It is Pride Time! Throughout the months of June and July, Portland and the surrounding areas host various events and activities to commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride. Historically, Pride events were held in June, but some of our biggest Pride events (including the parade and festival) are actually held towards the end of July.
Beyond the main parade and festival, Portland’s Pride calendar is packed with an array of community events. There are also several Pride parties, drag shows, and other nightlife events scheduled throughout June and July. Many of the city’s LGBTQ+-owned businesses and organizations host special promotions, fundraisers, and social gatherings as well.
The inclusive spirit of Portland’s Pride celebrations extends beyond just the LGBTQ+ community. Allies, families, and visitors from across Oregon and beyond are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Local government, businesses, schools, and other institutions show their support through sponsorships, participation, and Pride-themed displays.
Through its vibrant and welcoming Pride events, Portland demonstrates its commitment to LGBTQ+ equality, visibility, and celebration. The city’s Pride festivities continue to grow each year, offering something for everyone to enjoy and embrace the diversity of the community.
Teaching children about Pride helps promote inclusivity and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. This fosters a more compassionate and understanding society. Seeing LGBTQ+ Pride celebrated can provide important representation and role models for LGBTQ+ youth, helping them feel seen, supported, and empowered. Learning about the Pride movement and LGBTQ+ history helps children understand the diversity of human experiences and identities. This broadens their perspectives.
Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth who feel supported and accepted have better mental health outcomes. Education about Pride can contribute to this. Educating children about Pride and LGBTQ+ rights helps challenge prejudice, stigma, and discrimination from a young age. Ultimately, teaching children about Pride is about fostering empathy, acceptance, and creating a more just, equitable world for all.
Here are some of the Pride events happening around the area:
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
750 SW Front Avenue
Portland, Oregon
9:00 am
There are two route options for the Pride Run and Walk. The 4.25-mile route goes down to the Tilikum Bridge, back up the west side to the Steel Bridge, and back across. The short loop is 2.5 miles and also goes across the Tilikum Bridge. Follow the west side waterfront to the Hawthorne Bridge and go across to get back to the start.
Harman Swim Center’s Poolside Pride
7300 SW Scholls Ferry Road
Beaverton, Oregon
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Poolside Pride, the Summer Edition, is a pool party open to everyone to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and their families. The pool party will include music, karaoke, face paint, crafts, photo ops, and rainbow mermaid performances.
Saturday, June 21, 2024
OMSI
1945 SE Water Avenue
Portland, Oregon
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Join OMSI for their fourth annual Pride at the Museum! This family-friendly event welcomes visitors of all ages for a night of museum exploration, science demos, lectures, and cultural entertainment. Featuring music, science demonstrations, planetarium shows, access to their featured exhibit, Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family, the Teen Tech center will be available for teens, and Science Playground will be open for the little ones, and they will have activities for all ages.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Pride Parade & Festival in Tigard
Tigard High School
9000 SW Durham Road
Tigard, Oregon
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
This Pride Festival is dedicated to uplifting LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus) voices, celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, raising awareness of issues affecting the community, and supporting LGBTQIA+ rights. This is a celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community and supporters.
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Beaverton Pride Parade & Celebration
Beaverton City Park
12500 SW 4th Street
Beaverton, Oregon
11:00 am-5:00 pm
Beaverton’s 7th annual Pride Celebration will be at City Park and the Beaverton Farmer’s Market Parking Lot. The celebration kicks off with the Pride Parade, which starts at 11 am.
Pride Beaverton’s mission is to bring joy, support, and acknowledgment to the LGBTQ community in Beaverton, Oregon. They celebrate Pride, inclusion, and diversity while creating opportunities for engagement and education.
Oaks Park
7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, Oregon
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Celebrate Portland’s LGBTQ+ community with discounted rides, limited-edition treats, Pride-themed game prizes and Gift Shop merch, free cake/balloons, a special-edition Pride Skate in the rink from 7-9:30 PM, and much more! 30% off Ride Bracelets when you apply the online coupon code at checkout. Coupon Code: PRIDERIDES24 Discount is only available online; there is no onsite discount. Pride Skate admission is sold separately.
Friday, July 12, 2024
The Hotel Zags
515 SW Clay Street
Portland, Oregon
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
In partnership with Pride Northwest, the Hotel Zags is about to set Portland on fire with the hottest event of the summer: the Pride Night Market! Local vendors flaunt their coolest threads, sassiest accessories, and most jaw-dropping handmade treasures! From snazzy clothing to unique handcrafted goodies, they have everything your heart desires and some! Get ready to shop ’til you drop, dance like nobody’s watching, and spread love like confetti!
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
750 SW Front Avenue
Portland, Oregon
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In celebration of our 30th year of Pride Northwest, this year’s Portland Pride theme, Feast and Love, invites Portland to come together as a community and family and create a new chapter in our story. Pride Northwest extends an invitation to all, regardless of age, gender, or background, to bring your authentic selves to the table of LOVE that Pride Northwest has prepared for you. They want to honor the past, embrace the present, and forge an even brighter and more inclusive future.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
North Park Blocks
11:00 am
The parade begins at 11 am from the North Park Blocks and ends on Naito Parkway at the Festival. The parade draws thousands of participants and spectators, featuring colorful floats, energetic marching contingents, and celebratory pageantry. The accompanying Pride festival at Waterfront Park offers a full day of live music, food vendors, informational booths, and family-friendly activities.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
750 SW Front Avenue
Portland, Oregon
11:30 am – 6:00 pm
Through its vibrant and welcoming Pride events, Portland demonstrates its strong commitment to LGBTQ+ equality, visibility, and celebration. The city’s Pride festivities continue to grow each year, offering a diverse array of events and activities for the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike to enjoy and embrace the diversity of the community.
Teaching children about Pride helps promote inclusivity and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities, fostering a more compassionate and understanding society. Seeing LGBTQ+ Pride celebrated can provide important representation and role models for LGBTQ+ youth, helping them feel seen, supported, and empowered. Ultimately, educating children about Pride and LGBTQ+ rights helps challenge prejudice, stigma, and discrimination and contributes to creating a more just, equitable world for all.
The Pride events happening around the Portland area this year offer something for everyone to participate in the celebrations, from Pride runs and pool parties to parades, festivals, and night markets. Through these inclusive and joyful festivities, Portland’s LGBTQ+ community and allies continue to unite to honor the past, embrace the present, and forge an even brighter future.
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.
