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Given all the rainbow glitter, drag brunches, and block parties, it can be easy to forget that Pride month sprouted from the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969. The police raided the Stonewall Inn, a well-known gay bar in New York City, and sparked a six-day series of protests by the bar’s patrons and neighborhood residents, a historic event that’s now seen as a pivotal point in the gay rights movement. Each June since these demonstrations, people have congregated in cities and towns around the world to show support for equal rights.
In Denver, Pride began in 1974 as a celebratory picnic in Cheesman Park and has since blossomed into a citywide celebration of the LGBTQ community that draws half a million attendees each year. Although there’s always more to do, Denver has made significant progress toward equal rights since Stonewall, and we think that’s something to celebrate. Here, 10 ways to do just that.
Pride in Place: A Colorado Country Concert
There are a million ways to celebrate Pride—and if your ideal bash includes a little bit of twang, this is the party for you. LGBTQIA+ artists will grace the stage of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities to pluck out some bluegrass and alt-country tunes. Featured artists include Morgan Harris, Trace & Baerd, and Amy Martin. June 12; 7:30–9 p.m.; free
Laser Pride
As if the Laser Abba, Laser Taylor Swift, and Laser Elton John shows weren’t dazzling enough, Denver Museum of Nature & Science is adding this Pride-centric show to its June rotation. Expect to be dazzled by a light show soundtracked by anthems such as “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga, “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, and “Kiss” by Price. June 20 and 27; 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.; $12–$14
Paws with Pride
Try as you might, the Pride-themed costumes at this adorable bash are going to be hard to top this month—mostly because their adorners are uber-cute. Pull up to Denver Union Station to attend a doggie drag show hosted by local drag queen Talia Tucker (enter your four-legged pal in categories such as “Hollywood Hounds” and “Tails and Tiaras”), get free photos snapped by Denver Pet Pics, and sip on themed cocktails from Terminal Bar. June 21; 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; free attendance, $5 donation suggestion for drag show
Tennyson Street Pride Parade
The floats in this neighborhood parade may be pint size, but they somehow manage to pack as big of a Pride punch as the ones you’ll see at the parade through downtown Denver. Neighborhood businesses—including plenty of bars and breweries—will fashion their own miniature displays and pull them down Tennyson Street. Stick around for an after-party at Call to Arms Brewing Company soundtracked by the One and Only Jon Ham, and don’t miss the brewery’s other Pride programming, including drag trivia with Talia Tucker. June 21; starting at 4 p.m.; free
Rowdy Poppy One Year Anniversary Pride Celebration
Floral design firm Rowdy Poppy’s first birthday is going to be a little extra extravagant this month. To celebrate the first anniversary of its opening, owner Kim Zimmerman will lead hands-on demonstrations with Pride-inspired blooms. Also peruse wares from LGBTQIA+ makers and take home a prearranged bouquet of your own. June 21; noon–4 p.m.
Read more: Meet the Denver Florist Who Is Saving the Planet, One Flower at a Time
The Pride Bar Crawl
Between the high-energy participants, the dangerously good drink deals, and the rowdy after-party, this bold bar crawl is a guaranteed good time. Drink to equality at bars including Hamburger Mary’s ($7 Blackout Lemonades), X Bar ($5 Crawl with Us shots), and Sidecar Lounge ($5 beers, well drinks, and infusions); stop in for a mid-crawl party at Tight End Bar; and end the night at #VYBE. June 21; 4 p.m.–midnight; $18–$24
Pride at Larimer Square
In between Denver PrideFest activities, make sure you stop by Larimer Square’s celebration. Get your dancing legs primed during a Friday-night block party with live music from DOGTAGS, Alysia Kraft, and May Be Fern; stop by on Saturday to grab a drink from a pop-up sidewalk bar; and snag a Sunday morning resy for al-fresco Drag Brunch at Osteria Marco. June 27–29; times vary; free
Denver PrideFest
The Mile High City’s marquee Pride event is always a can’t-miss celebration—and it has been for over 50 years. The two-day festival starts with a Pride-themed 5K on Saturday morning, followed by a Civic Center Park bash with more than 200 exhibitors; performances from drag queen/environmentalist Pattie Gonia, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Miss Vanjie, and more; and an epic parade on Sunday, which draws more than 100,000 people each year. Don’t miss the Gayborhood Market in Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, where more than 100 small businesses and artisans will display their wares. June 28–29; Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; free
Urban Cowboy x Little Johnny B’s Pride Party
Once Denver’s Pride Parade concludes, the party is just getting started. This all-day gathering at Urban Cowboy and Little Johnny B’s is just steps away from the parade’s end and will offer hours of DJ sets and drink specials. Until 2 p.m., grab Little Johnny B’s new brunch offerings, or hold out for Lottie’s Meats brats grilled in the parking lot from 2 to 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., the real party starts, with late-night happy hour specials. June 29; 10 a.m.–late; free
Blockwide Pride
You’ll truly be able to taste the rainbow at the Dairy Block’s monthwide Pride celebration. Start with a morning coffee DJ set (June 28 at 10 a.m.) before you dive into a rainbow frozen margarita flight (Kachina Cantina) and end your outing with sparkling wines paired with vibrant cotton candy (Blanchard Family Wines). The eats will be punctuated by events such as RuPaul’s Drag Race Trivia and Drag Queen Bingo Brunch. Through June 30; times vary; prices vary
