Where to Celebrate Pride Weekend in Providence and the Ocean State
Join the festivities around the state in celebrating Pride Month.
While Pride is celebrated all year long, June is the pinnacle of Pride celebrations not only in the LBGTQ communities, but by allies all around. Check out ways that you can support and celebrate Pride by attending events, dining and shopping at LGBTQ-owned businesses or donating to charities.
COVID Safe Pride Social
If you’re looking for a more low-key way to celebrate Pride, SHIP and Luna Community Care are teaming up to host a COVID-cautious disability-friendly mixer on Thursday, June 15 at the Industrious Spirit Company in Providence. The event will be held in the distillery’s outdoor space and all staff will wear kN95 magazines through the duration of the event. Attendees will also be asked to wear masks and encouraged to test prior to arrival. Those interested are encouraged to stop by for the chance to make new queer, disabled, neurodivergent connections in the community. Plus, a dollar from each drink sold will be donated to LUNA and SHIP to continue bringing more disability, sex positive events and education to the area. Tickets are pay what you can, with a minimum price of $3 and suggested price of $10. You can learn more and purchase tickets here.
Pride Ride with PVD Bike Jam
Get your heart rate up on Friday, June 16 in preparation for the weekend ahead with Providence Bike Jam at their Pride Ride. The “raucous, love-filled” spin around the capital city rolls out from India Point Park at 7:30 p.m. (but plan to be there thirty minutes early) and will make stops at Wanskuck Park and the People’s Lawn at the Rhode Island State House. It will then culminate at with a meet up Revival Brewing where you can cool down with a refreshing brew. For the full bike route, click here.
Dyke and Trans People of Color March
Providence’s annual Dyke and Trans People of Color March is being held on Friday, June 16. Head to Burnside Park in Providence at 6:30 p.m. and join the march to 10,000 suns (near the Pedestrian Bridge) in honor of bodily autonomy and centering the BIPOC Queer community’s access to gender-affirming and reproductive care. This year, DTPOCPVD is partnering with Sista Fire RI to host pre-march activities, including family-friendly noise and sign-making, at Burnside Park starting at 5:30 p.m. Following the march, DTPOCPVD is also collaborating with Que Dulce to host a QTBIPOC-centered safe-space dance party at Small Format. Learn more here.
Pride Puppy Party
Many in the LGBTQ community would call this one the dream: On Friday, June 16 Queers and Beers of RI and RI Queer Community are hosting a Pride Puppy Party at Moniker Brewery in Providence from 6–9 p.m. All you need to do is bring Fido (though even that isn’t a must — dog-less dog-lovers are also more than welcome to attend and bask in the furry friend fiesta) and they’ll provide the treats and photo ops. There, There (f.k.a. Dips Dips) will also be on hand with noms for the humans. Learn more here.
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Pride Karaoke at the Gamm
The Gamm Theatre in Warwick is hosting a family-friendly Pride Karaoke night on Friday, June 16, from 6–9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to come sing their favorite songs in the lobby, try snacks and drinks from the café and enjoy the warm evening weather out on the patio. The evening will even include fun face painting for the kiddos. learn more here.
A Wicked Cool Block Party with Idina Menzel at the Dark Lady
On Friday, June 16, the Providence-based LGBTQ nightclub will host Broadway slash Disney star Idina Menzel live in concert at it’s Wicked Cool Block Party. Hosted by Chloe Savage, Jackie Collins and Viza D. Klein, the event will kick off at 9 p.m. and will also feature music from DJ Joey Dee and DJ Transcendence. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Rhode Island Pride PrideFest and Illuminated Night Parade
Rhode Island Pride is back for its 47th annual PrideFest and illuminated night parade on Saturday, June 17.
This year’s PrideFest theme is “Remember, Resist, Rejoice.” The message is meant to emphasize the importance of remembering LGBTQ history, standing up against oppression and injustice and celebrating the progress the community has made.
“New England and the state of Rhode Island have been one of the leaders in progressive LGBTQIA+ public policy in the nation,” says Rodney Davis, president of Rhode Island Pride, the local non-profit that produces the annual PrideFest Celebration and Illuminated Night Parade. “Recently, US News and World Report reported on the 21 Top Pride Parades and Celebrations in the U.S. for 2023 and Providence was listed second behind New York City! Providence comes alive during Pride Week as rainbow flags and banners fly, businesses roll out the ‘rainbow carpet,’ and the community opens their arms in welcoming visitors to celebrate the diversity of this city-wide event.”
The gates for PrideFest open at 11 a.m. at the I-195 District Park, and Rhode Island Pride is expecting a big party, as the vendor exhibition area is hosting more than 250 vendors in the LGBTQ+ marketplace, social resource organizations, food trucks, local, regional and national entertainment and a beer, wine and spirits garden. Headliners for the main stages include Luxx Noir London and Robin Fierce (you may know them from a little show called “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) as well as pop/R&B singer and “American Idol” finalist, David Hernandez, and international pop and R&B artist, Inaya Day. You can enter the festival for free (though donations are certainly accepted) at either the Dyer Street entrance or via the Pedestrian Bridge from South Water Street.
