The sun is shining, Partiful invites are popping, outfits are coming together, and across the city rainbow flags are flying. 

It can only mean one thing: Pride is upon us! Here in the nation’s capital, Pride festivities begin Memorial Day Weekend with DC Black Pride—one of the largest and greatest Black Prides in the country. And from there the celebrations run nonstop through June. If you’re reading this, you probably know that Capital Pride makes up the city’s official events that culminate over the weekend on June 7 through 9 (the parade runs Saturday, June 8, if that’s your jam!). But if you’re looking for ways to fill your Pride month beyond the Capital Pride events, we have you covered—from parties to book talks, 5K races to art exhibits happening throughout June to keep you entertained during the best month of the year! 

You might be wondering: Are these all of the Pride and Pride-adjacent events happening in D.C. this June? Of course not—we are just mere mortals. But we’ve gathered a good smattering of what’s out there (with an eye towards QTBIPOC and FLINTA*-focused events), perhaps flying under your radar.

Consider this part 1 of 2 Pride Guides, cause there’s really just too much for one post. Round 2 goes live June 10.

May 24 through 27: DC Black Pride

DC Black Pride has been serving the city’s Black LGBTQIA community (and beyond) since 1991. More than 500,000 attendees are expected at this year’s festivities over Memorial Day weekend. Over the course of four days, you’ll find an endless stream of events taking place across the city, with many official daytime happenings planned at the downtown Westin hotel. Nighttime festivities—including events from the likes of Unleashed, TriPrism Marketing & Events, and DJ India’s well-loved DC Black Pride Bar Hop—can be found at bars and clubs. Thurst Lounge, D.C.’s only Black-owned LGBTQIA bar, has extended hours all weekend. Whatever you’re craving, there’s something guaranteed to fulfill your needs and desires!

May 24: DC Black Pride Opening Reception, 5 p.m. at the Westin Washington, free

Join attendees, organizers, and performers to kick off Black Pride in style. Top style that is, as Billy Porter is set to headline! Free registration includes a drink ticket, access to the performances, and hors d’oeuvres.  

May 24: RAVE:N: A Kelela Dance Party, 7 p.m. at the Pocket, $10–$15

The Pocket celebrates Black Pride with a dance party dedicated to Kelela, D.C’s queer Black icon whose music has taken over the world. If you didn’t catch her sold-out 9:30 Club shows last year, now’s your chance to hear her music spun in the District. 

May 26: ACT Theater Showcase, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Undercroft Theatre, free

Now in its fourth decade, Washington’s African-American Collective Theater returns with its annual spring tradition in which a cast of 25 performs short LGBTQIA plays.  

May 28: DC QTAPI Week Kickoff, 6:30 p.m. at Chinatown’s Xfinity Store, free

D.C.’s Queer and Transgender Asian and Pacific Islander coalition is hosting a reception, panel, and mixer to kick off the official weeklong celebration.

May 29: Disco Tits, 8 p.m. at Le Mont Royal, free 

Disco Tits, one of the city’s newer queer dance parties and self-described “queer disco dance collective,” is beginning Pride with Volume II at Adams Morgan’s Le Mont Royal. 

May 31: DC’s Drag Lab Open Stage, 11 p.m. at Songbyrd, free

Brooke N. Hymen hosts a night of experimental drag from local up-and-coming talent.

June 1: Can’t Hide Our Pride, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.at the Kimpton George, free

The DC Influence, DC Gay Girls+, and the Kimpton George Hotel are teaming up for a celebratory day party. Free registration includes complimentary light bites and discounted drinks. 

June 1: The Pride Kickoff Ball, 7 p.m. at the Pocket, $10–$15

The Pocket, with a helping hand from the party’s hosts Kiki House of Supreme and AYA Art Collective Present, will turn the venue into a ballroom extravaganza complete with drag and burlesque from Francis Grey, Alluorra Rosé, and Godiva Sterling. Attendees are invited to perform and compete their hearts out in categories including Lipsync, Runway, Performance, and Mask 4 Mask.

June 1: Pride Flashband Showcase, 8 p.m. at Union Stage, $20

7DrumCity brings together eight new Flashbands to cover all our queer faves, from Elton John, to Alanis Morissette; Judas Priest to Chappell Roan.

June 1: BENTpride, 10 p.m. at 9:30 Club, $25

The BENT crew once again takes over the 9:30 Club for a night of queer dancing and tomfoolery featuring some of the city’s most prominent artists including DJ Lemz and Pussy Noir.

