With Pride month underway, local organizations are hosting various family and community events to celebrate Rhode Island’s LGBTQ+ community. Here are 10 events happening in the greater Providence area for anyone looking to celebrate Pride.
June 5: Pride Pastels @ Fuller. Children ages 5 and older and families are invited to the Fuller Creative Learning Center, an extension of the East Providence Public Library, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Pastels will be supplied to create art celebrating Pride. Interested participants are encouraged to register in advance.
June 5: Pride Kick-off and Magazine Launch Party. Options Magazine, the Ocean State’s LGBTQ+ community magazine, will celebrate Pride month and debut its 2023 issue. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Revival Brewing & Lost Valley Pizza and Brewery. Admission is free.
June 8: Drag Trivia with Ladda Nurv. Host Ladda Nurv will lead participants through a night of trivia, music and dancing at Providence Brewing Company’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race”-themed trivia night. Tickets are $10, and the funds raised will go to supporting Haus of Codec, an organization that houses young adults who are homeless and hosts community art and education events in Rhode Island. The trivia will begin at 6:30 p.m.
June 9: First Annual Big Pride Flea. The Providence Flea is hosting a Friday Night Market to support LGBTQ+ businesses and Haus of Codec, The market will take place at Farm Fresh RI Market Hall from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
June 10: Screening of “Saint Drogo.” A collaboration with the Providence Public Library and the Rhode Island LGBTQ+ Community Archive, Monster Makeup Productions is hosting a screening of its film “Saint Drogo” at 1 p.m. in the third-floor auditorium of PPL’s central branch. The showing is a fundraiser supporting post-production and pre-production costs for the group’s next feature. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
June 16: Family Pride Karaoke. The Gamm Theatre in Warwick is hosting an evening of music and face painting in celebration of Pride month. From 6 to 9 p.m., attendees can sing songs and enjoy refreshments. Registration is free and tickets can be reserved online.
June 17: Rhode Island PrideFest and Illuminated Night Parade. Following the return of in-person festivities last year, Rhode Island Pride’s annual celebration features over 250 non-profit organizations, businesses and food vendors. Gates open at 11 a.m. in the Innovations District Park, and the main stage will feature several local, regional and national acts. The Illuminated Night Parade will begin around 8 p.m. at the corner of Washington and Dyer streets and head northeast towards Dorrance Street.
June 17: Mini City Thrifty Vintage Market & Pride Celebration Pop-Up. If you’re looking for a break between PrideFest and the Night Parade, head over to Trinity Beer Garden to shop from 30 vintage vendors between 12 and 5 p.m., with a special emphasis on LGBTQ+ vendors. All proceeds go to Project Weber/RENEW, a harm reduction and recovery support organization.
June 20: Pride Month Community Networking Night. Rhody Queer Owned Founder Emmett Teter and Kyri Allison-Maher from The Neighborhood Nanny are hosting a networking event for members of the queer community. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at PeaceLove Studio in Pawtucket, located at Studio 111 in 999 Main St. Those interested in attending can reserve a free spot online.
June 25: Trek East Providence Pride Ride. Providence’s Pride Ride will kick off at 11 a.m. from India Point Park. All are welcome on a casual bike ride to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and there will be snacks, drinks and free swag available. Admission is free and interested riders can register online.
Read more from The Herald's Pride 2023 Special Issue.
Rhea Rasquinha is a Metro editor covering development and infrastructure. She also serves as the co-chief of illustrations. She previously covered College Hill, Fox Point and the Jewelry District. Rhea is a senior from New York studying Biomedical Engineering.
