The Seattle Pride Parade marks its 50th anniversary on June 30. That weekend, PrideFest hosts two big parties with food, music, vendors, and family events. The first is in Capitol Hill on June 29, and the second takes place at Seattle Center after the Pride Parade on June 30.
Key Dates in Local LGBTQIA+ History
1934 The city’s earliest queer bars open in and around Pioneer Square.
1974 The first Seattle Gay Pride Week takes place in Occidental Square Park.
1983 Seattle becomes the nation’s second city to fund AIDS research.
2006 Washington passes the state’s first LGBTQIA+ civil rights bill.
2012 The state legalizes same-sex marriage by popular vote.
Seattle Pride Parade Nate Gowdy
Here are five fabulous ways to experience Seattle’s dynamic LGBTQIA+ community any time of year.
1. Dance the evening away at Capitol Hill’s energetic clubs, including Neighbours (1509 Broadway), CC’s Seattle (1701 E Olive Way), and Queer/Bar (1518 11th Ave).
2. Buy a ticket to an LGBTQIA+ film screening. Long-running Three Dollar Bill Cinema produces the up-and-coming Translations Seattle Trans Film Festival in early June and the esteemed Seattle Queer Film Festival in mid-October, along with a number of other queer film events.
3. Browse for cool fashion and gifts at queer-owned boutiques like Doll Parts Collective (4832 California Ave SW) and Indian Summer (534 Summit Ave E). Big Little News (1102 E Pike St) carries magazines, sundries, and snacks, while Bootyland Kids (1429 12th Ave) specializes in eco-friendly apparel and gear for children. You’ll find enticing art and crafts at Saltstone Ceramics (2206 N 45th St), which also offers pottery classes, and at Aide-Memoire Jewelry (7003 Third Ave NW).
4. Have a bite to eat at an LGBTQIA+-owned restaurant or cafe. Frelard Tamales serves authentic Mexican dishes dishes; note that it will move from Green Lake (6412 Latona Ave NE) to a bigger new space in Fremont (106 N 36th St) in summer 2024. Dine on superb farm-to-table cuisine at Terra Plata (1501 Melrose Ave), flavorful Asian plates at Biang Biang Noodles (601 E Pike St), and delicious Hawaiian fare at Marination (2000 Sixth Ave), which has several other Seattle locations around town. Save room to savor a sweet treat at the Flora Bakehouse (1511 S Lucille St), Shikorina Bakeshop & Cafe (907 E Pike St), and Tres Lechería (2315 N 45th St).
5. Make new friends at one of the many LGBTQIA+-operated lounges outside of Capitol Hill. Lush Bar (2231 Second Ave) in Belltown is known for creative cocktails, as is Little Tin Goods & Apothecary Cabinet (5335 Ballard Ave NW) in Ballard and Velvet Elk (3605 S McClellan St) in Mount Baker. The Lumber Yard (9630 16th Ave SW) in White Center is great for karaoke and Sunday drag brunches, while Ballard’s Skål Beer Hall (5429 Ballard Ave NW) is a must for queer beer aficionados.
Pride Month in Seattle
View a full lineup of events, hotel packages, and more to help you celebrate Pride Month in Seattle at pride.visitseattle.org.
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