Celebrate the queer community at one (or more!) of the many Pride festivals taking place this spring and summer in Pa.
With heightened attacks, rhetoric, and legislation against queer and trans people across the country, Pride Month — June — is a reminder to celebrate and defend the LGBTQ community. Pride festivals are expressions of liberation and empowerment. And accordingly, they’re fun!
We put together a guide to more than a dozen Pride festivals across Pennsylvania in 2024. Bring your family to a Pa. Pride festival for an inclusive party you won’t forget!
Philadelphia Pride March and Festival
Date: June 2
The Philadelphia Pride March and Festival is a massive celebration of the queer community in Center City and will feature a full day of activities including a morning parade that will lead community members to Philly’s Midtown Village (the Gayborhood) for a vibrant festival with food and drink, live entertainment, and much more.
Pittsburgh Pride
Dates: May 31 – June 2
Pittsburgh Pride is a three-day festival of music, art, drag performance, and more, with the headline march and parade taking place on Saturday, June 1. Everyone is welcome to march in the Pittsburgh Pride March, which effectively leads the parade.
Central PA Pride – Harrisburg
Date: July 27
The central Pa. area celebrates Pride with a festival in Harrisburg on Saturday, July 27. The 32nd annual installment of the Pride Festival of Central Pa. promises plenty of shopping, food, and fun, all located at Soldier’s and Sailor’s Grove on the grounds of the Pa. State Capital. A morning parade will kick off the festivities. You can also get hyped for the Pride Festival by taking part in festival fundraisers in May and June, like a June dance party at 704 Lounge.
Lehigh Valley Pride – Bethlehem
Date: August 18
In August, Lehigh Valley Pride takes over the SteelStacks in Bethlehem to host a joyful celebration in rebuke of rising threats against the LGBTQIA+ community. The festival will be even bigger than it has been in years past, with more vendors and more room for the children’s site. Expect more than 300 artists, local sellers, and community organizations!
Pride on the Bay – Erie
Date: June 29
Northwestern Pa. celebrates Pride with the biggest one-day festival in Erie, moving to a new location in 2024. Now known as Pride on the Bay, the family-friendly Erie Pride will take place at Liberty Park and the Highmark Amphitheater. Local drag performers will share the spotlight with other artists. The Pride parade will roll the next day, Sunday, June 30.
Meadville Pride and Street Fair
Date: July 27
Take part in Pride in Crawford County at the Meadville Pride and Street Fair. This year is the third incarnation of the event. You can expect a brief but inspiring march, drag performances, and tables headed by local artists and community organizations.
Crawford County Pride – Meadville
Date: July 13
Tiny Meadville is the host of not one, but two Pride events in 2024! The 5th Annual Crawford County Pride will take place in Diamond Park with food and drink, entertainment like live music, and plenty of local crafters selling their wares.
State College Pride
Date: June 8
Show your support for the LGBTQ community in State College by taking part in the 2024 State College Pride festival and parade. The parade precedes the festival, which takes place in Sydney Friedman Park with food trucks, live entertainment (e.g., drag performances, live music, DJs, a fire eater), lots of merch and vendors, and much more.
Pocono Pride Festival – Stroudsburg
Date: June 2
The Pocono Pride Festival will take place in Stroudsburg’s Courthouse Square in June, hosted by Pa. drag queens Carol Ann Carol Ann and Sharron Ann Husbands. See live entertainment on the stage while perusing vendors sharing community information and selling Pride merch, food, and art.
Berks Pride Fest – Reading
Dates: July 21
Berks County celebrates Pride with Berks Pride Fest in Reading, a festival that this summer will mark 18 years of Berks County Pride! Last year, the festival had more than 5,000 attendees and more than 200 vendors and entertainers. This year, you can expect an even bigger festival! The family-friendly event will host multiple stages for entertainment as well as separate areas targeted toward youths. Reading hosts a Pride parade on Saturday, July 20 while the festival itself will be held at Jim Dietrich Park the following day.
Nazareth Area Pride – Easton
Date: June 8
This June, the small town of Nazareth hosts its own Pride festival: Nazareth Area Pride. Presented by nonprofit Nazareth Together, the festival will be held at the New Creation United Church in Easton. Even though Nazareth has a small population, you can expect a large number of family-friendly activities: live music, a dog drag show, a photo booth, drag story time, drag performances from drag queens and drag kings, vendors, food and drink, and more!
NEPA PrideFest – Wilkes-Barre
Date: June 23
Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square will host the 2024 NEPA PrideFest in June. The celebration includes both a parade and a festival with local vendors and entertainment.
Tioga County Pride Day – Wellsboro
Date: June 22
If you’re in Tioga County in June, whether because you live there or because you’re visiting the county for its beautiful scenery, you can join Tioga County Pride Day. The festival day will feature live entertainment, including a drag show at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts in Wellsboro.
Bucks-Mont PRIDE Festival – Jenkintown
Date: June 30
The Bucks-Mont PRIDE Festival is an indoor/outdoor Pride festival for neighboring Bucks and Montgomery Counties, held at the Abington Art Center in Jenkintown. Visit the family-friendly festival to meet community vendors, listen to live music, munch on delicious food, and above all show your support for the LGBTQ community.
Lancaster Pride Festival
Date: June 15
The 16th Annual Lancaster Pride Festival will be held at the Lancaster County Convention Center and — per this year’s festival theme of “Our streets are open to all” — will also spill out into the streets along Vine Street and Queen Street. Alongside live entertainment, vendors, and food and drinks, the festival will feature a performance by Aquaria, the winner of Season 10 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Gettysburg Pride Fest
Date: June 1
Gettysburg celebrates Pride the weekend after Memorial Day with its 8th Annual Gettysburg Pride Fest. Attendees will dance, march, eat, listen to live music, watch drag performances, and learn from local Gettysburg community organizations. The festival takes place in Gettysburg’s Lincoln Square.
Delaware County Pride Festival – Upper Darby
Date: June 8
Delaware County’s biggest Pride event is the Delaware County Pride Festival, a family-friendly party with live music and performances, arts and craft vendors, dancing, face painting, food and drink, and more. Join the celebration in front of the Upper Darby Township Municipal Building.
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