, increased traffic and to plan accordingly. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors of security measures in place and stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious activity to on-site event security or by calling 9-1-1.

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for Memorial Day Weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will also be activating its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the Memorial Day weekend to coordinate security efforts and resources amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners

To amplify our efforts to protect residents and communities citywide, OEMC and the Chicago Police Department will activate the Summer Operations Center (SOC) each weekend through Labor Day. The SOC provides strategic oversight and coordinated citywide deployment of public safety personnel and assets to enhance our ongoing collaborative efforts around crime and violence reduction.

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 and on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South to help them reference their location along the lakefront and within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. OEMC call takers and dispatchers will be able to provide the location to first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as meeting point if you become separated. For complete details click HERE.

Public Transportation: As with all busy weekends and large–scale events citywide 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 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:

Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Head Out
For safety and preparedness at your fingertips this Summer, residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, CHI Safe Walk, weather information, DNC 2024 details and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current events and forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is now available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.  

Memorial Day Weekend Events
Lakefront Beaches Open
City of Chicago beaches will open for the Summer on Friday, May 24. 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 24, 5-10 p.m., Saturday, May 25, noon–10 p.m. and Sunday, May 26, Noon–9 p.m.
The food and music festival in Pilsen has new location on 18th Street between Morgan and Halsted Streets. 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.

Soldier Field 10–Mile and 10K
Saturday, May 25, 7 a.m. (10 Mile) 7:30 a.m. (10K)
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 10K option will start with a pre-race playing of taps and a military salute. Both courses will take runners along Lake Michigan on the lakefront path before looping back to the finish ON the field at Soldier Field. There will be a post-race tailgate in the Stadium Green immediately following. For additional details, visit SoldierField10.com

Memorial Day Parade (State Street – Lake to Van Buren)
Saturday, May 25, 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
Friday, May 24, 5–10 p.m., Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
The annual street festival 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 lakevieweast.com/belmont-sheffield-music-festival-2024/.

Sueños Fest (Grant Park)
Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, Noon–10 p.m.
The highly anticipated festival is expected to draw fans to Chicago’s lakefront for the two-day sold out 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 enter the festival and this is strictly enforced. The festival boundary is from Michigan Avenue 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 SueñosMusicFestival.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:
Full Street Closures
    1. Balbo from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Wednesday, May 15 at 6 a.m.–Thursday, May 30 at 11:59 p.m.
    2. Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Ida B. Wells: Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.– Monday, May 27 at 11:59 p.m.
   3.Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue: Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.–Monday, May 27 at 11:59 p.m.

Navy Pier Fireworks
Saturday, May 25 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 27, 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 parade steps off at 10:30 a.m.at 110th Street and Longwood, heading north to Ridge Park. For complete details, visit BAPA.org/RidgeRun.

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 and issues affecting businesses:

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

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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