2023 Pride Events in DowntownDC

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Rainbow!


Happy Pride Month, D.C. Be sure to explore events throughout DowntownDC for all the ways to celebrate.

An Evening With Chasten Buttigieg

Thursday, June 1 | 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW (auditorium)

To celebrate the release of the young adult adaptation of Chasten Buttigieg’s memoir — I Have Something to Tell You — adults of all ages, parents, and kids are welcome to this event where Chasten will speak with NPR’s Ari Shapiro about his experience coming out and his journey to finding acceptance and self-love. Chasten’s ultimate goal is to show young people they are not alone and to inspire them to forge their own path to acceptance. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event. A limited number will be given away courtesy of the DC Public Library Foundation.

Free


Capital Pride Honors

Friday, June 2 | 7:00 to 10:30 p.m.
Penn Social, 801 E Street NW

Each year, the Capital Pride Alliance honors outstanding individuals, leaders, and activists in the national capital region who have furthered causes important to the LGBTQ+ community. Join them to collectively celebrate the incredible community honorees who tirelessly contribute to advocacy, outreach, education, and programming in support of the intersectional community.

$25-60


The Queer Roots of Hip-Hop: Lecture and Sound Salon

Sunday, June 4 | 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW (east storefront A and B)

You’re invited to this special hip-hop lecture by Georgetown University professor Amena Johnson and Washington Mystic’s own DJ Heat as they connect more than 50 years of music with the social and political connection to LGBTQ artists and events. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon filled with hip-hop and pure joy at MLK Library.

Free


Pride Keychains for Teens

Sunday, June 4 | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW (second floor)

Celebrate pride by creating your own keychain. Limited supplies; first come, first served. Participants must be between the ages of 13 and 19.

Free


Pride Sip and Paint

Tuesday, June 6 | 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW

Head upstairs of the bar for a drink, a canvas to paint on and take home, and a live male model. You’ll have two hours to explore expressive painting, no experience required. Art lead Javier will offer guidance, and paint and brushes will be provided.

$20-30, 21+


Pride Shabbat

Friday, June 9 | 7:00 p.m.
Sixth & I, 600 I Street NW

Rabbi Aaron and musician Aaron Shneyer will be joined by D.C.’s Different Drummers to lead an inclusive service celebrating the diversity of D.C. Jewish life. Hear from speakers who will lift up the Capital Pride theme of Peace, Love, Revolution, including a sermon from Rabbi Gil Steinlauf, executive director of the Center for Jewish Life at Princeton Hillel.

Free service, dinner is $18-$36


The Pride Storytelling Special

Saturday, June 10 | 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The Ministry, 601 New Jersey Avenue NW

Listen to the local queer storytellers at this event, which also benefits local artists.

$10


Pride Festival

Sunday, June 11 | Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Join the LGBTQ+ community on America’s Main Street, historic Pennsylvania Avenue, for the Capital Pride Festival. Enjoy a full day of entertainment on three stages, food, drink, and advocacy with more than 300 exhibitors. This festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region and continues to be free to the public.

Free


We Are Proud

Sunday, June 11 | Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Dirty Habit, 555 8th Street NW

Join the Qrowd, Dirty Habit, and DJ Eletrox to party before the Pride Festival. They will have the patio popping, and the bar will be slinging signature drinks.

Free


RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

Sunday, June 11 | 8:00 p.m.
Hotel Zena, 1155 14th Street NW

Hotel Zena welcomes Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, from seasons 10 and 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Tatianna, from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 2, for an exclusive pride event. This event is hosted by D.C.’s Crystal Edge, with additional performances by Druex Sidora, Cake Pop, and Whitney Gucci Goo. Tunes will be provided by DJ Sidekick. Enjoy pride weekend with drink specials from the Figleaf Bar, great music, and a fabulous drag show.

$35-$45


Elliot Page

Wednesday, June 14 | 7:00 p.m.
Sixth & I, 600 I Street NW

The Oscar-nominated star who captivated the world with his performance in Juno finally shares his truth in Pageboy, the story of a life pushed to the brink and what it means to untangle oneself from the expectations of others as we step into who we truly are with defiance, strength, and joy.

$12-$35 for virtual (in-person tickets are sold out)


Pride and Unity D.C. Quad Roll OUT

Saturday, June 17 | 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Freedom Plaza, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

D.C.’s Quad Rollout for June will celebrate Pride Month and express unity for Juneteenth as all roll through the streets together. This skate route is new for 2023 and designed for quad and beginner inline skaters: not too many hills and more good pavement than bad, 5 to 6 miles in all. The route will go by Black Lives Matter Plaza, the LOVE mural in Blagden Alley, Carter Godwin Woodson Memorial, the Banneker skate spot, the African American Civil War Memorial, a Black-owned business (Eat Well Juice Bar) for juice and snacks, the U Street Historic District, and Botanical Bar in Dupont Circle for their pride month specials.

Free


Pride Bar Crawl

Saturday, June 17 | 4:00 p.m. to midnight
Starting at Howl at the Moon, 900 7th Street NW

This sixth annual event invites attendees to go their own route to five venues with two drinks each and an afterparty. Check in at Howl at the Moon, where you can also get beverages, then hop over to the other location in DowntownDC, Tom’s Watch Bar (781 7th Street).

$15-$20


Trivia Night: Celebrating Pride

Tuesday, June 27 | 5:00 to 6:45 p.m.
National Portrait Gallery, 800 G Street NW

Celebrate Pride Month at the National Portrait Gallery with a happy hour trivia night in the Kogod Courtyard. Led by New Columbia Pub Quiz, this will test your knowledge of historic LGBTQ+ figures, events, and artwork inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection. The free collections-themed trivia game can be played individually or in teams of up to six people. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening. The Courtyard Café will be open during the event, and snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

Free


Did we miss a pride event in DowntownDC? Let us know!