2026 Gun Violence Awareness Month Events in Chicago
June is recognized as Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor gun violence survivors and advocate to put an end to gun violence. Organizations all across Chicago are planning a number of events and activities across the city and throughout the month. Find the many ways you can support below.
Have an event for Gun Violence Awareness Month? Submit it here.
JUNE 1 – 7
June 1 | Peace Portraits, Mondays at 10 a.m. throughout June
Peace Portraits, presented by the Illinois Peace Project, is a visual series dedicated to spotlighting the extraordinary individuals working every day to build safer, stronger, and more peaceful communities. These individuals embody the spirit of Peace Portraits, as they work tirelessly to strengthen their communities, empower residents, and inspire change. (View here)
June 2 | Gun Violence Awareness Month Film Screening: Love Is Not Enough, 4 – 7 p.m.
Join the Cook County Justice Advisory Council for a Gun Violence Awareness Month film screening of the award-winning film, Love is Not Enough. Event includes dinner, a one-hour screening, and a panel discussion with the filmmaker. (740 W 63rd St; more info)
June 3 | Playstreets Last Day of School Block Party, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Breakthrough Urban Ministries is celebrating the end of a successful school year with a Block Party Bash! There will be food, inflatables, face painting, family-friendly activities, music, and more! (3000 W Flournoy St; more info)
June 3 | Wear Orange Youth Event, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Join Inner City Empowerment CDC to talk gun violence prevention and Community Violence Intervention. (202 Forest Blvd; More info)
June 4 | Strides for Peace Race Against Gun Violence, 6 – 8 p.m
The Race Against Gun Violence is a powerful celebration of the life-changing work of local community organizations and a chance for everyone who cares about ending gun violence to take meaningful action. This is your opportunity to cultivate hope: run, walk, or sprint alongside others who share the vision of a community free from gun violence. Every step counts, and 100% of charitable contributions you raise go directly to your selected Charity Partner, supporting efforts to end gun violence where it matters most. There are several options to partcipate: 8K, 5K, 2-mile walk, or a Kids for Peace Sprint. Please come be part of a wonderful movement. (Grant Park – Upper Hutchinson Field, 250 E Balbo Dr; more info)
June 5 | Wear Orange Peace March Against Gun Violence, 3 – 6 p.m.
We wear orange for a future free from gun violence. This year, BUILD Chicago once again unite in our call to end gun violence as the community comes together for Wear Orange Day. The West Side March Against Gun Violence will kick off at 3 p.m. sharp and will be followed by a community pop-up event. (5100 W Harrison St; more info)
June 5 | Summer Peace Takeover 2026, 7 p.m.
Join Saint Sabina Church as they host Summer Peace Takeover 2026, with special guest Chance the Rapper. This free community event aims to kick of Summertime Chi in a safe and fun way. Free T-shirts will be available for the first 1,000 guests. (1210 W 78th Pl; more info)
June 5 – 7 | Wear Orange Weekend
Wear Orange Weekend honors survivors and builds community with those working to end gun violence. (Nationwide; more info)
June 6 | Prison Number Retirement Event, 2 – 5 p.m.
This prison number retirement event will give brothers and sisters a second chance. This event is set up to allow people who have made a mistake in the past to move on and live trauma-free. Nobody is perfect — everybody needs a little help. (3908 W Division St; more info)
June 7 | Playstreets & Light in the Night Hoops Session, 1 – 4 p.m.
Join UCAN for youth-focused recreational and leisure activities. (4320 W 15th St; more info)
JUNE 8 – 14
June 8 | Investing in Community Violence Intervention Strategies: New Evidence From Illinois’ Government Alliance for Safe Communities, 11 a.m.
