What started out as a small peaceful protest in Mt. Vernon in 1975 has evolved into what we know today as Baltimore Pride, a monthlong celebration of events, fundraisers, and festivals supporting our local LGBTQ+ community.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, organizers with the Pride Center of Maryland are emphasizing the theme of “50 Shades of Pride,” a nod to just how diverse and unique Baltimore’s community is. From June 8-15, the city will be awash with a rainbow’s array of events run by various organizations, small businesses, and restaurants, in addition to the annual Pride parade and block party (at Charles and 29th Streets, the very block where it all began) June 14-15.
Tramour Wilson, chief director of special projects at the Pride Center of Maryland, says that the hosts are as committed to inclusivity as ever, incorporating events for the trans community, youth, elders, and the Latinx community. “We’re meshing four Prides into one,” he says. “We want to ensure that we’re opening up the Pride festival to all.”
For all gatherings, safety continues to be a top priority. “We have invested a quarter of our budget to security,” he says, mentioning partnerships with local police and shuttle rides from Pride events.
Aside from the famous Pride Parade, Wilson—who has participated in Pride himself for more than a decade—is most excited for the time-honored Twilight on the Terrace gala, held at the Hippodrome’s M&T Bank Exchange this year, featuring a performance by Tony and Grammy award-winning artist Jennifer Holliday.
For even more events sure to spark joy, energy, and connection throughout the month, check out our full Pride Guide, below.
Official Baltimore Pride Parties
6/9: 50 Shades of Pride: Opening Happy Hour
To kick off Baltimore Pride’s festivities, attend the opening happy hour at Ema’s Corner, in the old Joe Squared space in Station North. Showing off your shade of pride is encouraged for this year’s 50 Shades of Pride theme. 33 W North Ave. 5-9 p.m.
6/10: Slay and Skate
Shake & Bake Family Fun Center has long been a centerpiece of the Black community, just as the Black community has always been at the heart of the LGBTQ+ community. Lace up your skates and roll on over to Shake & Bake to celebrate with DJs, dancing, and high-energy fun. 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. 6 p.m.-12 a.m.
6/11: Pride Picnic and Play
Head to Patterson Park for Baltimore Pride’s picnic featuring fun, games, and great company. 2601 E Baltimore St. 3-8 p.m.
6/11: Happy Hour at The Manor
This Baltimore Pride happy hour at The Manor in Mt. Vernon will feature drink specials, a DJ playing Pride anthems, a fun crowd, and plenty of photo ops. 924 N Charles St. 5-9 p.m. Free with RSVP.
6/12: Pride on the Patio
This year’s Pride on the Patio will be held at Guilford Hall Brewery, highlighting craft beers and specialty cocktails, a DJ, dancing, and that joyous Baltimore Pride spirit. Guilford Hall will be serving happy hour specials all night long. 1611 Guilford Ave. 6-10 p.m. This event is free for all who RSVP.
6/13: Mount Vernon Pride
Mount Vernon Pride pieces together all aspects of LGBTQ+ and Baltimore culture to create an event bursting with queer joy. This block party celebration will be packed with pride merch, food, local vendors, dancing, and live performances. Mount Vernon; Park Ave. & Read St. 3-8 p.m. Free with RSVP.
6/13: Twilight on the Terrace
In what is sure to be an unforgettable performance at the M&T Bank Exchange, award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Holliday will perform “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” The gala will honor the 50-year legacy of Baltimore Pride and all proceeds will support the LGBTQ+ community. Holliday’s first-ever Baltimore performance is not to be missed. 401 W Fayette St. 7-11 p.m.
6/14: Baltimore Pride Parade
Bring your best signs, flags, and rainbow accessories to celebrate this year’s Baltimore Pride Parade. The route extends through the heart of Baltimore and features floats, dancers, drag performers, and community organizations that travel to the beat of marching bands and DJs. Charles St. & North Ave. Parade kicks off at 11 a.m.
