10 Cities Where Gay Pride Festivals Sparkle The Brightest

May 30, 2014

 Running through most of the summer, Pride’s joyous spectacle is accepting, celebratory, and defiantly fabulous. Whether you’ll be taking a starring turn or attending as an ally, now’s the time to plan your ensemble. Beginning next month, these 10 North American cities will be lit up with Pride 2014 events. So start practicing your dance moves. Like, yesterday.

1) Toronto: 2014 is a special year to celebrate Pride in Toronto. From June 20-29, the city will play host to the international WorldPride festival–with 1.5 million attendees expected, it'll be the biggest Pride in North America. Across 10 days, there are tons of opportunities to participate, from the opening ceremony and WorldPride Parade to a street fair and human rights conference. And did we mention that Martha Wash of "It's Raining Men" fame will be performing live? Trump card.

Photo courtesy of camatlarge
2) Austin: Slated for September 14-20, Austin Pride's 2014 theme is The Wonderful Land of Austin, which borrows from The Wizard of Oz. (You can bet you'll see more than a few pairs of glittering ruby slippers.) Creative? Hit up the art exhibition and WERK! fashion show, while the Pride Parade kicks off after dark. You won't want to go home to Kansas, that's for sure.

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
3) Atlanta: Atlanta's vibrant Pride is the biggest in the southeastern United States. This year's events, held from October 11-12, will fittingly coincide with National Coming Out Day. A Pride Parade, Trans March, and Dyke March are all planned. We're also crossing our fingers for the return of last year's YoGaga event (that's yoga inspired by Lady Gaga, obvs).

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Pride
4) New York City: A Pride Parade that attracts millions. Appearances from the likes of Orange is the New Black's Laverne Cox. One of the biggest all-women dance parties in the country. This is only a small sampling of what NYC Pride will be dishing out when it returns to the Big Apple June 24-29. As this is the city where the modern LGBT rights movement began, you can also expect a nod towards its history. Pay your respects and then let loose.

Photo courtesy of Shinya Suzuki
5) St. Paul and Minneapolis: You know that anywhere fierce doyenne of comedy Margaret Cho shows up, a good time is bound to be had by all. Her appearance at the 2014 Twin Cities Pride, whose events will largely be taking place in late June, bodes well. Fleshing out the schedule is the Pride Parade, an art exhibition, and a rainbow run. Given that this is the Twin Cities, there's even a beer tasting event. Now that's local pride.

Photo courtesy of David Scaglione
6) Philadelphia: Smack in the middle of Philly's Gayborhood, Pride will be kicking off on June 6 with a festive block party. Saturday follows with a homecoming and Dyke March, while Sunday is the blowout Pride Parade. Once you've celebrated on the street, save some energy for a performance by the Village People. You remember how to do the YMCA, right?

Photo courtesy of Hector/InspirePhotos.com
7) Portland: Pride Northwest, held from June 14-15, is celebrating their twentieth anniversary of festivities this year, and you can bet things will be even more colorful than usual. Like at the nighttime Pride Glow Run, where participants come spangled in glowing jewelry and LED batons. You can also warm up at the Gaylabration! dance night and Scandals block party before strutting your stuff at the Pride Parade.

Photo courtesy of Just Out
8) Providence: Rhode Island Pride will be bringing together thousands for its main parade and events on June 21st. But don't miss out on the side programming: Last year's events offered everything from the restorative (hangover drag brunch) to the titillating (lube wrestling), and this year should be no different.

Photo courtesy of Jack Hartwein-Sanchez
9) San Francisco: Nudity is only legal in San Francisco during festivals. Relevant? Oh, yes. Expect to join the scantily clad masses as the City by the Bay celebrates Pride from June 28-29 with its characteristic flair. Given that this year's event theme is "Color Our World with Pride"; come expecting serious rainbows. Sunglasses might be a good move.

Photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Pometta
10) Washington, D.C.: Capital Pride, held in D.C. from May 21 to June 8, isn't just about the partying (though there's plenty of that, too). Incorporating everything from D.C. Black Pride and interfaith pride services to the D.C. Latino Pride Fiesta and LGBT historic walking tours, this Pride is the model of inclusion. And then there's the revelry: The Blast Off opening party, Pride Parade, and headliners the likes of Rita Ora will make this one to remember.

