In coordination with our cross-sector public safety partners, Titan Security is currently monitoring the following special events and protests in or near the Chicago Loop.
Anticipated Demonstrations and Special Events
- Thursday, May 16 at 9:30am: 121 N LaSalle (City Hall), Group will gather for their cause “Application for Permit to March on the DNC”
- Thursday, May 16 at 6:00pm: 200 S Columbus (Grant Park), Group will gather/run for their event “JPM Chase Corporate Challenge”
- Saturday, May 18 at 8:30am: 2301 S DuSable Lake Shore (McCormick Place), Group will gather for their cause “Demand an End to the Subminimum Wage for Tipped Workers”
- Saturday, May 18 at 11:30am: 230 S Dearborn (Federal Plaza) to 230 S LaSalle (Federal Reserve Bank), Group will gather/march for their cause “Mayday for Money: Stand Up for Economic and Monetary Justice”
- Saturday, May 18 at 1:45pm: 1100 S Michigan to 300 S Columbus (Buckingham Fountain), Group will gather/march for their cause “Chicago Peace Walk” *
- Saturday, May 18 at 2:00pm: 400 N Michigan (Wrigley Building), Group will gather for their cause “Mondelez, Stop War Profiteering. Exit Russia Now.”
- Saturday, May 18 at 5:00pm: 201 E Randolph (Millennium Park), Group may gather for their event “Teen Trend” **
- Sunday, May 19 at 3:00pm: 1160 N Larrabee (18th Dist CPD), Group will gather for their cause “Free Them all! Free Palestine!”
- Wednesday, May 22 at 9:00am: 121 N LaSalle (City Hall), Group will gather for their cause “Referendum for Community Power Over Policing”
- Wednesday, May 22 at 9:00am: 905 W Fulton (Mondelez HQ), Group will gather for their cause “Advancing Deforestation Rally at Mondelez International HQ”
- Saturday, May 25 at 11:00am: 400 N State to 600 S State, Group will gather/march for their cause “Memorial Day Parade”
- Saturday, May 25 at 1:00pm: 806 N Michigan (Water Tower), Group will gather/march for their cause “Chicago Unites for Palestine”
- Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26: 101 S Columbus (Grant Park), Group will gather for their event “Suenos Latin Music Festival”
- May 29 at 4:30pm: 230 S Dearborn (Federal Plaza), Group will gather for their cause “Emergency Protest: Hands Off Rafah”
- May 31 at 8:00pm: 1410 Special Olympics (Soldier Field), Group will gather for their event “Mexico vs Bolivia (Men’s National Soccer/Football)”
- Ongoing: short-notice protests related to the conflict in Gaza are anticipated to continue, including localized traffic and transit disruptions
- Ongoing: neighborhood street festivals are underway during the spring and summer months in Chicago; ChooseChicago provides detailed listings at https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/festivals-and-special-events/
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
- Balbo from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Wednesday, May 15 at 6 a.m.–Thursday, May 30 at 11:59 p.m.
- Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Ida B. Wells: Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.– Monday, May 27 at 11:59 p.m.
- Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue: Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.–Monday, May 27 at 11:59 p.m.
- Full Street Closures
- 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:
- 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.
Notes/Analysis
* = Alternate route listed from 9 S Michigan to 300 S Michigan; Unclear if one or both will be utilized
** = Gatherings of teens and young adults organized via social media; Attendance is highly weather dependent
Event/Protest Best Practices
- If you see something suspicious, report it
- Carry water and stay hydrated
- Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
- Utilize the buddy system
- Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
- Leave any valuables at home
- Do not jump any barricades
- Secure handbags and wallets
- Stay calm and pleasant
- Follow your own instincts
- Leave yourself room to move quickly
As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).
About Titan Security Group
Titan launched in 1994 with a vision for a better way to provide security services to communities. Today, we provide security services to 10 states across the Midwest and Southeastern United States. We employ more than 3,600 security staff and have enjoyed over twenty-nine consecutive years of successfully serving our clients across a wide range of industries. Titan delivers results to clients through flexible, customized security solutions, and superior customer service. The Titan approach combines traditional security staffing and emergency planning solutions with electronic security systems to provide integrated, efficient, and customized safety and security solutions from a single source.