In this webinar, leaders from the Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC) and the Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research and Science (CORNERS) at Northwestern University will discuss findings from a newly published impact evaluation. The conversation will explore where and at what scale public funds for CVI were invested, and the GASC investment’s overall impact on community safety outcomes. Panelists will also discuss the findings’ implications for policymakers in Illinois and beyond. (Virtual; more info)
June 11 | Metropolitan Peace Academy’s 2026 Spring Graduation, 5 – 8 p.m
The Metropolitan Peace Academy, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives’ premier multi-disciplinary training program, will celebrate the latest cohort of street outreach workers, case managers, and victim advocates at its Spring 2026 Graduation. (7059 S South Shore Dr; more info)
June 12 | Roll N Peace 13: Eat N Peace Edition, 4 p.m.
Think Outside Da Block invites you to join us for Roll N Peace 13, an eight-mile evening bike ride through our community—bringing neighbors together to reclaim our streets with joy, movement, and unity. This year’s Eat N Peace Edition is all about the connection between health, peace, and community. We’re combining cycling, good food, and positive energy to build a stronger, healthier neighborhood, together. We’re also excited to welcome guests from across the country as part of a national community safety convening, along with special host Leon Rogers of WGCI Morning Show bringing the vibes. (6500 S Racine Ave, more info)
June 13 | Chicago West Side Baseball Opening Day, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Community collaboration will be exemplified again this summer in Austin, Garfield Park, and North Lawndale as we take the diamond for opening day! Join us for the start of baseball season with a parade of teams headed south on Central Park Ave. (100 N Central Park Ave; more info)
June 13 | Father’s Day Picnic, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join UCAN for a day of food, games and fun to celebrate fathers and their families. (14428 S Atlantic Ave; more info)
June 13 | Community Paddling Day, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Always wanted to try paddling? Come to Beaubien Celebration day and hop in a canoe with our paddling guides! Chicago Adventure Therapy and the Forest Preserves of Cook County will provide all the paddling equipment and clothing. No experience necessary. (Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, E 132nd St, east of S Greenwood Ave; more info)
June 13 | Light in the Night, 2 – 5 p.m.
Join UCAN as they provide food and family-friendly fun for the community! (3605 W Fillmore St; more info)
June 14 | Peace Runners Juneteenth Wellness 5K Walk/Run, 7:30 – 11 a.m.
The Peace Runners 773 Juneteenth Wellness 5K is an annual community event in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood. With your support, Peace Runners 773 hoping to fundraise for more intergenerational health and wellness programming and initiative and also provide some youth scholarships. (138 S Hamlin Blvd; more info)
JUNE 15 – 21
June 18 | How Chicago is Rewriting the Public Safety Playbook, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities and City Club Chicago during Gun Violence Awareness Month to learn how philanthropy and public-private partnerships have fostered evidence-based, community-driven public safety solutions that serve as a model for the nation. The conversation will also provide opportunities for attendees to learn how to take action and get involved. (111 W Grand Ave; more info)
June 19 | Juneteenth Summer Event, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Join UCAN for food, fun and a celebration in honor of Juneteenth. (837 W 115th St; more info)
June 19 | 2026 Juneteenth Celebration, 12 – 3 p.m.
Join R CITY for a Juneteenth Celebration! Bring the whole family to their outdoor space for an afternoon of games food, and fun. This is a free event. (3709 W Grand Ave; more info)
June 19 | 1865 Fest, 12 – 8 p.m.
The 1865 Coalition is a collaboration of community organizations, residents, stakeholders, law enforcement, educational institutions, elected officials, local businesses, and churches who collectively have come together to host a two-day Juneteenth celebration in Garfield Park called the “1865 Fest.” This goal is achieved through cultural activities, art, education, sports, entertainment, community engagement, statewide partnerships and strategic planning. (100 S Woodward Dr; more info)
JUNE 22 – 30
June 26 | Light in the Night Peace Walk, 4 – 7 p.m.
Join UCAN for a community-focused walk in honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month. (109th & Michigan Ave; more info)
June 27 | Community Climbing Day, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Always wanted to try rock climbing? Come out to Steelworkers Park Climbing Wall for a free adventure! Chicago Adventure Therapy and the Chicago Park District will provide all of the climbing equipment and instruction! No experience necessary. (Steelworkers Park, at Lake Michigan, E 87th St; more info)