Cincinnati knows how to celebrate queer joy. Throughout June, Cincinnati is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and hosting a variety of safe, inclusive events where you can be your truest self in honor of Pride Month. From the biggest parties, like Cincinnati Pride at the end of the month, or Wigs & Waffles, the biggest drag brunch in the region, at Rhinegeist, to small-town Pride festivals and 5Ks and silent discos and dance parties with like-minded folks, here are just some of the fun Pride-themed events coming up this month. 

Sip, Bite and Stroll at Findlay Market 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
“Rainbow Tree” Paint and Sip When: Friday, June 6 from 7-9 p.m. Where: Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside What: Join The Paint Sesh at Urban Artifact for a vibrant night of painting and drinks. You’ll paint a “Rainbow Tree,” which features a glowing tree bursting with rainbow-colored leaves. All skill levels are welcome. Who: The Paint Sesh Why: It’s a bold and colorful way to kick off Pride Month festivities. Photo: thepaintsesh.com
Hamilton Pride Festival When: Saturday, June 7 at 11 a.m. Where: Marcum Park, 116 Dayton St., Hamilton What: Hamilton’s Pride celebrations will kick off with a rally and march at 11 a.m., with guest speakers and a moment of remembrance before marching through the city. Attendees are encouraged to wear colorful outfits and bring their signs and voices. Following the march, visit Marcum Park, where there will be a variety of vendors, entertainment, local and surprise performers, beer, cocktails and food trucks. Who: Hamilton Ohio Pride Why: You can celebrate your true self and make your voice heard. Photo: facebook.com/HamiltonOhioPride
Hillsboro Pride Festival When: Saturday, June 7 from 3-8 p.m. Where: Liberty Park Amphitheater/Shelter, Diamond Drive, Hillsboro What: Celebrate love, diversity and inclusion with friends and family at the fifth-annual Hillsboro Pride Festival. Enjoy live music and performances, local vendors, community resource booths and activities for all ages. Who: Hillsboro Pride Ohio Why: This year’s theme, “Where Pride Rings True,” focuses on love, visibility and community. Photo: facebook.com/HillsboroPrideOhio
Bloom NYE Ball 2023 at Bloom OTR 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Jessica Dimon will be hosting this dance-fueled New Year’s Eve celebration at Bloom OTR. Festivities include star-studded drag performances, a cast meet-and-greet and a balloon drop at midnight with a champagne toast. 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Bloom OTR, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, eventbrite.com. Photo: Gunner Hollin via Instagram, BloomOTR
The Midwest Menace: Pride Kickoff! When: Saturday, June 7 from 9 p.m. to midnight Where: Good Judy’s, 4169 Hamilton Ave., Northside What: Kick off Pride Month with a night of alternative drag performances from the Midwest Menance. The event will feature performers like host and Midwest Menace founder Eve Kennedy, co-host Zarah Fever, Skarlette Poison, Bambi Monique Mitchell and Envyi Babydoll, who will be making their Midwest Menace debut. Who: Good Judy’s Why: To quote Midwest Menace, “No one turns a party out like the queens of the Queen City itself!” Photo: facebook.com/Eve Kennedy’s The Midwest Menace: Alternative Drag Revue
Wigs & Waffles When: Sunday, June 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Where: Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine What: Come out to Rhinegeist for the biggest drag brunch in the region, with all the glam, glitter and gorgeousness the Queen City has to offer. Your ticket includes a brunch buffet, signature drinks and stellar drag performances, and the proceeds will help support LGBTQ+ programming and causes throughout Greater Cincinnati. In honor of the fifth anniversary, organizers are asking attendees to wear pink and purple. Who: Queen City Charities Why: You and your mimosa-lovin’ besties will have the time of your lives at this celebration-with-purpose. Photo: Provided by Queen City Charities
Tea Dance at Fountain Square When: Sunday, June 8 from 4-7 p.m. Where: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown What: Enjoy dancing, refreshments and socializing at Fountain Square. Who: Tea Dance Cincinnati, Fountain Square and Cincinnati Pride Why: Tea dances were originally organized on Sunday afternoons so the LGBTQ+ community could socialize without discrimination. Organizers say they’re continuing that legacy in the company of friends and allies to celebrate and continue to strive for equality. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Cincinnati’s 30 First & Last Jokes When: Saturday, Jan. 4 from 7-11 p.m. Where: The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside What: Comedians will take the stage at The Comet to share a joke either for the first or last time. Who: Bombs Away! Comedy Why: First or last joke — either way, if it’s bad, you’ll probably never hear it again. Photo: facebook.com/TheCometCincinnati
Oddfellows Liquor Bar 2014 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Columbus-based watering hole Oddfellows Liquor Bar is an eccentrically-themed place to hang out and drink. Attached to its sister operation, Mikey’s Late Night Slice on Elm Street, it’s almost too convenient that the bar is located next door to everyone’s favorite drunken food craving. Oddfellows features tons of beers on tap and a seasonal cocktail menu. Photo: Facebook.com/oddfellowscincinnati