Later that night the Illuminated Night Parade kicks off in Downtown Providence at 8 p.m. and feature a procession of illuminated floats, performances and marchers. It will start at the intersection of Washington and Dyer streets. The parade will make its way northeast towards Dorrance Street, passing by City Hall, and then turning right onto Weybosset Street where it will culminate at the Providence Performing Arts Center. See parking and street closures here.
Grand marshals for the parade include Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the city’s second openly gay chief executive, and former congressman David Cicilline, who served as the first openly gay mayor of Providence. Thundermist Health Center will also be honored for being at the forefront of providing exceptional care to the LGBTQ community in Rhode Island.
Don’t think the party is over after the parade because the city of Providence is celebrating all weekend! There will be massive block parties that weekend put on by Dark Lady, Alley Cat, EGO, Providence Eagle, The Stable, The George and Mirabar.
Visit the website to learn more about how else you can participate, including marching in the parade, volunteering and so on: prideri.org/pridefest.
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View the Parade at Providence G
The Providence G is hosting two viewing parties from 6–10 p.m., including a sidewalk experience at Sarto and a bird’s-eye view from the Rooftop at the Providence G. Sarto is located at 86 Dorrance Street, where deejay Jackie Treehorn will spin beats alongside drag entertainer Danuel Duel at the sidewalk viewing party. The Rooftop Viewing Party at the Providence G will allow guests to see the parade from above from the west terrace. Following the parade, the Rooftop will also host Fireside After Dark with Timmy Drums. Both viewing parties are open to the public, and admission is free of charge. Attendees should arrive early to secure their spot. Learn more at providenceg.com.
The West End Pride Party
Three beloved businesses on the West End of Providence are teaming up with RI Queer Community to throw an appropriately titled West End Pride Party (others are calling it the Queer-muda Triangle) on Saturday, June 17. First, join them at Moniker Brewery for a few pre-parade beers, plus bites from There, There, from 4—7 p.m. The group then plans to walk downtown to catch the RI PrideFest Illuminated Night Parade (see above) before returning to the West End for an all-night dance party at Kimi’s Bar — Kimi herself will be waiting and ready with a special “Lavender Menace” cocktails. A portion of the night’s proceeds from all three businesses (10 percent of There, There sales, 10 percent of Moniker’s draft beer sales, and 50 percent from Kimi’s Lavender Menace sales) will go towards funding future RI Queer Community efforts and events. Best of all? There’s no covers. Learn more here.
Mini City Thrift Pride Pop Up
Little City Thrifty’s Pride Celebration Pop-Up is back at Trinity Beer Garden in Providence on Saturday, June 17. The market will run from noon to 5 p.m. and feature more than thirty vendors from around New England, as well as good sips on tap. Even better, 100% of the proceeds the market’s vendor fee will benefit Project Weber/RENEW, and Little City has also pledged to match attendees’ personal donations up to $1,000 total. Learn more here.
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Drag Yoga Class
You’ve heard of Drag brunches, maybe even Drag bingo… but have you tried Drag Yoga? On Saturday, June 17, at 10 a.m., David Vendetti will lead the second annual Drag Yoga Class at the Love Offensive hot yoga studio in Providence. The outdoor class is free and all are welcome to bring their family, friends and pets and get in the “spirit of love, connection, courage, truth and expression.” Learn more here.
Cranston’s Fifth Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony
Join keynote speaker Jennifer Minuto at the Cranston City Hall on June 21 for the city’s fifth annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony. The ceremony will kick off at 5:15 p.m. with light refreshments and appetizers to follow at the Blue Room — Edgewood’s latest LGBTQ-owned live music venue — at 6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Newport PrideFest and Market
The city of Newport continues the party the following weekend with a whole host of Pride festivities. The Newport Pride Drag Cruise kicks things off on Friday, June 23, where you can celebrate on the water in style with the Trailer Park Girls. The cruise will set sail at 6:30 p.m. and return to port by 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, festivities include the Newport Pride Ride at noon and the Newport PrideFest and Market from noon to 6 p.m. The two-mile bike parade begins and ends at the Great Friends Meeting House on Farewell Street. After the parade, enjoy the market and festival. While you are in Newport for the day, look for the rainbow-colored crosswalks around Equality Park that Newport Pride successfully pushed for.
If you’re hoping to continue the party that night, head on over to Parlor Newport for their Afterdark celebrations from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
For more information about Newport Pride, visit newportprideri.org.
Trek East Providence Pride Ride
On Sunday, June 25, all are welcome to hit the trails for a casual cruise during Providence’s Pride Ride in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. The ride will kick off at 11 a.m from India Point Park, and snacks, drinks and swag will be available. You can register online here.
