On a steamy September Saturday, Richmond is set to explode with the kaleidoscopic energy of Pridefest 2024. The city’s Bon Secours Training Center will be ground zero for this year’s LGBTQ celebration, turning the Commonwealth’s capital into a pulsing epicenter of music, culture, and unapologetic self-expression.
Mark your calendars for September 14, when from noon to 8 p.m., Pridefest will roll out a lineup that’s nothing short of legendary. Crystal Waters, the queen of 90s dance anthems, will grace the stage with her timeless hits “100% Pure Love” and “Gypsy Love.” Robin S, the powerhouse behind the chart-topping “Show Me Love,” will bring her iconic grooves to the mix, guaranteeing that the crowd won’t stop moving. And then there’s Tank and the Bangas, the New Orleans ensemble that’s been redefining live performance with their audacious blend of funk, soul, hip hop, and rock.
But the beats don’t stop there. RuPaul’s Drag Race heavyweights, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Kennedy Davenport, will light up the stage with the kind of drag performances that make you rethink the word “fabulous.” And Richmond’s own drag royalty, Mr., Miss., and Mx. VA Pride, will add their flair to the festival’s already electric atmosphere. Keep an ear out for local music mavericks Landon Elliott and Bryce Bowen, who’ll be delivering the kind of tunes that make you feel like you’re hearing your new favorite song for the first time.
Pridefest 2024 isn’t just about the music, though. With over 130 vendors, the festival’s market will be a veritable bazaar of local artistry, activism, and everything in between. The Allianz Youth Pride Pavilion will be the go-to spot for family-friendly vibes, ensuring there’s a little something for everyone in this rainbow-colored carnival.
Virginia Pride’s director, James Millner, couldn’t be more excited about the event’s return to the Bon Secours Training Center. “We’re thrilled to bring Pridefest back for a second year,” Millner says. “This festival isn’t just a celebration; it’s a statement. We’re here, we’re proud, and thanks to our incredible sponsors and vendors, we’re going to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever.”
It is more than just a festival—it’s a vibrant, defiant shout of love and inclusivity that’s been 25 years in the making, courtesy of Diversity Richmond, the heart and soul of the city’s LGBTQ community.
So, if you’re looking for the place to be in Richmond on September 14, look no further. Pridefest 2024 is going to be the kind of day that goes down in the city’s history—a day where music, love, and pride collide in a celebration of everything that makes life in Richmond so beautifully, boldly, and proudly queer.
Main photo from Virginia Pridefest 2023 by Michael Hostetler Photography
Photos of Virginia Pridefest 2023 by Michael Hostetler Photography
