June marks the start of summer across the country, and Pride Month is celebrated with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community.
The commemoration coincided with New York City’s first Pride march, marking the one-year anniversary of the June 1970 protests against police in front of the Stonewall Inn, one of New York City’s most popular gay bars. In June 1969, police stormed the bar and assaulted patrons before forcing them into police vans, enraging the crowd outside. The riots, which lasted several days, ultimately became the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Although Orlando’s big “Come Out with Pride” celebration won’t be held until October, many events celebrating LGBTQ+ culture will be held across Central Florida this month. This month also marks 10 years since the Pulse nightclub tragedy.
magical weekend
The world’s largest LGBTQ+ pride and music festival is coming to the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista. The event will feature DJs, pool parties (including a giant pool party at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon), drag shows, brunch, and festive celebrations from June 4th to 8th. 12205 S. Apopka Vineland Road orlando. More information: omw2026.com
bear jamboree
One Magical Weekend’s “sister” events have several events in common, but they also have their own “Bear Chella” pool party, “Bear Location,” dance party, and event at Crowne Plaza Lake Buena Vista. The event will be held June 4-6 at 8686 Palm Parkway in Orlando. More information: bearjamboree.com
Ferran M. Ebenhack, Sentinel Special Representative
Miss Gay Days 2018 winner Chantel Leche walks the runway after being crowned at the Miss Gay Days 2018 pageant in Orlando on June 1, 2018. (Ferran M. Ebenhack/Orlando Sentinel Special Reporter)
pride cup
The competition, sponsored by the KindRED Pride Foundation, brings together LGBTQ athletes at all levels in soccer, volleyball, rugby, golf, pickleball, basketball, cornhole and kickball. Anyone can register for the competitive event, which will be held from June 5th to 7th. More information: kindredpride.org
gaydays orlando
Now in its 35th year, the event is celebrated at venues around Orlando’s tourist district, including the Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW in Celebration and Walt Disney World Park. There are also dance parties, Mr. Gay Days Leather Contest, Drag Queen Bingo, pageants, and more. The celebration began in 1991, when members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at theme parks wearing red. This year’s Red Shirt Pride Day will be held on June 6th, sponsored by the KindRED Pride Foundation. GayDays festivities will be held every day from June 5th to 8th. More information: gaydays.com
girls in wonderland
This female-focused event celebrates Pride Month over four days with DJs, celebrities, comedians, live music, theme park meet-and-greets, and pool parties. Most events are held at the host hotel, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, but some events can be held at Cuba Libre or Mango’s Tropical Café. Dive June 4-8, 13279 Hartzog Road, Winter Garden. More information: girlsinwonderland.com
Early Birds Club: “A dance party for women who don’t want to do anything.”
This early morning inclusive dance party is aimed at women, transgender and non-binary communities and will be held at The Beecham. Listen to “wall-to-wall hits” from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Tickets are $30 (before taxes and fees) for the event, which will be held June 5th from 6pm to 10pm at 46 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando. More information: early-bird.club
10th Community Rainbow Run
This annual tradition involves a 4.9K run that begins at City Hall Square as Central Florida residents come together to remember the victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy. Registration costs $49. The run will begin at 7:30 a.m. June 6 at 400 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando. More information: pulserlando.org
The Sound of Freedom in Central Florida
The Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Guard will perform “Resilience,” a performance that brings a sense of strength, unity and perseverance through music, at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater. Tickets are $25 each, and balcony box seats are $35. The concert begins June 7 at 3 p.m. at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: centralfloridasoundsoffreedom.com
Created by the Community: Pulse Portrait
The exhibition, held at Orlando’s Terrace Gallery, features 49 portraits honoring the lives lost in the Pulse tragedy. The work, designed by artist Jeff Sonksen, was completed as a paint-by-numbers project by the victims’ friends, family, and community members. The exhibition will run from June 11th to August. 23, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando. A memorial exhibition of prayer ribbons will also be held from June 8th to 14th at City Hall Square. More information: pulserlando.org
2026 Pulse Memorial Ceremony
Join our community at First United Methodist Church as we remember the 49 lives lost on June 12, 2016. The ceremony will include musical performances by local artists, the Orlando Gay Chorus, a special presentation by Orlando Poet Laureate Kamala Gaither, a candlelight ceremony, and the reading of 49 names. Join us for the event starting June 12th at 5:30pm at 142 E. Jackson St. in Orlando. More information: pulserlando.org
Enzian Theater Reel Pride
Central Florida’s independent arthouse movie theaters will be showing select “Reel Pride” films throughout the month of June. The community can enjoy films such as New Wave (Onda Nova), The Celluloid Closet, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Derek Jarman’s Blue, The Watermelon Girl, The Adventures of Priscilla, and F-toys. The movie begins June 5 at 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland and will be held monthly. More information: enzian.org
Queers for Fears: Pride Month Horror Burlesque Show
This horror burlesque show promises “chills, thrills and mesmerizing performances” in a “creepy, macabre and bizarre show” by New Wave Cabaret. General admission tickets are $30.37 each. The event will be held at 1300 La Quinta Drive, Unit 2 in Orlando on June 12th from 8-10:30 p.m. More information: eventbrite.com
A pub crawl filled with pride and pride
Pride & Proud heads to Thornton Park for a fun night of drinks at some of the area’s most popular bars. Tickets ($22.11) include four free drinks and discounts at multiple venues, plus two drag shows. The crawl begins June 13 at 6 p.m. at 808 E. Washington St. in Orlando. More information: orlandopubcrawl.com
Love and Liberation: A Bold and Fearless Juneteenth Pride Celebration
The celebration, sponsored by Come Out With Pride Orlando, brings the community together for a free family event featuring Black and gay artists and performers, local vendors, food, music and more at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The event will be held on June 20th from 2pm to 6pm at 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando. More information: Comeoutwithpride.org
pride bar crawl
Crawl With Us brings revelers to a downtown Orlando venue to celebrate with drinks, Pride swag, special food, and more. Tickets are $25.61 online. The event begins June 20th from 4 to 10 p.m. at 68 E. Pine St. in Orlando. For more information, visit crawlwith.us.
sunset at the zoo
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden will host a Pride Celebration featuring music, food trucks, vendors, interactive activities, chats with zookeepers, and other festivities for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Tickets for the evening event are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. A family four-pack that includes a hot dog and soda can be purchased for $46. The celebration will be held June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. At Sanford. More information: centralfloridazoo.org
speak with pride
Join Beacon Health for an LGBTQ+ open mic night and hear other performers speak their truth. The event will also include dinner and socializing at the Citrus Club. Tickets start at $55.20 per person, with sponsorships up to $2,000. The evening vigil will be held June 27 from 6-9 p.m. at 255 S. Orange Ave., Suite 1800 in Orlando. More information: eventbrite.com
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