PrideFest at night. Photo courtesy of Capital City Pride
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. If you’re looking for Pride events in Iowa in 2024, here are 22 of them.
The first Pride was in 1970, on the one-year commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising, which happened outside of the Stonewall Inn—a bar in New York City—on June 28, 1969.
To be sure, LGBTQ+ activists had been organizing pickets prior to Stonewall. But Stonewall proved a tipping point: In 1970, thousands of activists marched in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles in 1970 (and in Iowa City, too!), and the movement grew in the years to come.
These days, Prides are less protest action and more mainstream party, featuring family-friendly events backed by plenty of corporate sponsorship.
Iowa used to be more friendly than most states; we were only the third state in the nation to allow legal same-sex marriage, after a court decision, in April of 2009—six years before the US would follow suit, in June of 2015.
Yet, conservatives haven’t stopped trying to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. Iowa Republicans still want to ban same-sex marriage. And they continue to pass laws at the expense of the freedoms of LGBTQ+ folks, including plenty of laws that pick on LGBTQ+ kids.
Celebrating Pride in Iowa in 2024, therefore, feels a bit more like protest again—and that’s evident in the three brand-new Pride festivals popping up in 2024 (we see you, Burlington, Marshalltown, and West Des Moines!).
This June—and throughout the summer into the fall—here are the Pride events all across Iowa:
May 31-June 1
Quad Cities Pride Festival
5 p.m.-midnight May 31, noon-midnight June 1, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Davenport
Put on by the Quad Cities Pride Alliance, who founded it in 2008 and revived it in 2017, this two-day festival will feature drag headliners Ada Vox (May 31) and Elliott With 2 T’s (June 1), along with musical performances like DJ Drew and Jordan Danielson, dance by Belly Divas Dance and Acro Yoga QC, vendors, and more. There will also be a Unity Pride Parade on June 1 from Davenport to Rock Island, Illinois.
June 1
Dubuque Pride Festival
Noon-4 p.m., outside of the Multicultural Family Center on 11th Street, Dubuque
The event will feature a DJ, drag performers, activities, vendors, and even free lunch (while it lasts).
Ottumwa Pride Block Party
3-10 p.m., Central Park, Ottumwa
In its fourth year, Ottumwa Pride 2024 is featuring musicians Paige Clouse and The Gallant Vagabonds, drag performers like Nana Tuckit and Andromeda Reneé Rivera, a pet parade and costume contest, a kids’ art class in the park, and more.
SUX Pride / Sioux City Pride Festival
11 a.m., Sioux City Convention Center / 11 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Fourth Street, Sioux City
Established in 2016 and named after its infamous airport code, SUX Pride is an all-day indoor event featuring local and national drag performers like Axel Andrews and Veronica Kennedy. Sioux City Pride Festival, put on by Siouxland Pride Alliance, bills itself as the “drug/alcohol/tobacco free, appropriate for ALL ages” Pride event at the same time, and will feature a DJ, community resource fair, and free lunch.
The weekend will feature other events too, like the Pride Parade and a game night on May 30, outdoor SUX Pride in downtown Sioux City and a burlesque and leather show at Kings and Queens on May 31, and a drag brunch at 11 a.m. at the Hard Rock Casino on June 2.
June 7
Riverside Pride Festival
4 p.m., Seventh Street and Avenue G, Fort Madison
The 3rd annual pride festival will feature performances, speeches, a family-friendly drag show, crafts, vendors, and more.
June 7-9
Capital City Pride
5-11 p.m. June 7, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. June 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 9, East Village, Des Moines
The 45th annual event will feature a parade, musical acts like Rebecca Black and the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, drag performers like Shea Couleé and Gottmik, and a wide variety of activities and food.
Capital City also puts on events throughout the month, including a 5K, Pride Book Club, Let Love Serve Volleyball Tournament, a drag brunch, and more.
More information about Capital City Pride here.
