Grab all things rainbow because Pride Month has started. Nonprofit Pride Houston 365 and other Houston-area organizations will host celebrations and events in June to celebrate Pride Month.
Pride Month is celebrated each year to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, a series of events between police and LGBTQ protesters at the end of June. Although Stonewall was not the first time the LGBTQ community fought against police, it is the most well known, according to the Library of Congress.
Pride Houston 365 will host its 44th annual parade and festival on June 25, which will include live music, a DJ, vendor booths and a family-friendly fun zone with games. This year, the parade's theme is The Beat Goes On, which is an “ode to our musical culture and our historical culture,” Pride Houston 365 Co-President Kendra Walker said.
Some floats will be inspired by historical events in LGBTQ history, such as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which prohibited openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals from serving in the U.S. armed forces. Additionally, for the first time, an artist from the Billboard Hot 100 chart, American rapper and singer Coi Leray, will perform at the festival instead of the usual throwback artists, Walker said.
This is the first time since 2019 the festival has taken place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Walker said.
“I’m excited about all the new partnerships and local communities that we’re able to bring again,” Walker said. “I just want to see everybody together.”
The gates for the festival open at noon at Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby St., on June 25. The festival will be from 1-6:30 p.m. and the parade from 7-9:30 p.m. Festival admission costs $5 while the parade remains free.
Need something to do before the parade? Here are other events taking place in the Houston area in June.
June 8: Pride Month Movie Showcase
All through June, Rooftop Cinema Club will show LGBTQ movies. Movies include "The Birdcage" and "But I’m a Cheerleader." Times vary by movie. $18.50-$27.25. Rooftop Cinema Club, 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Houston. 713-354-9964. https://rooftopcinemaclub.com
June 16: The Official Grand Marshal Reception
The Grand Marshals perform ceremonial duties and lead the June 25 parade as Pride ambassadors. The reception is to honor the representatives. 7-10 p.m. Free. AvantGarden, 411 Westheimer Road, Houston. 713-354-9964. www.pridehouston365.org/events
June 18: Pride Pool Party
The Soaked pool party at the Cle nightclub will include live entertainment. 2-8 p.m. $15-$650. Cle, 2301 Main St., Houston. 713-354-9964. www.pridehouston365.org/events
June 18: Pride Bar Crawl
Starting at Buddy's, bar crawl participants will make stops, including at 77 Degrees, Dogwood and Electric Feel Good. Tickets include two free drinks, and wristbands include drink specials at each location. 4-10 p.m. (crawl), 10 p.m.-midnight (afterparty at ReBar). $20-$25. Buddy's, 2409 Grant St., Ste. A, Houston. 713-354-9964. www.crawlwith.us/houston
June 21: Houston Astros Pride Night
The Houston Astros will have their annual Pride Night during their game against the New York Mets. A block of tickets are being sold by the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and participants can wear Pride clothing. 7-10 p.m. $19-$300. Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford St., Houston. 832-510-3002. www.houstonlgbtchamber.com
June 22: Pride in Business
The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce hosts the Pride in Business event to celebrate the role of LGBTQ and allied business in the Greater Houston economy as well as how the businesses work with the broader business community and public officials. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $95 (members), $115 (nonmembers). Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby St., Houston. 832-510-3002. https://business.houstonlgbtchamber.com
June 23: Rock the Runway
Rock the Runway will feature models from Houston walking on a catwalk in this summer’s styles in casual wear and ladies evening wear. 6-11 p.m. Free for the first 200 RSVPs; $5-$250. RISE Rooftop, 2600 Travis St., Houston. 713-354-9964. www.pridehouston365.org/events
June 24-26: Pride Specials
The restaurant Traveler’s Table will offer Pride-inspired dishes and cocktails, including Fruity Pebble french toast, tropical french toast and a Loud & Proud cocktail. Specials will only be available the weekend of the Houston Pride parade. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $15-$17. Traveler's Table, 520 Westheimer Road, Houston. 832-409-5785. www.travelerstable.com
June 25: Pride Run
The Pride Run is the nation’s first intentionally LGBTQ-inclusive synchronized 5K/10K walk and run. 9-10 a.m. $30 (early bird). Hennessy Park, 1900 Lyons Ave., Houston. 713-354-9964. www.thepriderun.org
June 25: Pride After Party
Rich’s, an LGBTQ nightclub, will host the official Pride afterparty at Rise Rooftop Bar. There will be two different DJs. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. $20-$35. Rise Rooftop Bar, 2600 Travis St., Ste. R, Houston. 713-354-9964. www.pridehouston365.org/events
