Every June, the city of Denver comes alive with rainbow colors, music, and celebration during Pride Month. Families, friends, and visitors gather together to celebrate kindness, inclusion, and the importance of being yourself. The biggest event of the month is the Denver Pride Parade, where dancers, performers, and various communities fill the streets with excitement and joy.
Why do we celebrate?
In 2000, June was officially designated as LGBTQ+ pride month nationwide. This event is observed in June to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, which were a series of LGBTQ+ liberation protests. Denver has been hosting pride parades since 1974 -- the first of which was held in Cheesman park with just under 50 people attending. Now the Denver pride parade sees around 550,000 attendees every year, making it one of the largest pride events in the country.
Pride month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and remind everyone that all people deserve love, respect, and acceptance. It is also a chance for families to teach their children about kindness, understanding, and supporting others for who they are.
Family Friendly Fun
The Denver Pride Parade is especially fun for kids and families because there is so much to see and do. Bright rainbow decorations line the streets, music plays throughout downtown, and many people dress up in colorful outfits and costumes. Children often enjoy waving flags, collecting stickers and beads, and watching the parade roll by. Families can cheer together as the Denver community marches through the city spreading positive messages of love and belonging. (See schedule of events below.)
Beyond the parade, Pride Month in Denver includes family-friendly festivals, outdoor activities, live entertainment, food vendors, art displays, and community events. Many activities are designed to help children feel welcome and included while learning about diversity and friendship in a fun environment. (See below for more details.)
Schedule of Events - Highlights
Find a full schedule of Events here.
Saturday, June 6 | 10:00am to 7:00pm
Skiptown Denver
Cost: $20
Saturday, June 6 | 6:30pm
Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
Cost: Starting at $175
- Proceeds help fund The Center on Colfax’s free, year-round programs and services, including youth support, mental health resources, elder support, and advocacy
REI + Denver Pride Training Run
Sunday, June 7 | 7:30am to 10:30am
REI South Platte
Cost: Free
Clyfford Still Museum SCFD Pride Free Day
Sunday, June 14 | 10:00am to 5:00pm
Clyfford Still Museum
Cost: Free
For the Culture Cookout (Juneteenth/Pride Celebration)
Friday, June 19 | 4:30pm to 9:30pm
Cheesman Park
Cost: Free
Pride Art Crawl (newborns through 14 months)
Sunday, June 21 | 11:45am to 12:30pm
Clyfford Still Museum
Cost: $18
Saturday, June 27| 9:00am
Cheesman Park Pavilion
Cost: $50
- Proceeds support local LGBTQ+ resources
Sunday, June 28 | 9:30am to 12:30pm
17th Ave from Franklin St. to Lincoln. St
Cost: Free
Sunday, June 28 | 10:00am to 6:00pm
16th St from Broadway to Arapahoe
Cost: Free
Pride Celebration at the Children’s Museum
Saturday, June 27 | 9:00am to 4:00pm
Children’s Museum
Cost $18-20
For more information and the most current line up of Events, please visit Denver Pride online.
