Summer’s here and Pride Month is around the corner. Throughout June, LGBTQ+ Pride festivals and festivities are happening all around Detroit, and some continue throughout the season. 

We’ve compiled a list of the best upcoming events where you will be surrounded by love and can celebrate your authentic self. If we missed anything, feel free to let us know at tips@metrotimes.com and we’ll add it. Happy Pride!

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit May 31-June 30; various locations; mrqd.com This biennial exhibition, now in its second iteration, explores the theme I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer through work by over 150 LGBTQ+ artists. The art will span numerous Detroit galleries, with programming such as performances, panels, and screenings happening at other institutions in conjunction with the exhibitions. Credit: Telfar Clemens, 2019 by Benjamin Fredrickson
Five15 600 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak | five15.net Five15 is the place to go when you’re looking for a good time. The venue is most known for its wildly popular (and hilarious) drag queen bingo, drag queen trivia, and drag brunch. During the day it doubles as a cafe. Credit: (Photo via Yelp, Five15 Media Mojo and More)
3. The Detroit Institute of the Arts The DIA houses one of the largest art collections in the United States, including works by renowned artists who have inspired worldwide creativity such as Vincent van Gogh and Diego Rivera. Plus, it has been named the No. 1 art museum in the nation by USA Today numerous times. For residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, the museum is free to visit. For outsiders, it’s $18, which is 100% worth it for all of the wonders that you will see during your visit. Credit: Shutterstock
Pride Bingo and Brunch June 8, 9:30 a.m.; Cambria Hotel, 600 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; eventbrite.com Celebrate pride with food, games, music, and great Detroit drag entertainment. The event is hosted by Kourtney Charles and music will be spun by DJ Daria. Featured drag queens include Monica Devereaux LaMonico, Roberta Charles, Infestasia, and Emma Sapphire. Ticket sales will benefit the Ruth Ellis Center. Credit: Rendering of the Cambria (Choice Hotels)
Ypsi Pride June 7, 5-10 p.m.; East Cross St., Depot Town, Ypsilanti; ypsireal.com Expect drag, burlesque, and theater performances, alongside queer-owned local vendors and organizations that support the community. There will also be family-friendly activities, interactive art spaces, music, and other fun. Credit: Facebook, Ypsi Pride
Motor City Pride June 8-9; Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; motorcitypride.org Michigan’s biggest Pride celebration and parade is returning to Hart Plaza, promising to cover downtown with rainbows and love. This year’s full lineup of festival performers has yet to be announced, but R&B artist Kyle Dion will be one of the headliners. As usual, local baddies can expect tons of great vendors, talented entertainment, and good vibes. Credit: Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo
Lesbian Social Halloween Edition Oct. 29 from 8 pm.-12 a.m. at Big Pink; 21+; instagram.com/lesbiansocialdetroit Connect with lesbians and allies in the Detroit area at this Halloween celebration. Show off your costume, get a drink, and have a fun night. Advance tickets are available now on Eventbrite. Credit: Joe Maroon
UFO Factory 2110 Trumbull St., Detroit Check out a live band, and maybe grab a hotdog from a Laika Dog while you’re there. It can hold around 75 people. Credit: Google Maps
The Lesbian Social June 9, 6-10 p.m.; The Godfrey Hotel, 1401 Michigan Ave., Detroit; eventbrite.com Join the Lesbian Social at the Godfrey Hotel’s I|O Rooftop Lounge to meet, mingle, and connect with women in the community. Enjoy food and cocktails, plus take photos during Lesbian Social’s complimentary photo hour. Behind June, the event occurs the second Sunday of every month. Credit: Joe Maroon
Independent Bookstore Day at Next Chapter Books When: April 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Next Chapter Books (Detroit) What: A celebration for Independent Bookstore Day Who: Local readers Why: Celebrate reading and shopping locally in the East Warren community. There will be complimentary dessert, a book raffle, a children’s storytime, a taco truck, and more. Credit: Instagram, @nextchapterbooksdetroit
Grosse Pointe Pride June 15, noon–2 p.m.; St. Clair St., Grosse Pointe Village; wegp.org This year’s Grosse Pointe pride event will feature a short march, a drag performance, activities for the kids, a selfie station, and more. Bring pride signs and friends and have a good time. Credit: Facebook, Grosse Pointe Pride
