SEATTLE – Seattle is a vibrant place to celebrate Pride. Home to one of the country’s largest free Pride festivals, the Emerald City has a long, colorful history of LGBTQIA+ activism and support, and as such has a thriving community that welcomes individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The city also maintains a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipality Index, and 10% of residents identify as LGBTQIA+.
“Seattle is a city where everyone is welcome and invited to be themselves,” said Visit Seattle President and CEO Tammy Canavan. “We are proud of this reputation, and are looking forward to a month of festivals, iconic performances and colorful expression as we celebrate and stand with our LGBTQIA+ community.”
“When I moved to Seattle in 1995, one of the first things I did was go to the Pride Parade. I can still hear the roar of Dykes on Bikes as they led the parade,” said Lendy Hensley, co-owner of Bite Society, a locally and LGBTQIA+ owned hand-curated gift basket company. “This year at Bite Society, we are throwing it back to that time with our Annual Pride Cookie Tin, featuring two of those ladies on a motorcycle. For me, that parade was the first time I was surrounded by people who were part of my community and supported my community. At Bite Society, we pass that along with a donation from our Pride Tin sales to Seattle’s GSBA. Good people, doing good things.”
2023 is shaping up to be a significant year for Pride in Seattle. See below for ideas to get you started, and for a full list of events, check out Visit Seattle’s Pride 2023 webpage.
Festivals
Seattle Pride
This year, Seattle Pride will be celebrating its 49th annual Pride Month celebration with the theme “Galactic Love.” Seattle’s Pride in the Park on June 3 will kick off the festivities. The free-to-attend event, held at Volunteer Park, will be hosted by drag artists Ceasar Hart, Versace Doll, and Monday Mourning. The day will feature a can’t-miss lineup of LGBTQIA+ performances.
Seattle Pride Parade
The Seattle Pride Parade will return to downtown Seattle on June 25, beginning its route from Fourth Avenue and ending at PrideFest at Seattle Center. The largest parade in Washington, the Seattle Pride Parade brings more than 300,000 people together to celebrate equality, and advocate for an even more colorful future.
Seattle PrideFest
Seattle PrideFest will be held June 24 – 25 in Capitol Hill and Seattle Center. As the largest free Pride Festival in the country, this event gathers 200,000 people from around the Pacific Northwest to celebrate the resiliency of the LGBTQIA+ community and its fight for a more equitable and inclusive world. Headliners for PrideFest this year include Little Miss Hot Mess, Angel Bonilla, Jayla Rose, and Thorgy Thor.
Trans Pride Seattle
Trans Pride Seattle will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on June 23 at Volunteer Park Amphitheater. This is an annual event organized by Gender Justice League in association with local organizations supporting the Seattle-area trans and gender diverse community. The march and festival take place in Capitol Hill.
Queer/Pride Festival
The Queer/Pride Festival runs June 23-25 in Capitol Hill, with an impressive lineup including Orville Peck, Pabllo Vittar, Peaches, Trixie Mattel, and more.
Pride Weekend at Rhein Haus
Local biergarten Rhein Haus is hosting a weekend full of drag bingo, brunch, and musical performances. Festivities start on Saturday, June 24 at 11 a.m. with Bingo and Brunch, headlined by Willow Pill of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Performances will go throughout Sunday, including Drag Race’s Nicky Doll and Ada Vox, Madison Rose, Queen Andrew, Londyn Bradshaw, Rowan Ruthless, and Dion Dior Black.
White Center Pride Festival
The White Center neighborhood is kicking off Pride Month with several events. On June 1, witness the Pride Flag Raise at Mac’s Triangle Pub at 6:30 p.m. Then on June 2, enjoy Queers Beers at Future Primitive Brewing at 7:00 p.m. Finally, June 3 will offer a big party and street fair in Downtown White Center, featuring 100+ local & LGBTQIA+ friendly vendors, local performers, beer gardens, delicious food, a family play area, and more!
Things to Do
First Thursday: Pride Family Fun at Museum of History and Industry
The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is offering a special welcome to LGBTQIA+ families on Thursday, June 1 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. for its First Thursday event, where general admission to the permanent exhibits is free. Families can enjoy queer films from Three Dollar Bill Cinema and contribute to a community art project on queer legacies.
Taking Pride in Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is the heart of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community, and a hub for much of the fun taking place throughout June. In preparation, on Saturday, June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. people are invited to come out and clean the Hill. Snacks, lunch and T-shirts will be provided on a first come basis.
Business of Pride: Outstanding Voices and LGBTQIA+ Businesses
Puget Sound Business Journal, in partnership with GSBA, will celebrate LGBTQIA+ business leaders, allies and advocates in the Puget Sound area during their 2023 Outstanding Voices event on June 8 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Lotte Hotel Seattle. They will also be revealing the rankings of this year’s top 25 largest LGBTQIA+ owned companies.
Capitol Hill Art Walk
Celebrate Capitol Hill’s vibrant art scene by participating the neighborhood’s Art Walk on Thursday, June 8 starting at 5:00 p.m. Local businesses and artistic spaces across the neighborhood will have events set up celebrating their unique artistic expressions. During the event, there will also be guided tours at the AMP: AIDS Memorial Pathway as an opportunity to remember and reflect on those affected by HIV/AIDS and the stigma associated with the virus.
