31-05-2025
LGBTQ+ Pride events return to metro Detroit: Your summer calendar
The dawn of summer means the return of LGBTQ+ Pride events across the United States, and southeast Michigan is no exception.
June 7-8 will bring more than 65,000 celebrants to Detroit's Hart Plaza for Motor City Pride, the state's single largest LGBTQ+ event, but Ferndale Pride couldn't contain the excitement and will be held on Saturday, May 31, to kick off the season.
The annual celebrations come amid a firestorm of fear and discontent among the queer community as President Donald Trump and right-wing politicians have routinely demeaned and attempted to dehumanize LGBTQ+ citizens through hate speech and targeted, homophobic and transphobic legislation. Despite threats and setbacks, the community remains determined to celebrate its hard-won successes this year.
'We're really looking forward to this year,' said Motor City Pride chair Dave Wait. 'We're excited (about) the interest; because of what's going on around the country and the rhetoric, I think we're going to have really good attendance as we all come together to support one another. Because of emotions, we're being extra aware with our security; we have good security arrangements. We feel great, great support from the city, the county, the state and the federal offices watching chatter that's out there, so I think we're in a real good position. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on.'
Wait said increased interest this year prompted organizers to expand the area for vendors and exhibits.
'We're also expanding our history area,' he added, 'bringing in an exhibit from Milwaukee and setting it up in the exhibit area so that people can remember the pioneers who worked to get us where we are with equality in the United States.
"We have three stages of entertainment, about 50 different acts and probably 150 different performers for the weekend. The festival is both Saturday and Sunday, and the parade steps off at noon on Sunday. To me, that's one of our highlights, because we have so many allied organizations and individuals who come out to support equality in southeastern Michigan.
'It's a great day every year.'
Dozens of Pride events will take place this summer in metro Detroit. They include:
Located in the heart of downtown Ferndale, Michigan's biggest free-to-the-public LGBTQ+ festival boasts three stages and more than 220 vendors. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the event will include DJ sets by Problematic Black Hottie and the legendary Stacey 'Hotwaxx' Hale.
12:30 – 10 p.m., downtown Ferndale. Free.
Miss Alchemist is the DJ for this upscale rooftop party held at the newly renovated Avlí.
7-11 p.m., Avlí at MATI, 501 Monroe St., Detroit. Tickets start at $23.18.
5-10 p.m., Depot Town, Ypsilanti. Free.
More than 65,000 revelers will gather in Detroit's Hart Plaza over two days for Michigan's biggest Pride event. On Sunday, June 8, a noon parade will begin near Fort and Griswold Streets.
1-9 p.m. Saturday, June 7; 12:30-7 p.m. Sunday, June 8, Hart Plaza, Detroit. $5 per day.
With proceeds going to The Ruth Ellis Center, this Pride event for Detroit's Village neighborhoods will feature live DJ sets from Amino808, Kindle, John Collins and Caleb Kruzel. An afterparty will be held from 8 p.m. – midnight at Two Birds (8130 Kercheval Ave.).
2 – 8 p.m., The Villages Biergarten, 1420 Van Dyke St., Detroit.
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The second Saturday of each month, The Lesbian Social will take over the Cielo Rooftop Lounge at downtown Detroit's Cambria Hotel.
6-10 p.m., Cambria Hotel, 600 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit. Tickets start at $23.18.
Family-friendly Warren Pride will include an 11:15 a.m parade, live music, drag, speaker, vendors and more.
Noon – 6 p.m., Warren City Square, Warren. Free.
Downriver's two-day Pride event also features a separate, official after party at Wyandotte's Brickhouse (2935 Biddle Ave.), beginning at 9 p.m. Jessica Wild from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' will serve as special guests. Afterparty tickets start at $20.
Noon – 11 p.m., downtown Wyandotte. Free.
Schoolcraft College is host of this event featuring entertainment, vendors and more.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Schoolcraft College (green space between Liberal Arts and Forum buildings), 18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia. Free.
Participants are encouraged to bring friends, neighbors and leashed, friendly Pride pups along for this family-friendly event that will include a short march, a drag performance, children's activities, a selfie station, activism opportunities and more.
Noon – 2 p.m., corner of Kercheval and St. Clair, Grosse Pointe. Free.
This country-themed Pride event will feature four hours of line dance and two-step with Stud Country, as well as performances by Tumbleweed, Winestoned Cowboys, Detroit Party Marching Band, Iris Marlowe, The Bootstrap Boys, Winnie Whiplash and Peachtree, as well as drag. A mechanical bull, barbecue, vendors, contests, prizes and more will be on hand.
5 p.m. – 2 a.m., The Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit. Tickets $23.18.
McMillan Behavioral Health and Addiction Services presents this booze-free dance party with mocktails, drag performances, and music by DJ Reezy.
4 – 8 p.m., 215 West, 215 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale. Tickets $10.
This family-friendly event will include activities, guest speakers, performers, community resources, local vendors and food.
6-8:30 p.m., Heritage Park Amphitheater, 1150 S. Canton Center, Canton. Free.
Adore Delano of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' will star at this Pride festival, which is free to attend but offers $25 VIP tickets that come with a photo op with Adore.
1-10 p.m., Old Town Lansing. Free.
This Ferndale Pride fundraiser, an 18-hole shotgun start golf tournament, includes a deli box lunch and dinner at the Maple Lane clubhouse. Prizes, a raffle, a 50/50 drawing and more are planned.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Maple Lane Golf Club, 33203 Maple Ln. Dr., Sterling Heights. Tickets $130 per golfer.
This annual, Black LGBTQ+ staple in Detroit celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. The weeklong festival includes a July 22 candlelight vigil in Palmer Park, a July 23 mixer at Griot Music Lounge, a July 24 film festival at the Northwest Activities Center, a July 25 mayoral candidate forum, a July 26 Palmer Park picnic plus an opening party at Pandora's Boxx, and a July 26 worship service plus a brunch.
Multiple venues, Detroit.
An annual favorite in the metro Detroit region, this daylong, family- and dog-friendly event features food and drink, dozens of vendors, live entertainment and more.
1-11 p.m., downtown Royal Oak.
This hugely popular festival draws tens of thousands to downtown A2.
Time TBA.
This free event includes performances, a street fair and more.
Noon-6 p.m., Main St., downtown Mount Clemens. Free.
This annual picnic will celebrate its 26th anniversary in 2025, and presents opportunities for fun and fellowship among transgender people and allies. Bring your own food and beverage, or purchase from a local vendor.
Noon-6 p.m., Martin Road Park, 1900 Orchard Ave., Ferndale. Free.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: LGBTQ+ Pride events return to metro Detroit: Your summer calendar