6/14: Pride Block Party
The Pride Block Party will take place at Charles Street and 29th Street to honor this year’s special 50th anniversary. Baltimore Pride originated on this block, and this event will celebrate the history of the occasion with food trucks, vendors, DJs, dancing, and more. Charles Street & 29th Street, 3-8 p.m.
6/14: Uncuffed Events Takes Over Power Plant Live for Charm City Pride Fest
Power Plant Live will be full of music, dancing, vendors, and queer joy as the venue for the official Baltimore Pride after party. Hosted by Uncuffed Events, the bash will offer party zones with live performances by So Fetch Band (a 2000s tribute group) and queer and women DJs, as well as a drag intermission by SADBrunch. Power Plant Live!, 34 Market Pl., 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $20
6/15: The Ultimate Drag Brunch: Baltimore Pride
Another event at Guilford Hall Brewery is The Ultimate Drag Brunch, featuring a lineup of 10 impressive drag entertainers including drag queens, kings, and nonbinary royalty. Brunch and drinks will be available for purchase while you watch. 1611 Guilford Ave. 12-4 p.m. $20. This event is for ages 21+.
6/15: Pride in the Park
To close out this year’s Baltimore Pride festivities, make your way to Druid Hill Park to spend quality community time and reflect on the historic significance of Baltimore Pride’s 50th anniversary. This event has something for everyone–even your pets. Druid Hill Park, 12-6 p.m. Free with RSVP.
Arts & Culture
6/5: Pride Cocktails & Craft—Tour and Disco Ball-Making
Be sure to register and join the Maryland Center for History and Culture for this event, which takes place on their Free First Thursday. The first part of the gathering will feature a tour of the museum’s queer history exhibition–We Are Proud–given by assistant curator, Abby Doran. Once inspired by the wonderful work and creations of LGBTQ+ folks, you can create your very own disco ball–a beacon of queer nightlife and joy. 610 Park Ave. 6-8 p.m.
6/7: Mortified Pride Edition
Mortified is here–and queer–this month at Creative Alliance. Sit back, relax, and prepare yourself for a slew of embarrassingly hilarious original poems, song lyrics, diary entries, and accounts of various adolescent experiences all themed around Pride, coming out, exploring sexual and gender identity, and more. 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30 for general admission, $25 for members, and $15 for virtual attendants (with a $5 service fee).
6/12: Community Connection: Pride in Ourselves, Pride in Our Legacy
Attend this multigenerational gathering hosted by The ElderPride Council, presented by Chase Brexton Health Care, for an opportunity to connect with members of the LGBTQ+ community in all different stages of life. This event creates a space for everyone to share their stories as they connect to the history of pride. Lunch will be served to those who register. FreeState Justice, 2601 N. Howard St. Suite 120. 1-2:30 p.m.
6/13: Off the Rails Pride Party at the Streetcar Museum
The Clifton Pleasure Club has put together this event in partnership with the Baltimore Streetcar Museum in order to offer a night of classic concessions, fun drinks, live entertainment, queer art, streetcar rides, and more! The goal of this event is to create an authentic and joyful environment that focuses on the roots of the LGBTQ+ community. 2803 Grindon Ave. 6 p.m. $25 per person.
6/13: Night Owl Gallery Opening Reception: David Ayala “Repeat After Me” & Yamah “Held in Color”
These two simultaneous solo exhibitions explore integral themes of queerness in different ways—through fiber-based works, in Yamah’s exhibit, and through a mix of oil painting with unconventional materials in David Ayala’s. 1735 Maryland Ave., 5-9 p.m.
Pride Performances
6/6: Furrocity Pride Show
The Creative Alliance’s Furrocity Pride show features some of Baltimore’s best drag performers, emceed by Pretty Rik E with music by GRL PWR. The show is presented by Lula Lioness and has two costume contest categories: Feline Ferocity and Flaunt Your Flag. 3134 Eastern Ave. 5 p.m. vendor market, 6 p.m. doors and dancing, 7 p.m. show. Tickets start at $20 for general admission and $10 for Creative Alliance members or virtual participants.