Downriver Pride June 21-22; Downtown Wyandotte; downriverpride.com This year marks the first ever that there will be a Downriver Pride festival. The event is coordinated by Conz Productions and will feature live entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for all. Credit: Facebook, City of Wyandotte, Michigan
The Old Miami 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830; oldmiami.business.site If you hit the Old Miami on the weekend, you may see an old friend. But during the week, no one will bother you. Play some pool, take a rest on the couch, and sip on some brews. Credit: Facebook, The Old Miami
Hotter Than July June 26-28; Motor City Casino, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; lgbtdetroit.org/hotterthanjuly This three-day event is the world’s longest-running Black Pride celebration. Hosted by LGBT Detroit, North America’s largest Black-founded and LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization, this signature summertime event features a candlelight vigil honoring the lives of queer community members, a worship service, health screenings, and a special musical performance. In celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary, LGBT Detroit will offer the Hotter Than July Gospel & Soul Concert featuring Grammy-nominated artist B. Slade. Credit: Facebook, Hotter Than July
Memories of a Supernatural AIDS Crisis June 29, 7-8 p.m.; Hilberry Gateway, 4715 Cass Ave., Detroit; encoremichigan.com This performance explores the AIDS pandemic by combining fiction with history, asking “What would happen if HIV conferred supernatural powers?” The queer sci-fi drama is set a century in the future, taking place in Detroit when the city stands as Earth’s final stronghold after the ravages of global warming. Written and directed by Marc Arthur, an artist and Assistant Professor at Wayne State University, known for his groundbreaking work combining performance and social justice. After the show, audience members will be invited to a roundtable discussion about performance and HIV/AIDS in Detroit. Credit: Courtesy photo
Corktown Pride Bar Crawl June 29, 5-11 p.m.; Various locations in Corktown, Detroit; eventbrite.com Celebrate love, diversity, and unity at four Corktown bars for the Official Pride Bar Crawl. Each stop will feature specialty pride-themed cocktails and lively entertainment for queer people and allies. Credit: Facebook, PubCrawls.com
The Extraordinary Stephanie Crawford June 30, 7-9 p.m.; the CARR center, 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; mrqd.org/events Award-winning Black jazz vocalist Stephanie Crawford, who was born in Detroit, will return home to present her one-woman show. The show is the last event for Mighty Real Queer Detroit’s month-long LGBTQ+ arts programming for Pride month. Credit: Courtesy photo
Royal Oak Pride July 26-27; Washington Ave. between Fifth & Seventh Streets, Downtown Royal Oak; royaloakpride.com While June is Pride month, some local cities are holding their festivals later in the summer, so you can celebrate all season long. Royal Oak Pride will feature family-friendly activities and entertainment, along with local LGBTQ+ artists and vendors. Royal Oak Pride returned in 2022 after a 20-year absence, drawing a turnout of some 20,000. Credit: Courtesy Photo
Ann Arbor Pride August 3; Main Street, Downtown Ann Arbor; annarborpride.com Ann Arbor is hosting its pride in August, bringing the community together in the hot weather with entertainment, vendors, and lots of fun. Ann Arbor Pride works heavily with the Jim Toy Community Center, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group that works to protect the rights of the queer community. Have fun and support a good cause. Credit: Josh Justice
Macomb County Pride August 17, 12-6 p.m.; Main Street, Downtown Mount Clemens; macombcountypride.com Macomb County Pride is returning with a family-friendly celebration of diversity and inclusion promising to be a highlight of the summer. The event will bring together the local LGBTQ+ community and allies for a day of festivities, entertainment, and empowerment. Credit: Facebook, Macomb County Pride
Transgender Pride in the Park August 24, 12-6 p.m.; Martin Road Park, 1615 E. Lewiston Ave., Ferndale; transgendermichigan.org To end off the summer, Transgender Michigan is holding its 25th annual Transgender Pride in the Park. The bring-your-own picnic-style event features speakers and a vendor area with organizations and businesses serving the trans community, along with a virtual vendor mall. Credit: Facebook, TGMI — Transgender Michigan
Motor City Pride returns to Detroit June 8-9. Credit: Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...