Pride 2025, South End Style

On behalf of the South Seattle Emerald, Happy Pride! 🌈

For queer and trans communities, it's been an exhausting year. There have been executive orders that roll back protections for trans people and recent anti-LGBTQ+ protests in our own gayborhoods. It's an all-hands-on-deck moment for protecting some of our most vulnerable populations, especially queer and trans People of Color. 

In the face of new systemic and legal challenges, Seattle's LGBTQ+-led orgs are adding more resources for their communities — like offering gender and name change clinics or expanding youth support — and they need our help. Donating money is good, but so is volunteering, raising awareness, and standing up for the rights and dignity of queer and trans people in your own families and social circles. 

If you're looking for where to start, head to our guide to Seattle's Trans-Led Groups You Can Support Right Now. Allies, if you love going to Pride, revel in a good drag brunch, or just care about human rights in general, your extra support right now is appreciated!

When the mission of our current administration is erasing LGBTQ+ protections and rights, centering queer and trans joy is an act of resistance and defiance in itself. So, this Pride, dance a little more, get louder, party harder (if that feels good), and bask in the love and luminosity of your chosen fam.

Your Guide to South End Pride 2025

As far as Pride celebrations go, we'd be remiss to not mention the big stuff: 

PrideFest, taking place on Capitol Hill (June 28) and at Seattle Center (June 29), and the downtown Pride Parade on June 29. If you want the big-city experience of a festival and parade, this is what you're looking for. 

But smaller South End Pride events are where it's at. There are more familiar faces, more opportunities to connect, and smaller grassroots efforts that don't rely on corporate sponsors. 

Kellan Rockett, marketing director for White Center Pride, said, "I've been to some [large] Seattle Pride events, loved them, and honestly … White Center Pride has a totally different vibe." Rockett added, "It's more small town-feeling in a way. A little bit more gritty. It's super diverse because White Center is diverse … we love it." 

Read on for a guide to South End Pride events you won't want to miss and prepare to fill up your calendar. One of the best things about Pride in Seattle is that there are events happening from May through August, and there's truly something for everyone, from brunches and beach hangouts to game nights and street fairs.

We tried to catch everything, but if you know about something we missed, send us a tip at: Community@SeattleEmerald.org.  

We'll keep updating this guide throughout the summer!

May 30–June 1
Burien Town Square
15100 6th Ave. SW
Free

Burien Pride starts this weekend! The three-day celebration kicks off with a street dance party (Friday, May 30, 5–10 p.m.); then a family-friendly day festival (Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.) with a kids area, beer garden, vendors, and drag performances; and drag brunch and bingo on Sunday (June 1, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.).

June 1
4–9 p.m.
Ferdinand Street, Columbia City
Free

Kick off Beatwalk season right with its third annual Pride celebration, created by Tisha Gallow as a safe and inclusive space for BIPOC LGBTQ+ community in Columbia City! Catch the legendary DJ Riz Rollins, performers Samweli Mxl and Adra Boo, drag queen Diamond St. James, vendors,  and much more. The first 50 attendees will receive free handheld Pride flags. Plus, there will be a special award presented to an artist who "leads with love, creates in courage, and lives in color." The award honors Gallow's nephew Chris LeVaughn, a performer and "always a Beatwalk favorite," who passed away last year.

June 7, noon–11 p.m.
Downtown White Center
16th Ave SW (between SW Roxbury St. and SW 100th St.)
Free

White Center Pride is one of the bigger South End celebrations, with a full day of live bands, drag performances, DJs, vendors — and live wrestling courtesy of Lariat Bar. One of the reasons why White Center Pride is so boppin' is the tight-knit community of "gayborhood pockets." Queer-owned or affiliated businesses, like The Lumberyard Bar and Boombox, are beloved community spaces, nearby Southgate Roller Rink has year-round Pride skate events, and LGBTQ+ happenings and fundraisers take place year-round. 

New to White Center Pride this year is a special "Resources and Resistance" section. There will be gender and name-change forms, a notary, a grief space, and volunteers from Queer Scouts talking about emergency preparation.

June 8, 3–6 p.m.
Judkins Park Shelter #1
2150 S. Norman St.

