Check out these 40+ ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill
June is Pride month. Events and remembrances will be held to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community.
Here’s a list of events around the Triangle this month and events local LGBTQ+ organizations are hosting to celebrate pride all year long.
We will add to the list all month, so please email metroeds@newsobserver.com with any events we missed.
Throughout the month and beyond
▪ The LGBT Center of Raleigh has various support groups that meet monthly. Meetings in June include a nonbinary discussion group and an LGBT+ Mental Health Support Group with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
▪ The LGBT Center of Durham will be hosting a survivor support group throughout Pride month for LGBTQ+ survivors of abuse and intimate partner violence. The group will be online from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. The center also has various other support groups that meet monthly.
▪ Raleigh Pride will be hosting various events for Pride month including a Plaza Party on June 2, Run for Love 5K on June 3, Pride Sunday Funday on June 25 and more.
▪ Queer Raleigh will be hosting a variety of events, including Sunday Drag Brunch, Thursday Bikini Bingo and karaoke nights.
▪ Wake County Libraries will be hosting in-person and virtual Pride month events for a range of ages throughout the Triangle.
▪ Durham County Library will also be hosting events throughout Pride month including Rainbow Story Time, Teen LGBTQ Book Club and a Pride Month movie showing of “Moonlight.” Some events require registration.
▪ The Cary Arts Center will have a Pride Story Booth where people can leave video submissions about what pride means to them throughout the month. It will also be hosting a free Pride Light Show on June 1-7 and June 22-24 starting at dusk.
▪ St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church will be putting on multiple showings of the play “Corpus Christi.” The Terrence McNally play tells the story of Jesus and the Apostles as queer people in Texas. Shows start at 7 p.m. and continue until Saturday, June 10.
June 2
LGBTQ Pride First Friday (Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, starting at 5 p.m.)
This downtown block party will have live plays and music, games and more than 75 vendors. Attendees will also be given a raffle passport to check off activities such as a Raleigh Night Market vendor visit, Seed Arts Performances, Counter-Protest Sheet Painting and more.
Raleigh Pride Night Market (Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, from 5-10 p.m.)
This family and dog-friendly event will have food trucks, local artistry, games and more. Vendors will be selling candles, clothing and jewelry.
Artspace First Friday (201 East Davie St., Raleigh, from 5-10 p.m.)
Enjoy art exhibitions and celebrate pride at Artspace’s First Friday. The event will also have live dance and drag performances, cocktail specials and a community art activity.
Raleigh Pride Plaza Party (227 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, from 6-9 p.m.)
This Raleigh Pride and Downtown Raleigh Alliance event includes live music from DJ Steven and a local vendor market.
The Gathering Gallery’s First Friday Pride Month Kickoff (111 E. Hargett St. #100, Raleigh, from 6-9 p.m.)
Make pride buttons, magnets or bolo ties at the Gathering Gallery’s Pride Month Kickoff. The event will also have a special pin supporting Raleigh pride for sale and customers who wear rainbow colors will get 15% off their purchase.
Pride Silent Disco (800 Taylor St., Durham, from 7-11 p.m.)
Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to sing to the top of your lungs at the Pride Silent Disco. At this event, attendees will be provided wireless headphones where they can choose music from various DJs. $10.
Music in the Park Celebrates Pride (280 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, from 6-9 p.m.)
In Morrisville, enjoy live music, drag bingo and a local vendor artisan market at Music in the Park Celebrates Pride. Attendees will also be able to purchase food and desserts from Ty’s All Natural and Brusters Ice Cream.
June 3
Run for Love 5K & Day Party (Biggs Drive & Goode Street, Raleigh, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Participants can choose to run virtually from June 1 - June 15 or in-person on June 3. Those who run in person will receive a Run for Love 5k medal and (21+) a beer from Trophy Brewing Co. Entry fees range from $40 to $45 and the top three runners will win $300, $200 or $100. There will also be a free 400-meter Kid’s Fun Run starting at 8:45 am.
Pride Climb (4642 Rocky Branch Lane, Mebane, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Tree climb and zipline to celebrate pride with Piedmont Tree Climbing. Anyone 6 and up can climb and tickets are $25 for 50 minutes. Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to the LGBT Center of Durham.
Chapel Hill Pride Promenade (140 West Plaza, downtown Chapel Hill from 1:15-4 p.m.)
