While Charlotte has a few months yet to prepare for its annual Pride celebration and related events, mainly taking part in August, Raleigh is already putting on the ritz starting Sunday, June 1. If you’re planning on visiting North Carolina’s capital city over the course of the month, you can look forward to a bevy of Pride-related activities and presentations from the LGBT Center of Raleigh and other venues in the area.
Here’s a sampling of the events being thrown in June, and a website address – https://www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/orp-events – for more details on everything coming up.
Calendar:
Date: June 1, 2025
Event/Venue: Pride Kick-Off at Raleigh Iron Works
Location: 1101 E Whitaker Mill Rd, 27604
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: Raleigh Iron Works will start the Pride Month ceremonies off with a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. Hosted by Raleigh Pride, enjoy a live DJ, stunning art installations, family-friendly activities and explore LGBTQ+ retailers including Urban Pothos, Beatniks and The Flourish Market. Plus, connect with local community resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Date: June 5, 2025
Event/Venue: Coffee & Conversations at A Place At The Table
Location: 300 W Hargett St #50, 27601
Time: 9 to 10 a.m.
Details: Sit down and take up a cup with members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community when the LGBT Center of Raleigh hosts a gathering at A Place At The Table. The hosts will touch on the current state of LGBTQ+ rights, why celebrating and honoring Pride Month is important and ways to support the rich diversity of Raleigh’s local communities.
Date: June 6, 2025
Event/Venue: Pride Fashion Showcase at Artspace
Location: 201 E Davie St, 27601
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Details: Come out to the Artspace for a night of fashion, glam and community as models stun on the runway.
Date: June 7, 2025
Event/Venue: Out In Nature at Historic Oak View County Park
Location: 4028 Carya Dr, 27610
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Details: Celebrate Pride and be Out in Nature at Oak View. Join up for a staff-led, all-ages, relaxed, informal walk around the park to socialize and enjoy the surrounding nature and history of the site. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and be sure to bring water. Free. Registration required.
Link: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/wakeparks/activity/search/detail/8052
Date: June 8, 2025
Event/Venue: Pride Ride: LGBTQ+ Trolley Tour at Mordecai Historic Park
Location: 1 Mimosa St, 27604
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Details: Join Raleigh Historic Sites for a “Pride Ride” celebrating the city’s LGBTQ+ history. This tour will highlight historic locations, neighborhoods, businesses, churches and other points of interest important to the evolution of Raleigh’s LGBTQ+ community.
Link: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/events/pride-ride-lgbtq-trolley-tour
Date: June 10, 2025
Event/Venue: Local Poet Reading & Open Mic at Blackbird Books and Coffee
Location: 323 Blake St, 27601
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Details: Come hang out for a night of poetry, storytelling and song at Blackbird Books And Coffee’s Open Mic Night. The featured performer of the night will be poet and author Josh Tvrdy.
Date: June 14, 2025
Event/Venue: Hartwell & Urban Pothos Presents: Pride Market & Drag Show
Location: 620 W South St, 27603
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Details: Hartwell, in partnership with Urban Pothos, brings together their 4th Annual Pride Market & Drag Show, benefiting the LGBT Center of Raleigh. The day will consist of drag shows, vendors, artists, food trucks and fun.
Date: June 20 to 21, 2025
Event/Venue: Out! Raleigh Pride on Fayetteville Street in Downtown
Location: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. (Friday) & 12 to 7 p.m. (Saturday)
Details: Out! Raleigh Pride (ORP) is the second largest Pride festival in North Carolina and will be held June 20-21, 2025. This event provides visibility for a historically marginalized community that has its own unique intersectionality (race, class, neurodivergence, disabilities, etc.) that can further make community members vulnerable. This event provides a unique opportunity for those outside of the community to engage with LGBTQ+ folks, and become more familiar with issues the community faces.
Link: https://www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/out-raleigh-pride
Date: June 28, 2025
Event/Venue: Queer Field Day at Fred Fletcher Park
Location: 820 Clay St, 27605
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Come join us for a day of fun and games at Fred Fletcher Park. This event is all about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and having a blast together. Get ready for exciting activities like sack races, tug-of-war and maybe even a water balloon toss.
Date: June 29, 2025
Venue: Community In Nature at Lake Crabtree County Park
Location: 1400 Aviation Pkwy, 27560
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Details: Join up on a short hike and craft while the group discusses how nature can help foster a sense of community for people in marginalized groups. The hosts will show how the environment is more about cooperation than “survival of the fittest” and how everyone can learn about generosity from nature.