Pride Month Events Across Virginia
June is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and honor the progress that has been made towards equality. From festivals and parades to educational workshops and art exhibits, there are countless ways to get involved and show your support across Virginia.
Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally, we hope this list will inspire you to join in the festivities and continue the fight for equality and acceptance. So, grab your rainbow gear and get ready to celebrate!
Where does this idea of celebrating Pride come from?
Pride Month originated in 1969 from the Stonewall riots, a series of spontaneous demonstrations and protests where members of the LGBTQ+ community fought back in response to police raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York City.
The riots have been considered a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, because they sparked a wave of activism and advocacy around the world.
Why do we still celebrate Pride?
Pride has also become a time to celebrate the progress that has been made towards LGBTQ+ rights, as well as to raise awareness of the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by the community.
But for many in the LGBTQ+ community, Pride events provide a safe space to come together, and celebrate our identities, our resilience, and everything that makes us beautiful. It is a time to promote love, acceptance, and inclusivity for all.
Where can I celebrate Pride in Virginia?
Pride events in Virginia aren’t limited to the month of June. They run through October! Many Pride Festivals are family friendly and include youth areas. Check out the links below (provided by Virginia is for Lovers) for more information.
Pride Events Across Virginia
*If you are celebrating Pride sober, check Jen Zegan-Lister’s tips on Celebrating Pride while in recovery.
June 1
Pride Trivia | Bold Mariner Brewing Co. *Norfolk
June 3
Suffolk Pride Festival *Suffolk
Portsmouth Pride Fest *Portsmouth
Page Pride | River Bend Ranch *Stanley/Page County
Charlottesville Pride Bar Crawl *Charlottesville
Gay Days at Richmond Makers Market *Richmond
June 4
Culpeper’s 1st Pride Festival *Culpeper
Loudoun Pride Festival *Sterling
Out & About | Tea Dance *Charlottesville
LGBTQ Youth Pride Market | Lewis Ginter *Richmond
June 5 – 11
Dine Out for Pride RVA *Richmond
June 5
Queer Joy Art Party! * Arts & Crafts Creation *Arlington
June 7
Vibrant Pride | Vibrant Shore Brewing *Virginia Beach
June 9
Rachel Leyco LIVE! | C Pier / Oyster Farm *Cape Charles
June 10
PRIDE Prom in FXBG | Water’s End Brewery *Fredericksburg
Hilton Village PRIDE *Newport News
FanDOMs: A Geeky Drag for Charity *Richmond
June 11
Pride in the ‘Peake 2023 *Chesapeake
June 17
Phabulous Phoebus Street Festival *Phoebus~Hampton
Pulaski Pride | Jackson Park *Pulaski
Lake Anna Pride | Coyote Hole *Lake Anna
Scott Addition Pride Crawl *Richmond
Daddy Issues Pride Market | Starr Hill *Richmond
June 20
Ghent Pride ‒ Party at the Palace Shops *Norfolk
June 14-16
Virginia Queer Film Festival *Norfolk
June 24
Fredericksburg PRIDE *Fredericksburg
Hampton Roads PrideFest *Norfolk
Arlington Pride Festival *Arlington
LOVE on TAP Pride Market | Hardywood *Richmond
Silent Dance Party | Unlocking RVA *Richmond
June 24-25
Out & About Festival | Wolf Trap *Vienna
June 25
LGBTQ+ Brunch | Kaldi’s Social House *Arlington
July 13
Opening Reception & Q-Talks | Black Pride RVA *Richmond
July 15
Silent Dance Party | Unlocking RVA *Richmond
July 14-16
July 15
BLACKTOPIA Ball | Black Pride RVA *Richmond
August 12
Knight Hawks of VA | LGBT Life Center *Norfolk
August 25
Silent Dance Party | Unlocking RVA *Richmond
September 9
September 16
Shenandoah Valley Pride *Harrisonburg
September 23
TriPride Bristol VA/TN *Johnson City, TN
September 23
Silent Dance Party | Unlocking RVA *Richmond
October 21
*This list of Pride Events in Virginia was originally posted by the Virginia Is For Lovers Blog.
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