6/13: Big Top Revival: A Pride Variety Show to Benefit Maryland Safe Haven
Calling all ringmasters, strongmen, bearded ladies, and vaudeville vamps! Attend this variety show put on by Hotel Revival with performances from some of Baltimore’s best queer talent, with each ticket sale donating $10 to Maryland Safe Haven and their mission to provide resources to the LGBTQ+ community. 101 W Monument St. 9-11 p.m. This event is for ages 21+.
6/13; 6/20: Baltimore Men’s Chorus Presents: Joy in Defiance–A Spring Concert
Music has long been a tool of expression and connection for the LGBTQ+ community, and the Baltimore Men’s Chorus will be honoring that spirit through their spring concert. In keeping with this year’s milestone and theme of “50 Shades of Pride,” the chorus stands as the longest-running LGBTQ+ performing arts organization. 1900 St Paul St.; 120 N Front St. 7:30-9 p.m.
6/13-6/29: Iron Crow Theatre Presents: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
You won’t want to miss Iron Crow Theatre’s production of this queer theater staple. The show is full of dancing, laughing, and, of course, audience participation. Each ticketholder will receive a bag with all necessary props and an audience participation script. If you’re a first-timer, expect to be specially welcomed, though you may want to leave your striped shirts, suits, and sandals at home. 45 W Preston St. Performance times vary.
6/14: Paintings and Pride: a Comedy Show at Zissimos Bar
Join We’re Here, We’re Queer; ImprovScape; and Highwire Improv for a hilariously spectacular improv show based on a local artist’s creations. This event brings together key elements of Baltimore’s culture, art, and improv, for a funny celebration of Pride Month. The Lou Costello Room above Zissimos Bar located at 1023 W 36th St. Doors at 8:45 p.m., show from 9-10:30 p.m.
Community Connections
6/1-6/30: Pride at Ulysses
For the entire month of June, Mt. Vernon’s Ulysses hotel—nearby many of the official events—will serve as a Pride HQ. If you book a room, you can enjoy a complimentary cocktail with every registered guest in your group. Each booking donates $15 to Lambda Legal to support their LGBTQ+ civil rights efforts. 2 E. Read St.
6/7: Rainbow Run in Patterson Park
Look forward to a two-mile course through the park with plenty of rainbow embellishments along the way. The Saturday-afternoon meetup promises something for everyone, with a kids’ zone and a beer garden pouring pints from Mobtown Brewing Company. 2601-A E. Baltimore St. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
6/7: “A Lovely Day for Love” Beer Release Party at Guinness Open Gate Brewery Baltimore
Guinness Baltimore has announced a new Pride-themed beer, and they are, of course, planning a release party to go with it. “A Lovely Day for Love” is a 5 percent ABV lager infused with cherry puree. For every pint purchased, Guinness will make a donation to support Maryland Safe Haven and their LGBTQ+ safety mission. In addition to the new beer, the release party will feature beats by DJ NuKicks and debut a new brunch special: a cinnamon-infused cherry waffle with dried cherry compote. 5001 Washington Blvd. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
6/13: Drag Me to Comedy Bingo: Pride Edition ft. Cyrus K. Stratton
Race to be the first to complete your bingo card based off of the standup set at Zissimos Bar. Join Philadelphia’s Cyrus K. Stratton for an incredible drag performance and stay for special guest Jinx Demon. Multiple winners allow for extra fun. Zissimos Bar, 1023 W. 36th St. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
6/14: “Unaffiliated” Pride Vendor Market
Take this opportunity to shop new art, decor, and more while supporting LGBTQ+ artists. Peruse many different creations from various vendors at both Mobtown Ballroom and Night Owl Gallery. 30 W North Ave., 1735 Maryland Ave., Unit A, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
6/25: Orioles Pride Night at Camden Yards
Celebrate Pride Month with the Orioles as they play the Texas Rangers at Camden Yards. The first 15,000 fans to attend the 6:35 p.m. game will receive an Orioles Pride jersey. 333 W. Camden St. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.