attend the parade!

DATE:

Saturday, October 24th, 2026

TIME:

6pm to 8pm

location:

THE PARADE IS MOVING!!

This year the parade will take place on Columbus Drive in order to accommodate our ever-expanding audience.  It will move north from Balbo to Monroe.

parade viewing tips

  • Arts in the Dark is a family-friendly event that is free an open to the public.
  • The parade is rain or shine – so be prepared with layers and inclement weather gear if it looks cold or rainy!
  • Make sure and arrive early if you’d like a good spot for viewing on the parade route! The north side of the route tends to fill up early – so you might try the south end to find a better spot.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

By CTA ‘L’ Train

  • Roosevelt Station (Red, Green, Orange Lines) — closest to the Balbo end of the route. From the station, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk east through Grant Park to Columbus Drive.
  • Adams/Wabash Station (Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple, Green Lines) — closest to the Monroe end. Walk east on Adams or Monroe about 6–8 blocks to reach Columbus Drive and the Art Institute area.
  • Monroe Station (Red Line, subway) or Jackson Station (Blue Line, subway) — both a short walk east to the Monroe/Michigan Ave end of the route.

By CTA Bus

  • Route 4 (Cottage Grove) runs along Michigan Avenue and serves both Roosevelt and Adams/Wabash — a direct, easy option that tracks almost the entire length of the parade route.
  • Route 6 (Jackson Park Express) and Route 146 (Inner Drive/Michigan Express) also run along Michigan Avenue near the route.
  • Any Michigan Avenue bus will drop you within a short walk of Columbus Drive.

By Metra

  • Millennium Station (Michigan Ave & Randolph) — closest to the Monroe end, about a 10-minute walk south.
  • Van Buren Street Station or 11th St/Museum Campus Station (both Metra Electric) — closest to the Balbo end.
PARKING:
 

As the Exclusive Parking Sponsor of the 2026 Arts in the Dark Parade, Millennium Garages is offering 20% off the lowest online rates when you book your parking HERE.  Grant Park South and Millennium Garages Lakeside are the most convenient.  Enter promo code ARTDARK at check-out to receive your 20% discount.  Promo code is valid at all four garages.

  • IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING!! The Chicago Police Department will have officers moving throughout the parade route – and parade marshals will be posted along the street.  Please inform someone if you see something suspicious.

NOTE REGARDING COSTUMES IN THE PARADE AS WELL AS FOR ATTENDEES: Real or realistic-looking weapons, including but not limited to swords, guns, knives, and any other dangerous items, are prohibited.