50+ Ways to Celebrate Pride Month in Philly

June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time to commemorate the 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn and celebrate the Pride movement and LGBTQ+ community. (Plus, did you know that Philadelphia’s first Gay Pride Day took place in 1972?) While Pride dates back over 50 years, it feels more needed than ever. So, from drag shows to block parties, here’s how Philly is planning a month of events for the LGBTQ+ community and allies of all ages to celebrate.

First Things First

Pride Around the City & City Flag Raising

The weekend kicks off with a tour of the 600-foot-long Pride flag around the city. The tour will start at the Art Museum at 9 a.m., show up at City Hall at 2 p.m. for the City’s flag-raising ceremony, and end in the Gayborhood around 8 p.m. for an activation. May 30th, various locations.

Philly Dyke March

The march gathers at 11 a.m. at Kahn Park, then takes to the streets at noon. May 31st, 11 a.m., Kahn Park, 11th and Pine streets.

Pride Promenade & L.U.V. Awards

This “queer prom” features live performances, the debut of the L.U.V. Awards (honoring Legacy, Unity, and Visibility), and a dance party on the Art Museum’s grand staircase. Tickets available online. May 31st, 7-11 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Pride March and Festival

The daylong celebration starts at 6th and Walnut streets with speeches and a morning ceremony. (Pro-tip: Stop by P.J. Clarke’s in the morning for a pre-parade celebration and performance at 9 a.m.) Then the march will begin at 11 a.m., ending in the Gayborhood. While floats and vehicles will not be permitted, look for the giant, 600-foot-long record-breaking Pride flag! The march ends in the Gayborhood, with the Pride Festival running from noon to 7 p.m. Expect food trucks, vendors, activities and performances from Walnut to Pine streets, and Quince to Juniper streets. (See the map here.) June 1st; march at 10:30 a.m. at 6th and Walnut streets, festival from noon to 7 p.m. in the Gayborhood.

Suburban Pride Celebrations

• Delco hosts its own Pride parade, in Media on June 7th from noon to 2 p.m. The parade is followed by Pride on State from 2 to 9 p.m. with events across Media: drag, performances, meet-ups, kid-friendly activities and much more. Then on June 14th, the Delaware County Pride Festival takes it outside in Upper Darby with live performances, dancing, and LGBTQ+ vendors.
• Narberth presents Pride at the Park, a youth-led celebration, on June 14th (see below for more details).
• Bucks and Montgomery counties have combined forces for Bucks-Mont Pride on June 29th at Abington Art Center. The fifth-annual event includes live music, food, community resources, family-friendly activities and more.
• Chester County’s PrideFest will fill Phoenixville’s Bridge Street with music, art, vendors, and activities for all ages on June 7th from noon to 5 p.m.
• Meanwhile, Doylestown gets ambitious with a two-week-long Pride Festival from June 14th through 29th, with all sorts of pop-up events, film screenings, parties, drag, and more.

Parties

BOS presents: Fantasea Island

BOS Philly is planning an all-day party at Roar nightclub’s outdoor pool with DJ sets and tropical vibes. May 31st, 1 p.m.-2:30 a.m., Roar, 939 North Delaware Avenue.

Sip City Pride on the Water

Sip City Mixer takes over Liberty Point for its fourth-annual kickoff to Pride. Expect DJ music, two full bars, a photo booth, sweet treats, liquor activations, river views, and more. May 31st, 5-11 p.m., Liberty Point, 211 South Columbus Boulevard.

Sazón Pride Party at W Philadelphia

W Philadelphia and Femme House are teaming up all month long for Pride programming. First up, a post-Pride Parade dance party W Philadelphia’s Living Room bar “curated with care by queer Latines, for queer Latines and allies.” Tickets available online. June 1st, 5-10 p.m., W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut Street.

