Photo:
Credit: Nate Gowdy
June is Pride Month! Seattle Pride events and celebrations recognize that families come in all forms — and that love is love. Read on to find family-friendly ways to celebrate Pride in Seattle and beyond, from June into July. Plus, scroll to the end for some tips for enjoying the Pride Parade in Seattle with kids. Happy Pride to all!
Seattle-area Pride events for 2023
Thursday, June 1, 5–8 p.m.:
First Thursday: Pride Family Fun at MOHAI — June’s free first Thursday event at MOHAI is dedicated to Pride family fun and includes dance lessons, LGTBQ movie screenings and community art.
Friday–Sunday, June 2–4:
Burien Pride Festival — Burien has a whole weekend of events lined up, so check out the schedule to see what suits your fam! There is a street dance party on Friday, an all-day festival with kids’ activities on Saturday and Drag Queen Bingo on Sunday, with all-you-can-eat pancakes (tickets required for Sunday activities).
Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.:
Arlington Pride — With Camp Pride as its theme, Arlington’s second annual celebration delivers campy fun with a talent show, arts and crafts, and other family-friendly activities.
Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.:
Snohomish Pride Parade and Kids' Fair — Show up for a kids' parade and fair at Snohomish’s first large-scale Pride event! Activities for grownups continue into the evening.
Saturday, June 3, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.:
Phinneywood Pride Rainbow Hop — Don your finest Pride outfit and follow the Rainbow Hop route as you march through the Phinney Ridge neighborhood to find colorful activities such as a dance party, stories, plays and performances.
Saturday, June 3, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.:
Free Pride Printmaking Pop-Up — Show up to create a custom tote bag for free at this family-friendly outdoor event to kick off Pride Month.
Saturday, June 3, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.:
White Center Pride Street Festival — White Center’s biggest Pride festival to date boasts plenty of fun for kids with a bounce area, puppy parade, live music and more.
Saturday, June 3, noon–7 p.m.:
Seattle Pride in the Park — Bring the fam to Volunteer Park for a day of fun at this annual Seattle Pride kickoff event. There will be drag queen story time, performances, food trucks and more.
Sunday, June 4, 8:30–11:30 a.m.:
Paws & Pride Dog Jog & Walk — Attention, dog owners (pup-less people are welcome too!), get tickets for you and your four-legged friend to take part in a 2.5-mile stroll through the streets of Bellevue at this inaugural Pride event. Stick around afterward for fun family activities.
Friday–Saturday, June 9–10:
Disney PRIDE in Concert — Attention Disney fans of all ages! Get your tickets to one of two Pride celebration shows by the Seattle Men's Chorus to hear over 40 of your favorite songs from classic Disney movies performed by over 200 chorus members.
Saturday, June 10, noon–2 p.m.:
Pug Pride at The Muddy Pug — Join Muddy Pug Farm in Maple Valley for pug parades, costumes, food, games and prizes. Your $10 donation will help support rescue pugs and LGBTQ+ teens in the community.
Friday, June 16, 3:30–7 p.m.:
Pride Night at Kidsquest Museum — Bring the kids to Kidsquest Museum for an evening of laughter and fun creating colorful art, dancing and more while celebrating Pride.
Friday, June 16, 4–6 p.m.:
Pride at Kirkland Urban — Kirkland Urban hosts a Pride celebration featuring a family-friendly parade, drag show, roller-skating and breakdancing performances, and a DJ playing all the hits.
Friday, June 16, 7–10 p.m.:
Constellation: Youth Pride Mixer — Calling all teens! Teens can join their peers for a galaxy-sized mixer at MoPOP where they can take in current exhibits, enjoy youth performances and workshops, and dance with friends. Save by booking tickets online.
Saturday, June 17, 7–11 p.m.:
Youth Pride Disco — Another one for the teens, Lambert House presents this disco-themed Seattle Pride celebration with dancing, food, arts and crafts and a quiet space if needed. Preregister online. Suggested donation is $15.
Friday, June 23, 4–8 p.m.:
Indigiqueer Festival — Head to Pier 62 on the Seattle Waterfront to kick off Seattle Pride Weekend at this festival with food, drag performances and music.
Saturday, June 24, noon–8 p.m.:
Pridefest Capitol Hill — This free community street party is a joyous good time. The festival features lots of live music along Broadway, a beer garden for adults and activities for all ages.
