DeKalb Pride Fest

DeKalb Pride Fest is a free downtown resource fair and celebration with more than 100 vendors and food trucks, organized by an all-volunteer committee. DeKalb Pride's calendar that week also included a Trans Resilience Rally and a community Pride worship service in Sycamore.

DeKalb Pride grew out of smaller Pride events held in the DeKalb area in 2019, 2020 and 2021, when it became clear the community wanted a larger annual event. Its all-volunteer committee includes individuals, nonprofit organizations and businesses, and its goal is to celebrate and connect the LGBTQIA+ community in DeKalb County throughout the year, not only in June.

The festival takes place downtown on Van Buer Plaza and 2nd Street between Locust Street and Palmer Court, with part of the program inside the Egyptian Theatre. Vendors must be approved in advance by the committee and bring their own tents, tables and chairs, with tents weighted at every corner. Registration is free, with a suggested donation of $25 for nonprofit, educational and government vendors and $50 for businesses to help cover costs.

Supporters and participants have included the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board, First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and a local Rocky Horror shadowcast, with music from NRG Music.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

DeKalb Pride Fest has included festival, resource fair and trans rally.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held June 20, 2026. It usually falls third Saturday of June.