Sofitel en Rose

The Sofitel hosts a Pride party at nearby pocket park, John F. Collins. Dress in pink and dance to the beats of DJ Romain, mingle with Brittany Lynn and her Drag Mafia, and purchase food and cocktails by Sofitel’s chef Sylva Senat. Benefits the Mazzoni Center. Tickets available online. June 5th, 6-8 p.m., John F. Collins Park, 1707 Chestnut Street.

Evil Genius Pride Block Party

Evil Genius celebrates Pride with an all-ages block party at their Fishtown lab. There will be DJ music, face-painting, food trucks, LGBTQ+-owned vendors and more. Plus, they’ll be serving their #LoveisLove strawberry blonde ale which benefits the Trevor Project. This party is family- and dog-friendly. June 7th, noon-6 p.m., Evil Genius, 1727 North Front Street.

Pride on Passyunk

East Passyunk Avenue hosts a Pride sip-and-stroll with drag performances, drink specials, DJ sets, store specials and much more. June 8th, East Passyunk Avenue.

Pride Month Celebration at the Art Museum

Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts an all-ages, pay-what-you-wish Friday evening with live performances, art activities, gallery talks and more. June 13th, 5-8:45 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Pride Night on the Olympia

Climb aboard Independence Seaport Museum’s World War I-era cruiser for a speakeasy-themed evening of live music, games, themed drinks (named after Philly drag artists!) and more. June 13th, 6-9 p.m., board at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 South Columbus Boulevard.

Femme House at W Philadelphia

W Philadelphia is planning a series of Saturday nights at WET Bar
celebrating queer female and non-binary nightlife culture. On June 14th, Support Women DJs; on June 21st, it’s eclectic electronic music with Freak Flag; and on June 28th, Nyxwerk, a Philadelphia-based, Berlin-inspired queer DJ brings her “Disco” poolside. Tickets available online. June 14th, 21st, and 28th, 8 p.m., W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut Street.

Fun & Games

SPIN’s First Friday

The ping-pong bar hosts a Pride celebration with drag-hosted ping-pong battles, karaoke, and more on their night themed “Play As You Are.” Reserve a table online. June 6th, 8-11 p.m., 211 South 15th Street.

GayBINGO

For over 20 years, GayBINGO has raised money for AIDS Fund with a monthly themed bingo game hosted by the “Bingo Verifying Divas.” This month, the theme is White Lotus. They’ll also be collecting new school supplies for children affected by HIV. Tickets available online. June 7th, 7 p.m., Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 North Broad Street.

Drag Bingo with Brittany Lynn

Philly’s most prolific drag queen hosts bingo around town! Join her and her Drag Mafia at Los Caballitos on June 9th and 23rd, the Manayunk PHS Pop-Up Garden on June 12th, and Winnie’s on June 20th.

Pride in the Park Field Day

Philly’s “queer field day” is a 21+ event featuring a 5K fun run, inclusive games, and field day favorites in Fairmount Park. Come to play, cheer, and connect with local LGBTQ+ sports leagues and organizations. See the schedule here. Proceeds benefit the Fairmount Park Conservancy. June 21st, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4301 Avenue of the Republic.

Drag

Drag Brunches at Evil Genius

Evil Genius hosts themed Sunday drag brunches, from Taylor Swift to pop-punk and beyond. June 1st, 8th, 22nd, and 29th; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 North Front Street.

Big Wig’s Spice Girls Drag Brunch

Every Saturday afternoon, Big Wig hosts a weekly drag brunch at Punch Line, but some special ones are themed! This month, zig-a-zig-ah with a Spice Girls-themed one! June 7th, noon, Punch Line Philly, 33 East Laurel Street.

SLAYHER: Heavy Metal Drag Show

Tattooed Mom hosts Philly’s only heavy metal drag show, hosted by Lamia Lust, “the cursed queen of nightmares and dreams,” and her team of evil queens. June 12th, 8 p.m., 530 South Street.

