Your 2025 Raleigh Pride Guide
Fill your June calendar with a range of inclusive events.
Pride is back—and Raleigh Pride is ready to werk with its biggest, boldest fete yet. The annual loud and proud party comes at a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces mounting cultural and legislative challenges, particularly amid a surge in anti-transgender laws in several states restricting gender-affirming care—like with NC’s Senate Bill 516, aka the “Women’s Safety and Protection Act,” recalling 2016’s controversial bathroom bill—and participation in sports.
Book bans and curriculum censorship have also increased—see NC’s House Bill 595, an extension of the state’s ”Don’t Say Gay” bill that bars gender and sexuality discussions in grades K–4—aiming to erase LGBTQ+ identities from educational spaces. These developments reflect a broader backlash against inclusion efforts, intensifying the need for advocacy and allyship.
As such, this year’s celebration is as emotionally charged as ever. “This Pride may be our biggest yet, but it’s also a moment to ground ourselves in community—creating space to give back and honoring the trans legends who made Pride possible,” says Raleigh Pride co-founder Trey Roberts. “This year is about collective joy and collective action.”
Key word: collective—calling Raleighites and rainbow road-trippers alike to bring the glam, the glitter and all the unapologetic colorful charisma they can muster for the largest lineup yet. Expect global headliners like RuPaul’s Drag Race winners, local acts dragging up plenty of revelry, film screenings (think: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, because duh), panels and much more—all curated to uplift and reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community in the Triangle.
Show Your Pride: 2025 Pride Guide
Rainbow ruckus mode: activated. Get ready for a June packed with epic events—from drag shows and talks to fitness classes and parties that are sure to get loud and proud. Big slay!
5/31 | Run for Love 5K
These sneaks were made for running for love! Pound the pavement during Trophy Brewing and Runologie’s annual rainbow-colored 5K benefiting Raleigh Pride and the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Lace up, show out and run with pride—then stick around for the epic afterparty with Trophy beer, food trucks, DJs and a drag show. Just remember—no matter your pace, love always wins. trophybrewing.com
6/1 | Pride Month Kickoff Drag Show
If you like big decks and you cannot lie, post up at The Bend for performances from Viper D Sedusa, Phina 5000 and B that are sure to be a drag—in the best way. eventbrite.com
6/1 | Raleigh Iron Works Pride Kickoff
Everyone’s invited to this fam-friendly outing starting the month off strong with DJs, inflatables, art installations, activities and health education. And, obviously, you’re gonna wanna support RIW’s locally owned LGBTQ+ businesses while you’re at it—think Urban Pothos, Beatniks and The Flourish Market. Community’s never been so colorful. raleighironworks.com
6/5 | Pop Fitness Dance Class
Ya better werk it! Be up in the club—er, at Poyner YMCA—working on your fitness in a welcoming and inclusive environment. ymcatriangle.org
6/6 | Fashion Showcase
Walk, walk, fashion, baby. Channel a *good* romance via First Friday at Artspace, complete with extended hours, queer DJ Jorge Meza and some sensory-friendly moments (read: no amplified music) from 5–7pm. artspacenc.org
6/6 | Pride First Friday
Friday, but make it gay. Kick off Pride Month in DTR’s historic Gayborhood with bingo, queer-aoke, food from The Pit, drinks from Crank Arm Brewing, kids activities, free rainbow Pride portraits and more. downtownraleigh.org
6/7 | Out in Nature
These shoes were made for strutting outside. Join Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space at Historic Oak View County Park to stroll, socialize and surround yourself in nature. wake.gov
6/7 | Parlor Pride
“We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.” Come out to The Parlor at Heights House for its third annual can’t-miss celebration delivering an afternoon of drag performances (Emory Starr, Alexandra Vittz, Aida Stratton and more), local vendors, live music, food trucks, activities and ’tails from the outdoor Parlor bar—with a portion of all ticket proceeds donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Get ready to party! heightshousenc.com
6/10 | Local Poet Reading & Open Mic
We’re here, we’re queer and we’re lending an ear to writer Josh Tvrdy—who just released his first book of poems, Smut Psalm—at Blackbird Books & Coffee. blackbirdbooksandcoffee.com
6/14 | Pride Market + Drag Show
~Drag~ yourself to Hartwell for its fourth annual market + drag show with Urban Pothos—a fam-friendly bash boasting food trucks, live music and major vibes. Bonus: All drag show proceeds go to the LGBT Center of Raleigh—so come for the queens, stay for the cause. @hartwellraleigh
6/15 | Pride Month Drag Show
These drag queens came to werk! Cheer on a lineup of fantabulous stars at Boxcar—including Ema Del Rey and Jada J Agave—while enjoying signature Sunday specials like $2 mimosas and $8 bloody marys. facebook.com
6/19 | Hormona Lisa
The ideal cure for ~seasonal depression~? Kicking off Pride with “The Bubblegum Babe” herself at Flex Nightclub, who’s bringing her bubbly princess energy for a pastel pink-hued night you won’t soon forget. @flexnightclub
6/20 | Creative Mornings
Early bird gets the edgy dose of feminism. Wake up and channel your finest riot grrrl energy for this Lincoln Theatre talk starring North Carolina-based punk band Babe Haven. creativemornings.com
6/20 | Girls Room
