With so many awesome pride events happening this summer, you may have no idea where to begin! What are the events? Where do they happen? Which are the best? Don’t worry, collegiettes—Her Campus is here to let you in on the pride events you have to attend this summer. You’re going to have the time of your life.
1. Boston Pride Parade
The Boston Pride Parade is an annual parade/festival/concert hybrid that is part of a larger event, Boston Pride Week (Boston actually celebrates pride the entire month of June!). The event aims to create change and progress in society by embracing people’s diverse history, culture and identity. You won’t want to miss this year’s parade, which kicks off at noon on June 11. After the parade, there will be plenty of performers at vendors to keep you busy at the Pride Festival event.
2. NYC PrideFest
Part of New York City’s larger Pride event (which lasts from June 21-26), PrideFest is an LGBT street fair with vendors, entertainers and activities. The best part? It’s totally free! Make sure you’re there on June 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This will be PrideFest’s 23rd year! And if you’re feeling extra proud, you can even purchase VIP tickets for a backstage experience and complementary snacks!
3. San Francisco Pride Parade
The San Francisco Pride Parade, the largest in the country, is a bit different than any other because it has a theme each year! This year’s theme is “For Racial And Economic Justice.” The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. on June 26, so get ready to celebrate equality (for the 46th year in a row!). You will be able to enjoy more than 200 parade exhibitors, and more than 20 community-run stages and venues!
Related: The Origins of Pride: Stonewall 101
4. San Diego Pride Music Festival
Celebrate pride while jamming to some awesome tunes? Yes, please! The theme of this year’s music festival in SD is “Pride Unites the World.” The festival will take place on July 16-17, and Ke$ha is headlining, so you definitely won’t want to miss this event! The event has raised and donated more than $2 million over the years—how cool would it be to be a part of that?
5. Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival
Outfest is an 11-day festival with world-class films, panels and parties. The festival was founded by UCLA students in 1982 (how cool is that?). See hundreds of LGBT films from July 7-17 and get pumped! The festival has protected over 20,000 LGBT films and videos over the years!
6. St Pete Pride Rooftop Party
St Pete Beach will help kick off pride week with a rooftop party—what could be cooler? You’ll want to be there for live entertainment and cocktails on June 23. The combination of the bar’s stunning views and urban vibe will leave you speechless.
7. Chicago 47th Annual Pride Parade
Featuring over 200 colorful floats, the Chicago Pride Parade is an event to remember. With people in “flamboyant and somewhat crazy costumes,” you’ll want to get in the spirit too. The parade will take place on June 26 (but Chicago will be celebrating pride all month)!
With parades in different cities and other awesome events to go to, this summer is going to be filled with LGBTQ+ pride! Put it on your summer bucket list to attend at least one of these events. And if you can’t make it, there’s always next year!