Pride Month in Denver Means Parades, Parties, and Gospel Drag Brunch
Here’s how to celebrate and party this Pride Month in Denver.
Pride Month 2023, baby! June is off to a hot start (despite the rain), and Denver is ready to celebrate all month long. PrideFest is back and bigger than ever and there are plenty of marches, drag shows, brunches, parties, live performances, and so much more happening this June that you best make sure you’re hydrated, energized, and fully outfitted for every event. Mingle at an LGBTQ+ mixer, dance for days, enjoy a rainbow roller skate, or rejoice in gospel brunch—and don’t forget to get the lowdown via the Pride Survival Guide—and celebrate Denver Pride in whatever way means the most to you.
June 5–June 25
Baker, Cost varies
This women-owned community event space has its own bar and oftentimes plays host to live music and performances of all kinds. To celebrate Pride, you can choose from several different events, from the Drag King Bingo Pride Edition to its Vegan Night Pride Party.
June 6
Convergence Station, $30 and up
Featuring Empress Of, this pride party inside the Perplexiplex is brought to you by 102.3’s LGBTQ+ show Serve It!, so you know there will be, well, serving. Throw in some drag, an after party, and Meow Wolf’s trippy, rainbow-y setting and you’ve got one of the top pride parties in town.
June 9
Apple Blossom, Cost varies
This drag brunch experience at Apple Blossom will feature gospel hits and performances by some of Colorado’s best local drag entertainers, no religious or spiritual experience or affinity necessary. Come with an empty stomach and some energy to dance, clap your hands, and celebrate Pride.
June 9
BRDG Project, Free
Born from a collaboration between The Denver Queer Art Club and The Wolf Den, this queer vendor market supports local makers and Denver’s queer community in a happy blend of retail therapy and networking amongst creatives. The event is free, will feature more than 50 queer vendors, and plenty of food, music, flash tattoos and more will be available to make your experience that much more magical.
June 14
Denver Botanic Gardens, $75 and up
Returning for year four, Black Pride Colorado is back at the Denver Botanic Gardens to celebrate culture and community. If you’re not dressing to impress, you’re at the wrong event: Don your very best Afrofuturism-inspired formalwear and enjoy an evening of celebrating black pride.
June 14–23
X Bar, Cost varies
The party never ends at X Bar, but it’s certainly beginning on June 14. If you’re ready to shake your tail feather for 10 days straight, you’re in luck. We’re talking drag special performances, live music, themed celebrations, bumpin' DJ sets, karaoke, lip sync, and some stand-up, too. There’s something new, fun, and Pride-tastic happening each night of this special festival. Don’t miss out.
June 15
Northeast, $20 and up
Oh yes—if there’s a celebration, there’s a crawl for it. This year, Hamburger Mary’s is the starting point for this epic Pride crawl, tickets for which get you into at least five venues, complimentary drinks or shots, free cover to a drag show, waived cover, and food and drink specials the whole evening. Our advice? Take the next day off of work to recover.
June 15
McGregor Square, Cost varies
As our beloved Rockies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates, you can rock a limited edition, Rockies-themed fanny pack and know a portion of your ticket will benefit The Center on Colfax and One Colorado. Enjoy pregame Pride celebrations at McGregor Square to fuel up and crush a couple of cold beverages before the 7:10 pm start.
June 16–June 29
River North, Cost varies
Tracks is obviously one of the go-to spots for Pride fun in June, from its First Friday Pride Kickoff Party with DJs and dancing to its Rainbow Roll skating party to the entire weekend of June 19 - 22, also known as “Tracks’ Really, Really, Really BIG Pride Party.” Show up for drinks, dancing, and a whole lot of community to celebrate Denver Pride in the biggest way.
June 22
Capitol Building, Free
Proudly marching right into the epicenter of PrideFest is the 16th Annual Denver DYQE (Diversity, Youth, Queer Empowerment) March and Rally. Starting at X Bar, marchers will head toward the Capitol building, hear from passionate community speakers until 3 pm, then head onward to all that’s happening at PrideFest.
June 22
River North, $30 and up
Volleyball, drag, live music, and drink taps as far as the eye can see; it must be Number Thirty Eight’s fourth-annual HCO Pride Party. You should probably buy your tickets in advance (otherwise, good luck getting in), but once you’re there, it’s all rainbow gravy, baby.
June 22
Five Points, Cost varies
Wonderyard is always pretty over-the-top; what with its “The Secret Garden” meets “The Great Gatsby” vibe and all. For Pride they’re throwing glitter tattoos, rainbow cocktails, and a Dunk the Hunk tank into the mix, so yeah, it’s all very fabulous. Celebrate all day beginning at 10 am.
June 22–23
Civic Center Park, Free
Colorado’s largest Pride celebration (probably the largest in the entire Mountain Time Zone) is not messing around this year, with an anticipated crowd of 550,000 people. The two-day festival kicks off with the Pride 5K on Saturday followed by the Fest itself spanning Civic Center Park and featuring over 250 exhibitors, 30 food and beverage vendors, and one live performance after another. Sunday is when you’ll catch the annual Coors Light PrideFest Parade (9:30 am, so find a good spot early), with floats, marchers, more live music, and celebration, celebration, celebration.
June 22 - 23
Downtown, Free
The official hotel sponsor of Denver PrideFest, the Sheraton Denver Downtown is hosting a Pride Market, Variety Show, and After Party all weekend long. In addition to the market’s 40 local vendors, they’ll also have drag family feud and drag queen makeup demos, so be sure to bookmark this one on your Pride to-do list.