June is Pride month, a month dedicated to celebration and commemoration of the LGBTQ+ community. And Raleigh always pulls out all the stops. Use this guide to plan ahead and make the most of Pride month in the City of Oaks.

Festivals + parties

Pride Plaza Party | Friday, Jun. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | 227 Fayetteville St., Raleigh | Free | Join Raleigh Pride and Downtown Raleigh Alliance for a special celebration featuring a DJ, vendor market, and live entertainment.
Gag Presents: Girls Room Pride | Friday, Jun. 23 | 8 p.m. | Junction West, 310 S. West St., Ste. 110, Raleigh | $10-$20 | Dress to impress at this music and art-filled party created and curated by queer women.
Out! Raleigh Pride Festival | Saturday, Jun. 24 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh | Free | Take the family to enjoy this inclusive festival featuring live entertainment, local vendors and artists, food, a KidsZone, and a beer garden in support of the LGBT Center of Raleigh.

Purchase a chocolate cowboy hat for your ice cream at Videri Chocolate Factory. | Photo by RALtoday

Learn + discuss

LGBTQ+ Pride Ride with the Historic Raleigh Trolley | Sunday, Jun. 4 | 1-3 p.m. | Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh | $12 | Learn about our city's LGBTQ+ history during this trolley ride through historic neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and other points of interest.
The Art of Queer Resistance Panel Discussion | Thursday, Jun. 8 | 6 p.m. | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Register to join this panel discussion where LGBTQ+ visual and performing artists will discuss creativity, identity, and advocacy.
Pride: I Don't Want to Say the Wrong Thing | Thursday, Jun. 8 | 7-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn the difference between gender, sex at birth, and sexual orientation, as well as important terms, concepts, and pronouns in the LGBTQ+ community.
Spaces for Queer Joy Panel Discussion | Thursday, Jun. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | CAM Raleigh, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh | Free | Listen to local DJs and producers discuss the history of Raleigh's Queer nightlight scene and the need to preserve them.

Shop from local vendors at the Out! Raleigh Pride Festival. | Photo by RALtoday

Let the fun continue

Run For Love 5K | Saturday, Jun. 3 | 9 a.m. | 1251 Goode St., Raleigh | $15-$120 | Lace up your shoes and run for love; make sure to pick up a Trophy Partner West Coast IPA after the race to support both Raleigh Pride and the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
Soft Serve Ice Cream Social | Saturday, Jun. 10 | 3-6 p.m. | Videri Chocolate Factory, 327 W. Davie St., Ste. 100, Raleigh | Price of purchase | Take advantage of specials on soft serve ice cream with the option to round up for charity.
Pride Comedy Night | Wednesday, Jun. 28 | 7:30-11 p.m. | Watts & Ward, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh | $15-$20 | Some of NC's funniest queer comics, like Tyler Deese and Steph Stigma, will take the stage.
North Carolina Courage vs. Houston Dash | Saturday, Jul. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr., Cary | $15-$150 | Celebrate at this Pride-themed game.