Welcome to LGBTQ+ Pride Month! This year, Philly Pride is moved to the first weekend of the month (previous years Pride was held on the 2nd weekend of the month). Here is a guide to all the best Pride events for the weekend. Stay tuned next week for a full list of the rest of the Pride month events following our big weekend.
If you want to look past the rainbow corporate logos and get into celebrations with your local community, here are some suggestions that run the gamut from family to leather to circuit parties and block parties.
Thursday, June 2nd, 2022
Pride Power 100 Celebration
City and State PA Magazine will celebrate the release of their Pride 100 for 2022 – according to their choices, the most influential LGBTQIA+ players in Pennsylvania. This year’s list includes State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, former PA House Candidate Jonathan Lovitz and Celena Morrison, LGBT Liaison to the Mayor of Philadelphia. Taking place at the very gay Cockatoo.
Pride Power 100, 6-8:30pm, Cockatoo, 208 S 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Free
Gay Pride Kick-Off Happy Hour and Keg Tapping for #loveislove
Evil Genius Beer Company releases #loveislove – a special strawberry blonde brew (6% abv) for Pride month. They’ll celebrate by kicking off the month with a ceremonial keg tapping at their flagship location.
Gay Pride Kick-Off for #loveislove, 5:30-730pm, Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, Free
Friday, June 3rd
City Of Philadelphia Pride Flag Raising
Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs will host its annual Flag Raising Event to kick off Gay Pride month in Philadelphia. In addition to raising the iconic More Color, More Pride flag, this year’s program theme, Celebrating our Communities, will include speakers from across Philly’s LGBTQ+ community.
City Of Philadelphia Pride Flag Raising, 12-1pm, City Hall North Side, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Free.
The Big Pride Boat Party
BOS and Sway bring you a party for all alphabets on The Deck at the Mosholu. Special guest DJ Shane Marcus will keep the beats hot all night on the indoor/outdoor deck with spectacular views.
The Big Pride Boat Party, The Deck at the Mosholu, 401 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106, $30+ Tickets Here
The Queer Show at ComedySportz
Kick Off Pride Month at The Queer Show, branded as “a hilarious and fast-paced improv comedy show, featuring an all-queer, all-Philly cast of performers”.
The Queer Show, 8pm, CSz Philadelphia, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, $20, Tickets Here.
FUKR: Bollywood Pride Celebration
Cockatoo celebrates Pride the Desi way! Live your Bollywood fantasy with a unique and exciting celebration. DJ Dynamite spins Bollywood and more. Dress up – door prizes for best outfits and even drag.
FUKR Bollywood Pride, 8pm, Cockatoo, 208 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, $30 Tickets Here.
Saturday, June 4th
SWEAT 2022: Philly Pride Edition
Sway Philly and friends present a banger at Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck featuring lots of music, a lot of LGBTQIA’s and five bars! Make sure you dress for heat and twerking – you can enter a twerk contest!
SWEAT 2022, 2pm, Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck, 417 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19123, $20
Paint With Pride
Get creative and express yourself with this workshop in Northern Liberties new makerspace, artist studio, art class studio and art gallery. Their workshop is two hours and includes lessons in making your own rainbow themed collage and hand printed wearable work of art.
Paint With Pride, 3pm, 1040 Creative, 1040 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19123, $35, Tickets Here.
Philly Pride Gear/Dance Party
A place for kink during pride! Brought to you by Philadelphians MC and Bike Stop. Sexy beats by Catharsis. Requested donation of $5 at the door. Gear encouraged but not required.
Pride Gear Dance Party, 9pm, The Bike Stop, 204 S. Quince Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. $5.
Hot Stuff Drag King Show
Get your Pride Drag KING fix! Starring legendary Philly king Hannibal LickHer and Drag King Of The Year 2020 Deej Nutz with special guests.
Hot Stuff, 9pm, Tabu Nightclub, 254 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. $10. Tickets at tabuphilly.com.
Motherload! Pride Queer Dance Party
With six local queer djs spinning all genres of music, this is truly a party for anyone who embraces the spectrum of queer culture.
Motherload, 9pm, Bar X, 255 S. Camac St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. $10, Tickets here.
Sunday, June 5th
PHL Pride March and Festival
PHL Pride Collective will present “PHL Pride 50: Our Community, Our Joy.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia’s first Gay Pride Day in 1972.
The PHL Pride March will begin at 11am at the north end of Independence Mall in front of the Constitution Center at 5th and Arch Streets. Philly Dyke March and PHL Pride Collective are producing and co-hosting this march. The march is open invitation with no registration needed.
The PHL Pride Street Festival will take place in the Gayborhood from 12pm and features a main stage with acts from Solar Sounds, BOS and Polari plus local drag entertainers.
PHL Pride March and Festival, 11am-5pm More details here.
Fun Gay Tea Dance
Cockatoo presents a classic Tea Dance with DJ Chris Urban, along with beautiful brunch packages.
Fun Gay Tea Dance and Brunch, 12-8pm, Cockatoo, 208 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. $80+ per table, Tickets Here.
The Queen – Pride Edition
Former and current Miss Tabu title holders gather for a special dragtastic Pride show. Featuring The Lady E, Ivanna Blackout, The Lady Zephyra, and Navaya Shay.
Tabu Nightclub, 254 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. $10. Tickets at tabuphilly.com.
