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Best Pride Events Near DC for Families

The Capital Pride Festival is just one of many ways to celebrate pride in the DC area. Photo by Ted Eytan courtesy of the event
The Capital Pride Festival is just one of many ways to celebrate pride in the DC area. Photo by Ted Eytan courtesy of the event
5/24/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best Pride events near DC to celebrate Pride Month this June? Read on for our fun list!

Our area is known for its vibrant LGBTQA+ community, so June is full of parades and celebrations of Pride. The Capital Pride Parade has a new route this year, but still offers its Family Playtime area. Family Pride Day at Glen Echo is a fun afternoon full of kid-friendly activities. And Arlington leads the kick-off of Pride Month with a Block Party at National Landing.

Read on for our list of the best Pride events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more summertime activities, be sure to check out our Summer Activities Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do.

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The Pride on the Pier fireworks will dazzle the whole family. Photo courtesy of the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation
The Pride on the Pier fireworks will dazzle the whole family. Photo courtesy of the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation

Best Pride Events in DC for Families

Pride Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
Pride comes to the Kogod Plaza in the Smithsonian American Art Museum with a performance by DC’s Different Drummers, GenOUT - the youth chorus of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, and dancing with Batalá Washington. Attendees can make rainbow-themed crafts, and face painting is available for visitors ages 12 and under.  READ MORE

World Pride Parade

Saturday, June 8, 2024
Free
The World Pride Parade is one of the largest LGBTQ+ parades, and this year its route honors the history and evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in DC.  READ MORE

Family Playtime at Capital Pride (at Stead Field)

Saturday, June 8, 2024
Free
Children can celebrate Pride with a day of family-friendly activities. Located near the Capital Pride Parade route, the day includes games, cooking demonstrations, crafts, and drag story hour.  READ MORE

Pride on the Pier (at District Wharf)

Saturday, June 8, 2024
Free
Pride celebrations continue at the District Wharf with music, a fireworks show, and more activities for the entire family. READ MORE

Uptown Pride (at Colorado Ave NW & Longfellow St NW)

Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
Celebrate Pride in Uptown DC. Activities include storytime with Tara Hoot, family yoga with Lighthouse Yoga Center, a Makers Market and Vendor Fair, DJs, and kid-friendly activities and games in a designated kids' space. READ MORE
Get crafty at the HoCo Pride Celebration. Photo courtesy of Howard County
Get crafty at the HoCo Pride Celebration. Photo courtesy of Howard County

Best Pride Events in Maryland for Families

Rockville Pride (at Rockville Town Center)

Rockville, MD - Sunday, June 2, 2024
Free
Pride comes to Rockville in a free event for all ages with live performances, information booths and dialogue, arts and crafts, and children's activities. READ MORE

HoCo Pride Celebration (at Color Burst Park)

Columbia, MD - Sunday, June 9, 2024
Free
At this annual event, attendees can enjoy the Pride Pet Parade, a pet costume contest, and a drag storytime. In addition, students are presented with awards for participating in the design contest co-sponsored with Howard County Public Schools and the Howard County Library System.  READ MORE

Takoma Pride Day (at The Streetery)

Takoma Park, MD - Sunday, June 9, 2024
Free
Takoma Park celebrates Pride with a kids' parade, kid-friendly activities, and a street fair.  READ MORE

Pride Day & Parade in Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier, MD - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
The Mount Rainier community comes together to celebrate love, equality, and bodily autonomy at this event. The Pride Parade kicks off at Thomas Stone Elementary School and ends at the City Hall Annex. Attendees get free ice cream. READ MORE

Pride Family Day at Glen Echo

Glen Echo, MD - Saturday, June 22, 2024
Free
Glen Echo Park presents its annual Pride Family Day. Families can enjoy free arts and crafts, free carousel tickets, rainbow desserts, a family dance party, and more. READ MORE
Shop from local vendors at Loudoun Pride. Photo by Plaid Sheep creative, courtesy of Equality Loudoun
Shop from local vendors at Loudoun Pride. Photo by Plaid Sheep creative, courtesy of Equality Loudoun

Best Pride Events in Northern Virginia for Families

Arlington Pride Kick-off Block Party

Arlington, VA - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
 The Arlington Pride Kick-off Block Party celebrates the culture, history, diversity, and LGBTQIA+ community that lives, works, and plays in one of Arlington’s most colorful and vibrant communities. This event offers a diverse lineup of talent, games, music, vendors, karaoke, and more. READ MORE

Alexandria Pride (at Alexandria City Hall)

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
Enjoy art and poetry workshops, music, refreshments and more. Bilingual English/Spanish Drag Queen Story Hour for ages 3-8 begins at 3:30pm. READ MORE

Reston Pride (at Lake Anne Plaza)

Reston, VA - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
The Reston Pride Festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Virginia with a full day of live performances from talented members of the LGBTQ+ community in Reston and Northern Virginia and over 65 vendors from the local community. READ MORE

Loudoun Pride (at Claude Moore Park)

Sterling, VA - Sunday, June 2, 2024
Enjoy live music, dozens of community vendors, local food, a beer and wine garden, and kids' activities including face painting, bounce houses, balloon animals, a scavenger hunt, an LGBTQ reading tent, and more at this big, bold, and colorful Pride festival. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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