Boozy Mutt’s Drag Brunch

The Brewerytown spot for your four-legged friends is hosting a dog-friendly drag show! That’s right: Your dogs are welcome (as long as they’re registered with the Boozy Mutt and have up-to-date vaccinations) to enjoy drag alongside you! $25 admission does not include food and drink, which are pay-as-you-go. June 21st, noon, The Boozy Mutt, 2639 Poplar Street.

Broadway Drag Brunch

Jenny Henny and her Henn House partner with Riot Nerd to host a drag brunch full of favorite show tunes. (Note: Ticket does not include brunch, which is pay-as-you-go.) June 22nd, Top Tomato Bar & Pizza, 116 South 11th Street.

Sofitel’s Drag Tea with Brittany Lynn’s Drag Mafia

If you’ve been wanting to find a drag show to bring your mom to, this is probably the one — think mimosas, macarons and Madonna. Brittany Lynn headlines this posh tea with her Drag Mafia. So, get your fascinator ready. (And bring some dollars for tips!) Tickets available online. June 28th, 2-4 p.m., Sofitel, 120 South 17th Street. 

More Drag Events with Brittany Lynn

In addition to the Sofitel’s Drag Tea and her drag bingo nights (above), you can catch Miss Brittany Lynn and her friends for brunch and more around town. On June 21st, they’ll be at the Wayward, and on June 29th they’ll be at Silk City. Prefer nighttime? Head to Bok Bar on June 26th at 7 p.m. for some sunset rooftop drag.

More Performances

James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room

Quintessence Theatre presents this play based on James Baldwin’s groundbreaking 1956 novel Giovanni’s Room about a young American man who discovers queer romance on a trip to Paris. May 28th-June 22nd, Sedgwick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Avenue. Quintessence.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Pride Concert

Martha Graham Cracker makes her triumphant return to the Philadelphia Orchestra’s free annual Pride concert. Also on the bill: the ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Philadelphia Voices of Pride. Tickets must be reserved online. Bonus: Don’t miss the free pre-show in the Kimmel’s Plaza beforehand — no tickets needed for that part — at 4 p.m, with local drag queens and kings! June 4th, 7 p.m. (free pre-show at 4 p.m.), Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.

Rent

Old City’s Arden Theatre presents Jonathan Larson’s award-winning musical about “love, loss, and gentrification amidst the AIDS crisis” in the East Village. Through June 22nd, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.

Queer Novels Now

Tattooed Mom hosts “a night of readings and revelry” with six authors of critically acclaimed queer novels. (Including Emma Copley Eisenberg, hi!) All books will be for sale by The Head & the Hand. June 6th, 8-10 p.m., Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street.

PRIDE & Prejudice

“If you’ve never seen the movie, then let this special event tarnish it forever. If you liked Bridgerton, well, that’s close enough!” ComedySportz Philadelphia presents a queer parody of the Jane Austen novel, as you’ve never seen it before. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume — yes, there will be a prize for best dressed! June 7th and 14th, 2030 Sansom Street.

Unmuted: LGBTQ+ & Voices of Color

This event “highlights the intersection of Pride and Juneteenth, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue, uplifting performances, and community-building” with panel discussions, live music, and dancing. June 13th, 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m., TLO Event Complex, 1621-27 Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

“Queer Love is Resilience” Poetry Open Mic

The night features Pride poetry and Q&A with Alison Lubar. The open mic will run first-come, first-served, with limited five-minute spaces. Participants are encouraged to “bring your gayest poetry!” June 17th, 6:30-9 p.m., Nutmeg Bar and Market, 1835 East Passyunk Avenue.

The Queer Show

This Pride-themed improv comedy night features LGBTQ+ performers from ComedySportz, and it’s BYOB! A portion of tickets sales goes to the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s Our Night Out. June 20th, 7 p.m., 2030 Sansom Street.

Barnes & Noble’s PrideFest

The Rittenhouse location of Barnes & Noble hosts its first-ever PrideFest, an all-day reading celebration with local LGBTQ+ authors. The event is free, and you can come for any or all of the readsings. Check out the schedule online. June 21st, noon-7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1708 Chestnut Street.

