Pride Month is celebrated across the United States in June, and in Washington, D.C., it’s a major annual party. For George Washington University community members, there are all kinds of ways to celebrate LGBTQIA+ life and history in the city this month—from panel discussions to street parties, parades,concerts and more. A partial list of events is below.
June 4 at 5 p.m. Phillips after 5: Party with Pride
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st St. NW
$20; free for members
Visit one of D.C.’s hidden-gem museums after closing for an evening of art, music, drag, puppetry and more.
June 6 at 11:30 a.m. Pride Family Day
Smithsonian American Art Museum
800 G St. NW
Free, registration recommended
The museum’s soaring Kogod Courtyard—also the site of this year’s GW Program Board Gala—hosts a day of performances and activities.
June 10 at 7 p.m. Night of Expression
Busboys & Poets
2021 14th St. NW
From $20
Raise your voice at this annual open mic, hosted by one of D.C.’s iconic cultural hubs.
June 12 at 6 p.m. David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels—"The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America”
Politics and Prose at Union Market
1324 4th St. NE
Free
The authors of a new “thoughtful, poignant” history of the AIDS crisis in the U.S. discuss the power of youth activism, creativity and community as vehicles for social change and how bigotry and misinformation led to inequality in care.
June 13 at 4 p.m. Pride on the Pier
The Wharf
101 District Sq. SW
Free
Start the party early at this riverside celebration, held in partnership with longtime LGBTQIA+-focused local newspaper the Washington Blade.
June 16 at 7 p.m. Samuel Clowes Huneke and Hugh Ryan—“I Will Not Abandon You: Queer Women in Nazi Germany” and “My Bad: A Personal History of the Queer Nineties and Beyond”
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
Free
The authors of two very different books—one a “vital” history of the lives and resistance of queer women under Nazi rule, the other a “hilarious” personal account of a pivotal decade for queer people—come together in conversation.
June 19 at 9 p.m. RIOT!: The Official Capital Pride Opening Party
Echostage
2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE
$40 and up
This year’s official opening party is distinguished by a special DJ set from drag superstar Bob the Drag Queen and performances including RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Myki Meeks.
June 20 at noon 17th Street Block Party
17th St. NW between P St. and Riggs Pl.
Free
Dupont Circle, long known as D.C.’s “gayborhood,” hosts this block party with an emphasis on local artists.
June 20 at 3 p.m. Capital Pride Parade
Northwest D.C., various locations
Free
The crowds lining the streets to watch this iconic annual parade are as gorgeous as the floats. (Dressing up is not required—but it is fun.)
June 21 at noon Capital Pride Festival
Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 7th streets
Free
This daylong street festival on “America’s Main Street” features vendors, food, drinks and performances. Headliners this year include Maren Morris and Leikeli47.