Arts in the Dark is on Columbus Drive on October 24. Where do you stand?
Arts in the Dark parade on Columbus Drive, Saturday, October 24, 6 to 8 p.m. Where to stand, how to get there, and what to bring.
You know the feeling of arriving at a parade after the best curb space is gone. For Arts in the Dark on Saturday, October 24, head to the south end near Balbo Drive, where organizers recommend first-timers look for a better spot.
The parade runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Columbus Drive in Grant Park, with free admission and no tickets. Arriving early gives you time to choose a side and settle in before the march begins.
Short answer: go to the south end, near Balbo
For a better chance at a comfortable viewing spot, head to the south end near Balbo Drive, especially if this is your first Arts in the Dark parade. Organizers say the north end fills up first, so start near the parade’s launch point and arrive early.
The 2026 parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. It steps off at Balbo Drive and travels north on Columbus Drive through Grant Park. Admission is free, and you do not need a ticket. Check the Chicago Park District event listing before you leave for event details.
Give yourself time to find your place before 6 p.m. Once you settle on the east or west side, you can watch the procession move north along the route. If you want event updates from the organizers, check the Arts in the Dark website closer to parade day.
The route, and the Jackson vs. Monroe question
Arts in the Dark returns to Columbus Drive after about 10 years on State Street; the parade’s first two editions also took place on Columbus. The route begins at Balbo Drive and heads north through Grant Park.
The listed endpoint differs across the organizer’s own pages: the homepage says Jackson Boulevard, while its Attend and About pages say Monroe Street. Check the Arts in the Dark attendance information close to October 24 for the latest route details. The About page also describes the event and its history.
The uncertainty about the northern endpoint does not change the most useful viewing advice: the south end near Balbo is the recommended starting point. The parade draws about 100,000 people and includes roughly 105 groups, so plan to claim your place well before the 6 p.m. start.
Picking your side and spot
Choose the east side of Columbus Drive if you want food trucks nearby, or the west side if you prefer to be near vendors. Food trucks park on the east side, while vendors set up on the west before the parade begins.
Decide which side fits your plans before you arrive, then leave enough time to reach it and settle in. Waiting until 6 p.m. to look for a viewing spot leaves less room to choose where you stand, especially with a large crowd expected.
If you are meeting family or friends, agree on the side and the Balbo-area starting point before heading over. That gives your group a straightforward plan for arriving together and finding a place along the route. For another nearby fall event, you can check the Chicago Fall Fest information.
Getting there by CTA and Metra
The Roosevelt station is the closest CTA station to the Balbo end of the parade route. Adams/Wabash is another CTA option, and the Van Buren Street Metra Electric station is nearby for riders arriving by Metra.
Check the CTA before leaving because bus detours are possible during the event. Route changes can affect your final approach to Columbus Drive, so confirm current service information before choosing a bus connection.
If you are heading for the south end, plan your trip around Balbo Drive and allow time to walk from your station to the route. Keep your preferred viewing side in mind as you make that final approach.
Driving and parking
If you are driving, Millennium Garages is the parade’s parking sponsor and is offering a discount code. Its garages are north of the parade route on Michigan Avenue.
Check the organizer’s parking information for the current code and garage details before you set out. From a garage, leave time to reach Columbus Drive and continue to your chosen viewing area near the south end.
What to bring and know
Dress for an outdoor evening event: the parade runs after dark, takes place rain or shine, and calls for layers. Check the forecast before you leave, then choose clothing that works for the conditions through the 6 to 8 p.m. parade window.
Costumes are encouraged for attendees. Realistic weapons are banned for both marchers and spectators, so leave them at home. Arrive with enough time to find your chosen side and settle in before the parade steps off at Balbo Drive.
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Photo by joestoltz on Pixabay.