Every June, two liberation movements share the same month — Pride and Juneteenth. It’s the perfect time to celebrate Black queer joy.

Across the country, as the days get hotter and the sounds of summer get louder, from kiki balls to parades to wellness events, there are Black Pride celebrations that go into the fall.

But how did Pride start and why?

Back in 1991, in Washington, D.C., the Black Gay Pride movement began as a way to provide Black LGBTQ+ people an alternative to the largely white LGBTQ+ movement.

Black Pride DC kicked off the season in May, and organizers and promoters in other cities are preparing for this summer. Looking for events that are both Black and queer-friendly? The following is a roundup of events where you can fly all your flags!

June

Alabama 

Central Alabama Pride is hosting its annual Pride celebrations near Birmingham with free events for all ages and some ticketed events for those who prefer to be around the 21 and older crowd.

The Pride Parade is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, June 13. The route is along 7th Avenue South in Birmingham’s Lakeview District.

PrideFest 2026 will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. The celebration will include a Pride Brunch. Tickets are $25 for general admission.

New Orleans 

Black Pride weekend in New Orleans is filled with wellness events for all ages and a concert headlined by Ambré, a singer from the city. Most events are ticketed. The concert in Washington Square Park is free. 

Florida

Organizers say the multi-day celebration in Wilton Manors is rooted in Black LGBTQ+ liberation, community, and joy. It started last year with a day and has grown in the city ranked the “Second Gayest City” in the United States (next to Provincetown, Massachusetts). The expanded weekend will include the signature Back to BlaQ celebration, while weaving together programming that amplifies arts, wellness, and economic opportunity.

Arkansas 

The celebration in Little Rock will kick off with Rosie’s Drag Brunch on Saturday, June 6, and will be followed by a 21-and-older nightclub party. Children and pet-friendly events include Pride in the Park. 

Missouri 

This celebration isn’t specifically Black queer focused but Nyla Foster, a Black transgender advocate, will serve as the grand marshal of the annual pride parade. 

Washington, D.C.  

Hosted at the historic Howard Theater, queer organizations are hosting an equity ball with a $12,000 prize. This event will celebrate ballroom culture with dance/voguing competitions and more. Tickets start at $23.18.  

Kameron Holloway (left) and his boyfriend Owen Johnson, both of Washington, attend the opening gala of DC Black Pride in Washington in May 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press)

Colorado

Colorado’s Black Pride celebration in Denver is coming soon with several ticketed events including a gala, and a cookout for the girls, the gays, and the theys! Weekend passes are $65, and individual tickets are also available. 

  • Black Pride Kiki Ball 2026, Thursday, June 11, tickets from $10.85
  • House is Black – Gala After Party, Friday, June 12, tickets from $10.85
  • Zarah and the Chocolate Factory, Saturday, June 13, tickets from $16.28
  • Black Pride Beer Bust + Black Diamonds, Sunday, June 14, tickets from $18.45
  • The Cookout, Sunday, June 14 from noon–5 p.m. at Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver 

Maryland 

Baltimore is one of only a handful of cities to host a Trans Pride, as a separate event from the broader Pride celebrations. Year after year, the Pride event has featured a list of high-profile Black transgender personalities, from Pose’s Dominique Jackson to Dominique Morgan, a former nonprofit leader and content creator. 

Tennessee 

The 2026 Tri-State Black Pride in Memphis will kick off with an opening reception rooftop party for those 21 and older on Thursday, June 18, from 6 to 10 p.m. The weekend is a mix of celebration and education. From job fairs to wellness events to a free sex ed slumber party, job fairs and a drag brunch, the weekend is packed. 

California

San Bernardino County’s Black queer community announced its inaugural Black Pride celebration weekend featuring brunch, a family-friendly wellness funday, youth workshops and a Free Mom Hugs event. The event is produced by Reclaiming Us, a Black LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group in California and Nevada. 

Texas

Kicking off the weekend of June, the Dallas Black Pride features mostly adult events, including a free Mr. and Ms pageant, a hip-hop workout, health summits and more.

The ticketed festival in Houston features headliners such as Durand Bernarr, a recent Grammy winner known for his innovative soul music and creative visuals. This year’s theme is “We Ain’t Going Nowhere,” a nod to the ongoing challenges Black LGBTQ+ members continue to face. Tickets start at $17.85. 

July 

In 2025, revelers marched in the WorldPride parade in Washington, D.C. The event brought together LGBTQ communities and allies to celebrate visibility, culture, and global solidarity. (Kyna Uwaeme)

Chicago

Chicago’s Black Pride events range from late brunches, day parties, and nights with dancers. The events are ticketed, with weekend passes for $89. 

Michigan

Detroit’s premier annual event celebrating the Black queer community returns this year. This year marks the 31st anniversary of Michigan’s longest-running Black LGBTQ+ Pride event. The multiple-day celebration includes performance and visual art, films, connection and community. While a full schedule of events has yet to be released, activities typically include mixers, a picnic, speakers, and a candlelight vigil in Palmer Park. 

Virginia 

The city of Richmond started its official Black pride celebration in 2018, and it returns July 16-19. From brunches to Pride at the Park, check out the other events. 

Alecia Taylor is the national education reporter at Capital B.