Proud & Free: Events for June 2024

Summer kicks off with a month of celebrations for everyone! All the info you need to plan your own adventure. 

The first month of summer is a joyful cacophony of community! Philly springs to life with dozens of festivals and special events celebrating LGBTQIA+ and African American art, history, business, and other contributions to our lives.

There’s no better time to enjoy Philadelphia’s vibrant neighborhoods, and engage with a colorful patchwork of friends, families, and organizations. Whether you’re seeking culture, education, civic action or just a good party, you’ll likely find at least one opportunity here. All events free unless otherwise specified. Please click through the links for details!

🎉🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🦄PRIDE & JUNETEENTH 2024✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾🎉

Philly Pride 365
SUN June 2, 12 – 7PM
Come out to the Gayborhood for an explosion of good vibes! Featuring music and performance in (and around) local bars and businesses. Food trucks, vendors, resources, swag. A day-long celebration, both festive and informative. Join the march – no registration needed! All welcome to walk with Philly LGBTQIA+ community in a celebration of our authentic selves.

Ants on a Log: Pride Month Concert at the NE Regional Library
WED June 5, 3:30PM
2228 Cottman Ave.
Ants on a Log is a musical group from Philadelphia that creates fun and educational songs for children and those young at heart. They sing about social justice and positivity using humor and catchy melodies. They are known for their interactive performances that engage audiences of all ages in song, movement, and social consciousness.

Philly Queer History Walking Tour
WED June 5, 6PM
13th and Locust Sts.
Join this FREE walking tour from Beyond the Bell Tours exploring Philadelphia queer history! During this 1-mile journey through the Gayborhood, you’ll learn about Philly’s role in the evolution of Pride, activists like Kiyoshi Kuromiya and Barbara Gittings, America’s longest continuously-operating LGBT and feminist bookstore, and more!

Juneteenth Exhibition at Triple Bottom Brewing by Mural Arts
FRI June 7, 5 – 7PM
915 Spring Garden St.
Triple Bottom Brewing will host the annual Juneteenth Exhibition featuring and celebrating art by Black artists who have worked with Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice program. The exhibition will be on view June 1 – June 29 during open hours at the Brewery. Plus, join Mural Arts at Triple Bottom Brewing for their First Friday opening celebration on June 7!

8th Annual Philly Pride Run
SAT June 8, 8:30AM
The Navy Yard, 4500 S. Broad St.
5k and Fun Run benefiting the William Way LGBT Community Center. Prizes for top three Female, Non-Binary, and Male divisions. Fun Run/Walk awards prizes for three most festive participants. All welcome! Registration through June 1.

Juneteenth at the Please Touch Museum
SAT, Jun 8, 9AM – 4:30PM, $22|
4231 Avenue of the Republic.
A celebration of liberation and innovation. Parade, face painting, carousel rides, drag queen story time, art-making and more joyful expressions of culture and community. Museum admission included.

Queer Yoga for All
SAT June 8, 11AM
Independence Library, 18 S. 7th St.
All levels/experiences are welcome for an accessible flow focused on opening hips and hearts. Craig aspires to bring yoga to marginalized communities to cultivate space for rest, strength for resistance, and knowledge of accessibility tools and methods for a suitable practice for any body. Please bring water + mats + anything to make your practice comfortable to you.

The Roots Art Show: Afrocentric Brunch and Tea Party
SAT June 8, 12 – 4PM, $20-$60
Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of art and culture at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. Indulge in a delicious brunch spread while sipping on aromatic teas. This event will showcase the talents of local artists in a diverse range of art forms, from paintings to sculptures. There will also be a wine tasting and open bar. Afrocentric Tea Party Attire encouraged. (Awards for the two best-dressed guests.)

Golden Girls Murder Mystery
SAT June 8, 5PM $35+
Red Rum Theater, 601 Walnut St.
Your favorite ladies from the 80’s are at it again, and this time they are doing Atlantic City! Blanche is hosting her annual Hunka Hunka Burnin Love Unauthorized Elvis Fan Club convention, and this year she has a surprise guest: Elvis! Or an impersonator, anyway. But when the ladies start competing for his attention (and his band goes missing), things turn deadly and it’s up to you to solve this! Proceeds benefit the Welcome Project PA, which provides support for LGBTQIA+ and their families. Cash bar & snacks. Thank you for being a friend for a unique and exciting experience!