South County Pride
The South County Pride Foundation was created by South Kingstown High School seniors Magnolia Longworth and Evan Travis, a senior project that surfaced from a Pride car parade in 2020. Due to its success, Longworth and Travis wanted to expand the event the following year, collaborating with the Wakefield Village Association for the first RiverFire of the season. This year, they will continue the annual celebration on Thursday, June 29 at the Contemporary Theater Company. Things kick off with the car parade at 3 p.m., followed by an evening of queer vendors, live bands, a drag show, performances from the RI Black Storytellers, a DJ and more. For more information, visit facebook.com/southcountypride.
Daisy Eagan at Mirabar
Daisy Eagan, who became the youngest Tony Award winner in history at age eleven for her role in “The Secret Garden,” has relocated her family from L.A. to R.I. where she produces and hosts her hit podcast “Strange and Unexplained.” On Thursday, June 29 at 8 p.m., Egan will host a benefit for Youth Pride at Mirabar as part of Pride Month. In addition to music and chats with Eagan, the event will include a silent auction, a karaoke contest and food from local chefs.
More Ways to Celebrate Pride
Stop by Rhode Island Spirits — home of the LGBTQ spirits brand, Rhodium — in Pawtucket and order the Pink Lemonade to benefit Youth Pride Rhode Island. The refreshing specialty cocktail features Rhodium RI Red vodka, lemonade and a rainbow straw, and will be available in the tasting throughout June. 40 Bayley St., Pawtucket, 401-856-4111, rhodeislandspirits.com
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Oak Bakeshop, Providence’s newest “jew-ish” coffee shop and bakery on the East Side, just dropped a line of cute tie dyed merch for Pride — 100 percent of the t-shirt sales will go to Rhode Island Pride. If you’re interested in snagging one for yourself, stop by the shop and ask a team member. 130 Cypress St., Providence, oakbakeshop.com
Narragansett Beer‘s PVD Pride Sour is back for the third year in a row with an all new flavor and color! Order the blueberry and raspberry sour either on draft in the taproom or take a few cans to go. Proceeds will benefit PVD House RI, a local organization which offers queer-friendly home seekers and small businesses a space to create safety in the pursuit of happiness. 271 Tockwotton St., Providence, 401-437-8970, narragansettbeer.com/pages/providence-brewery
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North Smithfield’s Wright’s Dairy Farm is showing their support for Pride Month by selling four-inch rainbow
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cakes and donating a portion of the proceeds to Youth Pride Rhode Island. The little pride cakes are funfetti flavored cake with traditional flavored, rainbow-colored frosting, and they are available now until June 30th. 200 Woonsocket Hill Rd, North Smithfield, 401-767-3014, wrightsdairyfarm.com
The LGBTQ-owned plant shop Jordan’s Jungle is having a sale in honor of Pride now through June 30th. In store you can purchase one plant for 20 percent off, three plants for 25 percent off or five-plus plants for 30 percent off, or you can shop online and use the code “PRIDE23” to get 20 percent off your order. Jordan’s Jungle, 545 Pawtucket Ave., Pawtucket, 401-475-0100, jordansjungle.net.
Wildflour Vegan Bakery has created special rainbow-filled whoopie pies in honor of Pride and will be donating proceeds from their sales throughout the month of June to Youth Pride Rhode Island, Glad Law and Keshet. 727 East Ave., Pawtucket, 401-475-4718, wildflourbakerycafe.com
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Providence Bagel is running a Pride special, but only for a limited time. From June 16-18, the shop will be selling rainbow bagels with funfetti cream cheese. If you find yourself in Providence that weekend for Pridefest, make sure to stop by Providence Bagel to take advantage of the special or check the website for their other locations in Kingston and North Providence. 695 North Main St, Providence, 401-421-2222, providencebagel.com
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Just over the border in Seekonk, the Old Grist Mill Tavern is also going the rainbow confectionary route with their Pride cake. You can stop by and order a slice (or two, we’re not judging) for yourself all month long. 390 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, Massachusetts, 508-336-8460, theoldgristmill.com
Another neighbor to the north, Moon Rose Farm in Rehoboth, is offering up cute and impactful cookies in the spirit of supporting the Trans community, with 50 percent of all proceeds benefitting the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project. if you’re looking to pickup some this weekend, be sure to get your orders in by Thursday evening. The store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 88 Mason St., Rehoboth, MA, moonrosefarmstand.com
Plus, if you want to keep the celebrations going, there are a number of local LGBTQ community groups that meet regularly all year round, including:
For the hop heads: Queers and Beers of RI
For the thrill-seekers: Queer Hikes and Queers Who Climb and Outloud Sports Providence
For the theatre kids at heart: Queeraoke PVD
For the bibliophiles: Providence Queer Book Club
For the cerebrals: QueeriosityPVD
For the entrepreneurs: Rhody Queer Owned
For the renaissance people: Queer Social Club RI
