LGBTQ-owned businesses and LGTBQ-friendly things to do don’t just provide safe spaces for the community—they cultivate inclusion and belonging.
Below is a comprehensive list of several Pride events around Cincinnati as well as places to get Pride goods and apparel locally and LGBTQ+ book recommendations. There is also a link to area LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
Events
Tuesdays
Drag Bingo
Washington Park, 7–9p
Bingo, sass, and sequins hosted by drag queens in partnership with Queen City Charities. Bingo winners will be awarded with drink tickets that can be redeemed at the Porch Bar.
May 29
Pride Night at the Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves
Great American Ball Park, 6:40p
Tickets (including Pride crossbody bag)
June 4
Brady Block Parties: Pride Block Party
The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, 6:30p
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride with the CSO! The Pride Block Party is FREE and all are welcome. There will be giveaways, food trucks, activities, and entertainment prior to a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra featuring Thorgy Thor from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Anita Spritzer, local drag performers Johnny Justice and Quasi Powell, and Cincy Voque.
Note: there is a clear bag policy at this venue
Adult Swim: Pride Edition
Ziegler Pool, 7–10p
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with a DJ, drinks, freebies, and more. No outside alcohol is permitted.
21+; tickets
June 5–7
OTR Pride Visibility Kickoff Event
Findlay Market
Live music from LGBTQIA+ and allied performers, DIY Tie Dye stations, giveaways, and activities from community organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Free admission
June 6
Hamilton Ohio Pride
Marcum Park, 12–7p
Celebrate love and diversity through entertainment, vendors, food, and activities for all ages.
Details:
Pride March at Rotary Park – 11am
Pride Festival at Marcum Park – noon to 7pm
June 7
NKY Pride
Goebel Park/Mainstrasse, 12–5p (after party at 5)
Y’all Means All: celebrate Pride in NKY with a parade starting at noon, festival from 12 to 5, and after party starting at 5. Festival includes a full stage lineup of local performers, 100+ vendors, and family friendly activities at Goebel Park.
Tea Dance
Braxton Covington, 4–7p
Historically, tea dances have been organized on Sunday afternoons for the LGTBQ+ community to socialize without the fear of discrimination. Today, we continue that legacy in the company of our friends and allies to celebrate and strive for equality.
June 12
8th Annual Middletown Pride Festival
Downtown Middletown, 5–9p
Everyone and everyBODY is welcome to a night full of acceptance, love, and celebration.
June 12–14
Pride in OTR
OTR
Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with a variety of events, specials, and promotions in OTR. Click here for details.
June 13
Westwood Second Saturdays: Pride
Westwood Town Hall, 5–10p
DJ, drag queens, local food and drinks (DORA-friendly!), and interactive entertainment that is inclusive and welcome to all.
June 14
Wigs & Waffles
Rhinegeist, 12–3p
Cincinnati’s largest drag brunch, complete with brunch, open bar, and drag show—all benefiting Queen City Charities and Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ causes.
Tickets
June 15
Pretty in Pride Drag Brunch
21c Museum Hotel, 10:15a
Performances from local queens, buffet brunch by Metropole, complimentary welcome mimosa, and dancing with DJ Aconst—all while supporting Transform Cincy, a local organization providing free wardrobes to transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Hosted by Molly Mormen and Brock Leah Spears.
Tickets
June 20
Cincinnati Opera Presents: Pride Night
Music Hall
A celebration of LGBTQIA+ community, complete with drinks, dancing, laughs, and more surprises. Make a full night of it with tickets to Salome or purchase a Pride Night attendee for the party starting at 10p.
Tickets
June 25
6th Annual Pride Happy Hour
Higher Gravity (Northside), 5–7p
Celebrate Pride and benefit Equality Ohio.
June 26
Cincinnati Magazine’s Pride Party
Court Street Plaza, 5–8p
Kick off Pride weekend in Cincinnati with members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community for a celebratory cocktail party featuring live entertainment, music by DJ Boywife, interactive fun and games, swag bag, unlimited NA beverages, drag show hosted by Midwestern Lesbian, and light bites. Benefiting Queen City Charities.
Tickets
June 27
Pride Stride
Sawyer Point Riverfront Rink, 12–6p
DJ sets, roller skating, table tennis, cornhole, and a rotation of themes and vendors. Click here for details.
Free admission
Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival
Parade: Starts at 7th and Plum, 11a
Festival: Sawyer Point, 12–9p
Free admission
June 28
Day at the Museum Party/Ball
Taft Museum of Art, day party begins at 12p and ball begins at 2p
Music, fashion, performance, vendors, community, and cash prizes all day long.
Tickets
July 19
Dearborn County Pride
Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 1–5p
Music, local vendors, food, and family-friendly activities.
July 25
Lebanon Pride
Downtown Lebanon, 11a–9p
Vendors, artisans, food trucks, resource and educational booths, singers, dancers, bands, a Kids Zone, and a beer garden.
Free admission
September
Pride Night
Kings Island
Official date TBA
Goods and Apparel
Cincy Shirts
Handzy Shop + Studio
Abstract Watercolor Swirls Art Print – $25
Rainbow Stars Tablet Sleeve – $16.99
Miami Beaded Hoops – $15
The Oakley Soap Co
Bars that Benefit: Transform – Lime + Bergamot – $8
Bars that Benefit: Born this Way – Lemongrass – $8
View the entire Pride collection here
Originalitees
Books
Reading books about Pride, the Community, and written by LGBTQ+ authors is a great way to support and show solidarity. Here is a shortlist of books available to purchase through local bookstores, as recommended by @michaelcwoodson.
I suggest supporting independent bookstores and our local libraryies (you can download ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app). You can also purchase books through local indie bookstores via Bookshop.org.
Jack (Not Jackie) – $17.99
Erica Silverman (children’s book)
Bookery
The Celebrants – $18
Steven Rowley (novel)
Love Makes A Family – $11.99
Sophie Beer (children’s book)
Downbound Books
Another Brooklyn – $17.99
Jacqueline Woodson (novel)
Big Gay Wedding – $19.99
Byron Lane (novel)
The Guncle (and sequel The Guncle Abroad)– $18
Steven Rowley (novel)
The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish – $17.99
Lil Miss Hot Mess (children’s Book)
Julián is a Mermaid – $8.99
Jessica Love (children’s book)
The Prettiest Star – $16
Carter Sickels (novel, local)
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag – $18.99
Rob Sanders (children’s book)
Small Businesses
The number of LGBTQ-owned businesses is growing and and their impact on our neighborhoods and our local economies is undeniable. And not only are LGBTQ+-owned businesses a safe space for the Community, they foster inclusion and celebrate belonging.
[This post will be regularly updated as needed. Last update 5/19/26]