Photo courtesy of Capital Pride
1) Toronto: 2014 is a special year to celebrate Pride in Toronto. From June 20-29, the city will play host to the international WorldPride festival–with 1.5 million attendees expected, it'll be the biggest Pride in North America. Across 10 days, there are tons of opportunities to participate, from the opening ceremony and WorldPride Parade to a street fair and human rights conference. And did we mention that Martha Wash of "It's Raining Men" fame will be performing live? Trump card.

Photo courtesy of camatlarge
2) Austin: Slated for September 14-20, Austin Pride's 2014 theme is The Wonderful Land of Austin, which borrows from The Wizard of Oz. (You can bet you'll see more than a few pairs of glittering ruby slippers.) Creative? Hit up the art exhibition and WERK! fashion show, while the Pride Parade kicks off after dark. You won't want to go home to Kansas, that's for sure.

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
3) Atlanta: Atlanta's vibrant Pride is the biggest in the southeastern United States. This year's events, held from October 11-12, will fittingly coincide with National Coming Out Day. A Pride Parade, Trans March, and Dyke March are all planned. We're also crossing our fingers for the return of last year's YoGaga event (that's yoga inspired by Lady Gaga, obvs).

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Pride
4) New York City: A Pride Parade that attracts millions. Appearances from the likes of Orange is the New Black's Laverne Cox. One of the biggest all-women dance parties in the country. This is only a small sampling of what NYC Pride will be dishing out when it returns to the Big Apple June 24-29. As this is the city where the modern LGBT rights movement began, you can also expect a nod towards its history. Pay your respects and then let loose.

Photo courtesy of Shinya Suzuki
5) St. Paul and Minneapolis: You know that anywhere fierce doyenne of comedy Margaret Cho shows up, a good time is bound to be had by all. Her appearance at the 2014 Twin Cities Pride, whose events will largely be taking place in late June, bodes well. Fleshing out the schedule is the Pride Parade, an art exhibition, and a rainbow run. Given that this is the Twin Cities, there's even a beer tasting event. Now that's local pride.

Photo courtesy of David Scaglione
6) Philadelphia: Smack in the middle of Philly's Gayborhood, Pride will be kicking off on June 6 with a festive block party. Saturday follows with a homecoming and Dyke March, while Sunday is the blowout Pride Parade. Once you've celebrated on the street, save some energy for a performance by the Village People. You remember how to do the YMCA, right?

Photo courtesy of Hector/InspirePhotos.com
7) Portland: Pride Northwest, held from June 14-15, is celebrating their twentieth anniversary of festivities this year, and you can bet things will be even more colorful than usual. Like at the nighttime Pride Glow Run, where participants come spangled in glowing jewelry and LED batons. You can also warm up at the Gaylabration! dance night and Scandals block party before strutting your stuff at the Pride Parade.

Photo courtesy of Just Out
8) Providence: Rhode Island Pride will be bringing together thousands for its main parade and events on June 21st. But don't miss out on the side programming: Last year's events offered everything from the restorative (hangover drag brunch) to the titillating (lube wrestling), and this year should be no different.

Photo courtesy of Jack Hartwein-Sanchez
9) San Francisco: Nudity is only legal in San Francisco during festivals. Relevant? Oh, yes. Expect to join the scantily clad masses as the City by the Bay celebrates Pride from June 28-29 with its characteristic flair. Given that this year's event theme is "Color Our World with Pride"; come expecting serious rainbows. Sunglasses might be a good move.

Photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Pometta
10) Washington, D.C.: Capital Pride, held in D.C. from May 21 to June 8, isn't just about the partying (though there's plenty of that, too). Incorporating everything from D.C. Black Pride and interfaith pride services to the D.C. Latino Pride Fiesta and LGBT historic walking tours, this Pride is the model of inclusion. And then there's the revelry: The Blast Off opening party, Pride Parade, and headliners the likes of Rita Ora will make this one to remember.

Photo courtesy of Capital Pride