The Real Housewives of GayBINGO Ultimate Girls Trip!
SAT June 8, 6PM – 9:30(ish), $40
Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 North Broad St.
Pack your swimsuit for drama with the divas! Online ticket sales close at 3PM on Friday, June 7. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door for $50 per person. Doors open at 6pm and GayBINGO begins at 7pm. Please note that seating requests at the door are not guaranteed. All attendees must be 18 or older.

Pride Day at the Philadelphia Zoo
SUN June 9, 9:30AM – 5PM, $25
3400 West Girard Ave.
Enjoy a beautiful day in this incredible setting with friends and neighbors celebrating the awesome diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community! Local organizations will be on-hand, offering information and support. Plus, learn more about their animals from a keeper sharing facts about the wide spectrum of the animal kingdom’s own natural representation of LGBTQIA+ relationships and other exciting elements during daily Wildlife Chats. More fun & surprises, too. All ages.

ODUNDE
SUN June 9, 10AM – 8PM
23rd and South Sts.
The largest African American street festival in the country! Celebrating the coming of another year for African people around the world. Authentic African marketplace features global vendors offering food and merch from Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil. ODUNDE is actually a week of intentional programming leading up to this festival that makes the perfect launch into Juneteenth! Learn more at Odundefestival.org.

Freedom Day at Center in the Park
FRI June 14, 10AM – 1PM, FREE
*Breakfast 8:30am – 9:30am*
5818 Germantown Ave.
Join Germantown seniors in a harmonious celebration of community, culture and honor with Center in the Park, an essential “third space” where African American older adults can feel welcome, nurtured, and uplifted. Vendors, raffles, refreshments, giveaways, and more. Please consider donating! Every dollar helps curate winning programming that directly benefits the community. Learn more at CenterInTheParkPhila.org.

Juneteenth Celebration at the YMCA
SAT June 15, 10AM – 3PM, FREE
5120 Chestnut St.
Come join the fun at the West Philly Y! They’ll have a flag raising ceremony, DJ, rock wall climbing, bounce house, basketball contests, dance demos, community vendors, food trucks, and more! This FREE event is open to the community and registration is not required. Food trucks are pay-as-you-go.

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
SAT June 15, 10AM – 4PM, FREE
3260 South St.
Bring the whole family to the Penn Museum for a festival filled with joyful performance, live DJ sets, captivating storytelling, and hands-on activities for all ages. Support Black-owned businesses at a community marketplace or grab a bite from locally owned food trucks.

Juneteenth on Germantown Ave
SAT June 15, 12 – 7PM
6300 block of Germantown Ave.
Johnson House Historic Site hosts the 18th annual Juneteenth festival, celebrating the 159th Anniversary of the end of slavery. It’s a day-long street fest filled with music, culture, food, re-enactments and more. The fun happens outside of the Johnson House Historic Site as well as among many of the historic sites in the Historic Germantown collaborative. More info: johnsonhouse.org.

Juneteenth Wine & Arts Fest
SAT June 15, 1-6PM
Cherry St. Pier, 121 North Columbus Blvd.
Family-friendly celebration featuring Black-owned wineries (and other businesses). Music, samples, art exhibitions, live performances and more highlighting local Black culture. Free entry, $20 wine tasting tix (21+). cherrystreetpier.com 

Juneteenth Celebration 2024
SAT, June 15, 8PM – 1AM, $30
Millers Banquet Hall, 263 S. 60th St.
A night of soul music in honor of the holiday with performances by Richard Tucker & The Universal Koncept and Bashir & The Philly Divas

Juneteenth Jubilee at Bartram’s Garden
SUN Jun 16, 11AM – 4PM
5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
Commemorate Juneteenth at the oldest botanic garden in North America! Day features live DJ, storytelling, poetry, percussion, vendors, resources, and more. Bring a blanket and spend a day of celebration and joy.

