How to celebrate Pride Month in the Cincy Region

Year after year Pride Month brings locals and visitors together to celebrate love and diversity among the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. From Pride festivals and block parties to bustling markets and concerts, this list covers how to celebrate Pride Month in the Cincy Region.

Cincinnati Pride (Photo: @dave_leicht)

Pride parades and festivals in the Cincy Region

Pride month kicks off with NKY Pride on the first Sunday of June. This free, family-friendly event features a parade and festival in Covington's Mainstrasse area. The parade starts at the Covington waterfront, goes up Madison and down Main St. to end at Goebel Park where the festival is held. The festival features drag performers, vendors, community partners, games and more. The official after party takes place at Coppin's in Hotel Covington with specialty cocktails and more drag performances.  Other events associated with NKY Pride include the annual Queers with Gears bike ride, a youth party, and a kickoff party at Braxton Brewing's rooftop bar in Covington. 

Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival takes place on the fourth Saturday in June every year. This event is FREE for everyone! The Pride parade takes place in downtown Cincinnati starting at Central Ave. and Plum St., lasts about two hours, and finishes at Sawyer Point Park where the festival takes place. The festival includes retail vendors, informational and community partners, food and beverage vendors, a family zone, and sober zone. There are also three stages of drag, music, DJ, and other performances. 

There are other Pride parades and festivals in surrounding communities annually. Check our LGBTQ+ page for updates on festivals and parades around the Cincy Region.

Other LGBTQ+ events happening during Pride Month in Cincinnati

Every June you’ll find an exciting calendar of events to celebrate Pride and enjoy the best of the Cincy Region. Check out the full calendar of events to see everything that is happening for June and beyond.

• OutReels Film Festival
• Pride Night at the Cincinnati Reds
• Pride Night at TQL Stadium
• Pride Night at Kings Island
• Shutout the Hate Night with Cincinnati Cyclones
• Cincinnati Pride Annual 5k
• Cincinnati Pride Markets

Support LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

The Birdcage

From the quirky to the creative, there's an eclectic variety of LGTBQ+ businesses in the Cincy Region.

• Creative House of Art and Design (CHAD) - family-friendly creative classes and handcrafted goods. Bonus: teachers receive discounts!
• Old Street Bar - The friendliest little gay bar in North Cincy
• The Birdcage Cincinnati - Karaoke, dancing, drinks, and fun all night long
• The Crazy Fox Saloon - Excellent neighborhood bar with great bloody marys
• Bloom OTR - Fun nightclub in OTR featuring exciting drag shows
• Rosie’s Tavern - Historic tavern in Mainstrasse village
• Bar 32 - Neighborhood bar with a wide selection of craft beer and cocktails
• Tillie’s Lounge - funky karaoke lounge
• Casablanca - unique vintage store located in quirky Northside