LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated every June around the country. June was officially designated as Pride Month in 1999, though pride marches and the month unofficially began in 1970 as a way to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan – a pivotal protest by members of the gay community over a police raid at Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village.
Now, this time is used to recognize the impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community members and celebrate their contributions.
While Pride Month officially begins on June 1 – there are events as early as Thursday, May 29, in the city. And, this upcoming weekend has a lot of events to kick things off.
Here is a list of where you can get involved!
Wednesday, May 28 – Sunday, June 22: James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room
Join the Quintessence Theatre Group for a theatrical adaptation of the novel “Giovanni’s Room” at multiple timeslots throughout the month. The play follows an American man who travels to Paris with his girlfriend and falls in love with a local man. Ticket prices vary.
Thursday, May 29 – Sunday, June 1: Sip City Pride Mixers
Sip City Mixer, a group that aims to host inclusive events and spaces for women, LGBTQ+ community members and nonbinary folks, will host a series of mixers geared toward Pride Month.
On Thursday, May 29, the mixers will kick off at the PHS Pop Up Gardens on South Street. The event will begin at 6 p.m. There is no cover, and the event is dog-friendly and ADA-accessible.
Another South Philly mixer on Friday, May 30, offers pool tables, food, drinks and “queer and joyful” company. Tattooed Moms will host the Queer Pride Kickoff from 6 to 10 p.m. (although, they say this will likely go beyond that 10 p.m. cutoff). There is no cover.
Saturday’s Sip City Pride Mixer will be held at Liberty Point Philly, a waterfront restaurant in Philly. The fourth annual Pride on the Water kickoff dance party will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. and will have two full bars, photo booths, door prizes, sweet treats and more. While the event is primarily geared toward queer women, transmen and transwomen and non-binary folks, the event description says cis gay guy friends are welcome as well. Tickets are door only, and are $15 from 5 to 6 p.m. and $20 from 6 to 11 p.m.
On Sunday, June 1, the Sip City All Day All Gay Party will feature a “full queer takeover” of both floors of the Blind Barber Speakeasy. The event will feature drinks, popular LGBTQ jams, a hydration station and wristbands so participants can come and go. Tickets are $10 at the door. While primarily geared toward queer women, trans and non-binary people, cis gay men and straight cis women allies are welcome if they are accompanied.
Friday, May 30: Pride 365’s Pride Around the City and City Hall flag raising
This kickoff of Philly Pride Week will feature the unfurling of the largest Pride flag in Philadelphia’s history across iconic locations throughout the city. The 600-foot flag will travel through different neighborhoods – starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 9 a.m., Pride on Main Street in Manayunk at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. at City Hall and 8 p.m. in the Gayborhood.
The day will also feature the Official LGBTQ+ Flag Raising at Philly’s City Hall at 2 p.m.
Friday, May 30: Roots Picnic Pride Soiree
This pre-cursor to the Roots Picnic Weekend will introduce rising musical talent and celebrate Black queer artistry and culture. The event will be held from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Warehouse on Watts in Philly, and tickets range from free (earlier entry) to $21.79.
Friday, May 30: Porkroll Pride Party with Peter Napoli
Join NYC-based DJ Peter Napoli and resident DJ Redevil to celebrate Philadelphia PRIDE at Gayborhood bar Bikestop! The event will feature hundreds of Pride visitors and a clothing check. Tickets vary by price and will run from $10 to $25.
Friday, May 30: Pride Kickoff Dance Party
Dance your way into Pride Month with the Society Hill Dance Academy’s Pride Kickoff Party! The event will have an instructor-led group dance class at 7:45 p.m., and a dance party from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The event is $20 for non-members and is BYOB.
Friday, May 30: Love Revolution Philly: Pink Pony Club
Circuit Mom is hosting a dance party at Concourse Dance Bar on Friday. The tickets are $34.02, and the event lasts from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday, May 31: Philly Dyke March 2025
The Philly Dyke March welcomes the queer community and allies to celebrate Pride Month with an 11 a.m. meeting at Kahn Park (11th and Pine streets) and march at 12 p.m. The march has become a Philly tradition and allows members of the LGBTQ+ community to take over the Philly streets.
Saturday, May 31: BOS Philly: Fantasea Island
Join the ROAR Philly nightclub for both afternoon and evening activities on the 31st. From 1 to 7 p.m., there will be a pool party, featuring drinks and cabanas. From 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., the club will turn into an indoor and outdoor playground. Daytime tickets range from $33.69 to 70.96, nighttime tickets range from $49.66 to 86.94, and bundles (day and night) are anywhere from $92.26 to 156.17.
Saturday, May 31 & Saturday, June 21: Philadelphia Pride Bar Crawl
Pride Crawl’s The Philadelphia Pride Bar Crawl will feature stops at six bars and clubs in and around the Gayborhood on Saturday, May 31, from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets range from $17.85 to 23.18 and entry gets you access to participating bars and clubs, drinks and DJs.
Pub Crawl’s Philadelphia Pride Bar Crawl on Saturday, June 21, will feature more than four venues. Tickets include drink specials, 2-3 free drinks or shots, photographers and videographers and live music. Tickets range from $14.79 to 30.65.
Friday, May 30 & Sunday, May 31: Considering Matthew Shepard – Spring 2025 Concert
This musical performance honors the life of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, who died after he was beaten and kidnapped in 1998. Shepard was a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation was created by Shepard’s parents to help protect LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities.