Seattle Pride Classic 2023
The Seattle Pride Hockey Association, an organization committed to diversity and inclusion in the ice hockey community, is hosting their third annual Pride Classic event June 9-11 at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Spectators are encouraged to come watch 16 teams show down for the championship, free of charge.
GSBA Pride Luncheon & Pop-Up Market
Washington State’s LGBTQIA+ and allied chamber of commerce is hosting a luncheon and pop-up market on June 13 from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at McCaw Hall. At the market, attendees can shop from more than 15 LGBTQIA+ owned small business to get their Pride gear.
Mariners Pride Week
This June, the Seattle Mariners will be hosting Pride Week, with two games on June 13 and June 16. Attendees will have the opportunity to score some Mariners-themed Pride swag, including t-shirts and fanny packs.
Pride Night at the Ballpark with DubSea Fish Sticks
Wear rainbow and head on down to the ballpark! Support the local DubSea Fish Sticks as they take on the Redmond Dudes on June 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Steve Cox Memorial Park. There will be a raffle, merchandise for sale, and fish sticks for only $3.
Youth Pride Disco
Hosted by the Lambert Center, the Youth Pride Disco is an in-person event for, and planned by, LGBTQIA+ youth featuring music, dancing, food, and art. All are welcome between the ages of 13 and 22 on June 17 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. at All Pilgrims Church at 500 Broadway E.
Seattle Storm Pride Night
Celebrate Pride and enjoy an inclusive, energetic atmosphere as the Seattle Storm take on the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 22 at Climate Pledge Arena.
Seattle Men’s Chorus with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra: Pride Pops!
On June 25, enjoy this special Pride concert event at Benaroya Hall. NYC-based drag performance artist Thorgy Thor (of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Dragnificent) leads the celebration as the fabulous host. Pride outfits are encouraged.
Le Faux Productions
Le Faux is an award-winning drag cabaret show, and the longest running in Seattle. Come out for one of several Las Vegas-style shows put on every weekend.
Mimosas Cabaret
Each Sunday, Unicorn Seattle hosts Mimosas Cabaret, a show that re-imagines Broadway hits into 30-minute drag-stravaganzas, served with brunch. June features a performance of “Illegally Blonde.”
W Seattle – Stand for Love Package
This downtown Seattle hotel is offering a Stand for Love Package to let guests’ pride shine bright in the Emerald City, where everyone is welcome. The package includes high-floor accommodations, two cocktails in the Living Room Bar, and a Pride Pack, which includes a disposable camera, Pride flag, handheld fan, sunscreen, water, and liquid IV. Revelers can book using the code YX1 for dates June 1-30, 2023.
Pride Brunches at Frolik
Frolik, inside downtown hotel Motif Seattle, is hosting Pride Brunches all throughout June. Tickets include access to a brunch buffet, music from DJ Wes Wunder, drag performances, and a welcome cocktail. The series culminates on June 25 with the Seattle Pride brunch. Frolik’s location offers prime viewing of the parade on 4th Avenue.
Shop Local
Seattle is home to a thriving LGBTQIA+ business community. See below for a list of LGBTQIA+ owned Seattle businesses and restaurants to support year-round:
- Aluel Cellars – Capitol Hill winery tasting room producing elegant wines
- Bite Society – Seattle gift basket and food company in Pike Place Market
- Café Flora, Floret, The Flora Bakehouse – Sustainable, vegetarian fare with locations in Madison Valley, Beacon Hill, and SEA Airport
- Capital Thrill – Store specializing in gifts, apparel, and art from independent brands and makers
- Cone & Steiner – Beloved shop carrying fresh flowers, produce, and prepared foods, with locations in South Lake Union and Pioneer Square
- Cupcake Royale – Bakeshop with many Seattle locations
- Elliott Bay Book Company – Seattle’s definitive independent bookstore
- Fat’s Chicken & Waffles – Southern restaurant in Central District
- Frelard Tamales – Green Lake spot known for scratch-made tamales
- Ghost Gallery – Curated Downtown shop featuring a mix of visual art and handmade goods
- Harry’s Fine Foods – Seasonal, farm-fresh restaurant run by a heavily LGBTQIA+ staff
- Honest Biscuits – “Kickass” biscuits in Downtown Seattle
- Lionhead – Sichuan restaurant in Capitol Hill
- Nomadia Creatives – Unique Capitol Hill curio shop with goods from PNW women and queer artists
- Orcas Paley – Quirky shop in Downtown Seattle with vintage housewares, bathware, and more
- Saltstone Ceramics – Artist-owned, independent ceramics gallery and teaching studio in Wallingford
- Seeking Kombucha – Small-batch kombucha in South Lake Union
- Sorry Sorry Tattoo – Inclusive tattoo shop
- Stoup Brewing – Brewery that explores the art and science of beer in Ballard
- Terra Plata – Farm-to-table restaurant in Capitol Hill
Check out The Intentionalist for more ideas.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ experience in Seattle? Check out the resources below:
About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.