Celebrate the second annual Pride Promenade on Franklin Street. The march will include live music, a 13-foot-high pyramid art piece and a LGBTQIA+ book showcase.
Small Town Pride Happy Hour (311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill starting at 5 p.m.)
After checking out the Chapel Hill Pride Promenade, head over to the Graduate hotel for a happy hour afterparty.
2023 Queer Family Planning Health Fair (1016 Old Oxford Road, Durham from 2-5 p.m.)
Breastfeed Durham’s LGBTQ+ Committee and other local organizations will be offering information on family planning and human milk feeding at the Queer Family Planning Health Fair. This educational event will also offer information from birth workers, law offices that specialize in LGBTQ+ family planning and representatives from sperm banks and queer supportive adoption agencies. Register here.
Pride Dance Party (157 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill from 7-11 p.m.)
Join Gizmo Chapel Hill at its Pride Dance Party. This event will have live DJ music, drink specials and giveaways. $10.
Glitter Hour: Amateur Drag and Queer Stage Show (415 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh from 8-11 p.m.)
Join Ruby Deluxe for its monthly amateur drag and stage show. This event is 21+ and open to all skill levels.
June 4
POUND for Pride in the Park (501 Foster St., Durham, from 9-10 a.m.)
Take a POUND fitness class with Jewish for Good and celebrate pride. At this free event, attendees will use exercise drumsticks in a combination full-body workout of cardio, conditioning and strength training exercises. Donations to support the LGBTQ Center of Durham will be collected during the event.
Pride Party at Raleigh Brewing Co. (3709 Neil St., Raleigh from 1-5 p.m.)
Join Raleigh Brewing Co. for its outdoor pride party. This event will include live music, food trucks, yard games and more. There will also be an appearance from Kayla LaShay.
The Body Party: Femmes Acting Up (224 S. Blount St., Raleigh starting at 8 p.m.)
Join Pour House Music Hall to support body autonomy and celebrate pride at The Body Party. This 21+ event will be hosted by Alex Thee Rabbit with music from Sunny and drag performances by Chloe Cassidy, Kiara Mel and Kimora Brooks. $10.
June 5
Drag HERstory (Wake County Public Libraries, 7 -8 pm, live via Zoom)
Stormie Daie, local drag queen, and Kori Hennessey, director of Education and Programs at the LGBT Center of Raleigh, will discuss the HERstory of drag and LGBTQIA+ in the U.S. and Raleigh. Registration is required.
June 8
The Art of Queer Resistance (201 E. Davie St., Raleigh, from 6-8 p.m.)
Listen to a panel discussion of LGBTQIA+ visual and performing artists at Artspace. This free event is part of Duane Cyrus’ Maroon, Maroon exhibit and will discuss freedom, identity, advocacy and creativity.
Pride: I Don’t Want to Say the Wrong Thing (Wake County Public Libraries, 7 -8 pm, live via Zoom)
Learn about the important terms and concepts, pronouns, and the science and history of gender expression. Registration is required.
June 10
Apex Farmers Market Pride Day (1479 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex from 9 a.m.-noon)
Take your family to the Apex Farmers Market to celebrate its Pride Day. Enjoy music, inflatables and activities for the kids.
Apex Pride Festival (73 Hunter St., Apex from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Join Apex Pride for-the-whole-family event, with live music, drag performances and a food truck rodeo. Kids will also be able to enjoy inflatables, arts and crafts, games and story hour in the festival’s Kid Zone. Attendees can also walk around vendor areas where about 100 businesses, artists and organizations will be set up.
Pride Month Drag Trivia (3 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, from noon-3 p.m.)
Celebrate pride with The Crape Myrtle Festival at its Pride Month Drag Trivia event. The game will be led by Marsha Mellows and will include performances between trivia rounds.
Pride Pop-up Market (800 Taylor St., Durham, from noon to 5 p.m.)
Browse around a market of about 20 vendors at Hi-Wire Brewing’s Pride Pop-up Market. There will also be a free drag show starting at 7 pm featuring Chloe Cassidy.
DIY & Drag Show (5410 NC 55, Durham, from 5-7 p.m.)
Build a do-it-yourself project and enjoy drag performances from Vandora, Willow and Crystal Spring at the DIY & Drag Fundraiser. A portion of the DIY project sales will be donated to the LGBTQ Center of Durham.
