Celebrating pride across the nation in 2024
Author: Kari Jackson
Pride festivals are empowering, they bring communities together, they raise awareness about important topics within the LGBTQ+ community, and they are so much fun! Pride month is celebrated nationwide and there are many different festivals you can attend. The first pride parade took place in 1983 and the popularity since then has grown immensely. These festivals and parades are a great time to reflect on the gains made within the LGBTQ+ community and find ways to continue to make positive strides. They are great at creating a sense of community and it brings people together to celebrate pride in a way that is fun for all. If you have never been to a pride festival, check out your state’s guide to ensure you hit all of the exciting attractions they have to offer. Every city has their own pride parade, but today we are going to be looking at few of the best festivals around the nation.
Boston, Massachusetts: June 8th
https://www.bostonprideforthepeople.org/
Boston has an amazing culture for pride and they make sure to party it up in June! Their mission is to empower, celebrate, commemorate, and educate. The festival is held in the Boston Common with fun activities that run throughout the day. There are local and national entertainers booked to perform and there is also a block party for 21+ that starts in the afternoon. There are no tickets necessary and the events are free.
Los Angeles, California: June 9th
https://lapride.org/pride-2024/
The LA pride festival is not one to miss! Whether you attend in person or stream the event, you are sure to have a blast! Viewers can broadcast the parade on ABC7 for a spectacular view of the parade. The broadcast is so good that in 2022 it won an Emmy! After the parade there is a parade block party. This event is free and starts in the afternoon and rolls into the night. There are live performances, vendors, food, bars, and much more. This event reels in quite the crowd, as last year 35,000 were in attendance. One tip that is recommended is to use public transport. Parking can be hectic, especially during pride. There are convenient train and bus lines that run through LA in order to provide easy transportation.
Chicago, Illinois: June 23rd, 24th, and 30th
The pride fest in Chicago will take place June 23rd and 24th. 60,000 people attend this festival each year and take part in the electric celebration. The festival will include live music, art vendors, food, drag shows, and DJ’s. One week after the festival, the pride parade will take place. 2024 will mark the 53rd Chicago pride parade! This event will start at 11:00am on Sunday June 30th. The parade starts in Uptown and ends in Lincoln Park. Not only do you get a fun filled parade experience, but you can get a scenic walk through Chicago. It is recommended to use the Chicago train in order to get to the parade. The streets get very crowded and there is limited parking. This parade has around 200 entries, with different floats, performance groups, and community members. The streets get busy quickly, so it is recommended to get your spot early on. Northalsted entertainment corridor is one of the best spots to watch the parade, but again, you will have to get there early.
Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota: June 28th - June 30th
The Twin Cities pride festival is an electric get together highlighting the LGBTQ+ community of Minnesota. Thousands attend this fun filled weekend and party all day. This year, it kicks off on Friday, June 28th and takes place in Loring Park. The first day of the festival highlights Twin Cities youth pride. The youth pride night runs from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Saturday is when the main events are scheduled. The festival opens Saturday at 10:00am and closes at 7:00pm. Throughout the day you can enjoy performers, vendors, shopping, and yummy food! The last day of the Twin Cities pride festival is Sunday and it runs from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The pride parade also takes place on Sunday and runs from 11:00am-2:00pm. The parade is an event that you don’t want to miss, so make sure to mark your calendars!
New York City, New York: June 30th
https://www.nycpride.org/event/nyc-pride-march
The New York City pride festival is one of the most famous celebrations in the country. With an astounding 2 million in attendance, it makes it the largest pride festival in the US. Here, you can enjoy live performances, food, shop, and enjoy the amazing energy. PrideFest starts at 11:00am on June 30th in Greenwich Village and admission is free. The pride parade also takes place June 30th at 11:00 and is held in New York, New York. A great way to support the community is by volunteering, donating, and/or shopping. The festival makes it easy to help support the LGBTQ+ community all while having fun with friends and family.
These festivals are just a few highlights of all the amazing pride celebrations that occur nationwide. Make sure to check out the pride festivals near you and kick off summer with a bang!