Pride season is upon us, and June is Pride month for much of the northwest. For Portland, Oregon, that means June 16–18. The official Pride Parade happens Sunday, June 19, with the Waterfront Festival all that weekend. For more details about that and official Pride activities, you can head here.
Of course, there are tons of fantastic activities, parties, and events that happen that aren’t officially part of the festivities but that you’ll definitely want to check out. So we’ve created a curated list of must-do events over the course of Portland Pride weekend.
Please note that this isn’t meant to be comprehensive, so if your favorite event is missing, feel free to note it in the comments. But we’re only adding events we’re recommending, and only unofficial events.
Now, without further ado, here are some of the best ways to celebrate Pride Weekend in PDX
All Weekend
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Stag PDX Celebrates Portland PRIDE
Stag PDX (317 NW Broadway, Portland)
Starting 3pm on June 17, Stag PDX is hosting a three-day parking lot party! Featuring guest dancers Ramon and Ricardo and DJ Paulo Ramirez, all from Los Angeles.
Taking Pride on Stark Block Party 2016
Scandals PDX (1125 SW Stark St, Portland)
All weekend block party! Drag performances, musical artists, DJ mixes and cocktails on the street. The party helps to benefit Cascade AIDS Project, Peacock Productions, and Wild Planet Radio.
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Thursday, June 16
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7:30 PM – FLARE – Portland Monthly’s Pride Kickoff Party
Zidell Yards (3121 SW Moody Ave, Portland)
Some amazing talent is featured at FLARE PDX, a benefit for Basic Rights Oregon, Love Wins, and The Bus Project, including amazing DJ JD Samson (of Le Tigre) and popular hip hop artist and DJ Cazwell. There’s also a fashion show showcasing new fall styles from Wildfang, Bryce Black, V, and Brady Lang, a costume contest, fire dancers – that’s a lot for a Thursday night!
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8PM – Frisky Whisper Pride
Stag PDX (317 NW Broadway, Portland)
Are you a fan of Bawdyhaus in Vancouver, BC? This party seems to have a similar ethos, touted as a “queer body positive non ageist racially diverse hairy strip night.” I see nothing wrong with this scenario. Featuring DJ Buckmaster!
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8PM – 3-2-1 Launch (Into the Gaylaxy)
Holocene Portland (1001 SE Morrison St, Portland)
An “intergaylactic and space queen themed party,” this party featuring guest SF DJ Gehno Aviance is a great way to start your pride for house/techno fans. $5, dress to impress!
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Friday, June 17
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9PM – Bearracuda Portland PRIDE Friday
Euphoria Basement (315 SE 3rd Ave, Portland)
Bearracuda is a popular party in the northwest (seven years and counting!) and the Portland edition will be hard to miss for fur-covered fellows and those who love them. DJ Matt Stands & DJ Matt Consola head up this party, with a live performance by Matt Alber, a fantastic singer-songwriter. $5 cover before 10AM. Check out pictures from past Bearracuda Portland events!
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Saturday, June 18
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4PM – Lumbertwink: PDX Pride 2016
Funhouse Lounge (2432 SE 11th Ave, Portland)
An opportunity to wear your plaid and chop down some figurative wood – check out Plaid Patio Pride! It’s $6 in plaid, and $10 without, featuring DJ’s Matt Consola, Danny Dolan (Hi Fashion), Orographic, and Freddy King of Pants.
6PM – INFERNO Pride
Crystal Ballroom (1332 W Burnside St, Portland)
Hot Flash Dances produce events exclusively for women and trans* communities. The INFERNO Pride Dance features DJ Lauren and DJ Wildfire. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Check out some photos!
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9PM – BLOWPONY’s! 9th annual QUEER Mutiny Fest NW
Euphoria Nightclub (315 SE 3rd Ave, Portland)
Blowpony () has become a Portland party staple, and this year the talent is incredible: Jackie Beat, Hi Fashion, TT The Artis, and Rica Shay, along with six DJs (including Matt Consola and Kasey Riot from Vancouver, BC), eight go-go boys, two levels and two outdoor patios.
9PM – Pants OFF Dance OFF: PRIDE FOR ALL
Crush Bar (1400 SE Morrison St)
A clothing optional dance party isn’t something you see often, so I had to include it! Obviously clothes check is available, so dress or undress to your heart’s content. $5 cover after 9pm, clothes check for $2. Please note, no cell phone use inside the bar, and venue capacity is limited.
9PM – Playground PDX Pride ft. DJ Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite)!
Holocene Portland (1001 SE Morrison St, Portland)
Buy Tickets (https://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?824461)
VIP tickets are already sold out, but there are still general admission tickets available for this dance party event featuring DJ Lady Miss Kier, known for her hits with Deee-Lite like Groove Is In The Heart, Good Beat, Power of Love, and Runaway. also featuring Playground resident DJs Sappho and David Sylvester.
10PM – Gaylabration 2016
Crystal Ballroom (1332 W Burnside St, Portland)
Big gay dance party! DJ Drew G is the headliner, a noted international DJ. There will also be a performance from LYFE Dance Company, a Northwest staple in the performance scene since 2005. Ticket prices vary, so check the ticket link for price information.
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Sunday, June 19
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11AM – Bob the Drag Queen at Bridge Club Kai-Kai PDX Pride
Star Theater (13 NW 6th Ave, Portland)
Bob the Drag Queen, winner of RuPau’s Drag Race season 8, will be headlining two shows! The doors open on the first event at 1pm, all ages. At 3pm, the second show opens its doors for 21+ only. Please note there are also two 21+ VIP meet and greets. Other performers include Ursula Major, Shitney Houston, Menorah Horwitz, Valerie DeVille, and Alexis Campbell Starr, and bands performing include HOLD MY HAND and Orographic.
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7PM – Happy Ending! PDX Pride
Euphoria Nightclub (315 SE 3rd Ave, Portland)
What better way to finish out your Pride celebrations than with a happy ending (double entendre intended, I’m sure). The Happy Ending party features a ton of well-known drag queens and stars including Trixie Mattel, Tammie Brown, Princess Superstar, Wolfgang X, Hydrangea Strangea, and LiLi, along with DJs Sappho and Matt Stands. Tickets are $10 advance until June 1st, $12 till June 18th. There are also VIP tickets including a meet and greet with Trixie and Tammie.
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