Last year marked 50 years of official Pride parades in Seattle. The monumental anniversary may have come and gone, but Seattle continues to position itself as a leader for queer communities. The city was recently ranked as one of the safest places for LGBTQIA+ travelers.

Before the colorful, vibrant celebrations commonly associated with Pride Month, Seattle’s Pride celebrations had humble beginnings. The first festivities in 1974 started with a small picnic in Occidental Park and culminated in a group of people and makeshift banners encircling the fountain at Seattle Center.

Although the distance traveled over the last five decades is humbling, the queer community’s battle for equity remains ongoing. Amidst rising concerns over LGBTQIA+ safety in the United States, now is as important as ever to rally behind the community. This year’s Pride Month is plentiful with picnics and parades, rainbow-hued block parties and exuberant drag brunches — as well as opportunities to learn from and support the city’s queer community. Locals and visitors, LGBTQIA+ community and allies alike can celebrate all month long, helping to amplify Seattle Pride 2025 theme: “LOUDER.”

“This moment calls for not just resilience. It demands resistance,” says Patti Hearn, Seattle Pride executive director. “Resistance is rooted in love, courage, and an unwavering belief that the world can and must be better.”

Pride for the Whole Family

Pride has plenty of family-friendly affairs for everyone to enjoy. Kick off the month at Pride in the Park, an all-ages, free event taking place on the afternoon of Saturday, June 7. Community is central to this Volunteer Park event. There’s something for everyone, from food trucks and drag shows, to a teen lounge and live music.

Also happening on June 7 is the family-friendly Rainbow Hop in PhinneyWood. The day starts with an age-appropriate anti-bullying play at Taproot Theatre. Everyone is then invited to explore the Rainbow Hop Route on Greenwood Avenue, featuring crafts, stories, music, and a dance party for all ages.

Taproot Theatre’s Road Co. offers a free public performance as part of PhinneyWood Pride Rainbow Hop.

Photo courtesy of Taproot Theatre

Festivals and Parades

Festivals, parades, and block parties take place throughout June, leading up to the Seattle PrideFest. On June 28, PrideFest takes over five blocks of Capitol Hill, where you can explore entertainment across several stages. The following day, join the parade and march to Seattle Center, where a colorful celebration follows. Seattle PrideFest continues to be one of the largest free Pride celebrations in the country.

The last weekend of the month is packed with fun. From June 27-29, Queer/Pride Festival will take over the Capitol Hill neighborhood. This annual 21+ event features drag performances, burlesque dancers, DJs, and live music including the likes of Lil’ Kim and Rebecca Black. Keep the party going at events such as Kremwork Pride (June 28) and Cuff Pride Fest (June 28 and 29). The Seattle Pride Parade closes the month on June 29. Before the parade, people can join the official Seattle Pride Legacy Drag Brunch fundraiser featuring Pride-inspired drinks and brunch.

Drag Brunches and Performances

Pride Month isn’t complete without at least one event featuring a fierce, glammed-up drag queen. Seattle’s drag lineup for June is stacked with choices from brunches and cabaret shows to musical performances and drag and wine. On the afternoon of June 8, brunch at the Fairmont while being dazzled by some of Seattle’s fiercest queens. A portion of tickets go to Seattle Pride. That night, join several queens at the W Seattle for a drag concert featuring Lady Gaga and Cher performances. And later in the month, pair wine and drag at the Princess and the Bear, South Park’s Languedoc-Roussillon-dedicated wine bar at the rose’-all-day Queen drag show.

Drag Queen Sunday with Sativa at Princess & Bear Tasting Room.

Photo courtesy of Princess & Bear

Among the lineup of special drag events, you can also count on Seattle’s beloved, long-running drag extravaganza. Le Faux Playhouse will run drag brunches and cabaret shows every weekend in June at Julia’s on Broadway featuring celebrity impersonations, burlesque performances, and more.

Pride for Sports Lovers

Pride is as much for the queens as it is for the athletes. Seattle’s sports teams are showing up big time for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community this year.

The Mariner’ kick off the occasion with a Pride Month game on June 4, followed by a second one on June 13. Along with a chance to win Mariners Pride merch, $5 from each ticket sale goes to support GSBA Scholarship Fund and Seattle Pride. Seattle’s women’s rugby team, the Seawolves, kicks off the string of Pride month sports events with a night of festivities on June 8 including a performance by Rainbow City Performing Arts marching band and a merch table.

Pride Month games at T-Mobile Park.

Photo courtesy of Mariners

Later in the month, Salmon FC (Seattle’s new women’s soccer team co-owned by women-run sports bar Rough and Tumble), will host a Pride match on June 22. Soccer fans can also look out for the Sounders Pride Match on the 28^th, featuring Pride-themed décor and activities. Last but not least, join the Seattle Storm for Pride Night on the 27^th.

Learn about Seattle’s Queer History

Seattle’s queer history long predates its first official Pride in 1974. From the late 19^th century, a gay community flourished in Pioneer Square, loosely known as “Fairyville.” Underground gay bars flourished in the early 1900s. The Casino, the city’s first after-hours club, opened in 1933, and Seattle’s first gay-owned bar, The Garden of Allah, opened in a Post Alley basement in 1946.

Honor the history of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community on a couple of dedicated walking tours. On June 14, join a queer walking tour in Capitol Hill. Visit spots that have long welcomed queer Seattleites and learn how the city’s queer history overlaps with other social movements. Every Sunday in June, Beneath the Streets is running underground tours that focus on the LGBTQIA+ history in Pioneer Square.

Queer Businesses to Support

Celebrate, dance, and paint yourself with the rainbow — but also remember that Pride is as much a celebration as it is a call to action. Pride Month is a time to reflect on the history of the LGBTQIA+ community and its continued fight for an equitable future. One way that allies can show up is to support LGBTQIA+ businesses. Here’s some ideas to get you going.

For Book Lovers: Browse literature at trans-owned Charlie’s Queer Books and woman-and queer-owned Elliot Bay Book Co.

For wine lovers: Enjoy a glass or two at locally sourced Aluel Cellars with locations in Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Queen Anne, and sustainability-focused Footprint Wine Tap on Capitol Hill.

Footprint Wine Tap

Photo courtesy of Footprint

For sustainable, locally sourced bites: Grab brunch or dinner at Harry’s Fine Foods, Terra Plata, or Café Flora and other spots that are part of the Flora Restaurant Group.

For craft beer lovers: Unwind with one of Stoup Brewing’s incredible lineup of IPAs at its Capitol, Ballard, or Kenmore locations, or grab a pint at Métier Brewing (Black- and LGBTQIA-owned) on Cherry Street or at its Woodinville brewery.

For thrifting fans: Capitol Hill Goodwill is hosting two Pride pop-ups all through June. Drag icon Viper Fengz has curated a collection featuring an eclectic mix of fun, punk-inspired pieces, while musician Your Friend, Claudine offers a selection of charming ’90s vintage finds. Proceeds support Evergreen Goodwill’s free job training and education programs.

For gift shopping, plant, and art lovers: Deck out your home, do some gift shopping, or invest in a few new plant babies at spots such as The Plant Store, Seattle Plant Daddy, Orcas Paley, and Ghost Gallery (located in Pike Place).

It’s time to celebrate!