In 2020, in-person Pride celebrations took a hit as cities canceled Pride parades and other events to keep everyone safe from COVID.
But as more and more people in the U.S. get vaccinated, Pride is coming back. While some Pride committees are still putting together their plans given the impact of the virus, many have a host of fun and safe in-person celebrations to honor not only Pride Month in June, but Pride throughout 2021.
Mashable contacted Pride committees around the nation to keep you up to date on all the best places to show your pride.
New York City
Take part in NYC’s LBGT Pride Run (entry fees apply) on June 26 at 7 a.m. (There’s a virtual option, too.)
The next day, walk around, eat great food, and check out craft vendors, entertainers, and music at NYC Pride’s annual free LGBTQIA+ street fair, starting at 11 a.m. on June 27.
Boston
This year, Boston Pride is scaling down its Pride in-person offerings with one event, the seventh edition of its Pride Night @ Fenway Park on Thursday, June 10 at 7:10 p.m. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a Progress ‘B’ T-shirt, which includes colors to represent people of color and the trans flag (the “B” stands for Boston Red Sox).
The Red Sox will play against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. Ticket proceeds will benefit Boston Pride, according to its website, and range from $31 to $92.
Atlanta
Atlanta will host a Pride festival Oct. 9 and 10 in Piedmont Park and a Pride parade on Oct. 10. More information will be forthcoming. For now, stay up to date on Atlanta Pride’s website. You can register here if you want to be in the parade (fees apply).
Miami
Miami Beach Pride will hold its Pride festival and parade from Sept. 18 to 19, with planned COVID-19 safety measures such as required masks and temperature checks. Register here.
Before that, Miami has a couple of in-person Pride events in store in June, with a Pride Bar Crawl on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. (buy tickets here). Stay up to date on all happenings via Miami Beach Pride’s website.
Chicago
Both the Chicago Pride Fest on Oct. 1-2 and the Chicago Pride Parade on Oct. 3 are waiting for approval from the city before they can be confirmed.
But Chicago still has you covered to celebrate Pride in June. Come out to Grant Park on Saturday, June 26, at 2 p.m. and return the next day for more musical acts until 10 p.m. for Pride in the Park. The musical event will include headliners such as the Dutch DJ Tiësto and singer-songwriter Chaka Khan. Grab your tickets here; they range from $45 to $225 (not including fees).
While children are welcome to attend Pride in the Park, there’s a more family-centered free Pride celebration with music and dancing at Navy Pier on Saturday, June 26, from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
And if you like sports, join the city’s annual Pride Bowl, a flag football tournament at the Lakefront that starts on Friday, June 25, at 8 a.m. and runs through Saturday, June 26, at 5 p.m. Prices range from $78 to $109, depending on when you register.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis and the St. Paul area, also known as the Twin Cities, is kicking off Pride Month with the Grand Marshal MASKqueerade Party on June 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a dinner, a drag show, and DJ music. A virtual option is available via a livestream.
The event will take place in two locations to accommodate more people: the Granada Theater or the Amsterdam Bar. Ticket sales benefit Twin Cities Pride. There’s also a silent auction. You can buy your tickets (both in-person and online) to the MASKqueerade here. In-person tickets are $100 each and virtual entry is $15.
Following this party is Pride Family Fun Day on June 20 at Como Park East Pavilion. This free event will include food, beverages, and games.
The last Pride event in June is the Rainbow Run 5K on June 27 (there’s also a virtual option). Register here for the race; cost ranges from $35 to $45.
While the Twin Cities isn’t planning a parade at the moment, its free Pride festival is scheduled for July 17 and 18 at Loring Park. Participants can enjoy music, food, and a beer garden. The festival’s usual night concert and fireworks won’t happen given time constraints.
Denver
Denver Pride has two in-person Pride offerings in 2021: a 5K race (with a virtual option) on June 26 (register for the race here; it costs $35 to $40 but spots are running out quickly) and more in-person events, like Denver Pride’s free film fest on June 27.
San Francisco
San Francisco starts out Pride month with a movie night at Oracle Park on June 11 and 12, with the films In the Heights, a movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel’s musical by the same name, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, based on a musical about a teenager who wants desperately to be a drag queen. Buy your tickets here (includes socially-distanced and fully-vaccinated sections). Cost ranges from $20 to $209.
On Friday, June 18, on the eve of Juneteenth, San Francisco Pride will hold an event to “celebrate and honor the collective freedom of our Black LGBTQIA sisters, brothers, and sibs,” according to Melonie and Melorra Green, as reported by The Mercury News. The event will be held at the African American Art & Culture Complex, where the Greens are co-executive directors.
Later in October, you can look forward to San Francisco’s inaugural National Coming Out Festival, details to come.
Los Angeles
On June 11, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Pride will hold the annual eighth LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium. The game between the LA Dodgers and the Texas Rangers starts at 7:10 p.m. Buy tickets here (includes socially-distanced and fully-vaccinated seating sections).
LA Pride has partnered with Universal Studios Hollywood to offer a theme park event on June 25. Enjoy rides, live DJs, and extended theme park hours. Buy your tickets here.
Pride can also be charitable. LA Pride has partnered with the Los Angeles nonprofit Big Sunday “to create a special 30-day campaign to provide support, kindness, compassion, and help to those that need it most.” Participants can choose from a range of volunteer opportunities, such as protecting nature habitats, feeding the hungry, and making hygiene kits for people in need. Check out the full line-up here.
Houston
Pride Houston kicks off June with a number of events, such as its LGBTQ+ Movie Night on June 12, showing the films All Boys Aren’t Blue, which explores themes of gender identity and Black joy; I’m With Harrison, which chronicles the journey of the first Black gay man to become Houston Pride’s grand marshal; and Ailey, which takes a look at the renowned choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey, at the Montrose Center. Grab your tickets, which range from $10 – $15 without fees.
On June 13, there’s a Pride Market and Biergarten Party with music to keep the energy up. Buy your tickets here.
Dance the night away on June 25 at the Womxn of Pride: An Eden Pop-up party. Tickets here.
Then there’s the Pride pool party on June 26 from 2 to 8 p.m. You can buy tickets starting at $25 here.
Access the full Pride Houston calendar here.