Kid-Friendly Events

Drag Queen Story Times

If you want to take your kid to any Philly Pride events, Drag Queen Story Time should be first on your list. Little ones will be uplifted by messages of love, individuality, and tolerance as they are regaled with stories and songs. Brittany Lynn even wrote her own children’s books, so don’t miss out on them, either!

Here’s where to find Drag Queen Story Time all Pride Month long:

• June 6th, 10 a.m. at Clark Park, 43rd Street and Chester Avenue
• June 7th, 11:30 a.m. at the Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
• June 8th, 4 p.m. at Tildie’s Toy Box, 1829 East Passyunk Avenue
• June 9th, 11 a.m. at Independence Library, 18 South 7th Street
• June 11th, 10:15 a.m. at Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Avenue
• June 14th, 10:30 a.m. at Andorra Library, 705 East Cathedral Road
• June 25th, 2 p.m. at Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street

Family Festival: Ahead of Fashion

Get free First Sunday admission to the Art Museum, and celebrate Pride with a morning of performance and art activities. Includes a “Ready, Set, Rainbow” Performance with drag queen Brittany Lynn and musical duo Ants on a Log. Plus, strut your stuff on the runway, and craft wearable art inspired by the galleries. June 1st, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Ants on a Log Pride Month Concerts

Kiddie musicians with a social-justice focus, Ants on a Log will perform free Pride concerts at Free Library branches all month long:

• June 6th, 3:30 p.m. at Roxborough Library
• June 7th, 3 p.m. at Philadelphia City Institute
• June 10th, 4 p.m. at Parkway Central Library
• June 11th, 3 p.m. at Oak Lane Library
• June 17th, 4:30 p.m. at Northeast Regional Library
• June 26th, 10:30 a.m. at Chestnut Hill Library
• June 28th, 10:30 a.m. at Kingsessing Library
• June 30th, 4 p.m. at Wynnefield Library

See more Free Library Pride events here.

Pride at the Please Touch Museum

PTM’s Pride event includes live performances, Drag Queen Story Time, crafts and more. All activities are free with museum admission. June 7th, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.

Mister John’s Pride Celebration

South Philly’s kid-favorite Mister John’s Music hosts an all-ages Pride celebration with live music, drag story time with Maria Topcatt, and popsicles. Tickets available online. June 14th, 2-4 p.m., 761 South 8th Street.

Pride at the Park in Narberth

A welcoming, youth-led celebration for Narberth, Lower Merion Township, and surrounding areas. The event includes featuring LGBTQIA+ (and allied) artists, performers, organizations, and businesses. June 14th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Narberth Park, Narberth.

Food and Drink Specials

Cocktails for a Cause by FCM Hospitality

FCM Hospitality is running a month-long fundraiser across its 13 venues — including Liberty Point, Walnut Garden, Lucy’s, Rosy’s, and even Parks on Tap. Each restaurant will have a drink of a different color (corresponding to the colors of Philly’s own inclusive Pride flag), and proceeds from each $12 drink will benefit the Attic Youth Center and the  William Way LGBT Community Center. June 1st-30th, various locations. 

Pride Month Flight at Jet Wine Bar

Grab an outdoor table in Jet’s mural-covered wine garden and enjoy a $35 flight of six candy-colored wines in every color of the rainbow.  June 1st-30th, Jet Wine Bar, 1525 South Street.

Pride Menu at Cake Life Bake Shop

The Beyoncé-favorite, trans-owned Fishtown bakery has rainbow sugar cookies, Fiesta Cupcakes, and more colorful treats. And it’s all available for pickup or delivery. 1306 Frankford Avenue.

Evil Genius #LoveIsLove Beer

To celebrate Pride, Evil Genius is re-releasing its limited-edition #LoveIsLove strawberry blonde ale, with a portion from all sales donated to The Trevor Project. You can find the 12-ounce cans at the Evil Genius Lab in Fishtown, as well as distributed throughout city bars. 1727 North Front Street.

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