June 1: FEM FISH, 11 p.m. at DC9, $15

This new queer femme-forward party hosts its first Pride celebration. So put on your best outfit and get ready to take over the DC9 dance floor.

June 2: Over Easy, 1 p.m. at Songbyrd, $5

Back again: This long-running tea dance for queers and friends returns to start Pride Month on the right dance floor with DJs Clamazon and Tezrah. (Editor’s note: WCP editor Sarah Marloff is a cohost of Over Easy.)

June 2: Vroom Vroom, 5 p.m. at DC9, free

If you want to keep the party going after Over Easy, hop across the city to DC9, where DC Dyke Night and Les the DJ will be just getting started.

June 2: Out/Spoken: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Through Storytelling, 6:30 p.m. at Penn Social, $25

The 14th annual queer storytelling event returns with a robust and diverse range of LGBTQIA voices from the DMV sharing stories through personal narrative and performance. 

June 3: June Thomas, 7 p.m. at Politics and Prose, free

If you’re looking for a more literary and historical break from Pride parties, catch journalist June Thomas in conversation with Slate journalist (and former WCP arts editor) Christina Cauterucci to discuss Thomas’ new book, A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture, and the importance of queer spaces that allow queer women to explore their full selves and find community. 

June 5 through 23: Rose: You Are Who You Eat at Woolly Mammoth, $5–$70

Join artist John Jarboe, founder and director of Bearded Ladies Cabaret company, for her performance piece Rose: You Are Who You Eat, a musical shrine to Jarboe’s twin, Rose, who she consumed in the womb. Described as a feast of gender, this show is sure to be a delight.

June 5 & 6: G Flip, 7 p.m. at 9:30 Club (first night sold out), $27.50

Australian artist G Flip has been wowing audiences since the release of their 2018 debut single, “About You.” In the six years since they’ve honed their art and perspective as a queer, nonbinary drummer. Night one at the 9:30 Club is already sold out so don’t sleep on getting tickets to night two!

June 7: DC Front Runners 5K, 5 p.m. at the Congressional Cemetery, $55

The DC Front Runners are hosting their annual Pride weekend 5K for the athletic queers and allies in your life! There’s a post-run block party included in event registration for everyone who ran, jogged, or walked. 

June 7: DC Dyke March, 7 p.m., free

The annual DC Dyke March, a totally community-run and funded march with no corporate sponsors, returns with the theme Dykes Against Ge(NO)cide. Details are forthcoming, but put it in your calendars now and check their Instagram for more details.

June 7: Soul Meets Body, Spring Silver & Faded Home, 7 p.m. at the Pocket, $15

This three-act lineup stars three queer-led bands hailing from the DMV: Soul Meets Body, Spring Silver, and Faded Home.

June 7: BootyRex, 8 p.m. at the Black Cat, $20

This long-running Pride party is back at the Black Cat with dancers, live drumming, and some of the city’s greatest DJs to get you wild on the dance floor. 

June 8 through July 14: The Rose Garden: Green Room at 7th and D Streets NW, free

In addition to Jarboe’s Rose: You Are Who You Eat run at Woolly Mammoth, stationed right outside will be The Rose Garden: Green Room, Jarboe’s fully immersive art installation, alongside an all-inclusive queer closet for people to explore. 

Ends June 8: She Drags in Crocs, by appointment at Friends Artspace, free

Brazil-born, Arkansas-based artist Bia Furtado reimagines Cuca, the Brazilian folklore figure, as a drag queen and playfully surrounds this revitalized legend with 100 Croc shoes. Each of the Crocs memorializes a different BIPOC drag queen making for a viewing experience like no other.

June 8: Femme Fatale, 10 p.m. at the Black Cat, $15

Femme Fatale events began as house parties in 2019. Today, they’ve grown exponentially. They regularly sell out clubs across the city and this Pride finds them at the Black Cat for a party that’s sure to deliver onpoint looks and a killer playlist. 

June 8: MIXTAPE Pride Party, 10 p.m. at 9:30 Club, $30

Spinning and twirling since 2008, DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer aren’t shelving the vinyl anytime soon. What better time to party with them than Pride?

June 9: Black Folks Don’t Swim?, 8 p.m. at the Pocket, $15–$18

Black Folks Don’t Swim? is a genre and gender-expansive artist collective whose shows celebrate Black excellence and queer identity. Opening for them is Kendall Emphasis and Melani Badz, two phenomenal artists hailing from Prince George’s County. 

Editor’s note: The caption for the picture of Kendall Emphasis has been update to reflect the correct artist’s name. The photo was previously credited as Melani Badz.