Saturday–Sunday, June 24–25:
Pride celebrations at PDZA and Northwest Trek — Join the animals in celebrating Pride Month. Critters will enjoy rainbow-themed enrichments and visitors can snap a selfie. These events are included with park admission and are in partnership with Tacoma Pride.
Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m.:
Seattle Pride Parade — The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Fourth and Pike in downtown Seattle, and travels north along Fourth toward Denny Way. The parade lasts roughly 2.5 hours.
Sunday, June 25, noon–8 p.m.:
PrideFest at Seattle Center — After the Pride parade, join the event that claims to be the biggest Pride party of the month! PrideFest is free and open to all.
Saturday, July 1, 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.:
Capital City Pride Festival — The Pride party continues into July as Olympia welcomes residents and visitors to celebrate community with music, food and entertainment for all.
Saturday, July 8, noon–6 p.m.:
Tacoma Pride Festival — Tacoma’s annual Pride event features live music, community spirit and food truck fare.
Friday, July 14, 8 p.m.:
Tacoma Pride Movie in the Park — Catch a free outdoor movie with a showing of the fan-favorite 1988 version of “Hairspray” at People’s Park.
Thursday, July 20, 5–8 p.m.:
Tacoma Art Museum Pride Party — This free, all-ages event celebrates the arts and LGBTQ+ community in Tacoma.
Wild and colorful Pride — with kids? Tips here...By Jody Allard If you’ve never taken your kids to the Pride Parade in downtown Seattle — on Sunday, June 26, this year — you’re missing out. Young kids will love the upbeat music and bright colors, and older children and teens will have a chance to see all genders and sexualities in a way that’s sure to spark important conversations. But while Pride is always a great celebration, there are some secrets to surviving it with kids in tow. From the best spots to watch the parade with young kids to how to enjoy a queer-centric event if you’re a straight ally, here are five tips for enjoying Pride with kids. 1. Plan your perfect parade spotThe Pride Parade snakes along Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle, from Union Street north to Denny Way. If you plan on attending PrideFest at the Seattle Center directly after the parade, you’ll save yourself a world of pain by watching the parade from a spot near the end of the parade route, closer to Denny. If you plan to head home directly after the parade, Westlake Park is a great place to watch. There’s easy access to portable toilets, food vendors and even an outdoor play area if your kids get bored and need a break. And, as with any other activity with kids, bring all the snacks. A blanket or camping chair to sit on is helpful for young kids, as well as a bag in which to stash all the goodies they catch. 2. Get there early! Really, really earlyNo matter where you decide to stake out a spot from which to watch the parade, plan ahead. The parade begins at 11 a.m., but the best seats are gone by 10 a.m., so make sure you’re there with time to spare. Keep in mind that the parade route is closed for about 2.5 hours, so try to park on the side of Fourth Avenue that you’ll be leaving from. No one wants to haul a cranky child back to the car only to discover that they’re trapped downtown! 3. Be prepared for questions, so many questionsIf your kids are young, they probably won’t have many questions about the deeper meaning behind the event — although they’re probably guaranteed to at least ask about why so many people are naked! But for older kids and tweens who may have a limited understanding of ideas like a gender binary, be ready to entertain a whole lot of questions. It’s okay if you don’t know all the answers, too. Attending the parade and other Pride events as a family is a great opportunity to spark broader conversations about sexuality and acceptance, but it always helps to have a few answers ready before the barrage of questions begins. For guidance, take a look at this Human Rights Campaign resources page (intended for educators but useful for parents) and this round-up of LGBTQ books to read with your family. 4. Be respectful — Pride isn’t just a parade or a festivalIf you want to bring your kids to Pride as a straight ally, that’s great. But while part of Pride is just plain fun, it’s also deeply rooted in a struggle for equal rights that has cost some people their lives. Don’t make Pride about yourself as an ally, and make sure to talk to your kids in an age-appropriate way about the history of Pride and what they can do every day to support the cause. 5. Have fun!There’s a reason that the Pride parade and festivals are so popular with queer and straight families alike. In addition to an important message and history, they’re also one heck of a party! Soak up the energy and excitement, and enjoy the opportunity to model acceptance and tolerance for your kids. Keep an open mind and have fun! |
Editor’s note: Tips for attending the Pride Parade with kids were first published in 2017; the community Pride events are all new for 2023!