Juneteenth Celebration in Fairmount Park
SUN June 16, 10AM – 8PM
West Philly
The Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade — beginning at noon — is the largest in the nation with 25,000 attendees, 2,000 participants and over two-dozen floats parading down 1.5 miles of 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. The festival also features the all-day Juneteenth Marketplace & Art in the Park at historic Malcolm X Park with over 250 vendors, an afternoon Juneteenth Youth Pavilion and the family-friendly Juneteenth Music Festival from 3-7 p.m. at 52nd Street and Larchwood Avenue. juneteenthphilly.org

Marketplace 10am – 8pm (51st & Pine St)
Parade 12 – 2pm (from 52nd St)
Youth Pavilion, 2 – 7pm (events TBD)
Music Fest 3 – 7pm (52nd & Larchwood)

Phillies Pride Night
MON June 17, 4 – 10PM, $40-$55
Citizens Bank Park
Come out to watch the Phils v the SD Padres, and celebrate the city’s rich LGBTQIA+ culture. Proceeds go to the Dante M. Austin Memorial Scholarship and support the Gay Officers Action League, which supports education, advocacy, and community outreach initiatives for LGBTQIA+ first responders and military members.

A String, Sing, Story & Musical Thing for Juneteenth!
MON, June 17, 5:30PM
Parkway Central branch, 1901 Vine St.
Save the date for this incredible Juneeteenth celebration featuring entertainment and live music! Come hear storytellers and vocalists perform songs centering Philly and its Black historical legends. Watch stilt-walkers, participate in community drum circles, and more!

Juneteenth Celebration at Eastern State Penitentiary 
WED, June 19, 10AM – 5PM
2027 Fairmount Ave
A special day of activities honoring the realized freedom and the struggle of the once-enslaved Africans in America. With family-friendly storytelling on the history of Juneteenth, a panel discussion of local scholars and personalities, and two live choir performances of “Unshackled” a 45-minute original work by The Black Breath Collective. Included with the price of admission, adult tix $15; discounts for youth, ACCESS Card & SEPTA reduced fare cardholders (many Philly libraries also lend out passes). Free for 19130/19121 residents!

“Rhythms of Liberation” Juneteenth Block Party
WED, June 19, 12 – 7PM
701 Arch St.
Wawa Welcome America celebrates freedom with a Juneteenth block party at the African American Museum. Get ready to jam with hip-hop legends Kid ‘n Play, groove to the beats of Rich Medina spinning the best in R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and more, and feel the melodic vibes of Seraiah Nicole and West Philly’s favorite band, Suede Lace. There will also be a vendor village, food trucks, interactive experiences, and activities for the whole family! Includes FREE ADMISSION to the Museum!

“Invention Nation” by African Heritage Ministry
WED June 19, 1PM – 4PM
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2800 W. Cheltenham AVE
An exciting celebration of what Black people have given to the world before and after freedom. Test your knowledge — and learn more about Black inventors and innovators — with a fun scavenger hunt all ages will enjoy. Great prizes! Refreshments feature foods brought to America by African Americans. FREE

A Conversation on Black Leadership With Eddie Glaude Jr.
WED June 19, 12PM
(virtual event)
Join political commentator and bestselling author Eddie Glaude Jr. for a discussion on his newest book at the National Constitution Center. In “We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For,” Glaude explores how ordinary people, through the examples of leading Black Americans Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Ella Baker, have the capacity to achieve a more just and perfect democracy. Free online. Visit constitutioncenter.org to register.

Dream Space: Juneteenth Edition
WED June 19, 3 – 8PM
The Sculpture Courtyard, 1717 Hancock St., North Philly
Explore a new artistic paradigm where art, healing, and music sets ablaze our visions for a luminous tomorrow. Pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $10 – $20)  @_thesculpturecourtyard

Echoes of the Uptown: Bridging the Past, Present and Future of Philly Music
THURS June 20, 5:30 – 8:30pm
WHYY, 150 N. Sixth Street
June is Black Music Month! Come watch, talk, and groove (in that order) 🎦🗣️🎶 Celebrate The Uptown Theater’s monumental role in music history, American culture, and Black excellence. Screening, panel discussion, and dance mixer at WHYY. Appetizers and light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, reservations are required (free).

