This guide is brought to you by two of your favorite queer podcast hosts.
Anna DeShawn with Queer News & Shana with Bad Queers.
Family, never in all my queer years have I seen anything like what’s happening in Chicago for the WNBA All-Star weekend taking place July 23-26. In 2022, Chicago hosted All-Star weekend but we were still living through covid and fear around large crowds was still very real. Today, that fear has subsided and people are ready to be outside.
Thousands of women basketball stans are descending upon Chicago for a few reasons:
To witness the best talent in the world compete in a fun atmosphere.
To meetup with their friends from across the country and celebrate the culture of women’s basketball.
To have fun in one of the best cities in the world because let’s be clear, SummertimeChi is unmatched.
So what happens when you mix women’s basketball, 50+ events, and SummertimeChi? An unforgettable time ✨
Shana & I have gathered our feeds and put together this guide to help you plan your itinerary. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, networking opportunities or nightlife we’ve got you covered.
Did we miss an event? Leave us a comment so we can add it in.
And if you see me outside, say FAMILY so we can take a cute pic.
Family, we deserve this type of joy and don’t you forget it.
See you out there,
Anna
Thursday, July 23rd
WNBA All-Star Trivia Night: Kick off the weekend by testing your women’s sports knowledge! Co-hosted by Anna DeShawn (Queer News) and Shana Sumers (Bad Queers).
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: 3343 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
The Green Room presented by Social Market Agency: WNBA All-Star Weekend Activation
Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Level Sporting Club 3343 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free Admission
Local’s Night: Join us for a chiller night before the madness starts
Time: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Location: Babe’s Sports Bar
Cost: Free Admission
Welcome Mixer: Ladies Love Us, Bliss Sundays & Lovers and Friends Chicago combine forces all weekend. They are kicking things off with a welcome mixer to get the weekend started right.
Times: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. CT
Location: Nobody’s Darling | 1744 W. Balmoral Ave.
Cost: Free
WNBA Live: An interactive event that offers WNBA fans of all ages a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of basketball, entertainment, and culture!
Times:
Thursday, July 23rd | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. CT
Location: McCormick Place | 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cost: $37 - $50
NABJ-Chicago’s WNBA All Star Media Mixer powered by Flowers Communications: NABJ Chicago welcomes local and national media professionals to mix, mingle, and kick off WNBA All-Star Weekend. Enjoy local craft beer from Haymarket Brewery, and cocktails featuring Uncle Nearest Whiskey.
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: 303 East Wacker Drive | Lighthouse Amenity Center
Cost: Free, but capacity is limited
Sam Jay’s Starting Line Up Comedy Jam: A high-energy comedy jam featuring Sam Jay, Zainab Johnson, Syd Colson,TP, Punkie Johnson, and Just Nesh, live at Thalia Hall for one unforgettable night of laughs, heat, and all-star energy.
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Thalia Hall | 1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608
Cost: $73.59 - $96.76
Friday, July 24
“Unsupervised” Live Podcast: Start the day at the TOGETHXR House with a live recording of Syd & TP (Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance). The first 150 guests in line will get access to this hilarious show.
Time: 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Location: TOGETHXR House, 113 N Elizabeth St
Cost: Free
Sports Shawties: This women-led sports travel and events concierge officially kicks off their weekend programming, running through Sunday.
Time: July 24-26
Location: Varies | Primary location: Wintrust Arena
Cost: Starts at $275 per person
TOGETHXR House: The warehouse space opens to the public! Explore the Aveeno Scented Tunnel Walk, DICK’S Sporting Goods Merch Shop, the Barbie & Reebok Dream Closet, the Paula’s Choice Popsicle Stand, and the Pinterest Styling Studio.
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 113 N Elizabeth St
Cost: Free, some programming requires an RSVP
IHeart Women’s Sports: ALL-STAR WEEKEND LIVE featuring Flagrant & Funny with Cari Champion and Jemele Hill & also Good Game with Sarah Spain.
Time: Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Location: Level Sporting Club 3343 N Clark Chicago 60657
Cost: Free Admission
Everyone Watches Women’s Sports™ Live Special: Bringing their newest show to the stage!
Time: Doors open at 4:00 PM, Show from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: The Chicago Theatre
Cost: $25
Wine Up for the Weekend
Time: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Location: Babe’s Sports Bar
Cost: Free Admission
Girly the CEO & Queer Aunties presents The Draft: The Queer All-Star Mixer for the Aunties
Time: 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Location: Level Sporting Club 3343 N. Clark Chicago
Cost: $45.00
WNBA State Farm 3-point Contest & WNBA Kia Shooting Stars: The official Friday night WNBA festivities.
Time: 7pm
Location: Wintrust Arena (Home of the Chicago Sky)
Cost: $112 - $500+
WNBA Live: An interactive event that offers WNBA fans of all ages a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of basketball, entertainment, and culture!