Hang out with other masked COVID-cautious queer and trans fam at Mask Bloc's second annual Pride gathering. For this low-key get-together, bring a water bottle and KN95 or N95 mask (they will have some on hand too). 

June 13, doors at 6 p.m.
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
104 17th Ave. S.

Think you have what it takes to walk the runway? Or at least show up and loudly support those who do? Check out Strike A Pose's special Pride kiki ball. There will be various themes and categories with cash prizes, but all participants are encouraged to bring a Pride flag. General admission is $20, which you can purchase at the official ticketing site.

June 14, 7–9 p.m.
Location TBD
$50

The fourth annual comedy show is a celebration of Black trans lives and laughter, all for a great cause: to support the Lavender Rights Project, a Black- and trans-led organization that "elevates the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services." Hosted by Ts Madison, this year brings Mx. Dahlia Belle, Pink Foxx, and Ariyah Jané to the stage. 

"For the past four years, this event has served as a sanctuary of joy, a moment to breathe, and a powerful reminder that resistance can be radiant."

June 15, doors at 7 p.m.
4864 Beacon Ave. S.

Queer Swing Seattle is teaming up with the Clock-Out Lounge for a night of swing. From the event site: "Featuring a queer led jazz band, we'll be hosting an intro to swing dance lesson, incredible performances and dancing the night away. Featuring Queer Swing Dance, Lindy Hop, Line Dancing, Blues, Live Performances, Live Swing and Jazz Music by Christian Pincock and his Bassless Accusations... and more!"

In other queer events at the Clock-Out, don't miss the legendary TUSH! drag show, hosted by Betty Wetter, happening June 19, 26, 27, and 28. Tickets are $19.51.

June 21
Various locations around Georgetown
Free

How can you not fall in love with Georgetown Pride's 2025 slogan "Bigger, Hairier, and Queerer"? Plus, the image of the giant hat from the neighborhood's iconic Oxbow Park squirting ketchup and mustard on some Teslas? We're in!

The second official Georgetown Pride includes a neighborhood parade, a street fair, a Hot Dog Prom, live music, and drink specials and other fun activities at various establishments around the neighborhood. There's a lot going on, so check the official website for a rundown of everything. Also, if you've been thinking about tying the knot, Georgetown Trailer Park's Shotgun Ceremonies (a wedding chapel in a storage container) is having free weddings from 3–6 p.m.

June 27, 1–8 p.m.
Pier 62, 1951 Alaskan Way
Free

This fourth annual celebration uplifts queer, two-spirit, and trans Indigenous people. In addition to workshops, activities, and food by Natoncks Metsu, performers like Guma' Gela', Cherri Bepsi, Holli B. Sinclair, and more will take the stage. 

July 12, 5–10 p.m.
El Centro de la Raza
2601 17th Ave. S

Celebrate queer Latinx culture with music, food, drag, community resources, and more.

July 12, noon–6 p.m.
Wright Park, 501 S. I St., Tacoma

After you've recovered from Pride events in June, head to Tacoma Pride on July 12 for entertainment for all ages (with a beer garden for adults!). Enjoy performances, music, a makers market, and more. For upcoming details on headliners and other activities, follow along at @TacomaPrideFestival.

Also, check out Sapphic Pride (21+) the day before at Tacoma's Spanish Ballroom. More info at the official ticketing site.

Aug. 15, 6–11 p.m.
Rumba Cocina & Lounge
213 1st Ave. S.
Tickets start at $35

Somos Seattle presents this queer take on lotería. Bring your squad and play for prizes!

Aug. 16
Alki Beach, 2665 Alki Ave. SW
Free

It's the only Seattle Pride celebration that happens on a beach. While official headliners and details have yet to be announced, past iterations have included a Pride ride and skate along the waterfront, performers, music, and beer gardens. Bring your friends, some floaties, and beach towels, and hang out all day! Who knew Pride could be so relaxing?!

Aug. 22–24
Location TBD

The details for Black Pride Weekend are still in the works; however, there are plenty of ways to connect before then. Attend a Pride Breakfast in Tukwila on May 31, then catch PNW Black Pride at CC Seattle on June 6 and Aug. 1. Stay connected on Instagram at @NWBlackPride.