June 8
Cedar Rapids Pride Parade
1-3 p.m., NewBo/Czech Village District, Cedar Rapids
The 3rd annual parade has the theme, “Grow with Pride.” If you’re looking for the festival, it’s held in July (keep scrolling to find more).
Let Love Fly
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Centennial Park, North Liberty
If you like supporting the LGBTQ+ community, AND flying a kite, this one’s for you. Watch Great American Kites fly “mega kites” up to 200 feet in length, and even build your own to fly. Dogs are welcome, and there will be vendors and food too.
June 15
Des Moines People’s Pride
Noon-5 p.m., Water Works Park, Des Moines
People’s Pride was started by resident Leah Plath in 2023, who said she began it “out of frustration of large corporations and cops” in attendance at Capital City Pride. It will feature music, drag, a book exchange, artists, vendors, and more.
Iowa City Pride Festival
Noon-10 p.m., downtown Iowa City
Iowa’s oldest Pride festival (tracing their roots back to 1970) will feature Iowa musicians mars hojilla and BYOBrass, drag performers like Kendra Onixx and Gia Gunn, with the theme this year of “Forward With Strength.”
2nd annual Benton County Pride
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Celebration Park, Vinton
June 22
Ankeny Pride
4-9 p.m., Ankeny Market and Pavilion
The third-annual event features a talent showcase, a pet parade, vendors and more.
Pride on the Riverfront
10 a.m.-3 p.m., 8 p.m.-midnight, Burlington riverfront
Brand-new for 2024, Pride on the Riverfront will start with a 10 a.m. parade along Jefferson Street, followed by the family-friendly festival at the riverfront until 3 p.m. A 21+ Pride After Dark runs from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Fort Dodge Pride Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fort Dodge Public Library
June 30
Valley Junction Pride
Noon-4 p.m., Railroad Park, West Des Moines
Another brand-new Pride this year, Valley Junction Pride will be put on by Bing’s Des Moines, Kunzler Studios, and Annie’s Foundation, and include entertainment, a pet parade, a maker’s market, and more.
July 6
CR Pride
Noon-6 p.m., NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
Featuring drag performers like Jaida Essence Hall and Dawn, musical performers like Ian McConnell, and over 140 vendors.
July 13
Heartland Pride
10 a.m. parade, downtown Council Bluffs; noon-10 p.m. festival, CHI Arena and Capitol District, Omaha
Going since 2010, Heartland Pride features live entertainment, a karaoke ballroom, over 150 vendors, and more.
Marshalltown Pride in the Park
10 a.m.-8 p.m., West End Park, Marshalltown
Another brand-new one for 2024, Pride in the Park will feature main stage performances, a kids zone, vendors, and more.
July 20
Mason City Pride
9 a.m., Central Park, Mason City
Featuring a drag show at 6 p.m., Mason City Pride gets going early at 9 a.m. with vendors and other activities.
Aug. 23-24
Cedar Valley Pridefest
5:30 p.m.-midnight Aug. 23, noon-midnight Aug. 24, downtown Waterloo
Now in its 12th year, the two-day festival—generally the last Pride of the summer—features live music and drag performances from national and local acts, a fashion show, educational speakers, yoga, food, vendors, and more.
Oct. 12
Decorah Pride Festival
3 p.m. parade along Water Street; 3:30 p.m. Party in the Park, in green space next to John Cline Elementary School; 8 p.m. Pride Dance Party, Pulpit Rock Brewing Company; Decorah
Started in 2018, Decorah Pride features an afternoon parade followed by a Party in the Park with games, bouncy houses, food trucks, and vendors. A DJ will be spinning dance tunes at Pulpit Rock for an 18+ party that evening.
TBD, October
Pride Orange City
TBD, Orange City
Started in 2017, Pride Orange City is always the third weekend in October and in the past has featured a Gaymer Night of board games and video games on Friday, followed by the festival on Saturday with morning yoga, drag shows, vendors, and more.
We’re not sure if Pride Orange City is happening this year, however, as we’ve not seen much on social media or their website. But you can check for more information here.
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