“Looking Back, Loving Forward” — Boston Pride Celebrations

It’s the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and this year’s Boston Pride celebration will honor this historic event with the theme of “Looking Back, Loving Forward.”   Here are some fun events happening around the city to celebrate Boston Pride!

Parade

The annual Pride Parade starts at noon on Saturday, June 8th in Copley Square and moving through the Back Bay, South End, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, and Downtown Crossing ending at City Hall Plaza.

Festival

The Pride Festival also takes place on Saturday from 11am to 6pm at City Hall Plaza, which is where the Pride Concert will take place from noon to 6pm as well. The night wraps up with the Youth Dance, from 7 to 11pm in the plaza (tickets are $10 each). Competing block parties take place in Jamaica Plain and the Back Bay the following day, on Sunday, June 9.

Arts + Crafts

A new show at the the Society of Arts + Crafts called PRIED highlights the hands, minds, and voices of LGBTQI+ artists in the greater Boston area.  The Pried PRIDE reception takes place Thursday, June 6th from  6-9 p.m.//free The exhibit goes through the month of June.

B/Spoke at Revolution Hotel

On Saturday, June 8^th,  participants can get in the PR/DE spirit at The Revolution Hotel with classes and a party hosted by Boston’s fitness and lifestyle brand, B/SPOKE.  Led by instructor Kara Lennon, TRAIN X classes will be offered at both 9:00AM and 10:30AM, followed by an after-party with refreshing drinks, light bites and a live DJ. With the Revolution Hotel on the parade route in the South End, it’s a fun and easy way to commence the PR/DE festivities.  A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to BAGLY, a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating for programs, policies and services for the LGBTQ+ youth community. The admission is $25, which includes entry into the event, one TRAIN X class, a B/SPOKE PR/DE branded bandana, and light bites and beverages from partners Upper Crust, FoMu, FIJI, Drink Simple, Oat Shop, Kettlebell Kitchen, IQ Bar and more.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit here! 

Blend Pride Party

Come join Blend and Fields Corner Main Street on Friday June 7th as we bring you our third annual Dorchester pride party! Hosted by the one and only Mizery. Enjoy a night of community, food, games, music signature cocktails and FUN!  We are raising money again this year to support the vital work of Victory Programs’ Boston Living Center, a nonprofit community and resource center that fosters the wellness of all HIV positive people and responds to the changing needs of the HIV/AIDS community through education, treatment information and support services.

City Winery Pride Party

City Winery will be hosting a Pride Party on Saturday, June 8^th at Boston’s first and only outdoor wine garden!   Guests can enjoy live music and a complimentary Pride Cookie with every glass of wine purchased, while supplies. City Winery on the Greenway is located at Dewey Square in downtown Boston, and serves locally crafted wine on tap and a variety of reds, whites and rosé all season long. In addition, City Winery offers several beers and ciders from neighbor Harpoon, and for those who want to nosh on bites, a Mediterranean-inspired menu of charcuterie, cheeses, olives and nuts to complement your wine garden experience.  The weather calls for sunshine and warm temps this weekend, and City Winery on the Greenway will be open Friday 3:30PM-10:00PM, Saturday, 1:00PM-9:00PM and Sunday 11:00AM-7:00PM.

 The Beehive

Brews and views are the theme once again at The Beehive in celebration of the Boston PRIDE Parade, taking place Saturday, June 8^th, 2019! Conveniently located along the parade route and tucked inside the Boston Center for the Arts patio, the South End’s hot spot for brunch, dinner, al fresco dining, and live music will host their third annual PRIDE Beer Garden. From 9:30AM-2:00AM, this is a prime spot for parade-goers to sip on Harpoon’s seasonal brews and nosh on The Beehive’s signature dishes while taking in the festivities all-day long.

dbar Festivities

Sing your heart out at dbar’s Pride Karaoke! On Thursday, June 6th at 10 p.m., dbar will be handing over the mike to songbirds, divas, and Whitney Houston fans  for a special rendition of Pride Karaoke. The evening will feature music videos played by VJ Ryan Grow alongside song selections.

Pride Stoplight Party: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, June 7th  – dbar’s Pride Stoplight Party on Pride Friday promises to “Light Up Your Night” with the perfect cocktail and plenty of opportunities to mingle. Guests are asked to wear green if they are single, red if they are in a relationship, or yellow if they are somewhere in between. Glow sticks in corresponding colors will be handed out to further light up the party. DJ Kev J will beginning spinning tunes at 10 p.m.  On Saturday, June 8th, dbar’s Magnum Saturdays will be hosting a not-to-miss Pride party with Montreal’s DJ Kev J. From neon lights and clothing to highlighter paint, the Dorchester nightlife and dining hotspot will be keep the tunes bumping and good times rolling from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. 

Sip, Brunch, Repeat at the Lenox Hotel, benefitting BAGLY

Parade-goers can get ready for the day with a brunch benefitting BAGLY. Brunchers will enjoy a full brunch menu, featuring breakfast tacos, a Union Square donut wall, bottomless La Marca mimosas, Tito’s Bloody Mary’s, and Night Shift Beer, all while enjoying the nice weather, music with DJ Dale of 617 Weddings & Events, and supporting a great cause. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite for $75 with 100% of the proceeds going to BAGLY.

Caffeinate with Ned Devine’s, benefitting Boston Pride and GLAD

For every Double Shot Iced Coffee (made with Tito’s, Frangelico, and Ice Coffee) purchased at Ned’s through August 31^st, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will donate $2 to Boston Pride and GLAD, and Ned’s will be matching their donation for a total of $4 donated per drink.

Dine with Tavistock Restaurant Collection, benefitting DotOUT

On Saturday June 8th, Joe’s American Bar and Grille on Newbury, Abe & Louie’s, and Atlantic Fish Co. will all be donating 10% of Parade Day sales to DotOUT, in honor of long-time Tavistock family member, Travis Mitchell. Parade-goers can stop by one or all of the locations and know they are supporting a great cause, whether enjoying a steak at Abe’s, clam chowder at Atlantic Fish, or any number of amazing apps at Joe’s.