Sista Strut at Xfinity Live!
SAT June 22: Rally at 8AM, Walk at 10AM $25
South Philly Sports Complex, 1100 Pattison Ave.
A 3k walk raising money and awareness for breast cancer’s impact on women of color. Info and community resources. Portion of proceeds benefit American Association for Cancer Research. Personalities from three local radio stations (WDAS, Power 99 & Rumba 106.1) will kick off the event and keep the good energy flowing.

Rainbow Solstice South Philly Street Party
SAT June 22, 2 – 8PM
700 Catharine St.
A gathering of Queers and Allies on one of the longest days of the year to enjoy a classic South Philly block party full of music, art, crafts, food and drink! It’s FREE and all are welcome.

Pride Bar Crawl
SAT June 22, 5 – 11PM
Howl at the Moon, 258 South 15th St.
Join Philly’s vibrant LGBTQ community on a jaunt full of fun and adult beverages at four participating locations. Tix include at least two complimentary drinks, free covers, drink/food specials, plus other goodies (and afterparty!). Proceeds benefit the William Way Community Center.

NBMBAA & NEXT Philadelphia Juneteenth Celebration
SUN June 23, 11AM – 3PM
Cavanaugh’s River Deck, N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Commemorate Juneteenth with music, food, and good vibes. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and celebrate freedom together. Be sure to where your Afrocentric colors, rep your HBCU and/or D9 organization! Light snacks are included with ticket. Drink tickets are available for the first 30 people to arrive.

Pride in the Park
FRI June 28, 12 – 2:30pm
Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Ave.

An annual celebration of diversity and inclusion for 55+ and friends/family/allies. Vendors, live performances, photo booth, resources, and more. Lots of other goodies and giveaways, come out and celebrate!

WBC: It’s a Pride Party, Baby! 
FRI June 28, 6pm – close
Wissahickon Brewing Company, 3705 W. School House Lane

East Falls’s favorite brewery celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with specialty drinks, live music, local vendors, food trucks, and good times. Wisbands available for purchase, providing special discounts ($3 of each one sold goes to the Attic Youth Center, which supports LGBTQ+ youth in Philly).

Free Pride Concert with Phila Orchestra
SAT June 29, 7PM
Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.
A literal symphony of Pride, with the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Philadelphia Voices for Pride, and the ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir. Range of music by LGBTQ+ composers and allies including Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and more. For additional info, call the Center’s program office at 215-848-7722.

Pride Drag Brunch
SUN June 30, 12PM – 3PM
3675 Market St., Suite 100
Experience the Pride Drag Brunch at Two Locals Brewing Co, where you can enjoy a morning filled with fantastic drag performances, live singing, and comedy. Hosted by Brittany and her award-winning Drag Mafia, this event celebrates both the vibrant local LGBTQ+ community and Philly’s first black-owned brewery.

21st Annual NGOMA-Tribute to the Drum in Stenton Park
SUN June 30, 12PM – 7PM
1799 W. Courtland Street
In honor of our ancestors and community members, this FREE and Family-Friendly event features African drumming, dancing, spoken word, vendors, and more. Bring chairs/blankets and an instrument to play, if you have one. For more info, call 215-385-0214, Vendors call 267-973-3647.

Solid Pink Disco with DJ Trixie Mattel
SUN June 30, 9PM $71+
29 E. Allen St.
Join DJ Trixie Mattel (the stage name of Brian Michael Firkus) at The Fillmore for a fabulous evening of music, lights, and non-stop fun as she spins the hottest beats in a celebration of pride and solidarity. Must be 18 or older. Wear something pink!

But Wait, There’s More!

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below and keep posted — we’ll be adding events as we find them all month long. PRO TIP: Wawa’s FREE programming runs from Juneteenth to July 4, with a variety of special events and performances listed at july4thphilly.com.

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