The City of Chicago’s Memorial Day Weekend Offers Multiple Events and Parades Citywide as the Unofficial Kick-off to Summer Friday, May 23 – Monday, May 26

May 22, 2025

OEMC Encourages Residents and Visitors to utilize Public Transportation and to Report Suspicious Activity by Calling 9-1-1

Summer Safety Resource for Social Media, Newsletters, and More

CHICAGO: 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. Visit link for City of Chicago :: If You See Something, Say Something resources.

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area, along various points on the lakefront path 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 for first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as meeting point if you become separated. For 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 this Summer, residents and visitors are encouraged to gear up and 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.

Lakefront Beaches Open Friday, May 23

City of Chicago beaches will open for the Summer on Friday, May 23. 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. Below is the last summer safety message from Marvel’s Ironheart.

Soldier Field 10–Mile and 10K

Saturday, May 24, 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

AC/DC at Soldier Field

Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m., Doors Open at 6 p.m.

AC/DC return to the road for the first time in nine years. For details, visit SoldierField.com/events.

Transportation Restrictions for AC/DC Concert at Soldier Field (in conjunction with Sueños in Grant Park:

· Staging, pick-up, and drop-offs are restricted from Monroe to E. 24th Pl. and State to S. Lynn White Dr.

· TNPs, Taxis, and Charters may only pick-up and/or drop-off passengers (except WAV with ADA passengers) at the following locations:

o Gate 14 – WAV and ADA drop-off and pick-up.

o 18th St turnaround – drop-off only pre-event.

o 11th / Wabash – drop-off and pick-up.

o 21st / Wabash – drop-off and pick-up o Indiana (Cermak to 24th) – pick-up only post event.

· No vehicles stopping, standing, or parking in bus or bicycle lanes, active traffic lanes, intersections, fire lanes, sidewalk crossings, turning lanes, etc. (Strictly enforced)

· No pick-up or drop-off on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, including on-ramps, off-ramps, medians, turning lanes, shoulders, and emergency pull-off areas. (Strictly enforced)

· No pedicab shall be operated on the public way in the area bounded on the north by Roosevelt Rd, on the west by Indiana Ave, on the south by 18th St (extended east to DuSable Lake Shore Drive), and on the east by Columbus Dr.

Memorial Day Parade (State Street – Lake to Van Buren)

Saturday, May 24, 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 23, 5–10 p.m., Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 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 chicagoevents.com/event/belmont-sheffield-music-fest/

Sueños Fest (Grant Park)

Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, Noon–10 p.m.

The popular music festival has expanded its’ footprint for 2025 and added a stage on Buckingham Fountain Plaza along with the main stage in Lower Hutchinson Field and is expected to draw fans to Chicago’s lakefront for the two-day event. The festival in Grant Park boundaries are from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road to Jackson. All motorists, pedestrians and residents in the area are reminded of the street closures and traffic impacts throughout the weekend. The Museum Campus access is available via 11^th Street or Roosevelt Road. For complete festival information, visit SuenosMusicFestival.com/

Festival Entry and Age Requirement

Concertgoers can enter the festival at the Congress Circle and Ida B. Wells Drive. All attendees must have a ticket and be 18 or older to enter. This will be strictly enforced.

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

· Balbo from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Wednesday, May 14 at 6 a.m.–Saturday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m.

· Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Jackson: Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m.– Monday, May 26 at 11:59 p.m.

· Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue: Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m.–Monday, May 26 at 11:59 p.m.

Navy Pier Fireworks

Saturday, May 24 at 10 p.m.

Beginning on Memorial Day weekend, Navy Pier will present a fireworks show each Wednesday and Saturday through August 30. Wednesday shows begin at 9 p.m. and Saturday shows begin at 10 p.m. For additional details, visit NavyPier.org/summer-fireworks

Ridge Run and Parade

Monday, May 26, 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 110^th 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), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).