Winter is typically the season when Chicagoans bundle up to face freezing temperatures, but for a small group of people, it’s a cue to strip down and ride the train. The annual No Pants Subway Ride returns to the Red Line on Sunday, January 7 and everyone is welcome to join in on the fun, as long as they follow the rules.
RECOMMENDED: See more photos from the No Pants Subway Ride
Founded by New York comedy collective Improv Everywhere, the No Pants Subway Ride takes place on trains all over the world. Participants are expected to board a train in their underwear and act entirely normal, while other unsuspecting riders ponder the presence of several pantsless passengers. The goal of the ride is to amuse and confuse rather than titillate—all participants are required to wear undergarments that cover all of the most private areas of their bodies.
The Chicago edition of the No Pants Subway Ride will depart from the Loyola Red Line station at 12:30pm on Sunday. Anyone who wants to get in on the fun should arrive at 1210 West Arthur Avenue before noon and should bring along a pair of pants to change into after the ride. Once the train arrives in the Loop, participants usually gather on a train platform to recount their ride and pose for photos.
If you’re not sure what to expect, take a look at photos from last year’s No Pants Subway Ride. And you might want to invest in some extra-warm underwear if you’re going out in your skivvies on Sunday.