Times:
Friday, July 24th | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT
Location: McCormick Place | 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cost: $37 - $50
The LineUp from VoxMedia presents And Mom: The Conversation Motherhood Deserves
Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 167 Green Chicago
Cost: Free
Sneaker Ball: They’re going to show you how Chicago does it
Time: 9:00 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Location: Hubbard Inn | 110 W. Hubbard St.
Cost: $40-$200
Saturday, July 25
Morning Run with Peloton: Start the day with a community run, then head back to the House for coffee, juice, and conversation with your Peloton Instructors, Kirsten Ferguson and Jess Sims, joined by special guests, Monica McNutt and Ros Gold-Onwude.
Time: 9:30 a.m. | Run from 10-11 a.m.
Location: TOGETHXR House, 113 N Elizabeth St
Cost: Free
Queer Stride Walk/Run Club: Stretch your legs, get moving and sweat at the iconic Chicago lakefront. Whether you’re feeling a leisure community walk and talk vibe or you want to get a few miles in with fellow runners, there's space for anyone who wants to move.
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Chicago Lake Front
Cost: Free
WNBA Live: An interactive event that offers WNBA fans of all ages a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of basketball, entertainment, and culture!
Times:
Saturday, July 25th | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT
Location: McCormick Place | 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cost: $37 - $50
Queens of the Court Panel: Join Coach Dawn Staley, Diana Taurasi, Raven Johnson, and additional women’s basketball stars as they break down what meaningful investment looks like and what’s shaping the game’s next era, hosted by Ari Chambers.
Time: Doors open at 11:00 AM | Panel from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: 167 N. Green Street
Cost: Free
Books for the City: A Community Giveaway
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Semicolon Books 2900 Van Buren St, Chicago
Cost: Free
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TOGETHXR House (Public Access): Day two of free access to the house’s exclusive merch drops and brand activations.
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 113 N Elizabeth St
Location: TOGETHXR House, 113 N Elizabeth St
Cost: Free
Party Like It’s 1996: we’re honoring the legacy of the ABL and WBL by celebrating like it’s the 90s before the big game.
Time: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Babes Sports Bar
Cost: Free Admission
Faces of the League Skills Challenge: Think you or a friend has what it takes to be the Face of the League? Fans will be put to the test on challenges that play by a whole different set of rules. Expect surprises, plenty of laughs, and the playbook we all know being thrown out the window!
Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: TOGETHXR House, 113 N Elizabeth St
Cost: Free
Party Like An All-Star: Watch the All-Star Game with a Bar full of Woman’s Sports Fans Sponsored by Maker’s Mark
Time: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Location: Babes Sports Bar
Cost: Free Admission
All-Star Game Watch Party+After Party: Think you or a friend has what it takes to be the Face of the League? Fans will be put to the test on challenges that play by a whole different set of rules. Expect surprises, plenty of laughs, and the playbook we all know being thrown out the window!
Time: Watch Party 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. | After Party 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Location: The Origin | 2010 W. Armitage
Cost: $20-$45
WNBA All -Star Watch Party
Location: Level Sporting Club 3343 N Clark Chicago 60657
Time: Tip Off at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
WNBA All -Star Watch Party
Location: Nobody’s Darling 1744 W. Balmoral Ave Chicago
Time: Tip Off at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game: The main event of the weekend!
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: United Center
Cost: $85 - $500+
WNBA All-Star Weekend After Party: Sunday Funday! Just because it’s the last day doesn’t mean it’s the end! We’ll have great food, music, vibes, & our final party to close out the weekend.
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Location: Tunnel | 151 W. Kinzie St.
Cost: Varies
Girly the CEO & Queer Aunties Present For the Love of Basketball Courtside After Dark
Time: 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Location: Secret Location
Cost: $45.00-$55.00
Sunday, July 26th
Lesbians Who Brunch Day Party: Sunday Funday! Just because it’s the last day doesn’t mean it’s the end! We’ll have great food, music, vibes, & our final party to close out the weekend.
Time: 12-3 p.m. | Complimentary mimosa from 12pm-1pm
Location: The Dime | 2263 N. Lincoln Ave.
Cost: $30 | Brunch ticket includes entry | Food is available for purchase
Rookies & Legends: All Girls Chi and Blasé have teamed up to bring you the ultimate WNBA All-Star Weekend finale. Join them on floors 2 & 3 of Hubbard Inn for what might just be the biggest all-women day party the city sees all weekend.
Time: 3-9 p.m.
Location: The Hubbard Inn | 110 W. Hubbard Street
Cost: $20 and $30 at the door
Camp Hangover on The Courtyard sponsored by Smash Jibarito
Time: 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Location: Babes Sports Bar
Cost: Free Admission
Cookies & Conversations and Before Sunset: Love & Basketball: A 40+ Queer Singles Mixer: -I’ll Play You. - For What? -Your Heart.
Time: 5 p.m - 10 p.m.
Location: Nobody’s Darling 1744 W Balmoral Ave Chicago 60640
Cost: Free Admission
There’s More too…
Monday, July 27th
We rest.
