LGBTQ+ Festivals & Events
Portland shows its pride all year 'round with these LGBT community celebrations.
PQ Monthly
Note: This section was produced in collaboration with ProudQueer.com, formerly known as PQ Monthly.
Portland’s LGBTQ+ community might consider June Pride month, but there are celebrations all year long. Here are some of the best LGBTQ+ film, music, drag and comedy events from March through October.
March
POW Film Fest
Held at the Hollywood Theatre, the Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival (POWFest) celebrates the work of top female filmmakers as well as those just starting out.
May
Red Dress Party
As the name implies, a red dress is required for entry to the Red Dress Party — no matter the gender of the guest. This annual soiree started in 2001 as a basement party and has grown into a large-scale event attended by more than 2,000 people and raising upwards of $30,000 for local LGBTQ+ organizations each year.
QDoc
Portland’s queer documentary film festival, QDoc, was co-founded by David Weissman (“We Were Here”) and attracts filmmakers from across the country to screen their works at Hollywood Theatre.
June
Portland Pride Festival
Portland’s official LGBTQ+ Pride Festival and Parade includes three days of festivities in Waterfront Park in addition to the annual parade. The weekend-long celebration attracts visitors from up and down the West Coast as well as big-name performers.
Portland Black Pride
Typically running concurrently with the Portland Pride Festival, Portland Black Pride provides opportunities for African-American members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect and celebrate their culture.
Peacock in the Park
Beloved LGBTQ+ variety and drag show Peacock in the Park returned to the Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater in June 2014. Founded in 1987, the production went on hiatus in 2004, during which time, the popular Peacock After Dark event carried on the tradition of family fun and fund-raising for the Audria M. Edwards scholarship fund.
BearTown
Bears gather from across the country to celebrate their culture with dance parties, day trips and more at BearTown — all while raising money for LGBTQ+ charities.
July
Portland Queer Comedy Festival
Since 2017, this nationally-renowned festival has brought stand-up comedy acts from around the world to Portland for five days of events at comedy venues throughout the city. As a bonus, Portland Queer Comedy Festival venues are conveniently located near one another to create a lively bar-crawl atmosphere.
Portland Latinx Gay Pride
Since 2006, community volunteers have organized a multi-day Portland Latinx Pride festival to celebrate and honor the city’s Latinx community with performances, parties and the Mariposa Award.
Queer Community Fun
LGBTQ+ Nightlife
Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and -friendly bars and clubs. Whether you're looking for a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag show, Portland delivers.
LGBTQ+ Sports & Recreation
Located only a few hours from the beach, the mountains and the high desert, Portland is a sports and wilderness lover’s fantasy come true.
LGBTQ+ Resources
These publications and organizations will put you in touch with Portland's LGBTQ+ community.
August
Portland Queer Music Festival
The Portland Queer Music Festival attracts musicians from near and far for a celebration of queer musical talent at Southeast Portland’s Crush Bar.
September
Time-Based Art Festival
The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art brings together artists from around the globe for the not-to-be-missed 10-day TBA Festival of contemporary performing and visual arts.
October
Portland Queer Film Festival
Portland’s annual Queer Film Festival highlights the cinematic contributions of LGBTQ+ artists from near and far at Northwest Portland’s Cinema 21.
Imperial Sovereign Rose Court Coronation Ball
The Rose Court, Oregon’s oldest LGBTQ+ organization, holds its annual coronation ball (crowning its emperors and empresses) every October. Members of the court serve as leaders in community fundraising efforts.
Annual Festivals
Celebrate the best of Portland at these recurring events and celebrations.
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