June 11
PBO Pride (220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro from noon-6:30 p.m.)
Join PBO Pride as they celebrate at The Plant in Pittsboro. This family event will have vendors, live music and activities for kids. There will also be a parade and dance party.
June 13
GBTQIA+ Students and the College Experience (Wake County Public Libraries, 6:30 pm, live via Zoom)
What is it like for LGBTQIA students getting ready for college? Hear a panel of LGBTQIA students and professionals from several North Carolina colleges discuss the issues. Registration is required.
June 14
LGBTQIA Voices: Books for Pride Month (Wake County Public Libraries, 6:30 pm, live via Zoom)
Join librarians Jen and Melissa to discuss some of their favorite titles that uplift LGBTQIA+ voices and perspectives and shed light on the history of LGBTQIA+ communities. Registration is required.
June 15
Spaces for Queer Joy (409 W. Martin St., Raleigh, 6-8 p.m.)
Listen to a panel discussion from local DJs and event producers about the history and importance of Queer nightlife spaces. This event is free and is hosted by Raleigh Pride and CAM Raleigh.
June 17
Pride Market & Drag Show (620 W. South St., Raleigh, noon to 4 p.m.)
Enjoy a local food pride market and family-friendly drag show with Hartwell Raleigh and Urban Pothos Houseplant Shop. Tips from the Drag Show and donations will be donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
Raleigh Pride Crawl (226 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, from noon-11:59 p.m.)
Enjoy drink specials, a drag show and an after party. Tickets range from $15 to $20 and 20% of the event sales will be donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Check-in is at Zenith Raleigh and the first 100 people will receive a free party cup.
June 18
Tea Dance: Divas and Daddies (316 W. Geer St. Durham, from 2-8 p.m.)
Celebrate pride with The Pink Triangle at its first outdoor party. This event is free and will have drinks and drag performances.
June 22
Intersection of Faith, Religion, & LGBTQ Identity (Wake County Public Libraries, 2:30 pm, live via Zoom)
Join a virtual panel discussion with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, of the Council of Churches in Raleigh, Rev. Ian McPherson from Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, Rev. Kristen Tossell Pitts of Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland, and Rev. Vance E Haywood Jr of St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church in Raleigh. Registration is required.
June 23
Gag presents Girls Room Pride (310 S. West St. Suite 110, Raleigh, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Celebrate pride at this party that uplifts and showcases women, minorities and the LGBT+ community. The event is 21+. Tickets start at $10 here.
June 24
Out! Raleigh Pride (300 Fayetteville St, Downtown Raleigh from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Celebrate 11 years of Out! Raleigh Pride on Fayetteville Street. This all-day event will have activities for all ages including live music, Kids Zone and a beer garden. Attendees can also visit a variety of local vendors and artists throughout Fayetteville Street.
Ruby’s Annual Out Raleigh Day and Night Party! (415 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh from 12 noon-2 a.m.)
After checking out Out! Raleigh Pride, head on over to Salisbury Street to continue celebrating at Ruby’s Annual Out Raleigh Day and Night Party.
Gag, Queen Drag Dance Party (2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh, from 7-11 p.m.)
Join GAG and Raleigh Pride at The Ritz for a night of dancing, drag performance and live music. This event is celebrating GAG’s one year anniversary. Tickets start at $24 here.
June 25
Pride Wedding Day (317 W. Chatham St., Cary, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
If you are looking to tie the knot this month, Personal Weddings of NC is providing free wedding services at the Matthews House. Each ceremony includes free professional photographs, flowers, wedding cupcakes and decor for the couple and 10 guests. Any donations made will be given to the LGBT Center of Raleigh and the LGBTQ Center of Durham. Register here.
June 29
Stronger Together: Coming of Age During the AIDS Crisis (Wake County Public Libraries, 7 pm, live via Zoom)
Join historian Heather Leah as she shares anonymous interviews from those who recall coming of age in Raleigh during the AIDS crisis. Registration is required.
June 30
PUNKS 4 PRIDE Party (415 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, from 8-11:30 p.m.)
Close out Pride month with a night of punk music at Ruby Deluxe. This event will feature various local bands and ticket sales will be donated to queer community organizations. Tickets for this event are $10 here.
