It’s almost time for the most colorful celebration in the city—this Sunday, June 2, the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival will be in full swing with a theme inspired by the 55th anniversary of Stonewall.
Philly Pride 365: A Program of Galaei is inviting the entire LGBTQ+ community and allies to “Be You” in 2024 for the occasion, which starts at 6th and Walnut at 10:30 a.m., no registration required (note, no floats or vehicles permitted.) When the March reaches the Gayborhood, the Festival will begin, running from noon to 7 p.m., on Walnut to Pine streets, and Quince to Juniper streets, with other select roads closed around the festival footprint.
“Pride is and has always been much more than just a party, it a place where we build community, where we bring about awareness of issues impacting our community, and provide crucial linkages to resources and care,” said Galaei Executive Director and Program Director of Philly Pride 365, Tyrell Brown (they/he) in a statement.
“At its core, Pride celebrates our community’s activist roots in challenging the status quo and celebrating ourselves authentically and freely. Through Philly Pride 365 and the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival, Galaei aims to encourage everyone in our community to stand up, and “BE YOU” celebrating Pride in 2024.”
Locals can start celebrating a little early on Friday, May 31, with the new record-breaking 400-foot Philadelphia Pride Rainbow Flag touring around the city and touching down in various neighborhoods starting at 9 a.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (a full schedule of stops is available online.)
On May 31, locals can also head to the Franklin Institute for the Science After Hours: Summer Ball event, which will feature local drag queen Eric Jaffe and a cast of drag performers, drag bingo, ballroom dance lessons from choreographer Kemar Jewel and more. The 21+ event starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are available for purchase now online.
Saturday, June 1 will hold a new Pride Promenade Opening Party, and Galaei’s Philly Pride 365’s official opening night celebration will take place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 8 p.m. to midnight, with tickets available for $30. There’s also an option to make a $10 donation for Teen Prom while there.
Then Sunday is the big day: According to a release, The March is an ode to The Reminder Day Demonstrations that were held in front of Independence Hall on Chestnut Street from 1965 until 1969 to raise awareness of bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community and to send the message that “Gay is good.” The 1972 Pride Day March concluded at the same spot 50 years ago. The occasion will kick off with speakers, before making its way down the route to finish up in the Gayborhood.
The Festival, on the other hand, will feature over 200 small businesses participating, stages with performances (including the occasion’s first-ever headliner Sapphira Cristal), entertainers, artists, vendors, food trucks, community organizations, and local bars all showing off their Pride.
The occasion will also feature a Sober Space with entertainment and food, youth/family programming, a Decompression Zone in conjunction with Disability Pride PA, the “Bailar Con Amor” (an ode to Afro-Latinx heritage art and expression), and more.
For more information on the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival in 2024, visit phillypride365.org
