Chicago Marathon street closures typically occur annually in October, with the 2025 event (held Sunday, October 12) featuring extensive shutdowns across 29 neighborhoods for roughly 53,000 runners.

No specific details for a 2026 Chicago Marathon (likely mid-October based on historical patterns) are available yet, as it's early March 2026—official announcements from organizers like the Bank of America Chicago Marathon site or Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) usually drop closer to summer.

2025 Closures Overview

Closures ramped up in phases around Grant Park starting early October 2025, expanding race weekend for the Abbott 5K (Saturday, Oct. 11) and full marathon.

  • Thursday, Oct. 9 : Jackson Dr. (Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.), Balbo Dr. (Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.), Columbus Dr. (various segments from Ida B. Wells Dr. to Roosevelt Rd.).
  • Friday, Oct. 10 : Columbus Dr. (Monroe St. to Ida B. Wells Dr.), Congress Plaza Dr. (Michigan Ave. area), Jackson Dr. (Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.).
  • Saturday, Oct. 11 (5K) : Harrison St., Franklin St. (Harrison to Adams), Van Buren St. (Wacker Dr. to Franklin), Wacker Dr. (various), Jackson Blvd. (Wacker to Franklin); plus Grant Park expansions like Columbus Dr. (Randolph to Monroe), Roosevelt Rd. (Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.).

Full reopening by Oct. 17, 3 p.m.; the marathon course itself closed streets from ~6 a.m. to 3-4 p.m. Sunday, snaking from Grant Park north to Wrigleyville, west to United Center, south to Bronzeville.

Planning for Future Events

For 2026, expect similar patterns: Grant Park staging area locks down first, course follows the flat 26.2-mile loop through neighborhoods like Lincoln Park (closures from ~7 a.m.).

Check chicagomarathon.com or NotifyChicago.org for real-time alerts—OEMC handles towed vehicles (call 312-744-4444) and traffic.

Pro Tip : Use CTA rail over driving; apps track runners and flag cheer zones (e.g., miles 17-23 in Pilsen/Chinatown need crowds).

"Street closures in the Grant Park area began on Thursday... All streets will be fully reopened by Friday, October 17 at 3 p.m."

TL;DR : 2025 saw phased Grant Park closures Oct. 9-11, full course Sunday; 2026 details pending—monitor official sites.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.