Rainbow Run 5K When: Saturday, June 14 at 5 p.m. Where: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown What: Get in a good workout and get colorful as you walk or run along Smith Park’s outer loop to raise money for Middletown Pride’s event on June 20. Colored powder stations will be set up along the route to douse you in all the shades of the rainbow, but there will also be a detour cone to avoid being hit, if you wish. Awards will be given to the top three male winners, female winners and non-binary winners. Following the award ceremony, head to New Ales for the after-party. Who: Middletown Pride Why: This race is for everyBODY. Photo: runsignup.com
Cincinnati Observatory 3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout Built in 1873, the Cincinnati Observatory is the oldest public observatory in the United States, housing fully-functional 19th century telescopic technology for the public to use. Seated atop Mount Lookout, the original building and the infamous dome added in 1895 are a significant fixture in the city’s history. Known as “The Birthplace of American Astronomy,” the Cincinnati Observatory is a bedrock for astronomical discoveries and advancement. Photo: Brittany Thornton Photo: Brittany Thornton
Pretty in Pride Drag Brunch When: Sunday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, 609 Walnut St., Downtown What: 21c Museum Hotel’s restaurant, Metropole, will dish out a delicious brunch buffet as attendees enjoy stunning drag performances from local queens like Molly Mormen and Brock Leah Spears. There will also be music from DJ Aconst and dancing, plus a complimentary welcome mimosa. Who: Metropole Why: Proceeds from the brunch will go toward supporting Transform Cincy, a local nonprofit that offers free wardrobes to transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Photo: Paige Deglow
Pride Rollout When: Friday, June 20 from 7-11 p.m. Where: The Apex, 1641 Blue Rock St., Northside What: Don your best outfit, bring your skates and your best dance moves and enjoy a night of rollingskating and DJ music in honor of Pride Month. Who: Cincinnati Skate Collective Why: Let the good times roll. Photo: facebook.com/Gabrielle Larkin
Tillie’s Lounge 4042 Hamilton Ave., Northside Time: 8 p.m. You can watch democracy in action at this watch party hosted by the Hamilton County Dems. Enjoy some camaraderie and the Red, White and Blue drink special all night. Photo: The Buckeye Flame
Animania! An Exuberant Look at Pride When: Saturday, June 21 at 3 p.m. Where: Walnut Hills High School Auditorium, 1501 Blair Ave., Evanston What: Queen City Freedom band’s annual Pride concert this year will be “Animania: An Exuberant Look at Pride,” featuring music from popular animated media, including The Simpsons, Up, Halo and Kingdom of Hearts. Who: Queen City Freedom Band Why: Part of the Queen City Freedom Band’s mission is to promote visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies and build understanding between and among LGBTQ+ and other communities. Photo: facebook.com/QueenCityFreedomBand
Pride Multifaith Service When: Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m. Where: First United Church of Christ, 5808 Glenview Ave., College Hill What: Join Acting Executive Director of the Open & Affirming Coalition and pastor at St. Peter’s UCC in Pleasant Ridge Rev. Derek Terry for a multifaith celebration of Pride and diversity. Who: Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio Why: The higher power you worship is proud of you. Photo: diosohio.org
Cincy Pride Parade and Festival 11 a.m.-9 p.m. June 24 Kick off your morning and celebrate unity, equality and freedom with Cincy’s annual Pride parade. Cincinnati’s Pride Parade route starts at Seventh and Plum streets, goes down Vine Street past Fountain Square and ends at the Cincinnati Pride Festival at Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove. After the parade, bring your friends and family to the festival! Have some fun in the sun with free food, drinks, vendors and entertainment. No pets or coolers are allowed at the festival. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. June 24. Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, The Banks. cincinnatipride.org. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Pride Silent Disco When: Saturday, June 28 at 8:30 p.m. Where: Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington What: Cincy Silent Disco is celebrating Pride for their June event. Dance party action will include a Red, Green and Blue station, with John Chapel on the Red station with modern dance music, Kim L on Green with EDM and Sexbox on Blue with ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits. Who: Cincy Silent Disco Why: Dance the night away to your choice of music with like-minded people. Photo: Provided by Madison Theater
No. 1 Best Charity Festival/Event: Cincinnati Pride Cincinnati Pride has been coloring the streets for over 50 years to fight for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community while supporting individuality and spreading awareness through an annual parade and festival. The Cincinnati Pride Parade consists of rainbow flags, bright and colorful outfits and balloons, and takes place from 7th Street and Plum, down Vine Street past Fountain Square and ends at the festival location of Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove. People come to support and celebrate in whatever they feel confident in, but sparkles and vibrant colors, in the theme of the Pride flag, are always the trend. Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...