Let’s go girls! (And guys, theys and everyone in between…) The popular Charlotte-based queer femme-led party is returning to Junction West with groovy beats from CLT’s DJ DOMii for the ultimate GNO. @girlsroomclt
6/20–21 | 13th Out! Raleigh Pride
It’s giving 13 Going on 30. …. Think daytime music fest, nighttime street rave. And for lucky 13, Out! is turning up the volume with an adults-only (18+) Friday night vendor and entertainment takeover on Fayetteville Street. While Friday night is all about the grown-up glam, Saturday brings back the familiar fam-friendly fest—think food trucks, local vendors and artists, a KidsZone, beer garden, and live entertainment. The crown jewel: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 winner Sasha Colby, with additional entertainment by icons Elle LC, Taylor Alxndr and Crystal Waters. Pro tip: Go big and feel fab by snagging a VIP ticket for a meet and greet with Colby or Waters—and Colby’s package also scores you front-row access to her performance, plus a free ticket to GAG! later that night. Um, say less. lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
6/20–21 | Legends Pride Celebration
Bring back my girls! Legends is packing up soon, but not before one final fab Pride bash on Hargett Street. Catch free performances from RuPaul’s Drag Race star Xunami Muse and powerhouse performer Elle LC (June 21), and iconic duo Sugar & Spice (June 20). Sashay away! legends-club.com
6/21 | GAG! Queen
Prepare to be gagged, queens. One of the Southeast’s premier queer dance parties is coming to The Ritz for an electric high-energy night of nonstop dancing and drag performances, hosted by Raleigh Pride’s own Trey Roberts and Marsha Mellows and feat. RuPaul’s Drag Race winners Sasha Colby and Nymphia Wind, plus Raleigh’s DJ Luxe Posh and NYC’s Boyyyish. Slay the house down boots! @gag_raleigh
6/21 | Le Drag
Drag yourself to Le Dive for sequins, sass and unstoppable glam a la a fierce cast of drag queens who are taking the drama next level, along with host Chanté Elise Cassidy and DJ K Stones. Don’t forget your dollars, honeys! @le.dive.bar
6/21 | NC Courage Pride Night
Kick your Pride into full gear by donning your finest colorful apparel and cheering on the NC Courage as they take on the Houston Dash. Let’s go girls! nccourage.com
6/22 | GAG! Tea Dance
Get in, loser, we’re going dancing. The popular day party series at Johnson Street Yacht Club returns with Atlanta-based Taylor Alxndr—drag queen, entertainer, social activist and community organizer. Tea will definitely be spilled… and hips will absolutely be shook. @jsyachtclub
6/23 | Drag Bingo Night
Eyes down, hopes up. Perch on the patio for a fun- and sass-filled night of bingo hosted by Miss Chanté Elise Cassidy—with prizes on the line and a special Pride month cocktail with a portion of sales going toward the LGBT Center of Raleigh. thelongleafhotel.com
6/28 | For the Girls of Raleigh Pridefest
This one’s ~for the girls~. Bring your besties to Dogwood for a vibrant daytime celebration of queer joy, feat. local queer-owned vendors, good tunes and fresh bevs. There’s no such thing as being extra in June, so close out Pride Month with community, connection and good vibes. @forthegirlsofraleigh
June, Multiple Dates | Movie Screenings + Performances at The Rialto
Get in formation at Raleigh’s historic movie theater for a fierce lineup of LGBTQ+-friendly films—Pariah (June 4), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (June 6), Cuckoo (June 11) and How to Survive a Plague (June 25). And don’t sleep on the June 7 tribute to the last 100 years of burlesque, with performers showcasing each decade, all the way back to the Roaring ’20s. And June 18, it’s Bey Night, baby—a Homecoming Dance Party serving drag queens worthy of their Run the World moment. therialto.com
Pride Sips & Snacks
Figulina | Warehouse District
Taste the rainbow via Figulina’s Rainbow Raviolo, on the menu throughout the month of June—with $1 from every order donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. figulinaraleigh.com
Hummingbird | Iron District
Think—and drink—pink with Hummingbird’s Pink Panther, poured with purpose throughout Pride Month to benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh. hummingbirdraleigh.com
Wolfe & Porter | Warehouse District
You’ll be crushing hard on W&P’s Blue Crush, an ocean-blue tropicalesque cocktail created in celebration of Pride Month feat. rum, coconut, pineapple, lime, dragon fruit orange blossom syrup and blue curaçao—available through June. wolfeandporter.com
Wye Hill | Warehouse District
Sip happens, so make sure you’re sipping for good. Continuing its annual tradition, Wye Hill will be donating $1 to the LGBT Center for every Luminous Beings sold this June. wyehill.com
The Raleigh Wine Shop | Moore Square District
Rosé all day—and all month! Cheers to Pride Month with the wine shop’s Las Jaras Superbloom Rosé and Trophy Brewing’s Trophy Partner IPA, a portion of proceeds from which will be donated to the LGBT Center. theraleighwineshop.com
Players Retreat | Hillsborough Street District
Made with love and big flavor, PR’s LGBTQ+ sandwich takes lunchtime next-level with lettuce, guac, bacon, tomato, mayo and queso fresco on multigrain bread. Not to mention all proceeds go to Equality NC‘s fight for queer and trans rights in North Carolina. playersretreat.com
Whiskey Kitchen | Warehouse District
It’s a spritz summer! WK’s Pride cocktail, the Grace Kelly, is a refreshing riff feat. gin, Italicus Bergamot Liqueur, strawberry lemonade, Lillet Rosé aperitif and sparkling rosé. Sip it out on the patio while feeling good about a dollar going to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. whiskey.kitchen
