We are a little late on this but Virginia Pride has unveiled the schedule for its annual “Endless Summer of Pride” campaign, a celebration of the Richmond region’s LGBTQ community. The campaign kicked off on May 31 with a pride flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, aligning with national LGBTQ Pride month and concluding with VA Pridefest on Saturday, September 14.
The organizers anticipate holding over 20 events throughout the summer, with more than 15 in June alone. These events span a variety of activities including sports, music, dance, family-oriented gatherings, and sober events, hosted at local eateries, cultural spots, and historic business districts.
“The Endless Summer of Pride is one of the largest and most coordinated series of observances of LGBTQ Pride Month ever to happen in the Richmond region,” said James Millner, Virginia Pride Director. “Nearly everywhere you turn, you’ll be reminded that it’s Pride Month. We are bringing businesses, sports and community organizations and government and cultural institutions together to send a powerful message that the LGBTQ community is welcome and celebrated here.”
This year introduces the inaugural Recovery Pridefest, a sober celebration specifically designed for individuals recovering from alcohol and substance use.
Additionally, Virginia Pride and Richmond Region Tourism’s OutRVA campaign will participate in the second annual Dine Out for Pride Week, involving 30 local restaurants to support the LGBTQ community.
Event highlights include:
- Friday, May 31 at 11 a.m. – Pride Flag Railing Over City Hall, Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street
- Saturday, June 1 from noon-10 p.m. – Starr Hill Pride Month Kick Off, Starr Hill Brewery, 3406 W. Leigh Street
- June 1-2 (all day) – Scott’s Addition Pride, Scott’s Addition Business District
- Saturday, June 1 from 2-5 p.m. – Pride Party + Richmond Ivy vs. Cristos FC, City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Ave. (Tickets: $9-$30)
- Sunday, June 2 from noon-4 p.m. – Richmond Recovery Pridefest, Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Avenue
- Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. – Dining with the Divas Drag Dinner, hosted by Bar West, 5811 Grove Avenue (Tickets: $40)
- June 3-9 – Dine Out for Pride, Regionwide (Details on OutRVA)
- Friday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. – Pride Night at the Diamond with the Flying Squirrels, The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd (Tickets: $10-$25)
- Saturday, June 8 from noon-10 p.m. – Love on Tap, Hardwood Richmond, 2410 Ownby Lane
- Thursday, June 13 at 5 p.m. – Pridos After 5, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue (Members free; Non-members $20)
- Sunday, June 16 from 6-9 p.m. – Rainbow Roll – Pride Edition, Rollerdome Skating, 4902 Williamsburg Road (Tickets: $10)
- Friday, June 21 at 6 p.m. – Pride at the Market, 17th Street Market (Tickets: $15, includes headphone rental: https://square.link/u/qNUJ83qk)
- Friday, June 21 at 10 p.m. – Pride at the Market Afterparty, Fallout, 117 N. 18th Street
- Saturday, June 22 at 6 p.m. – Pride Night with the Richmond Kickers presented by Allianz, City Stadium, 3210 Maplewood Avenue (Tickets: $17-$37)
- Sunday, June 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Lewis Ginter Celebrates LGBTQ Youth and Families, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Avenue (Members free; Non-members $20)
- Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m. – VA Pride Pageant, Godfrey’s, 308 E Grace Street (Ticket info on Virginia Pride website)
“Pride is powerful,” said Marquis Mapp, Virginia Pride Committee Chair. “We are creating exciting and fun events where everyone is welcome while uplifting and centering Richmond’s diverse LGBTQ community.”
For further information on the Endless Summer of Pride events, please visit Virginia Pride’s website at vapride.org.
About Virginia Pride
Virginia Pride, operating under Diversity Richmond, is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a central pillar for Richmond’s LGBTQ community. It fosters connections and serves as a catalyst, voice, venue, and resource. The organization orchestrates a variety of events annually, including the highly attended Pridefest.
