The annual free Pride festival in Tacoma is happening downtown this Saturday, July 13. Here’s what to know about festivities and parking.
Like always, there will be lots of vendors and booths, as well as a beer garden, a main stage with LGBTQ+ entertainment and more. It’s an all-ages event from noon to 6 p.m.
The street festival’s entrance is at 9th and Pacific Avenue, near Fireman’s Park on A Street. Parking is limited, so plan accordingly. The T Line light rail will be running, with the Old City Hall and Theater District stations closest to the event.
From 2 p.m. to midnight there will be a cash-only 21+ Tacoma Pride Block Party at The Mix downtown (635 St. Helens Ave.). Tickets cost $35 and VIP tickets are $75. There will be drag performances from Plasma (from Season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race), Anita Spritzer, Ship Show, The Illustrious Blacks, Baby Van Beezly and Amelia Day, among others.
On Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. the Pride festival will kick off with a flag raising and LGBTQ+ Community Pride Awards ceremony at the Pantages Theater, recognizing individuals, community-based organizations and businesses that have shown exemplary leadership or service to the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow Center staff and board members and Tacoma Pride organizers will be there and Mayor Victoria Woodards will raise the Pride flag over city hall at the end of the ceremony.
Other Pride events happening this month
Looking for other events happening this month?
The Tacoma Art Museum has several free events that embrace the theme of “Perennial Pride: Flowers While They’re Still Here,” which honors the resiliency and the creativity of the LGBTQ+ community. A hands-on flower-making workshop led by Phi Pottery is happening Thursday, and on July 18 there will be a Perennial Pride celebration with art vendors, live performances and interactive art installations. A “Petal Power” open mic night is happening July 25.
The Puyallup Tribe Pride Festival is July 20 from 2-6 p.m. at 3509 72nd St. E. in Tacoma, featuring food trucks, games, drag bingo and other drag performances.
Also happening July 20 is the Big Hat Brunch fundraiser for the Oasis Youth Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston Waterfront (5125 Grand Loop). Tickets are $100, and this year’s theme is Celestial Celebration.
On July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Queers for Conservation group is hosting its annual Tacoma Earth Gay event at Wapato Hills Park (6231 S. Wapato St.). The event offers a fun and engaging way to connect, learn about sustainability and restore a local park. Volunteers also get a free Earth Gay T-shirt.
On July 28 the local Queer Mountaineers chapter will be organizing Stride with Pride , a 3-mile hike through Point Defiance Park at Tacoma, meeting at the Rhododendron Garden around 10 a.m. The hike will happen regardless of weather, and hikers of all experience levels are welcome.
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