June is Pride month , a month dedicated to celebration and commemoration of the LGBTQ+ community. And Raleigh always pulls out all the stops. Use this guide to plan ahead and make the most of Pride month in the City of Oaks.
Festivals + parties
- Pride Plaza Party | Friday, Jun. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | 227 Fayetteville St., Raleigh | Free | Join Raleigh Pride and Downtown Raleigh Alliance for a special celebration featuring a DJ, vendor market, and live entertainment.
- Gag Presents: Girls Room Pride | Friday, Jun. 23 | 8 p.m. | Junction West, 310 S. West St., Ste. 110, Raleigh | $10-$20 | Dress to impress at this music and art-filled party created and curated by queer women.
- Out! Raleigh Pride Festival | Saturday, Jun. 24 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh | Free | Take the family to enjoy this inclusive festival featuring live entertainment, local vendors and artists, food, a KidsZone, and a beer garden in support of the LGBT Center of Raleigh .
Videri Chocolate Factory is selling Pride Bars where a portion will be donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh and Raleigh Pride.
Photo by RALtoday
Learn + discuss
- LGBTQ+ Pride Ride with the Historic Raleigh Trolley | Sunday, Jun. 4 | 1-3 p.m. | Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh | $12 | Learn about our city’s LGBTQ+ history during this trolley ride through historic neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and other points of interest.
- The Art of Queer Resistance Panel Discussion | Thursday, Jun. 8 | 6 p.m. | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Register to join this panel discussion where LGBTQ+ visual and performing artists will discuss creativity, identity, and advocacy.
- Pride: I Don’t Want to Say the Wrong Thing | Thursday, Jun. 8 | 7-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn the difference between gender, sex at birth, and sexual orientation, as well as important terms, concepts, and pronouns in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Spaces for Queer Joy Panel Discussion | Thursday, Jun. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | CAM Raleigh, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh | Free | Listen to local DJs and producers discuss the history of Raleigh’s Queer nightlight scene and the need to preserve them.
Shop from local vendors at the Out! Raleigh Pride Festival.
Photo by RALtoday
Let the fun continue
- Run For Love 5K | Saturday, Jun. 3 | 9 a.m. | 1251 Goode St., Raleigh | $15-$120 | Lace up your shoes and run for love; make sure to pick up a Trophy Partner West Coast IPA after the race to support both Raleigh Pride and the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
- Soft Serve Ice Cream Social | Saturday, Jun. 10 | 3-6 p.m. | Videri Chocolate Factory, 327 W. Davie St., Ste. 100, Raleigh | Price of purchase | Take advantage of specials on soft serve ice cream with the option to round up for charity.
- Pride Comedy Night | Wednesday, Jun. 28 | 7:30-11 p.m. | Watts & Ward, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh | $15-$20 | Some of NC’s funniest queer comics, like Tyler Deese and Steph Stigma, will take the stage.
- North Carolina Courage vs. Houston Dash | Saturday, Jul. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr., Cary | $15-$150 | Celebrate at this Pride-themed game.