Both performances will be a musical response to these events. Both shows will be at 9 p.m. at the Church of Holy Trinity and tickets range depending on the number of group members in the party.
Sunday, June 1: “Be You” Pride March
The Philly Pride March invites all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to celebrate Pride Month and activism on the first day of the month. The parade will begin at 6th and Walnut streets at 10:30 a.m., and will end in the Gayborhood. The event will also feature speeches, music and networking before the march. The event will not feature any floats or vehicles – event organizers say this allows the march to keep the spirit of activism, unity and collective spirit. No registration is required, and all are able to join. The march will be followed by a festival.
Sunday, June 1: Philly Pride 365 Pride Festival
The Pride march will arrive in the Gayborhood at noon for a celebration lasting from noon to 7 p.m. The event will feature six entertainment-themed zones that spell “LUVERS”
The “L” zone will feature classic anthems and “throwback energy” to celebrate LGBTQ+ history. The “U” zone will have drags, DJs and community talent uniting. The “V” zone stands for visibility – with dance floors and “head-turning performances.”
The “E” zone is for everyone – with youth and family programming and all-ages activities. The “R,” or relaxed, zone has lo-fi beats and lounge vibes for easy connections. Finally, the “S” zone stands for sapphic – and has queer women-centered shows.
The event will feature more than 200 vendors, performers, artists and community organizations. Entertainment zones are available as well as sober zones and sensory-friendly zones. You can find zone maps here.
Monday, June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23: Monday Pride Night at William Way
William Way LGBT center’s Monday Pride Nights feature a rotating series of free, inclusive community events. All events have music, light refreshments and prizes. Events range from bingo and game nights to community conversation and film previews. You can find more specific information for each event on their calendar.
Friday, June 6: SPIN’s First Friday
Join the ping pong club, restaurant and bar SPIN as they kick off Pride Month. SPIN’s “First Friday” event for June will be pride-focused – featuring everything from drag-hosted ping pong battles and a queer talent center stage. Table reservations are $10 and the event runs from 8 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, June 7, Friday, June 13, Friday, June 20 & Saturday, June 28: “Drag Me Philly” tours
Join Beyond the Bell tours for a unique tour of Philly, focusing on the history of drag and the “ins and outs” of the drag scene today. The tour will include interviews with various drag artists in Philly, LGBTQ pioneers in drag history and a showing of murals highlighting drag history. Tickets are $39, and times vary.
Sunday, June 8: Pride Month Life Drawing Session
Join the William Way LGBT Community Center from 1 to 4 p.m for an afternoon filled with art and community. During the event, participants can draw from multiple models, including Philly-based drag artists. Participants should bring the surfaces and mediums they’d like to work on. Tickets are $23.18.
Sunday, June 8: Philadelphia Interfaith Pride Service
Philly’s 3rd Annual Interfaith Pride Service at the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia will have a service focused on unity, understanding and support through things like readings, music and creative ritual. The event is hosted by the Mazzoni Center, local clergy and various organizations. All are welcome to join – the service will begin at 3 p.m.
Thursday, June 12: Philly Queer Slowdance
This “cozy, intimate” evening is the equivalent of a middle school dance – but for 21+ adults. Attendees will have the chance to dance alone, dance with “designated” dancers, or ask other attendees to dance (all within respective boundaries and consent from both parties). All are welcome to attend, although event organizers emphasize attendees will more likely fall within the LGBTQIA+ crowd. Tickets range from $9.85 to 33.85, and the event lasts from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Thursdays, June 12 – July 17: Club Queer Dance Class Pride Edition
Join the Society Hill Dance club on Thursdays at 7:45 p.m. for a 6-week Club Queer class! Participants in the class will learn a variety of different styles (including bachata, hustle and swing). Those signed up for the class will also have access to Monday and Wednesday Social Ease group classes at 7 p.m. and Friday night dance parties starting at 7:45 p.m. The studio is BYOB. Registration is $195 for one and $390 for a couple.
Tuesday, June 17: Trans by Trans Book Club
Join the Free Library of Philadelphia on the third Tuesday of every month for a citywide book club for trans and nonbinary people. This month’s meeting will be at 6 p.m. over Zoom as the group discusses The Risk it Takes to Bloom by Raquel Willis. Advanced registration is required.
Friday, June 20: The Queer Show
This interactive, inclusive comedy night has a diverse set of LGBTQ+ performers and allows members of the community and supporters to participate in a safe and accepting comedy show. Drinks are BYOB, and tickets are $21.25.
Saturday, June 21: Barnes & Noble Philadelphia PrideFest
Meet local LGTBQ+ authors at this all-day reading event at Barnes & Noble! The event is sectioned into morning and afternoon tickets, with author groups for each section. Tickets are free. Authors at the event will be greeting, signing and speaking about their books. For more info about the authors in each group, head to the event page.
Sunday, June 22: Pride Drag Brunch at Dock Street Brewery
Join Philly drag queens as they host a brunch full of laughs, mimosas and lip sync battles at Dock Street Brewery. Doors for the event open at 11 a.m. and the show starts at 12 p.m. Tickets are $23.18, but you can add on a “celebration package” for $28.52 – where participants can celebrate their milestone by getting up on stage and lipsyncing with one of the queens.
This is an ongoing list of events that will be updated as more information is found.
